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I transitioned my dogs to a raw food diet in 2013 – 80/10/10 was considered a healthy raw diet back then. As I learned more about canine nutrition and raw feeding, I learned that 80/10/10 is a diet deficient in nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins E and D, and choline, but this is something I've resolved by alternating protein and other ingredients, and using a base mix. I don't believe I need to stress about feeding a balanced diet to my dogs.
Why We Need to Feed a Balanced Raw Diet
It's easy to convince yourself that balancing a dog's homemade diet isn't necessary (they don't balance diets in the wild), but dogs are domesticated, not wild. When preparing a homemade diet for dogs, it's crucial to meet their nutritional needs to promote a healthy immune system, aid digestion, and ensure peak physical condition.
1 – Balanced Diets for Puppies
Puppies need higher levels of protein to support their growth and development, Omega-3 fatty acids for cognitive/brain development, and proper calcium and phosphorus balance for strong bones and teeth. Feeding a deficient diet can lead to poor development and skeletal abnormalities.
2 – Balanced Diets for Adult Dogs
Dogs require a wide range of nutrients, including proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, to support their growth, development, energy needs, immune function, and overall health.
3 – Balanced Diets for Senior Dogs
Senior dogs may experience decreased nutrient absorption or may require additional support for cognitive health, liver and kidneys, joints, and more.
Why I Don't Stress About Balance
Although I now agree that feeding a diet that meets a dog's nutritional needs is important, I'm not losing sleep because I disagree with the growing number of people turning raw feeding into a science project that only a few can manage to complete.
1 – Every Dog is Different
The idea that there is one diet that can meet the nutritional needs of all dogs doesn't make sense to me. Every dog is unique, which extends to their nutritional needs. I don't believe the NRC guide, FEDIEF, or AAFCO can tell us definitively what our dogs need, but these are a start and the best we have at the moment. I use Animal Diet Formulator software to confirm that I'm on the right track and continue to learn about building raw meals for my dogs – but that's it. The idea that I need to create an exact combination of macro and micronutrients to feed my dogs doesn't ring accurate or feasible.
2 – Animals (including Humans) Balance Over Time
Except for puppies, I believe in balancing over time. If we're taking inspiration from wild dogs and wolves, shouldn't we incorporate foraging when feeding our dogs? I do this by providing different foods every day, switching up the primary protein weekly, feeding meals of raw meaty bones, and adding a fasting day. And, no, I don't maintain a spreadsheet to confirm that I'm meeting my dogs' nutritional needs.
3 – We're Always Learning
I learn something new with every dog that joins our family, every book I read, every conference I attend. Over the past decade, how I feed my dogs has changed many times, because I'm always learning. So, I'm not going to get attached to one method.
How I Meet My Dogs' Nutritional Needs
While I respect the importance of meeting a dog's nutritional needs, I don't think it's rocket science. When feeding puppies, I want to feed a diet that's balanced daily and not over time. In this case, I have several options:
- commercial raw formulated for all life stages; available at local, independent pet stores.
- work with a canine nutritionist who offers meal formulation services.
- use meal formulation software to create the meals.
For adult and senior dogs:
- I start with a foundation of 80/10/10 and mix in a base mix and canned oysters.
- I add whole foods or supplements to support gut health and the immune system and address individual needs.
- I alternate proteins weekly to balance over time.
My Raw Feeding Priorities
Because I'm using a base mix, balance isn't a priority when I'm feeding my dogs. I'm focused more on their gut health and immune system, supporting their health through food, and letting my dogs be dogs. When it comes to raising healthy dogs, diet is only a piece of the puzzle.
Gut Health and Immune System
80% of the immune system lives in the gut. By promoting a healthy gut microbiome, I also provide my dogs with a robust immune system. I feed a raw diet, fermented foods, vegetables, and natural supplements. One of my favorite products is Gussy's Gut, an organic, freeze-dried, fermented vegetable blend that supports gut health, the immune system, and more.
Supporting Health Through Food
When I can, I reach for whole foods to address health issues. For example, I feed natural fiber (fur and vegetables) to address loose stool, fatty fish to support cognitive health and reduce inflammation, and duck feet and bone broth for joints. This has allowed me to reduce the number of supplements I use, alternating between Gussy's Gut, medicinal mushrooms, and digestive supplements.
Letting My Dogs Be Dogs
And, making sure my dogs get plenty of exercise and engagement is crucial. I try to create daily opportunities for them to be dogs – running around the property, digging in the dirt, eating raw meaty bones outside (or air-dried bones when it's cold), and long sniff walks. These are experiences many of the long-living dogs have in common.
Why Raw Feeders Stress About Balance
I think people stress about balance because they don't want to make a mistake. Although raw feeding is easy, taking on all the responsibility for our dog's nutrition and health in an environment with little veterinarian support is intimidating. It doesn't matter how many raw feeders tell you how easy it is to feed raw. Everyone's experience is different.
I began feeding raw in 2013, and I began DIY raw feeding in 2014. I didn't start educating myself about balance until 2017 when I created a schedule to understand the nutrients various foods provided. In 2019, I began using Animal Diet Formulator software and a base mix by Dr. Harvey's. I didn't technically start feeding a balanced diet (outside of commercial raw) until 2019, six years after I transitioned my dogs to raw.
I don't share this to discourage anyone from seeking balance when feeding raw; I'm sharing this to remind you that it's not rocket science. And, whenever I find myself stressing about raw, I think about the thousands of people who successfully fed their dogs a raw diet before social media introduced the random opinions of strangers into our lives.
