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Dog owners new to raw feeding fear feeding pork to their dogs because of parasites; however, parasites aren't an issue in human-grade pork. Pork is one of my favorite proteins to feed because all my dogs can eat it without issue. Buying from a trusted source, such as restaurant suppliers, local farms, and raw food co-ops, is an excellent place to start. Although raw animal fat isn't bad for dogs, I prefer lean proteins in my dog food recipes.

Pork with Vegetables Recipe [Raw]

The following is a nutritious recipe for dogs with pork as the main ingredient. The recipe calls for ground pork; the specific cut of pork is up to the individual dog owner.

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.

• 5 pounds of raw pork (preferably lean ground pork)
• 2 pounds pork heart
• 1 pound pork liver
• 1 pound pork kidney
• 8 ounces of vegetables (I like carrots, collard greens, broccoli, and green beans)*
• 1/2 tablespoon of kelp powder (rich in essential minerals)
• 1/2 tablespoon of spirulina
• 2 cans of boiled oysters (8 ounces each)
• 1/2 can of wild-caught canned salmon**
• 1 tablespoon of organic hemp seeds
• 1 drop of Vitamin E oil
• 3 pounds chicken necks**
• 2 chicken eggs

*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 and chicken necks 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 pork and organ meats, or use a pre-ground blend if available.
3. Finely chop or puree the vegetables.
4. Mix the ground blend with the remaining ingredients (except salmon and chicken necks, which will be added to individual meals).
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, adding chicken necks and salmon to the meals. Because I balance over time, I may add the salmon and chicken necks to one day's meals, or spread them in meals over a few days.

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

Alternatives to Ingredients this Recipe

In the above recipe, I use chicken necks as the source of bone. However, chicken is a common food sensitivity in dogs. My dogs can handle raw chicken much better than processed chicken (kibble and canned), but this may not be true for all dogs. If I couldn't feed chicken to my dogs, I'd use the following alternatives:

• duck necks
• duck wings
• turkey necks

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 – Pork

Dr. Harvey's 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 Vitamin E oil, vegetable mix, spirulina, and hemp seeds. The recipe I formulated for my dogs is as follows:

• 15 pounds of ground venison
• 6 pounds of grass-fed beef (pork, or lamb) organ blend
• 4 pounds of ground duck wings or necks
• 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