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When people are new to raw feeding, I often recommend starting with a commercial raw. But for many people, myself included, commercial raw dog food is expensive. Although I alternate between a few brands, I can't afford to feed them exclusively – so I primarily feed DIY meals. Beef is one of the most accessible proteins for raw feeders. The following is an easy recipe for new raw feeders to follow.

Beef with Vegetables Recipe [Raw]

The following is a nutritious recipe for dogs with beef as the main ingredient. I source my beef from local farms, through a local raw food co-op, outlet grocery stores (which sometimes have grass-fed beef), and ethnic grocery stores (which also have beef organs).

Ingredients:

The following recipe was formulated using Animal Diet Formulator software. Mix the following ingredients, multiplying the ingredients when feeding multiple dogs or large dogs.

• 1 pound (450 grams) of raw beef (preferably lean ground beef)
• 2.5 ounces (60 grams) of beef liver
• 2.5 ounces (60 grams) of beef heart
• 4 ounces (120 grams) of vegetables (I like carrots, collard greens, broccoli, and green beans)*
• 1/4 teaspoon of kelp powder (rich in essential minerals)
• 3/4 teaspoon of ground eggshell or calcium supplement (if needed; I often add chicken or duck necks to the meal)
• 2 ounces of canned boiled oysters
• 1 ounce of wild-caught canned salmon**
• 1 drop of Vitamin E oil
• 1 teaspoon of organic hemp seeds

*The vegetables can be rotated to provide variety. Ensure that the vegetables are safe and suitable for dogs. I don't feed onions; however, other vegetables I feed include cabbage, kale, zucchini, and yellow squash. **I recommend adding the salmon to the individual meals when feeding your dog instead of to the grind to avoid creating a potential thiamin deficiency.

Feeding Amounts

The recommended feeding amounts can vary depending on your dog's age, weight, and activity level. As a general guideline, you can start with the following:

• For adult dogs: Feed about 2-3% of your dog's body weight daily. For example, if your dog weighs 50 pounds (22.7 kilograms), feed approximately 1-1.5 pounds (450-680 grams) of food daily.
• For puppies: Puppies require a higher percentage of their body weight in food. Start with around 5-10% of their expected adult weight and adjust as needed based on their growth and body condition.

It's important to monitor your dog's weight and body condition regularly. Adjust the feeding amounts accordingly to maintain a healthy weight for your dog.

Feeding Instructions:

1. Thoroughly wash the vegetables.
2. Grind the beef, liver, and heart together, or use a pre-ground blend if available.
3. Finely chop or puree the vegetables.
4. Mix the ground blend, vegetables, kelp powder, and ground eggshell (or calcium supplement) in a bowl until well combined.
5. Separate the mixture into individual serving sizes based on your dog's daily feeding amount.
6. Store the servings in airtight containers or freezer bags.
7. Thaw each serving before feeding and serve at room temperature.
8. Add fish (or salmon) oil to meals before feeding.

Remember to introduce new foods gradually and observe your dog for signs of digestive upset or allergies.

Using a Base Mix

A base mix is a mixture of whole foods that are freeze-dried or dehydrated and serve to help dog owners formulate a nutritionally complete diet without the use of software, spreadsheets, or professional guidance. I use Raw Vibrance by Dr. Harvey's, a grain-free base mix that doesn't contain synthetic vitamins.

I use a base mix because it's easier. I don't stress about balancing my dogs' meals. I don't maintain a spreadsheet. I don't think about macro and micronutrients. I'm not suggesting that people who choose to count calories and nutrients are wrong; I'm stating that I do things differently. Easier. And it works.

About Dr. Harvey's Raw Vibrance

• A grain-free and holistic blend of 24 incredible whole foods, including raw goat’s milk, green-lipped mussels, shiitake mushrooms, and eggshell membranes
• Made with nine dehydrated vegetables, two antioxidant-rich fruits, two energy-packed seeds (sesame and chia), bone meal and crushed eggshells for calcium, and nine other immune-boosting superfoods
• Easy and convenient way to prepare a raw food diet for your dog
• Proudly made in New Jersey, USA, and Non-GMO Certified

Ingredients in Dr. Harvey's Raw Vibrance

Broccoli, Green Beans, Squash, Celery, Cabbage, Carrots, Crushed Eggshell, Spinach, Beets, Raw Goat’s Milk Powder, Apples, Blueberries, Bone Meal, Sesame Seeds, Chia Seeds, Shiitake Mushrooms, Green Lipped Mussel Powder, Ginger, Kelp, Parsley, Eggshell Membrane

My Homemade Dog Food Recipe – Beef

The brand doesn't recommend the following practice. However, these modifications to their instructions work for my dogs, which I confirmed through two nutrient tests on four dogs that this practice meets their nutritional needs.

• I start with an 80 10 10 blend of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone.
• For every 10-15 lbs of raw, I use 1-1/2 cups of the base mix (this amount is pre-hydration).

If I used a base mix with the above recipe, I would remove the vegetable mix, ground eggshells, Vitamin E oil, and hemp seeds. The recipe I formulated for my dogs is as follows:

• 15 pounds of ground beef (80/10/10 with vegetables, sourced from a local farm)
• 2 cups of Dr. Harvey's Raw Vibrance
• 1 can of boiled canned oysters

Note: This recipe is a general guideline, for information only, and should not replace professional advice. The recipe was formulated for a healthy adult 60-pound (27.2 kg) dog.

More Raw Food Recipes

• Easy Homemade Dog Food Recipes with Dr. Harvey's Base Mixes
• Easy Venison Homemade Dog Food Recipe
• Creative Ways to Include Chicken Gizzards in a Dog's Diet
• Easy Pork with Vegetables Homemade Dog Food Recipe
• 5 Easy Mushroom Broth Recipes to Boost Your Dog's Health