Carnivore Corner

Breed plays a large part in how to feed your dog but age and energy level play an equally important role. Age will help to determine how much to feed, how often to feed, and, in some regards, what to feed. Below we will discuss the major life stages of dogs and cats. Also, see our article on breed-specific raw diets.

Age-Appropriate Raw Pet Food Diets For Dogs

PUPPIES

Generally, a puppy is considered any dog less than one year of age but depending on breed, the growing stage can be much longer. Giant breeds can take up to 3 years to fully develop. The age that a dog is neutered or spayed will also be a major defining factor of how your pup grows and what the dietary needs are. See below for more details.

Making Good Choices

Feeding a raw diet to your pet is as natural as it gets and it's important to understand the safest way to go about it. Any diet has its health risks when fed incorrectly so it's crucial to educate yourself before getting started. Proper food handling & storage and monitoring your pets' health are important parts of being a responsible pet owner. Following the guidelines below will keep you and your pets safe, healthy, and happy.

Quality Matters

Raw foods served to your pet should be guaranteed human-grade quality. It is unsafe to feed below human-quality meats. You cannot compose a balanced diet if you are not certain of what you are feeding. Ensure that all raw foods that you provide to your pet came from healthy, human-grade animals.

Raw bones are an essential component of the raw diet, but the subject can be confusing to read about. Feeding bones to your pets should be done only after you have educated yourself fully on the subject. Raw bones must be fed safely and correctly. Below, we set the record straight on feeding bones.

Cooked Vs. Raw

Cooked bones and raw bones differ greatly. Cooked bones are dangerous and should never be fed to pets. As bones are heated, they become brittle and the calcium is extracted. Not only are they nutritionally compromised but they crack and splinter, forming sharp edges that are dangerous if swallowed. Cooked bones should be disposed of in a garbage can that is not accessible to pets. They are not edible.

It is important for animals as it is for us to vary the diet. Offering variety ensures that all dietary requirements are met. Below, providing a balanced diet with all essential nutrients is discussed. For more information on balancing the raw pet food diet, see 3P Naturals Raw Pet Food Menu. If you are a dog owner, please also read our article on Breed-Specific Raw Diets for Dogs. Remember that all guidelines are not absolute and your holistic veterinarian should always be consulted on matters concerning diet.

Providing a balanced and varied diet for your pet is easy. It is important to simulate a “prey animal” and so varying food items will ensure that this is done. Basic guidelines are listed below:

Will raw dog food make my dog aggressive?

Aggression is a behavior that animals show to protect themselves and their pack mates, and ultimately ensure their survival. Aggressive behavior has many root causes. Some are behavioral and some biochemical. Below, the connection between aggression and diet is discussed.

Some pet owners claim that raw dog food made their dogs more aggressive. As mentioned above, aggression is a behavior that can arise when an animal is introduced to a new diet, however, there are several considerations that need to be made: