Dogs left to fend for themselves
in a natural world have no difficulty identifying what’s good to eat. Their
diet includes anything that creeps, crawls, wriggles, runs, swims and flies.
I applaud you if you can find whole carcasses of other animals as food for
your pet. However, in our modern world we need to look for alternatives. And
in this regard a raw meaty bones and table scrap diet works wonders.
As with any new venture the better informed we are the easier the task.
Also, when well informed, fears tend to fade into insignificance. FEAR, by
the way, is an acronym for False Expectations Appearing Real. Fortunately,
dogs seldom share our fears and wolf down the first raw meaty bone they are
offered.
The Diet Guide provides lists of suitable
raw meaty bones and offal. Table scraps can be almost anything from your own
plate with notable exceptions such as cooked bones, onion, garlic and raisins.
Circumstances vary and dogs come in different ages and sizes. However, some
generalisations apply.
Quality
The closer you follow the natural ideal the better. Feed whole carcasses
whenever you can and otherwise base your feeding regime on raw meaty bones
in large pieces from a variety of animals. However, wolves frequently depend
on meat from a single prey species, for instance deer, and there are lots
of pet dogs that eat chicken at every meal.
Quantity
Aim for 70% or more of the diet as raw meaty bones. Thereafter, the remaining
percentage can be made up of offal, table scraps, and large lumps of meat
or more raw meaty bones. Nature, thankfully, is tolerant and allows a range
of options that provide for good health.
Daily food intake varies. As a percentage of body weight, giant breeds tend
to need less and small breeds need more food. Working dogs, breeding and lactating
females and growing puppies need more food than do less active dogs.
As a guide, healthy adult dogs usually require between 2% and 3% of their
body weight in food daily. Over the course of a week, in round figures, that
amounts to 15% to 20% of body weight. For example, if your dog weighs 10 kilos
he will likely need between 1.5 and 2 kilos of raw meaty bones each week.
If you measure in pounds weight then the sums are the same. Perhaps your
dog weighs 20 pounds. Then you can expect to feed her between 3 and 4 pounds
of food each week.
A good rule of thumb, when feeding growing puppies, is to allow them daily
food rations equivalent to 2%–3% of their expected body weight when fully
grown.
Frequency
Wild dogs have no regular meal times and are used to gorging when food is
available. Sometimes they go days between meals. In a domestic setting once-a-day
feeding works best for most pets and their owners. It’s a good idea to feed
your dog when you are at home to watch over and see your dog enjoy his meal
— which for many people is in the evening.
Always strive to feed the raw meaty bones in one large lump. This maximises
the time spent gnawing and chewing which is good for dental cleaning. It also
minimises the chances of a small piece being swallowed whole and getting stuck.
Healthy dogs benefit from one or two days fasting each week. Research shows
that slim dogs (and people) tend to be healthier and live longer. Sick and
elderly dogs and growing puppies should not be fasted.
Getting started
When getting started, keep it simple. Over time it’s a good plan to feed
raw meaty bones and offal from a range of animals. But in the first couple
of weeks stick with one source. Chicken is relatively cheap and readily available.
Tiny dogs do well on chicken wings and thighs. Larger dogs may need a whole
chicken. And for economy, chicken frames, with most of the meat removed for
human consumption, are a good source of food.
What other preparation is needed? You may need a bowl in which to feed table
scraps. For the main food items — the large lumps of raw meaty bones and offal
— simply hand them to your dog. That’s easy if you have a grassy lawn where
she can dine in comfort. If your dog needs to eat indoors then feed her in
the kitchen, laundry or even in the shower cubicle. By spreading some newspaper,
a towel or mat you make cleanup easier.
Take care and have fun
Raw meaty bones act as nature’s toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss
combined. Many dogs affected by bad breath and sore gums gain a return to
good oral health after a couple of weeks on a natural diet. However, dogs
suffering more severe dental problems may need dental treatment before commencing
a natural diet. (See 12 year old Maltese Tess receiving dental
treatment followed by her remarkable recovery.)
Dogs ‘like’ bones very much and
sometimes become protective. Do take care and discourage young children from
approaching dogs that are eating. Your professional dog trainer can advise.
The first time you hand your dog a raw meaty bone can be as momentous or
as mundane as you choose to make it. But it will be the start of a whole new
way of life for you and your pet. So, having a camera handy could be useful,
as could keeping a diary. In years to come you will be able to share evidence
of your pioneering efforts with your grandchildren as you look back with
pride.
