Without even mentioning individual brands, there are hundreds of various supplements, but we doubt you’d want to browse through such a long list. We list what we consider to be the most crucial raw food supplements below.
Which supplements ought to be included in raw dog food?
According to PetMD, there are no formal recommendations for what vitamins and minerals should be present in a diet of raw dog food. There are standards for typical kibble and canned feeds, however these are not the best ones to use when feeding raw animals. In fact, doing so can result in giving your dog too much of a certain substance, which may cause health issues later on. If you’re set on making your dog’s food from scratch, it’s crucial to consult a veterinary nutritionist to ensure that your recipes satisfy all of your dog’s dietary requirements. The following are some supplements you ought to give your dog as part of its diet:
- phosphorous and calcium (especially for puppy diets)
- fatty acids omega-3
- Iron
- Tiny amounts of iodine, selenium, and zinc
- vitamins, such as vitamins A and B12.
Problems With Over-Supplementing
You should see a nutritionist about your dog’s recipes for another reason—you might potentially feed a dog too much of a supplement. Too much of a good thing can lead to conditions including vitamin poisoning, bone deformities, and growth issues in puppies. Vitamin D toxicity can result in kidney disease in dogs, whereas vitamin A toxicity can result in joint issues in dogs, including arthritis, lameness, and excruciating pain.
Do dogs who consume raw food need supplements?
essential for using phosphorus and calcium. stops rickets. required for healthy bone and tooth growth. helps to control heart rate. increases immunity and prevents cancer. aids in blood coagulation and thyroid function.
Note: Unlike humans, dogs cannot produce vitamin D from sunlight; therefore, they must obtain it through diet. For your dog to acquire enough vitamin D if you serve home-prepared raw food, you’ll need to feed fish or add cod liver oil supplements, unless your meat is from grass-fed animals or you feed pastured eggs. Although some pre-made raw diets already contain vitamin D (or D3), use caution if you feed them.
Even the best quality kibble can use a boost of fresh food additives.
Your dog or cat will enjoy the variety and nutritional boost when you add fresh, natural foods to your kibble.
The diet of the wild canine and feline ancestors of our pets is most closely resembled by a diet of fresh, unprocessed meats, organs, bones, and vegetal matter. A diet consisting primarily of fresh foods, whether raw or simply cooked, produces excellent results, including dogs and cats with stunning coats, clear eyes, sweet breath, healthy teeth, serene attitudes, and rarely ill dogs and cats.
Kibblethe 50% rule
While fresh ingredients and diversity can improve nutrition, dry cat food is practical and simple to use. Dogs are healthier as carnivores when they consume more meat, fat, and fewer carbohydrates. We advise feeding fresh, natural foods to dogs in place of kibble 50% of the time. Try a few of our suggestions for enhancing a kibble-based diet.
Add digestive enzymes
The natural enzymes present in the components are destroyed during the kibble-making process. Enzymes can significantly increase digestibility and support gut health. Add a dollop of yogurt, cottage cheese, or another moist whole food to the top of the kibble, then mix the digestive enzymes in just a little. The enzymes will be consumed by your dog in the first few bites, aiding in the digestion of the kibble that follows. Do this before each meal. We advise taking our own, specially formulated Good Digestion, which contains live probiotics to replenish the good bacteria in the digestive tract depleted by stress or antibiotic therapy, as well as plant-sourced digestive enzymes to replace those lost from whole foods during cooking and processing.
How to transition your dog to raw pet food
One of the best things you can do for your dog’s health and general wellbeing is to switch them over to a raw pet food diet. Although we advise feeding raw dog food to pups as soon as you bring them home, other animals can also benefit from a raw pet food diet. There are also several advantages to switching your mature or senior dog over to a raw pet food diet. Some advantages will become apparent right away, while others can take a little longer to manifest.
How to transition to a raw pet food diet
We advise beginning with an easily digestible protein, such as our Basic Chicken, Basic Turkey, or Basic Duck, when switching to a raw pet food diet. Feeding your pet one of these Basic Formulas for two days before introducing an Iron Will Raw Original Dinner blend with the same protein is a good idea.
Two instances of transition programs are provided below:
We advise using this transitioning timetable instead if you feel that your pet is sensitive to chicken.
- Cold Turkey: We advise a straightforward “For dogs, convert completely to raw food. The ideal way to do this is to give your dog their first raw food after a 12- to 24-hour fast (see below for temperature). If your pet is older or has a history of digestive problems, consider giving them a probiotic before switching to raw food and for the first few weeks afterward. This helps the natural microbiota of the gut, which improves nutrition absorption and digestion.
- Gradual: We recognize that some pets or owners may not be able to make a smooth transition to raw food. If adding raw food to the dish gradually is necessary, that is acceptable. Here is how we suggest creating a “a smooth transition
Raw Dog Food Feeding Tips
We advise fasting your dog for 12 to 24 hours before giving him raw food for the first time. This enables a smooth transition to a raw pet food diet by giving their body time to digest any residual food and clear out their gastrointestinal tract.
Some dogs may vomit after eating a cold food quickly and early in the transitioning stage. We advise taking your pet’s meal portion out of the fridge and letting it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before giving in order to make the switch to a raw pet food diet easier. Once your pet is eating food straight from the refrigerator, each day reduce the amount of time it spends on the counter by 5 minutes.
The best piece of advice we can give you could be to be patient! Your pet could be wary of raw food the first few times you place a bowl in front of them. This is entirely typical. When compared to the kibble they might be used to, raw dog food is considerably different. Give your dog five to ten minutes to eat before storing any leftovers for their subsequent meal in the refrigerator. Although it may be tempting to top off your dog’s food, we don’t advise it because it may encourage your dog to wait for something “better to be offered.
Do I need to add probiotics to my dog’s raw food?
Probiotic or digestive enzyme supplements can be beneficial for dogs that have been eating kibble for a long time or who have a history of having sensitive stomachs. These supplements promote the bacteria that exists naturally in a dog’s gut, improving digestion, nutritional absorption, and immune system support. All dogs can benefit from taking probiotic or digestive enzyme supplements to help keep their gastrointestinal tracts healthy, but many pups and young dogs can readily switch to a diet consisting of only raw pet food without the addition of these enzymes.
After switching your dog to raw pet food, you may notice:
Naturally, they must be delicious! Dogs, unlike humans, are inherently less likely to “chew” their food. Dog teeth are made to cut meat into more easily swallowed, smaller pieces. Many dogs don’t sup on pre-ground formulations and chew them. Bloat is a serious worry when eating quickly on a dry kibble diet (gastric torsion). Pets could die from this since it is so dangerous. Kibble can swell in the dog’s stomach after it hits the digestive juices and, if coupled with too much air (from gulping), can cause the stomach to flip (notice how much kibble increases in size if you leave it in a dish of water to soak). There is less chance of stomach torsion since the form and size of raw food do not alter when gastric digestion juices are added.
Once you start feeding your pet raw pet food, you could notice that they are drinking less water. That’s because a raw food diet offers genuine, organic hydration. Both kibble and canned food have increased salt content, which might cause your pet to be consistently dehydrated.
Raw Food Safety Tips for Home
When bringing raw meat into your house, we advise using the same safety precautions as you would for yourself. Until it’s time to thaw, keep Iron Will Raw safely wrapped in the freezer. Raw pet food should be kept in the freezer to stop bacterial growth. Avoid thawing, refreezing, and rethawing raw pet food because doing so can promote the growth of bacteria.
Take the package out of the freezer and put it in the refrigerator to thaw Iron Will Raw. Meals for pets should be divided and given once they have thawed. Before feeding, refer to the instructions for thawing Iron Will Raw. For up to two to three days, store all leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Make sure the food for your pet is being stored at cooler temperatures because bacteria can begin to grow at 4C.
Use easy-to-clean stainless steel containers and utensils when giving your pet raw food. Make sure to thoroughly wash all areas with warm, soapy water after coming in contact with raw pet food.
Keep in mind that leaving raw food out for extended periods of time can encourage the growth of bacteria.
If you decide to give your dog raw meaty bones, make sure to do it on a surface that is simple to clean and sanitize.
About our products
Your pet’s Iron Will Raw pet food comes in 1-pound quantities that are vacuum-sealed and ready to serve. Our packaging is freezer-friendly and 100% recyclable. Our 1-pound pouches feature an easy-peel corner that makes it convenient and mess-free to open your pet’s raw food.
We provide two different kinds of raw blends for your pet: Original Dinners and Basic Meals, and our raw pet food is available in a wide range of protein combinations. Raw meat, organ meat, and bone are the main ingredients in Our Original Dinners. Additionally, they include superfoods including kelp, kale, spinach, parsley, and green tripe. Single protein meat, bones, and organs are the main ingredients of our Basic Meals. I’m done now! Pet owners who like to add their own fruit, vegetables, or supplements to their dog’s dish will love these meals. They are also a fantastic choice for dogs with sensitivities who require a single protein diet.
How much Iron Will Raw should I feed my dog?
Depending on the age, level of activity, and weight of your dog, you should feed them different amounts of raw pet food. For the health and nutrition of your pet, it’s crucial to feed the proper amount of raw food. Puppies’ growth and development depend on receiving the proper nutrition. It’s crucial to remember that dietary requirements can change quickly, especially for puppies, and that diets and individual needs must be taken into account.
This useful infographic offers guidelines for the daily amount of raw dog food your pet needs:
How can I make my dog’s raw food contain calcium?
Rodrigo has protein intolerances, so I realized that fewer than half of the stuff I’m ordering has bone. To find out more about how to supplement our dogs’ diets with calcium, I had to do some research.
- I consume raw meaty bones. Duck wings, lamb necks, and duck necks
- I nourish recreation bones.
- knuckle bones from beef and buffalo
- I consume tripe.
- To my dogs’ boneless meals, I add pulverized eggshells from farm fresh eggs.
I thought about using calcium supplements, but I was concerned about how much and how easily they would be absorbed. Due to its perfect calcium:phosphorus ratios, plenty of Omega-3s and Omega-6s, amino acids to support muscle growth, and vitamins A, C, D, and E, green tripe is simpler to digest.
Lactobacillus acidophilus, a probiotic that can help with the development of a healthy digestive system, is abundant in green tripe.
What About Bone Meal?
I was considering using bone meal until I heard that there was a supply issue (resulting in more pollutants) and that the processing could make it difficult to digest and absorb the calcium in bone meal. Locally produced and chilled bone meal is preferred. Please let me know if you locate bone meal in the refrigerator section if you do.
What canines-friendly sources of vitamin E exist?
Our bodies are able to heal wounds, transform food into energy, and repair cellular damage because of the several critical functions that nutrients and nutrient ingestion play. In order to maintain a happy and healthy homeostasis, nutrients are required to help regulate the functioning of our bodies.
Because of our demanding and hectic schedules, we don’t always include enough fruits and vegetables in our diets, despite the fact that we can obtain nutrients from the food we consume, including essential vitamins and minerals. This causes us to lose out on vital nutrients that can reduce our risk of developing disorders like cancer, heart disease, and stroke as well as other ailments brought on by poor diet and free radicals.
Did you realize? Adults consume far too little vegetables—87% of them! Centers for Disease Control is the source.
Because of this, it’s typical for people to take a multivitamin or attempt to improve their consumption of a particular vitamin through diet.
In its capacity as an antioxidant, vitamin E protects the body’s essential fat reserves from damage by free radicals.
Many people consume enough vitamin E from their diets. However, living in a city might increase your exposure to free radicals because of things like cigarette smoke, air pollution, and UV rays from excessive sun exposure. Free radical damage can be avoided by consuming the correct foods and amounts of vitamin E.
We’ll go over the advantages of vitamin E for canines and felines as well as the best ways to include it in their meals.
What is Vitamin E?
The body of your pet needs vitamin E, a fat-soluble nutrient, to build strong, healthy muscles as well as healthy circulatory and immune systems. Additionally, it functions as an antioxidant, assisting in preventing cellular damage from free radicals.
Free radical molecules with a single, extremely reactive electron in their outer shell are quenched by vitamin E.
Technically speaking, vitamin E refers to the component groups tocopherols and tocotrienols and comes in four different natural forms. Tocopherol, which is present in soybean, maize, and olive oils, and tocopherol, which is present in sunflower and olive oils, are two of the most prevalent forms of vitamin E.
To get right to the point, vitamin E prevents oxidation, which we will discuss a little later, by defending vitamin A, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and sulfur-containing amino acids.
The more PUFAs consumed, the more Vitamin E is required to shield animals from oxidation.
Is Vitamin E Good for Dogs?
Free radicals are a collection of atoms with oxygen and unpaired electrons that can harm DNA, proteins, and other vital components of your pet’s body, according to Lindsay Tracy, director of new business and product development at Redbarn Pet Products. Free radicals are naturally formed by the body’s metabolic process, but when your pet is exposed to toxins, gets sick, or is just aging naturally, they can overproduce.
Free radicals can potentially damage cells, which has been linked to heart disease according to studies.
Even though vitamin E deficiency in dogs is uncommon, symptoms of a developing deficit may include decreased vision, neurologic abnormalities, reproductive issues, and a weakened immune system.
Is Vitamin E Good for Cats?
Vitamin E is crucial for your cat’s health at its best, just like it is for dogs. The skin on your cat can benefit greatly from vitamin E, which is also effective in treating flea allergic dermatitis, eczema, and mites.
Vitamin E has further internal advantages as well. It shields cells from oxidative damage, which can impact cell membranes, the cardiovascular system, vision, neurological function, and fertility.
“Cats are more prone to vitamin E insufficiency than dogs because of the nature of the normal meals they consume. Because Vitamin E is necessary for appropriate fat metabolism, Lindsay claims that cats fed diets consisting solely of fish, which are naturally low in Vitamin E, may develop a sickness known as “Yellow Fat Disease.”
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) that adult cat food contain 30 International Units (IUs) of Vitamin E per kilogram of food in its Animal Feed Labeling Guide.
Kittens and other growing animals will need extra vitamin E. Animals that are breastfeeding or pregnant also experience this. The amount of Vitamin E needed by cats can also depend on other elements like exercise.
Vitamin E supplements are something to think about, but they shouldn’t be used as a replacement for a complete and balanced diet that contains all the nutrients your cat needs to thrive, depending on their health and lifestyle.
As carnivores, cats need vitamin E, and plants are a much greater source of the vitamin than meats are, according to Lindsay. ” The best way to give Vitamin E to your cat is to see your veterinarian.
1. Internally, as a nutritional supplement
2. In shampoos and oils
3. In the ingredient list of high-quality canned, semi-moist, and dry meals, which is to say, in their regular diet.
The first letters of synthetic vitamin E oil will be di, as in di-alpha-to. Oil that begins with the letter D, as in d-alpha-to, is non-synthetic or all-natural.
How Do I Give My Dog Vitamin E?
There is no need to include a Vitamin E supplement in your pet’s diet because many high-quality pet meals, like Redbarn’s Rolled Food, contain Vitamin E.
However, if your dog has dry or itchy skin, they can benefit from an increase in vitamin E. Vitamin E can be used topically for localized skin issues. Try adding vitamin E oil to the tub’s water if your dog enjoys bathing there.
Vitamin E supplements are fantastic for both dry and oily skin in pets. Consider concealing it in Redbarn’s Rolled Food, a pill concealer.
But how much vitamin E should a dog take? Your best option is to speak with your veterinarian to receive a customized response based on the dimensions, nutrition, and specific requirements of your dog. If you’re giving Vitamin E to your pet for the first time, consult with a reputable veterinarian to learn the best manner to administer it.
Eggs and other types of protein are strong in vitamin E. Additionally, it is naturally present in foods including sunflower seeds, dandelion, spinach, peanuts, and other nuts and vegetables.
How Do I Give My Cat Vitamin E?
Vitamin E oil can be used topically to your cat’s skin and coat to promote wellness. Vitamin E can help your pet feel less uncomfortable by reducing inflammation brought on by scratching in conditions like dermatitis, where your pet can become extremely itchy. Vitamin E by itself won’t be sufficient to eradicate mites, though.
Since vitamin E is necessary for optimum health, it is frequently included to high-quality cat diets. Include vitamin E-rich protein foods like eggs in your list of natural food sources for the vitamin (just make sure the eggs are fully cooked as raw eggs are not safe for cat consumption).
Another choice is to lick some Vitamin E oil off your finger or a spoon and feed it directly to your cat.
The allowance for an adult cat is 1 to 3 IU per day, in accordance with AAFCO, NRC, or CVMA recommendations.
