Turkey
Turkey is a hallmark food item during the fall and winter months and a great source of the following: protein, amino acids, fats, vitamins A & C, riboflavin, folate, choline, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, and omega fatty acids. This meat is a bit higher than others in sodium so should be balanced with other seasonal meat sources (discussed below). 3P offers the following food items: Ground turkey with bone, ground turkey with bone & veg, ground turkey liver & heart, turkey necks, and turkey wingettes.
Pheasant
Pheasant is a great alternative poultry source for dogs allergic to chicken and/or turkey and is high in protein, niacin, vitamin B6 & B12, calcium, phosphorus, and selenium. 3P offers the following food sources from pheasant: ground pheasant w/ bone & veg and ground pheasant w/ bone.
Venison
Deer is a well-balanced food source for dogs and is a wonderful addition to any dog’s diet since it is largely hypo-allergenic and extremely high in protein. Additionally, venison, natural meat that is not raised using hormones or antibiotics. It is a great source of the following nutrients: protein, amino acids, fats, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, choline, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, selenium, and omega fatty acids. Venison or elk are great food sources to balance with turkey for your weekly diet plan (examples below). 3P offers the following venison food items: Ground venison meat & organ, ground venison meat, organ & veg.
Elk
Elk is packed with protein and other nutrients, perfect for cool winter months and 3P offers a wide variety of elk products. Elk is also natural meat, raised without drugs of any kind. Nutrients found in raw elk include protein (highest source of any meat), amino acids, fats, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B6 & B12, folate, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, selenium, and omega fatty acids. 3P offers elk in the following forms: ground elk w/ organ, ground elk w/ organ & veg, meaty elk femur, knuckle & neck bones
Seasonal Veggies for Dogs
Pumpkin
Pumpkins are growing everywhere in the lower mainland this time of year and are an excellent food source to have on hand at home. It is particularly well-known for its soothing properties on the digestive system and can be frozen in your freezer to have on hand if tummy troubles should arise. Raw pumpkin contains enzymes and nutrients that aid in difficulties during digestion. Nutrients include vitamins A, B6, C, E, thiamine, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, riboflavin, potassium, copper, and manganese. 3P offers ground raw pumpkin frozen in 500g packages.
Yams
Yams are a wonderful seasonal root vegetable, particularly high in vitamin A and a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese. Though we recommend feeding raw, pureed yam, a great treat is to simply take a yam, whole with the skin, and bake it in the oven at 350 degrees F for approximately 45 minutes or until caramelization takes place. A small amount added to meals can be a welcomed treat to your dog. About 1 tbsp per 10lbs adds a nice flavor and texture as well as great nutrient sources.
Squash
Squashes of all varieties are readily available in the fall. The sweetest and most popular is butternut squash which can be fed raw as part of a meal or baked and fed as a treat. Squash is high in vitamin A, C, B6, E, dietary fiber, thiamin, niacin, folate, calcium, potassium, and manganese.
Kale
Kale is a great leafy green source that grows throughout the winter in the lower mainland. It is high in the following nutrients: vitamins A, C, K, B6, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, dietary fiber, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and is particularly high in protein for a vegetable. Kale should be rotated with other leafy green vegetables, each providing a different nutrient profile.
Ginger Root
Ginger has historically been used as a medicinal food for digestive upset. Enzymes and phytochemicals found in raw ginger are known to alleviate vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pains due to gas and bloating and support immune function. For best results, grate fresh ginger root into food, about 1 tablespoon per 10 pounds of bodyweight. Ginger root is high in vitamin C, magnesium, copper, potassium, and manganese.
*3P’s vegetable blends come in 5 blends. They are created with a balance of green leafy vegetables, root vegetables, squashes, and fruits and provide a great variety of nutrients. You may choose to use these blends or customize your own veggies for dogs with special needs.
Weekly Diet Planning for Fall
Balancing the diet with different foods throughout the week ensures a wide variety of essential nutrients are being provided. Below are a few “mock” meal plans to help you plan a delicious raw diet for your dog this fall. Adult dogs will eat approximately 100g per 10lbs of bodyweight but amounts may vary.
Meal Plan Example 1
Day 1: AM & PM: Ground turkey/bone/vegetable
Day 2: AM & PM: Ground venison/organ/vegetable
Day 3: AM & PM: Ground turkey/bone/vegetable
Day 4: AM: Ground venison/organ/veg PM: Whole turkey neck(s)
Day 5: AM: Ground venison/organ/veg PM: Whole turkey neck(s)
Day 6: AM & PM: Ground turkey/bone/veg
Day 7: AM: Ground venison/organ/veg PM: Whole turkey wingettes*
*Turkey wingettes not appropriate for larger size dogs who can swallow them whole. Substitute whole turkey necks for large breed dogs.
Meal Plan Example 2
Day 1: AM and PM: Ground pheasant/bone/veg
Day 2: AM and PM: Ground elk/organ/veg
Day 3: AM and PM: Ground pheasant/bone/veg
Day 4: AM: Ground elk/organ/veg PM: Meaty elk knuckle or neck bone
Day 5: AM and PM: Ground pheasant/bone/veg
Day 6: AM: Elk Femur PM: Ground pheasant/bone/veg
Day 7: AM: Ground elk/organ/veg PM: Ground pheasant/organ/veg
Meal Plan Example 3
Day 1: AM and PM: Ground turkey/bone/veg
Day 2: AM and PM: Ground venison/organ/veg
Day 3: AM and PM: Ground pheasant/bone/veg
Day 4: AM and PM: Ground elk/organ/veg
Day 5: AM: Ground venison/organ/veg PM: Whole turkey neck(s)
Day 6: AM: Ground turkey/bone/organ PM: Elk femur
Day 7: AM: Ground elk/organ/veg PM: Ground pheasant/bone/veg
Dog Cookie Recipes
Ok so......as I always say, grains are not an IDEAL food source for dogs, but wheat tends to be the most genetically modified and is a common allergen for dogs and humans alike. Other types of flour can be used in treats to bake your own dog cookies at home. Brown rice flour, ground flaxseed, and oat flour are all better alternatives. After all, cookies are an essential part of life! We all have to live a little! Our dogs deserve treats too, in moderation, of course. If your dog has allergies and is on a strictly grain-free regime, there are treats for them too! Dehydrated liver and heart of an appropriate protein source are great alternatives for dogs with dietary concerns and are usually available at your local raw pet food store. Here are two great fall cookie recipes to try at home:
Pumpkin Ginger Snap Biscuits
4 cups of brown rice flour
½ cup whole or ground flax seed
1 cup canned pumpkin (no spices)
2 tbsp flax oil
1 tbsp honey
½ cup water
4 tbsp grated ginger (fresh)
½ cup molasses (optional) *contains wheat
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine brown rice flour and flaxseed. Mix thoroughly. Fold in flax oil, honey, water, ginger, and molasses. Lastly, mix pumpkin in. You may add more pumpkin if a bit more moisture is needed. On a floured surface (rice flour), roll dough to about ¼ inch thick. Cut out cookies with the desired cookie cutter and place them on the cookie sheet. Cook for approximately 20 minutes. Cool cookies before storing. Store in refrigerator or freezer.
Venison & Yam Cookies
1lb ground venison meat
1 large sweet potato, cooked & mashed
1 large egg
5tbsp of ground flaxseed meal or 4 tbsp of large flake rolled oats
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine meat, sweet potato, and egg, mix thoroughly. Fold in flaxseed or oats. Roll dough into balls 2 inches around, making sure each cookie ball is evenly spaced on a cookie sheet and of uniform size. Flatten each ball on a cookie sheet with a floured fork. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and store in refrigerator or freezer.
Happy fall, everyone!
