How do you feed raw dog food?\u00a0<\/p>\n
As a passionate raw feeder, that\u2019s a question I\u2019m often asked and happy to answer!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an important one too because there are several different ways of feeding dogs raw dog food.<\/p>\n
The beauty is that none of them are wrong and all have their upsides and drawbacks.<\/p>\n
So today, I\u2019ll cover the different raw feeding models and share how I personally feed raw dog food.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Spoiler alert: I quickly transitioned from one model to another!<\/p>\n
How Do You Feed Raw Dog Food: BARF Diet vs PMR<\/span><\/h2>\nIn raw feeding, you can either feed what\u2019s known as a BARF diet or PMR, and the main difference is the addition\/absence of plant matter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
BARF Diet<\/span><\/h2>\nLet\u2019s look at the BARF diet first.<\/p>\n
BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food.<\/p>\n
It includes a combination of raw meat, bones, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, as well as optional grains.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This diet involves grinding or blending the ingredients together into a mixture or preparing them as whole-food meals.<\/p>\n
Buying Premade BARF\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you decide that you want to feed your dog a BARF diet, the easiest way of feeding it is to buy it premade from a brand that ships it to your doorstep.<\/p>\n
For example, from Darwin\u2019s Natural Pet<\/a>, a ThatMutt sponsor!<\/p>\nThey\u2019re located in Tukwila, WA on the West Coast and ship their grain-free raw dog food within the continental US.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fun fact: I began my raw feeding journey with them in 2015.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back then, I transitioned my Boxer mixes Missy & Buzz from kibble to raw dog food and also wondered, so how do you feed raw dog food<\/em>?<\/p>\nThankfully, a fellow raw feeder recommended the brand and they are truly awesome.<\/p>\n
The way it works is you place your order online, they ship it to your home in frozen 8 oz pouches, and all you have to do is thaw and serve.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tip: Get 10 pounds<\/strong> of food for just $14.95. That\u2019s up to 75% off. No code required.<\/em><\/p>\nSince the first order includes a thaw tub, you don\u2019t even have to use your own tupperware to thaw the meat in.<\/p>\n
That said, Darwin\u2019s has three different lines of BARF raw dog food:<\/p>\n
\n- Natural Selections<\/a>: That\u2019s a free-range meat line that\u2019s mixed with organic vegetables.<\/li>\n
- Biologics<\/a>: That\u2019s their conventional meat & vegetable line.<\/li>\n
- Intelligence<\/a>: That\u2019s a prescription line for dogs diagnosed with cancer, kidney, liver and joint diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
I\u2019ve fed all three and my pups loved every single line.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Note: The Intelligence line is available by prescription only, so your vet will have to call it in. Back when Missy was diagnosed with cancer, her homeopathic vet Dr. Charles Loops prescribed it for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
@Colby: Insert picture of Darwin\u2019s cancer prescription raw dog food (I\u2019ve shared it before with ThatMutt)<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what\u2019s in it:<\/p>\n
Whitefish (Pollock), Turkey Necks, Turkey Gizzards, Broccoli, Beef Liver, Turkey, Beef Kidney Fat, Whole Dried Eggs, Mushrooms (Maitake, Shitake), Blackberries, Blueberries, Parsley, Raspberries, Tomato Powder, Fish Oil (Source of DHA), Cod Liver Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Turmeric, Spirulina, Oyster Shell Powder, Green Tea, Vitamin E, Zinc Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Black Pepper, Manganese Proteinate, Iodine (EDDI)<\/p>\n
Now, while ordering premade raw dog food is the most convenient and fastest option of feeding raw dog food, it\u2019s also the most expensive option.<\/p>\n
Feeding Homemade BARF<\/span><\/h2>\nThe expense of feeding my 50 lb & 75 lb dogs premade raw dog food from Darwin\u2019s exclusively wasn\u2019t sustainable for me personally.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why I looked into making my own homemade raw dog food.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a learning curve as you research the different components of balanced raw dog food:<\/p>\n
\n- 70% Muscle meat<\/li>\n
- 10% Secreting organs<\/li>\n
- 10% Raw meaty bones<\/li>\n
- 10% Plant matter (veggies, fruit, nuts & seeds)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
My most memorable AHA moment was when I learned that organs like hearts and lungs aren\u2019t fed as secreting organs but as muscle meat!<\/p>\n
\n![\"My](\"https:\/\/www.thatmutt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/homemade-raw-dog-food.jpg\")
![\"My](\"https:\/\/www.thatmutt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/homemade-raw-dog-food.jpg.webp\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nMy own homemade raw dog food<\/p>\n
All in all, it took me about 5 months to feel comfortable making my own raw meals.<\/p>\n
The way I learned was by:<\/p>\n
\n- Reading raw dog food books<\/li>\n
- Joining raw dog food Facebook groups<\/li>\n
- Watching YouTube videos by pro raw vets<\/li>\n
- Reading raw dog food articles in Dogs Naturally Magazine<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Years later, I also took a class in raw dog food nutrition and got certified as a raw dog food nutrition specialist, also by Dogs Naturally Magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\nPrey Model Raw (PMR) Feeding<\/span><\/h2>\nNow that we\u2019ve looked at the BARF model of raw feeding, let\u2019s look at the PMR alternative.<\/span><\/h2>\nPrey Model Raw includes whole cuts of meat, bones, and organs, but no vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.<\/span><\/h2>\nThat said, here\u2019s what PMR consists of:<\/p>\n
\n- 80% Muscle meat<\/li>\n
- 10% Secreting organs<\/li>\n
- 10% Raw meaty bones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Keeping that in mind, there are two approaches to feeding PMR:<\/span><\/h2>\n\n- Feeding actual whole prey, meaning whole animals. For example, whole goats, rabbits, chickens, quails and ducklings.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Following the Frankenprey approach that attempts to replicate a whole animal by using various parts from different animals. For example, a rabbit head, turkey neck, duck frame, turkey hearts, chicken feet, etc.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
In terms of sourcing whole animals, there are some online raw dog food retailers that sell whole animals like chicks, ducklings, quail, rabbits and fish.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For example, Hare Today and Raw Feeding Miami.<\/p>\n
To get your hands on larger whole animals like deer, sheep and goats, you can make friends with wildlife processors and hunters, or buy them directly from a local farmer or butcher.<\/p>\n
Some online raw dog food retailers also carry ground whole prey, which is just as convenient as ordering the premade BARF meals from Darwin\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For example, My Pet Carnivore and Raw Feeding Miami.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You can also buy these and turn them into BARF meals by adding your own veggies, fruits, nuts & seeds. Or you can combine them with a raw dog food base-mix like:<\/p>\n
How Do You Feed Raw Dog Food For Puppies\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you\u2019ve raised a puppy, you know that growing puppies need more nutrients, i.e. more food, than adult dogs.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s true regardless of whether you feed kibble, wet dog food, cooked dog food or raw dog food.<\/p>\n
Similarly to buying a bag of kibble, premade raw dog food like the kind from Darwin\u2019s<\/a> comes with feeding suggestions on the packaging.<\/p>\nThey also offer free menu consultations by phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had one of those when I first started feeding raw and do recommend them!<\/p>\n
Now, if you make your puppy\u2019s own raw dog food, you\u2019ll be having to do some calculations to figure out the amount of raw dog food they need to eat per day.<\/p>\n
One option is to feed your puppy 2-3% of their ADULT target body weight per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So for example, if you know that your female Labrador puppy is going to weigh 60 lbs as an adult, you can do the feeding math using 2.5%:<\/p>\n
Divide 2.5% by 100, then multiply it with 60. The result is your puppy\u2019s daily raw dog food allowance:<\/p>\n
2.5% \/ 100 x 60 = 1.5 lb = 24 oz<\/p>\n
This pup would need around 24 oz of raw dog food per day.<\/p>\n
Now, obviously you can only guestimate your puppy\u2019s adult weight, even if you check in with your breeder and\/or vet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why this is not my preferred way of doing raw feeding calculations for puppies.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, a better way to calculate a puppy\u2019s daily raw dog food allowance is by using their current body weight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This implies having to weigh your puppy on a weekly basis, and the best way to do that at home is with a digital puppy scale<\/a>.<\/p>\nIntrigued?<\/p>\n
Click here to learn more on how to feed raw dog food to puppies<\/a>, including the formulas.<\/p>\nHow Do You Feed Raw Dog Food For Adult Dogs<\/span><\/h2>\nAgain, if you\u2019re feeding premade raw dog food from a brand, you\u2019ll find feeding guidelines for adult dogs on the packaging or their website.<\/p>\n
But if you make your own BARF or PMR dog food, you\u2019ll be doing the calculations with a specific formula.<\/p>\n
For moderately active adult dogs, you feed them 2.5% of their target body weight per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This means you divide their target body weight by 100, and then you multiply the result with 2.5% to get their daily raw dog food allowance.<\/p>\n
If they\u2019re more of a couch potato, they\u2019ll need less food and you\u2019ll be doing the calculations with 1.5% \u2013 2%.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Likewise, more active working dogs or pregnant dogs require much more food, so you\u2019ll be doing calculations with up to 4% of their target body weight.<\/p>\n
I know this can be confusing, so here\u2019s an example of the math you\u2019ll be doing for a moderately active adult dog who weighs 40 lbs and isn\u2019t overweight (40 lbs is their target body weight):<\/p>\n
40\/100 = 0.4 x 2.5 = 1 lb = 16 oz<\/p>\n
So this dog would need to eat 16 oz of raw dog food per day.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s one more math example for an overweight 55 lb dog who doesn\u2019t exercise much and needs to lose 5 lbs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since their target body weight is 50 lbs, you divide 50 by 100, then you multiply the result with 2%:<\/p>\n
50\/100 = 0.5 x 2 = 1 lb = 16 oz<\/p>\n
This dog would also need to eat 16 oz of raw dog food per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How Do You Feed Raw Dog Food \u2013 My Approach<\/span><\/h2>\nI already shared a few bits and pieces of information as far as how I feed raw dog food.<\/p>\n
In a nutshell, I began my raw feeding journey with premade BARF dog food from Darwin\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once I learned how to make homemade raw dog food, I supplemented Darwin\u2019s raw meals with my own raw dog food.\u00a0<\/p>\n
These days, I feed my Feist mix Wally<\/a> following the same approach.\u00a0<\/p>\nHe gets about 75% of my homemade raw dog food, and 25% of premade raw meals following the BARF model.<\/p>\n
After my move overseas, I can obviously no longer buy from Darwin\u2019s but have to shop locally here in Germany.<\/p>\n
Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\nThat should answer the question of \u201chow do you feed raw dog food\u201d!<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s look at the BARF diet first.<\/p>\n
BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food.<\/p>\n
It includes a combination of raw meat, bones, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, as well as optional grains.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This diet involves grinding or blending the ingredients together into a mixture or preparing them as whole-food meals.<\/p>\n
Buying Premade BARF\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you decide that you want to feed your dog a BARF diet, the easiest way of feeding it is to buy it premade from a brand that ships it to your doorstep.<\/p>\n
For example, from Darwin\u2019s Natural Pet<\/a>, a ThatMutt sponsor!<\/p>\nThey\u2019re located in Tukwila, WA on the West Coast and ship their grain-free raw dog food within the continental US.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fun fact: I began my raw feeding journey with them in 2015.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back then, I transitioned my Boxer mixes Missy & Buzz from kibble to raw dog food and also wondered, so how do you feed raw dog food<\/em>?<\/p>\nThankfully, a fellow raw feeder recommended the brand and they are truly awesome.<\/p>\n
The way it works is you place your order online, they ship it to your home in frozen 8 oz pouches, and all you have to do is thaw and serve.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tip: Get 10 pounds<\/strong> of food for just $14.95. That\u2019s up to 75% off. No code required.<\/em><\/p>\nSince the first order includes a thaw tub, you don\u2019t even have to use your own tupperware to thaw the meat in.<\/p>\n
That said, Darwin\u2019s has three different lines of BARF raw dog food:<\/p>\n
\n- Natural Selections<\/a>: That\u2019s a free-range meat line that\u2019s mixed with organic vegetables.<\/li>\n
- Biologics<\/a>: That\u2019s their conventional meat & vegetable line.<\/li>\n
- Intelligence<\/a>: That\u2019s a prescription line for dogs diagnosed with cancer, kidney, liver and joint diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
I\u2019ve fed all three and my pups loved every single line.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Note: The Intelligence line is available by prescription only, so your vet will have to call it in. Back when Missy was diagnosed with cancer, her homeopathic vet Dr. Charles Loops prescribed it for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
@Colby: Insert picture of Darwin\u2019s cancer prescription raw dog food (I\u2019ve shared it before with ThatMutt)<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what\u2019s in it:<\/p>\n
Whitefish (Pollock), Turkey Necks, Turkey Gizzards, Broccoli, Beef Liver, Turkey, Beef Kidney Fat, Whole Dried Eggs, Mushrooms (Maitake, Shitake), Blackberries, Blueberries, Parsley, Raspberries, Tomato Powder, Fish Oil (Source of DHA), Cod Liver Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Turmeric, Spirulina, Oyster Shell Powder, Green Tea, Vitamin E, Zinc Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Black Pepper, Manganese Proteinate, Iodine (EDDI)<\/p>\n
Now, while ordering premade raw dog food is the most convenient and fastest option of feeding raw dog food, it\u2019s also the most expensive option.<\/p>\n
Feeding Homemade BARF<\/span><\/h2>\nThe expense of feeding my 50 lb & 75 lb dogs premade raw dog food from Darwin\u2019s exclusively wasn\u2019t sustainable for me personally.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why I looked into making my own homemade raw dog food.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a learning curve as you research the different components of balanced raw dog food:<\/p>\n
\n- 70% Muscle meat<\/li>\n
- 10% Secreting organs<\/li>\n
- 10% Raw meaty bones<\/li>\n
- 10% Plant matter (veggies, fruit, nuts & seeds)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
My most memorable AHA moment was when I learned that organs like hearts and lungs aren\u2019t fed as secreting organs but as muscle meat!<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nMy own homemade raw dog food<\/p>\n
All in all, it took me about 5 months to feel comfortable making my own raw meals.<\/p>\n
The way I learned was by:<\/p>\n
\n- Reading raw dog food books<\/li>\n
- Joining raw dog food Facebook groups<\/li>\n
- Watching YouTube videos by pro raw vets<\/li>\n
- Reading raw dog food articles in Dogs Naturally Magazine<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Years later, I also took a class in raw dog food nutrition and got certified as a raw dog food nutrition specialist, also by Dogs Naturally Magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\nPrey Model Raw (PMR) Feeding<\/span><\/h2>\nNow that we\u2019ve looked at the BARF model of raw feeding, let\u2019s look at the PMR alternative.<\/span><\/h2>\nPrey Model Raw includes whole cuts of meat, bones, and organs, but no vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.<\/span><\/h2>\nThat said, here\u2019s what PMR consists of:<\/p>\n
\n- 80% Muscle meat<\/li>\n
- 10% Secreting organs<\/li>\n
- 10% Raw meaty bones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Keeping that in mind, there are two approaches to feeding PMR:<\/span><\/h2>\n\n- Feeding actual whole prey, meaning whole animals. For example, whole goats, rabbits, chickens, quails and ducklings.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Following the Frankenprey approach that attempts to replicate a whole animal by using various parts from different animals. For example, a rabbit head, turkey neck, duck frame, turkey hearts, chicken feet, etc.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
In terms of sourcing whole animals, there are some online raw dog food retailers that sell whole animals like chicks, ducklings, quail, rabbits and fish.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For example, Hare Today and Raw Feeding Miami.<\/p>\n
To get your hands on larger whole animals like deer, sheep and goats, you can make friends with wildlife processors and hunters, or buy them directly from a local farmer or butcher.<\/p>\n
Some online raw dog food retailers also carry ground whole prey, which is just as convenient as ordering the premade BARF meals from Darwin\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For example, My Pet Carnivore and Raw Feeding Miami.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You can also buy these and turn them into BARF meals by adding your own veggies, fruits, nuts & seeds. Or you can combine them with a raw dog food base-mix like:<\/p>\n
How Do You Feed Raw Dog Food For Puppies\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you\u2019ve raised a puppy, you know that growing puppies need more nutrients, i.e. more food, than adult dogs.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s true regardless of whether you feed kibble, wet dog food, cooked dog food or raw dog food.<\/p>\n
Similarly to buying a bag of kibble, premade raw dog food like the kind from Darwin\u2019s<\/a> comes with feeding suggestions on the packaging.<\/p>\nThey also offer free menu consultations by phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had one of those when I first started feeding raw and do recommend them!<\/p>\n
Now, if you make your puppy\u2019s own raw dog food, you\u2019ll be having to do some calculations to figure out the amount of raw dog food they need to eat per day.<\/p>\n
One option is to feed your puppy 2-3% of their ADULT target body weight per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So for example, if you know that your female Labrador puppy is going to weigh 60 lbs as an adult, you can do the feeding math using 2.5%:<\/p>\n
Divide 2.5% by 100, then multiply it with 60. The result is your puppy\u2019s daily raw dog food allowance:<\/p>\n
2.5% \/ 100 x 60 = 1.5 lb = 24 oz<\/p>\n
This pup would need around 24 oz of raw dog food per day.<\/p>\n
Now, obviously you can only guestimate your puppy\u2019s adult weight, even if you check in with your breeder and\/or vet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why this is not my preferred way of doing raw feeding calculations for puppies.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, a better way to calculate a puppy\u2019s daily raw dog food allowance is by using their current body weight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This implies having to weigh your puppy on a weekly basis, and the best way to do that at home is with a digital puppy scale<\/a>.<\/p>\nIntrigued?<\/p>\n
Click here to learn more on how to feed raw dog food to puppies<\/a>, including the formulas.<\/p>\nHow Do You Feed Raw Dog Food For Adult Dogs<\/span><\/h2>\nAgain, if you\u2019re feeding premade raw dog food from a brand, you\u2019ll find feeding guidelines for adult dogs on the packaging or their website.<\/p>\n
But if you make your own BARF or PMR dog food, you\u2019ll be doing the calculations with a specific formula.<\/p>\n
For moderately active adult dogs, you feed them 2.5% of their target body weight per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This means you divide their target body weight by 100, and then you multiply the result with 2.5% to get their daily raw dog food allowance.<\/p>\n
If they\u2019re more of a couch potato, they\u2019ll need less food and you\u2019ll be doing the calculations with 1.5% \u2013 2%.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Likewise, more active working dogs or pregnant dogs require much more food, so you\u2019ll be doing calculations with up to 4% of their target body weight.<\/p>\n
I know this can be confusing, so here\u2019s an example of the math you\u2019ll be doing for a moderately active adult dog who weighs 40 lbs and isn\u2019t overweight (40 lbs is their target body weight):<\/p>\n
40\/100 = 0.4 x 2.5 = 1 lb = 16 oz<\/p>\n
So this dog would need to eat 16 oz of raw dog food per day.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s one more math example for an overweight 55 lb dog who doesn\u2019t exercise much and needs to lose 5 lbs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since their target body weight is 50 lbs, you divide 50 by 100, then you multiply the result with 2%:<\/p>\n
50\/100 = 0.5 x 2 = 1 lb = 16 oz<\/p>\n
This dog would also need to eat 16 oz of raw dog food per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How Do You Feed Raw Dog Food \u2013 My Approach<\/span><\/h2>\nI already shared a few bits and pieces of information as far as how I feed raw dog food.<\/p>\n
In a nutshell, I began my raw feeding journey with premade BARF dog food from Darwin\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once I learned how to make homemade raw dog food, I supplemented Darwin\u2019s raw meals with my own raw dog food.\u00a0<\/p>\n
These days, I feed my Feist mix Wally<\/a> following the same approach.\u00a0<\/p>\nHe gets about 75% of my homemade raw dog food, and 25% of premade raw meals following the BARF model.<\/p>\n
After my move overseas, I can obviously no longer buy from Darwin\u2019s but have to shop locally here in Germany.<\/p>\n
Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\nThat should answer the question of \u201chow do you feed raw dog food\u201d!<\/p>\n
They\u2019re located in Tukwila, WA on the West Coast and ship their grain-free raw dog food within the continental US.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fun fact: I began my raw feeding journey with them in 2015.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back then, I transitioned my Boxer mixes Missy & Buzz from kibble to raw dog food and also wondered, so how do you feed raw dog food<\/em>?<\/p>\n Thankfully, a fellow raw feeder recommended the brand and they are truly awesome.<\/p>\n The way it works is you place your order online, they ship it to your home in frozen 8 oz pouches, and all you have to do is thaw and serve.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tip: Get 10 pounds<\/strong> of food for just $14.95. That\u2019s up to 75% off. No code required.<\/em><\/p>\n Since the first order includes a thaw tub, you don\u2019t even have to use your own tupperware to thaw the meat in.<\/p>\n That said, Darwin\u2019s has three different lines of BARF raw dog food:<\/p>\n I\u2019ve fed all three and my pups loved every single line.\u00a0<\/p>\n Note: The Intelligence line is available by prescription only, so your vet will have to call it in. Back when Missy was diagnosed with cancer, her homeopathic vet Dr. Charles Loops prescribed it for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n @Colby: Insert picture of Darwin\u2019s cancer prescription raw dog food (I\u2019ve shared it before with ThatMutt)<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what\u2019s in it:<\/p>\n Whitefish (Pollock), Turkey Necks, Turkey Gizzards, Broccoli, Beef Liver, Turkey, Beef Kidney Fat, Whole Dried Eggs, Mushrooms (Maitake, Shitake), Blackberries, Blueberries, Parsley, Raspberries, Tomato Powder, Fish Oil (Source of DHA), Cod Liver Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Turmeric, Spirulina, Oyster Shell Powder, Green Tea, Vitamin E, Zinc Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Black Pepper, Manganese Proteinate, Iodine (EDDI)<\/p>\n Now, while ordering premade raw dog food is the most convenient and fastest option of feeding raw dog food, it\u2019s also the most expensive option.<\/p>\n The expense of feeding my 50 lb & 75 lb dogs premade raw dog food from Darwin\u2019s exclusively wasn\u2019t sustainable for me personally.\u00a0<\/p>\n That\u2019s why I looked into making my own homemade raw dog food.\u00a0<\/p>\n There\u2019s a learning curve as you research the different components of balanced raw dog food:<\/p>\n My most memorable AHA moment was when I learned that organs like hearts and lungs aren\u2019t fed as secreting organs but as muscle meat!<\/p>\n My own homemade raw dog food<\/p>\n All in all, it took me about 5 months to feel comfortable making my own raw meals.<\/p>\n The way I learned was by:<\/p>\n Years later, I also took a class in raw dog food nutrition and got certified as a raw dog food nutrition specialist, also by Dogs Naturally Magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n That said, here\u2019s what PMR consists of:<\/p>\n In terms of sourcing whole animals, there are some online raw dog food retailers that sell whole animals like chicks, ducklings, quail, rabbits and fish.\u00a0<\/p>\n For example, Hare Today and Raw Feeding Miami.<\/p>\n To get your hands on larger whole animals like deer, sheep and goats, you can make friends with wildlife processors and hunters, or buy them directly from a local farmer or butcher.<\/p>\n Some online raw dog food retailers also carry ground whole prey, which is just as convenient as ordering the premade BARF meals from Darwin\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n For example, My Pet Carnivore and Raw Feeding Miami.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can also buy these and turn them into BARF meals by adding your own veggies, fruits, nuts & seeds. Or you can combine them with a raw dog food base-mix like:<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve raised a puppy, you know that growing puppies need more nutrients, i.e. more food, than adult dogs.<\/p>\n That\u2019s true regardless of whether you feed kibble, wet dog food, cooked dog food or raw dog food.<\/p>\n Similarly to buying a bag of kibble, premade raw dog food like the kind from Darwin\u2019s<\/a> comes with feeding suggestions on the packaging.<\/p>\n They also offer free menu consultations by phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n I had one of those when I first started feeding raw and do recommend them!<\/p>\n Now, if you make your puppy\u2019s own raw dog food, you\u2019ll be having to do some calculations to figure out the amount of raw dog food they need to eat per day.<\/p>\n One option is to feed your puppy 2-3% of their ADULT target body weight per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n So for example, if you know that your female Labrador puppy is going to weigh 60 lbs as an adult, you can do the feeding math using 2.5%:<\/p>\n Divide 2.5% by 100, then multiply it with 60. The result is your puppy\u2019s daily raw dog food allowance:<\/p>\n 2.5% \/ 100 x 60 = 1.5 lb = 24 oz<\/p>\n This pup would need around 24 oz of raw dog food per day.<\/p>\n Now, obviously you can only guestimate your puppy\u2019s adult weight, even if you check in with your breeder and\/or vet.\u00a0<\/p>\n That\u2019s why this is not my preferred way of doing raw feeding calculations for puppies.<\/p>\n In my opinion, a better way to calculate a puppy\u2019s daily raw dog food allowance is by using their current body weight.\u00a0<\/p>\n This implies having to weigh your puppy on a weekly basis, and the best way to do that at home is with a digital puppy scale<\/a>.<\/p>\n Intrigued?<\/p>\n Click here to learn more on how to feed raw dog food to puppies<\/a>, including the formulas.<\/p>\n Again, if you\u2019re feeding premade raw dog food from a brand, you\u2019ll find feeding guidelines for adult dogs on the packaging or their website.<\/p>\n But if you make your own BARF or PMR dog food, you\u2019ll be doing the calculations with a specific formula.<\/p>\n For moderately active adult dogs, you feed them 2.5% of their target body weight per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n This means you divide their target body weight by 100, and then you multiply the result with 2.5% to get their daily raw dog food allowance.<\/p>\n If they\u2019re more of a couch potato, they\u2019ll need less food and you\u2019ll be doing the calculations with 1.5% \u2013 2%.\u00a0<\/p>\n Likewise, more active working dogs or pregnant dogs require much more food, so you\u2019ll be doing calculations with up to 4% of their target body weight.<\/p>\n I know this can be confusing, so here\u2019s an example of the math you\u2019ll be doing for a moderately active adult dog who weighs 40 lbs and isn\u2019t overweight (40 lbs is their target body weight):<\/p>\n 40\/100 = 0.4 x 2.5 = 1 lb = 16 oz<\/p>\n So this dog would need to eat 16 oz of raw dog food per day.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s one more math example for an overweight 55 lb dog who doesn\u2019t exercise much and needs to lose 5 lbs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since their target body weight is 50 lbs, you divide 50 by 100, then you multiply the result with 2%:<\/p>\n 50\/100 = 0.5 x 2 = 1 lb = 16 oz<\/p>\n This dog would also need to eat 16 oz of raw dog food per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n I already shared a few bits and pieces of information as far as how I feed raw dog food.<\/p>\n In a nutshell, I began my raw feeding journey with premade BARF dog food from Darwin\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n Once I learned how to make homemade raw dog food, I supplemented Darwin\u2019s raw meals with my own raw dog food.\u00a0<\/p>\n These days, I feed my Feist mix Wally<\/a> following the same approach.\u00a0<\/p>\n He gets about 75% of my homemade raw dog food, and 25% of premade raw meals following the BARF model.<\/p>\n After my move overseas, I can obviously no longer buy from Darwin\u2019s but have to shop locally here in Germany.<\/p>\n That should answer the question of \u201chow do you feed raw dog food\u201d!<\/p>\n\n
Feeding Homemade BARF<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Prey Model Raw (PMR) Feeding<\/span><\/h2>\n
Now that we\u2019ve looked at the BARF model of raw feeding, let\u2019s look at the PMR alternative.<\/span><\/h2>\n
Prey Model Raw includes whole cuts of meat, bones, and organs, but no vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Keeping that in mind, there are two approaches to feeding PMR:<\/span><\/h2>\n
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How Do You Feed Raw Dog Food For Puppies\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
How Do You Feed Raw Dog Food For Adult Dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n
How Do You Feed Raw Dog Food \u2013 My Approach<\/span><\/h2>\n
Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n