Why feed Raw (biologically appropriate food)?
We have several reasons for developing this food and as dog lovers we encourage you to research raw feeding and compare it to commercial kibble. Our primary motivation for creating our food is experiencing first hand the positive changes in our own dogs. As a pet owner it was quite a shock to see the luxurious coat, clean teeth and enhanced vitality when we replaced a cooked, processed, grain-based kibble, with fresh beef, chicken, lamb, pork, fish and vegetables.
More and more pet owners find they cannot feed kibble in good conscience after educating themselves on the topic.
Why do you sell ground food as well as whole foods?
We are strong supporters of feeding whole foods. Not only do dogs love Meaty Bones (RMB) and other whole foods, they provide excellent jaw and upper body muscle exercise. In addition, chewing naturally cleans teeth, making brushing or expensive dental cleaning completely unnecessary. Although whole foods are excellent, they are not for every dog.
The following is a list of issues that may determine ground food to be a better choice then whole:
- Dental disease which makes effective chewing impossible
- Dogs that gulp their food
- Puppies that have not yet developed the ability to consume whole foods
- Very small breeds that are unable to consume whole foods.
My Dog Gulps his Food. Do I have to Feed Ground Meals?
You need to first distinguish between a dog eating normally and a dog that is a dangerous gulper. To do that you first need to understand the mechanics of how a dog eats. Unlike humans, dogs do not have the ability to move their jaws laterally. This means they are not designed to chew their food. There teeth are used to crush and slice food into a manageable size for swallowing. Don’t expect your dog to chew a chicken neck until it is broken into small pieces before swallowing. Depending on the size of your dog, many will swallow a chicken neck whole or crunch it once before swallowing. This is normal. If, on the other hand, your dog is trying to swallow a large piece such as a beef tail without chewing, this is not normal. Please ensure your pet is not concerned his food is in jeopardy by another dog if he doesn’t eat it quickly. Allow your dog privacy from other household pets while he is eating. You can also try holding the bone and let him get the idea of chewing without being able to swallow the whole food item.
My dog won't eat mackerel. Is this a problem?
Cold water fish, such as mackerel, provides important Omega 3 Fatty Acids and essential minerals such as iodine. For those dogs that do not eat mackerel, Totally Raw recommends supplementing with a cold water fish or marine oil such as K9 Shine or Arctic Vigor to replace the beneficial fat. Kelp & Alfalfa should also be added to the diet once a week for additional minerals.
Should I feed my dog recreational bones?
There are two types of recreational bones: weight bearing and non-weight bearing. Weight bearing bones e.g., marrow bones, are extremely hard and very difficult or impossible for a dog to consume. Totally Raw Natural Dog Food does not advocate the use of this type of recreational bone. It can lead to premature wearing of the tooth enamel and even cause tooth breakage while providing very little nutritional benefit. As a pet owner, you should never give your dog a bone that is harder than his teeth.
Totally Raw advocates non-weight bearing recreational bones, such as beef neck bones (Daisy Bones). They provide a safe alternative that will not place undo stress on the teeth. These bones provide lots of chewing enjoyment without the risk of tooth breakage or wear. Even small dogs are able to gain nutritional benefit from chewing on natural bone. For customers who enjoy our ground food line we highly recommend providing our recreational bones on a regular basis. This will provide lots of chewing enjoyment and more importantly clean, tartar free teeth.
I have noticed my dog is drinking less water daily. Should I be concerned?
No, this is completely expected. Totally Raw Natural Dog Food provides food in its natural state, the moisture necessary for digestion is contained in the raw food. Because kibble has had the water removed, dogs constantly have to drink water in an attempt to maintain proper hydration.
How often should I feed my adult dog?
Unless your dog has a special medical requirement, we recommend that adult dogs are fed once per day. The empty canine stomach is like an accordion containing many folds. Within these folds are glands that assist with proper digestion. It is only when the dog has taken on a substantial meal that the stomach is stretched and the glands exposed and activated. Feeding a dog more then once per day leads to inadequate digestion and a constant feeling of hunger providing your pet with one substantial meal per day leaves them satisfied and satiated. Please view the Meal Calculator to determine your dog's food requirements for every life stage.
When is the best time to feed my dog?
You can either vary your dog’s meal time or stick to a schedule. If you consistently feed your pet at the same time everyday, he or she will become conditioned to eat at that time. Your dog will produce strong digestive juices based on the time of day rather then as a reaction to having the meal prepared. The digestive juices are very strong chemicals designed to break down organic tissue. If the food is late, dogs will rid themselves of the acid by vomiting, a development that is very unpleasant for your pet. If you choose to feed on a schedule, ensure you are consistent.
If you vary the feeding schedule, your pet will produce digestive juices based on seeing you prepare the food, rather then time of day. Many pet owners find it more convenient not to have their dog on a feeding schedule.
I have heard stories about bones being bad for dogs. Is this true?
Cooked Bones are very dangerous for dogs. The cooking process causes the bones to become dry and brittle. Feeding a dog cooked bones can cause the bones to splinter and possibly cause serious harm. Appropriate raw bones, on the other hand, are perfectly safe and healthy for your dog to eat. At Totally Raw Natural Dog Food we like to use softer bones such as chicken backs, chicken necks and the smaller lamb bones. This allows the dogs to eat the entire bone and access all the necessary nutrition. If you still prefer not to give your dog whole foods, then we recommend feeding our ground line.
How do I ensure the proper Calcium: Phosphorous ratio?
The proper balance of calcium and phosphorous can be a difficult to determine when feeding a kibble product. Kibble manufactures try to insure the ratio is correct through chemical analysis, but it may be in a form that is impossible or difficult for the dog to digest e.g., limestone. It is not surprising to find that raw bones and meat contain the proper ratio of calcium and phosphorous. After all wild dogs do not have the benefit of a lab and chemists yet they are able to thrive on what nature provides. If we feed enough bones (10-15% of the total diet) we can ensure our pets receive the proper minerals in the necessary ratio.
I am concerned about salmonella. Is this a problem for dogs?
Salmonella is not a problem for dogs. The acidity level in the canine stomach is very high, creating a very inhospitable environment for bacteria. Tests of various brands of kibble have shown that many contain salmonella, so, in reality, if your dog is eating kibble it is already exposed to salmonella. When it comes to handling raw chicken, or any other raw meat, common sense is in order. Just like when you prepare chicken for your family, proper sanitation techniques must be used. Use a separate bowl for thawing the meat, and wash the bowl with hot soapy water or put it in the dishwasher. Keep the dogs food bowl clean by regular washing or feed the dog outside. A little dirt on your dog’s food is not a problem; think about some of the distasteful things you have seen your dog eat! The Food and Drug Administration recently released an article informing the public that salmonella is not harmful to dogs.
I've noticed my dog pooping less and it turns white. Is this normal?
Yes, this is completely normal for a dog eating a biologically appropriate diet. The dog has less waste because the most of the food he is now ingesting is being digested and properly utilized by the body. The meaty bones account for it turning white. Another added bonus is the poop biodegrades at a much faster rate than when the dog is eating commercial food!
My dog no longer needs its anal glands expressed. Why?
You will probably notice that you dog will no longer need to have his anal glands expressed. The bone component of the diet firms the feces, which naturally squeezes the anal glands with every bowl movement. With a cooked, processed, grain based diet; the feces remain soft, allowing for the secretions to build up. This condition often results in an unnecessary, painful compaction and possible rupture of the glands.
Will feeding raw meat make my dog become aggressive and vicious?
This idea is a myth. There is NO causative relationship between eating raw meat and aggression. Whole, natural, raw food is what dogs ate before the invention of kibble in the 1930's. Other canines eat raw meat e.g., wolves, foxes, coyotes, and they have not gone vicious or mean. If you are still not convinced think about what happens when a person eats raw meat e.g., steak tartar or sushi. Do we go wild or get aggressive? No, of course not. Feeding an animal the way nature intended, will only add to its overall health and mental well-being. However, research does indicate that behavioral problems may result from feeding an inadequate diet such as a chemical laden kibble product.
At Totally Raw Natural Dog Food we puree the vegetables to a mush. The reason we puree is because plant walls are made up of cellulose and dogs cannot digest cellulose. Our pureeing process crushes the cell walls allowing the nutrients to be available to the dog. Chopping vegetables is not a satisfactory substitute as it only crushes the outer cell walls, leaving the inner parts nutritionally unavailable.
What types of vegetables do you use?
We believe in using a wide assortment of seasonal vegetables. Preparations are constantly changing, to provide as much variety as possible. Our mixtures will always contain a green leafy vegetable component. Green leafy vegetables contain most of the vitamins a dog needs .
Why are the vegetables raw?
We know that when food is cooked it loses much of its nutritional value. Vitamins are lost and many necessary enzymes (proteins) are destroyed. Enzymes are crucial to digestion, and without them the pancreas is forced to work harder and produce more digestive enzymes.
This is not to say dogs should never be given cooked vegetables, but raw vegetables provide more nutrition.
Although many raw feeders add vegetables to their dog's diet, it is not a necessary part of raw diet.
My dog won’t eat vegetables. What can I do?
The best way to start your dog on vegetables is to mix them with something he loves e.g., whole raw egg, gravy, broth, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt etc.
Although vegetables, fed on occasion, are a healthy additition to the raw diet, they are not necessary. Many raw feeders do not include fruit or vegetables in their diet, and their dogs are in peak health.
Are raw eggs healthy for my dog?
Raw eggs are a wonderful source of protein, essential fatty acids and calcium when fed whole, including the shell. Some manufacturers coat the egg with a waxy substance to maintain freshness. If that is the case, do not feed the shell to your pet.
Do I have to feed only Totally Raw Natural Dog Food?
No. Our philosophy is that like a human diet; variety is the key to good nutrition. We have developed a nutritional plan with necessary key components e.g., phosphorous: calcium ratio, but we encourage you to be creative in terms of feeding your pet. For example if you are low on Totally Natural Dog Food, don’t hesitate to go through your fridge and create a meal for your pet. Excellent choices are eggs, any vegetables (except onions in any form), cottage cheese, natural yogurt, hamburger (never processed meats) etc. Meals do not have to be balanced. A sound diet is balanced over a two-week period. The idea of each meal for your dog being “complete” and “balanced” is a myth. Dogs in their natural environment achieve balance over time.
Should I be concerned about Bloat and Torsion?
The key to preventing bloat and torsion is maintaining a healthy digestive system. Bloat and torsion is extremely rare in dogs that consume a high protein, raw meat based diet, containing less than 25% carbohydrate.
Is there safe, natural pest control?
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is amazing non-toxic, safe form of pest control. It is made from crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine life and has the consistency of talcum powder. The fossils are crushed to a fine powder and when viewed though a microscope, the particles resemble bits of broken glass. DE is deadly to any insect and completely harmless to animals, fish, fowl or food. In fact, DE is an excellent nutritional supplement containing 15 beneficial trace minerals.
Diatomaceous Earth works in two ways- Insects have a waxy outer shell covering their bodies, DE scratches their protective coating, causing them to quickly dehydrate and die. In addition, the insects absorb some of the material which quickens the process. Rub it into their fur and bedding to kill fleas, ticks and dust mites (fantastic for dogs that are allergic to mites). DE added to your pet’s food will safely destroy internal parasites.
To kill internal Parasites:
1/2 Teaspoon-Puppies & small dogs (under10 pounds;
1 Teaspoon- Puppies and small dogs (10-19lb);
1 Tablespoon- Medium Breeds;
2 Tablespoons -Large Breeds.
Feeding DE daily will eliminate whipworms, roundworms, pinworms and hookworms within seven days. Feed DE daily for 30 days to ensure all developing worms are destroyed as DE will not kill the eggs. DE is a safe, natural alternative to chemical pesticides that have been linked to many serious health concerns for pets and their owners.
Do not inhale DE.
What does the Purdue Bloat Study tell us about food and feeding practices?
The recently released Purdue Bloat study is the largest most comprehensive research project to date. This study confirmed previous reports of increased risks of bloat, also know as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GSV) associated with food and feeding practices. Raised food bowls which were originally designed to lessen the incidences of GSV were found to significantly increase incidences of bloat. As raised food bowls increase the risk of GSV and are no longer recommended feeding practices.
On a dietary note, 170% increase of GDV was found in dogs that consumed dry foods containing fat among the first four ingredients. The risk of GDV was increased 320% in dogs that consumed dry foods containing citric acid that were also moistened prior to feeding by owners. Occurrences in GDV were also found when kibble was moistened prior to being fed.