Weekly Raw Feeding Tips
Feeding raw to multiple dogs can be expensive. Someone recently guessed that I spend $900month feeding my dogs - that's not the case. There are many ways to save money on raw feeding - feed DIY instead of buying commercial raw and joining a local raw food co-op, to start.
There are two ways that people rarely speak about that both cut the cost of raw feeding, but they also boost our dogs' health.
1 - Fasting Days for Adult Dogs
Whether it's a full or partial fast, taking a day each week to give our dogs' gut a break (adult dogs only) has
many benefits:
- Weight management: Controlled fasting can help maintain a healthy weight by limiting caloric intake and promoting fat utilization.
- Digestive rest: Fasting provides a break for the digestive system, allowing it to rest and potentially improve gastrointestinal
health.
- Detoxification: Fasting allows the body to eliminate toxins and promote detoxification processes.
- Insulin sensitivity: Intermittent fasting may enhance insulin sensitivity and help manage conditions like diabetes.
- Immune system support: Short-term fasting can stimulate the immune system and promote cellular
repair.
- Decreased inflammation: Fasting may help reduce inflammation in the body, potentially benefiting dogs with inflammatory conditions.
- Increased longevity: Some studies suggest that intermittent fasting may increase lifespan and improve overall health in dogs.
I do a partial fast on Tuesdays. My dogs eat a light meal of raw goat's milk and a raw egg, with a topper of Real Dog Box organ blend. In the evening, they enjoy their normal meal or a meal of raw meaty bones.
I do a
full fast on Thursdays. My dogs eat a normal meal Wednesday evening and their next meal is about 20 hours later, Thursday afternoon. I feed their normal amount.
I follow an intermittent fasting schedule. My dogs eat between 10 am and 5 -6 pm daily. This allows them to have a daily 16 hour
fast (most is overnight).
2 - Raw Meaty Bones Meals
My raw feeding style is primarily inspired by Dr. Ian Billinghurst and Dr. Tom Lonsdale. Twice a week, my dogs enjoy a meal of raw meaty bones. I don't have a set schedule. I do this when it's convenient. Raw meaty bones offer many benefits,
including:
- Dental health: Chewing on raw meaty bones promotes dental health by reducing plaque buildup and maintaining strong jaws and teeth.
- Nutrition: Raw meaty bones provide natural sources of essential nutrients like protein, calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals, which are vital for a dog's
overall health and well-being.
- Mental stimulation: Gnawing on bones provides dogs with mental stimulation and can help alleviate boredom and destructive behaviors.
- Digestive health: Bones contain natural fibers and enzymes that aid in digestion and can help regulate bowel movements.
- Improved muscle and joint health: The
tearing and gnawing action required to consume raw meaty bones can help exercise and strengthen a dog's jaw, neck, and shoulder muscles. The cartilage and connective tissues in bones can also support joint health.
- Balanced fatty acid profile: Raw meaty bones provide a natural balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, promoting healthy skin, coat, and overall immune function.
Types of Raw Meaty Bones
There are many options; I primarily feed the following:
duck feet, duck necks, chicken feet, chicken necks, whole quail, cornish game hens, organic pasture-raised chickens
Can't feed raw bones? No worries, Real Dog Box offers airpdried chews that I feed as an alternative to raw meaty bones:
I also feed rabbit feet (with fur), and rabbit heads (with and without feet), duck heads, and more
How these Save
Money
These save money, because they extend my DIY grinds, making one container last seven days instead of five days for three large dogs.
Every little bit
counts!
