If a problem occurs
On our website, we aim to delve into the exciting realm of feeding your dog what I like to call "real food," commonly referred to as raw food or BARF. It's crucial to bear in mind that all dogs are unique beings with their individual needs and conditions. Therefore, you won't find any specific recipes here. Sharing precise raw food recipes is indeed a challenge because there is no one-size-fits-all solution that works for all dogs. Dietary variation is the key to ensuring that your four-legged companion receives a well-balanced diet.
At times, you may encounter challenges and need to adjust the proportions in your dog's diet to create a better balance tailored to your specific canine. Here, we will examine the most common issues that can arise when feeding your dog raw food. However, it's important to understand that the information we share here does not replace professional veterinary care. If your dog is unwell or displaying symptoms of illness, it is always best to consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and guidance, though exercise caution with prescription diets and other solutions that veterinarians often promote to concerned dog owners. Ponder and think for yourself.
This is a space to explore dietary suggestions and supplementary advice that can be a valuable addition to your veterinarian's recommendations. We are here to help you comprehend the potential problems and challenges that may arise when providing your dog with raw food and provide you with the tools to create a healthy and balanced diet tailored to your unique four-legged friend.
Losing weight despite a lot of food
Does not absorb the nutrients in the food
The stomach makes a lot of noise
Ear infections, running eyes
Diarrhea
Seizures
Drinks a lot
Drinks very little
Refuses to eat or eats only meat
Always hungry despite a lot of food
Itching, bites on paws, skin problems
Vomits bile, eats grass
Anal sac problem
Losing weight
One factor that can complicate matters is the balance between fat, protein,
and carbohydrates. If your dog is struggling to maintain a healthy weight,
these components can play a crucial role in restoring the balance. It's
essential to experiment and observe what works best for each dog. Here
are some things to try for weight loss.
Fat:
Excessive animal fat in the diet is a common cause of weight loss. Consuming
too much fat can lead to digestive problems, which, in turn, can affect the body's
ability to absorb essential nutrients. Therefore, it's important not to increase the
fat content if your dog is losing weight, as this often results in complications such
as nutrient deficiencies and inflammation of the pancreas.
To address this, you can reduce the fat content by replacing some of the meat with white fish. This helps dilute the fat content in the diet. It's important to remember that your dog's food should never contain more than 10% fat.
Protein:
Another aspect to consider is the protein content in your dog's diet. If your dog primarily consumes meat-based protein, it may be beneficial to reduce it to about 1/3 or even 1/4 of the meal. To ensure your dog doesn't suffer from hunger, the meat protein should be replaced with other sources.
In some meals, you can consider replacing the meat with plain cottage cheese. Dogs typically tolerate lactose well, but if you prefer, you can opt for lactose-free alternatives. Avoid light products or flavored options. To vary the protein source, you can include quinoa, lentils, beans, and peas.
Carbohydrates:
When it comes to carbohydrates, it may be advantageous to reduce the consumption of above-ground vegetables with high water content. Instead, you can increase the intake of root vegetables and grains. This process requires some experimentation, where you should carefully monitor how your dog reacts.
It's important to choose the right options and focus on your dog's well-being. Always select gluten-free options like gluten-free whole-grain pasta, brown rice, and quinoa. Millet and buckwheat can also be included, but follow the package instructions closely to eliminate the risk of poisoning.
Balancing fat, protein, and carbohydrates in your dog's diet is crucial for maintaining its health and weight. By carefully considering and adjusting these components, you can ensure that your dog receives a well-balanced and healthy diet.
Losing weight despite a lot of food
If you find that your dog is not gaining weight or is even losing weight despite
providing an adequate amount of food, there are several factors to consider.
First, check the points mentioned under "Losing weight." If these don't seem to
be the issue, you can explore the following options.
For some dogs with sensitive digestion,
it can be beneficial to practice mono-feeding. This means giving animal-based food
at one meal and plant-based food at another, with a 12-hour gap between them.
This approach can help the dog better absorb nutrients from each meal. Dogs' digestion is optimized for handling one type of food at a time and may struggle to digest both protein and complex carbohydrates simultaneously. This is because the acidic chemicals required to break down proteins actually neutralize the enzymes needed to break down carbohydrates. Combining animal and plant-based foods in the same meal can hinder nutrient absorption due to these competing processes.
Mono-feeding can be varied.
You can provide animal-based food at one meal and plant-based food at another, or you can offer them on different days, with a day of fasting occasionally to give the dog's body a chance to rest. If fasting is not possible for some reason, you can replace entire daily rations with only fruits and berries on fasting days.
In some cases,
your dog may still show hunger and not gain weight, even when you increase the amount of food. This could actually be due to your dog receiving too much food. Not all dogs become overweight from overeating, but the body continuously works to process food and eliminate waste, which can lead to various health issues. For instance, the immune system can be negatively affected, as a significant portion of it is concentrated in the intestines.
Determining the exact amount
of food a dog needs can be challenging, but general guidelines suggest that the food amount should be between 1-5% of the dog's normal weight or expected weight. Please note that this does not apply to today's weight if your dog is underweight. It's essential to remember that all recommendations are approximate, and the right food quantity may vary from one individual to another.
Does not absorb the nutrients in the food
If you suspect, for various reasons, that your dog is struggling to absorb the
nutrients you provide, several factors could be contributing to this issue. We've
previously discussed how excessively fatty animal-based foods can disrupt
digestion, as mentioned here. Other factors that can affect nutrient absorption
include:
Lack of Roughage
There has been a long-standing concern about the harmful effects of grains in
commercial dog food. However, it's essential to distinguish between the large
quantities of processed and concentrated grains found in commercial dog food
and the grains and cereals we prepare at home in the kitchen.
When cooking grains and cereals, be meticulous. Rinse them thoroughly before and
after cooking to remove some of the starch. If your dog seems to bloat from grains, you can try soaking them overnight before cooking. Most vegetables and all legumes must be cooked or processed for optimal nutrient absorption. Vegetables have a built-in defense that can hinder nutrient uptake, which heating neutralizes.
Allowing vegetables to cool and refrigerate overnight converts less useful starches into better, healthier ones.
Mono-feeding
can also be a solution for poor nutrient absorption, which you can read about here.
Excessive Animal-Based Foods and Insufficient Carbohydrates
Reducing the intake of fat and protein from animal-based sources without leaving your dog hungry can be a challenge. The solution is to supplement the diet with good, satisfying carbohydrate sources.
What makes you feel fuller, whole-grain pasta or cucumbers? Lentils or lettuce? You might see where I'm going with this. Try to reduce the intake of watery vegetables and increase the consumption of root vegetables and grains/pasta to provide more satiety.
Don't be afraid to experiment; what works, works! It's about finding what suits each individual.
Portion Size
As previously discussed here, excessive food can cause problems for your dog, including nutrient absorption. Some tips for managing portion sizes include weighing the food, especially animal-based ingredients, to get a better understanding of your dog's intake. Measure it in a scoop and estimate the volume when it's in the bowl. Review all the ingredients and proportions and try different combinations and quantities.
Ear infections, running eyes
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