Breaking Down a Raw Food Diet: Essential Components

A raw diet for dogs is designed to mimic what their ancestors would naturally eat in the wild. This means including a variety of nutrient-dense, species-appropriate ingredients that support overall health and wellness. Let’s take a deeper look at the key components of a balanced raw diet.

🥩 Proteins: The Foundation of a Raw Diet

Protein is the most critical component of a raw diet, providing the essential amino acids dogs need for muscle development, tissue repair, and overall vitality. Dogs are biologically designed to thrive on animal-based protein sources, which supply the necessary nutrients for optimal health. High-quality protein helps build strong muscles, supports immune function, and provides the energy dogs need to stay active.

• Lean muscle meats such as beef, turkey, duck, lamb, and venison provide essential amino acids and B vitamins.
• Organ meats like liver, heart, and kidney are nutrient-dense superfoods that offer vital minerals like iron, zinc, and copper.
• Raw meaty bones such as chicken necks or beef ribs provide natural calcium and phosphorus, crucial for strong bones and teeth.
• Wild-caught fish like sardines and mackerel are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain function, skin health, and reduce inflammation.

By rotating different protein sources, you ensure your dog receives a wide range of essential nutrients to promote balanced nutrition.

🦴 Bones: Nature’s Perfect Calcium Source

Bones play an essential role in a raw diet, offering not only nutritional benefits but also supporting dental health and mental stimulation. Raw meaty bones (RMBs) provide natural calcium and phosphorus, which are crucial for strong bones, teeth, and overall skeletal health.

• Weight-bearing bones (like turkey or chicken drumsticks) provide a rich source of calcium, necessary for maintaining bone strength and proper muscle function.
• Cartilage-rich bones (such as duck necks or beef trachea) supply glucosamine and chondroitin, which support joint health and mobility.
• Edible bones help clean teeth naturally by scraping off plaque and tartar, reducing the risk of dental disease.

It’s important to only feed raw bones, as cooked bones can splinter and pose a choking hazard. Choosing appropriately sized bones for your dog ensures safe consumption and maximum benefits.

🥬 Leafy Greens & Veggies: Nutrient Powerhouses

While dogs are primarily carnivorous, small amounts of vegetables can offer important micronutrients, fiber, and antioxidants that contribute to overall health. Many vegetables contain phytonutrients that support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion.

• Leafy greens like kale, spinach, and dandelion greens are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, supporting vision, immune health, and bone strength.
• Broccoli and zucchini are packed with antioxidants and fiber, which aid digestion and promote gut health.
• Carrots and pumpkin provide beta-carotene and natural prebiotics that support a healthy gut microbiome.
• Donna’s Mushroom Blends contain powerful adaptogens that support immune function, cognitive health, and overall well-being.

Lightly steaming or pureeing vegetables can improve digestibility, ensuring your dog can absorb the maximum amount of nutrients.

🍓 Fruits: Natural Vitamin Boosters

Fruits can be a valuable addition to a raw diet, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that enhance your dog’s health. However, they should be fed in moderation due to their natural sugar content.

• Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that protect against cellular damage and support cognitive function.
• Apples (without seeds) offer vitamin C, fiber, and phytonutrients that promote gut and heart health.
• Bananas provide potassium, magnesium, and prebiotic fiber, which aid digestion and muscle function.

Feeding small amounts of fruit as an occasional treat can offer additional nutrients while keeping sugar intake low.

🐟 Healthy Fats: Essential for Skin, Coat & Joints

Healthy fats are a vital component of a raw diet, supplying essential fatty acids that promote brain function, skin and coat health, and joint mobility. Dogs require omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to maintain cellular health and reduce inflammation.

• Seal oil is an exceptional source of EPA, DHA, and DPA, providing anti-inflammatory benefits, improving cognitive function, and enhancing skin and coat quality. Best omega on the market, and great for dogs with fish allergies!
• Green-lipped mussel is naturally rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, making it an excellent supplement for joint support and mobility.
• Raw egg yolk contains biotin, omega-3s, and essential vitamins that nourish the skin and coat while supporting brain development.

Incorporating healthy fats into your dog’s diet ensures optimal cellular function, reducing the risk of skin conditions, allergies, and joint discomfort.

🥛 Fermented Foods: Gut Health & Immunity

A healthy gut is the key to a strong immune system, and fermented foods provide beneficial bacteria that help balance gut flora, improve digestion, and support overall health. Probiotics found in fermented foods can aid in nutrient absorption and reduce inflammation.

• Raw goat milk is rich in probiotics, enzymes, and essential fatty acids that promote gut and immune health.
• Kefir is a powerful probiotic source that enhances digestion and helps combat harmful bacteria in the gut.
• Plain Greek yogurt contains live cultures that improve digestive health and strengthen the immune system.

Adding small amounts of fermented foods can significantly improve your dog’s gut microbiome, leading to better digestion and stronger immunity.

🦴 Bone Broth: A Nutrient-Rich Superfood

Bone broth is a deeply nourishing addition to any raw diet, packed with collagen, amino acids, and essential minerals that support joint health, digestion, and hydration. It is particularly beneficial for senior dogs or those with digestive sensitivities.

• Supports joint and connective tissue health by providing natural glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen.
• Aids digestion and gut healing by offering amino acids like glycine that soothe the gut lining.
• Boosts immune function with vital minerals that promote overall wellness.

Ready to make bone broth for your pup? Here's a secret Bone Broth Recipe!
 

Bone broth to the rescue!

Studies conducted in the 1800′s showed that when there is plenty of gelatin in the diet, the body’s need for protein from meat sources can be reduced by as much as fifty percent! Bone broth is also an excellent source of important minerals and can bolster the immune system (think chicken soup)!

 

Add Apple Cider Vinegar

This helps draw the minerals out of the bones more thoroughly. Raw apple cider vinegar is most commonly used (It’s well regarded by herbalists for its ability to draw minerals out of plants). Lemon juice may also be used.

 

Cook For A Long Time!

This is necessary to get the full nutrition out of the bones. There is no magic time, but try simmering it for 24 hours in a crockpot. You could do it on the stove as well, but be sure you don’t leave the simmering broth unattended.

 

Bones should be knuckle bones with all of the connective tissue still attached.  Chicken carcasses, feet and duck feet, work well too.   The tiny bones do not need to be slow cooked very long.

 

Bonus additives:
 Rosemary, thyme, garlic, medicinal mushrooms....anything that has some health benefits.

Slow Cook for 24-48 hours

Cool and discard fat, added ingredients, and bones (scrape off all connective tissue and place back in pot)

Use a blender or immerse blender to create and even texture

Broth should be jelly like once cooled

Fresh broth will last about 5 days in fridge.

Freeze and extra. Ice cube trays work well.

 

 

Why You Shouldn’t Mix Raw and Kibble in the Same Meal

When transitioning to a raw diet or incorporating fresh foods into your pet’s meals, it’s crucial to understand why raw feeding and kibble shouldn’t be combined in the same meal.

Raw meat requires a highly acidic stomach environment to break down bone and eliminate potential pathogens. When a dog eats raw food, their stomach produces strong gastric acid to digest it efficiently. However, kibble digestion works differently—since kibble is processed and contains starches, the stomach doesn’t need to generate as much acid. When raw and kibble are fed together, the stomach may not reach the necessary acidity levels to safely break down raw meat and bones, increasing the risk of harmful bacteria surviving the digestive process.

Additionally, improper digestion can lead to an imbalanced gut environment, which can foster unwanted bacteria and contribute to digestive upset or long-term health concerns. To avoid these risks, it’s best to feed raw meals and kibble meals at separate times, ensuring your dog’s digestive system can handle each type of food appropriately.

 

Final Thoughts

Feeding a fresh, whole-food diet can significantly improve your dog’s health, energy levels, and longevity. Whether you’re looking to add fresh foods to kibble or transition fully to raw, understanding these key components will help you create a balanced, nutritious diet tailored to your pet’s needs.

Have questions about raw feeding? Reach out—I’d love to help guide you on your fresh feeding journey! 🐾🥩