Nutritionally complete natural diet, without the fuss

How to feed a nutritionally complete natural diet, without the fuss

Melanie Sainsbury, Registered Veterinary Nurse & Veterinary Expert at Natures Menu, explains various ways to feed your dog raw and key things to be aware of. 

As awareness grows around the benefits of eating well, pet owners are as mindful of what goes into their dogs’ bowls as they are their own. 

Raw diets are at the forefront of the natural pet food revolution, attempting to mimic how the ancestors of domesticated dogs would have naturally scavenged for raw meat, organs, bones and small quantities of fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates.  

While lifestyles have changed and most pets are (rightfully) pampered, for many dogs, natural, raw diets remain the most easily digestible.  

Optimal health should go hand in hand with optimal nutrition, meaning nutrients being fed at correct levels, supported by scientific research.  A wide variety of nutrients can be obtained by careful mixing of meat, organs, fruits, vegetables and if preferred, healthy carbohydrates. 

Whilst there is no scientific evidence to support any particular mix of ingredients is better than another, many commercial raw pet food companies have taken the hard work out of feeding raw diets and formulated complete & balanced meals which conform to the European Pet Food Nutritional Guidelines (FEDIAF). 

These guidelines have been created over many years by referencing numerous scientific papers, demonstrating the minimum, and sometimes maximum, levels of each nutrient required to support a healthy lifestyle, depending on species and age. 

Raw pet food manufacturers who are members of UK Pet Food, are responsible for ensuring all their diets which are claimed to be complete & balanced are in line with the guidelines provided by FEDIAF. 

Some owners may choose to feed naturally through using homemade mixtures, mixing individual raw, and sometimes cooked, ingredients at home. Although this allows complete control of every element being fed, the practice can prove a time consuming and complicated routine with daily worries about completeness.

As a result, it can be assumed a natural diet is challenging to source, store, and serve. But thanks to innovation, investment, advances in production, and improved availability across UK pet shops, these worries are a thing of the past.    

Homemade vs. premade raw formulas 

Optimal pet nutrition can only be achieved by feeding the correct nutrients in the correct amounts and ratios, as supported by scientific research.   

According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, out of 200 homemade raw dog recipes analysed, over 95% were below the minimal requirement in at least one essential nutrient for adult dogs, with 83% having multiple deficiencies noted.   

Today, there are a growing range of pre-mixed natural feeding options manufactured by UK Pet Food Members, which are formulated to comply with the European Pet Food Nutritional Guidelines (FEDIAF) for peace of mind. 

Premade raw formulas can help to prevent uncomfortable symptoms and prescription reliance. For example, specific nutrient deficiencies, such as zinc, can demonstrate symptoms such as skin and coat issues including dry, scaly skin, alopecia and itching. 

However, nutritional deficiencies may take many months, even years, to manifest, often leading to multiple veterinary visits and high vet bills , as well as unnecessary prescription drug administration to help alleviate symptoms, rather than lengthy investigations as to the root cause. 

With a balanced pre-mixed recipe, the essential nutrients to support a healthy lifestyle will be present in the correct levels. 

The use of supplements and specific ingredients in homemade recipes

Supplementation is often recommended to owners who choose to homemake their dog’s meals using their own sourced ingredients. However, this isn’t without its pitfalls and adding a simple multivitamin supplement will not necessarily make the recipe fully complete and balanced.  

In addition, many owners like to feed offal, but this can also vary in its nutrient density and content. For example, high amounts of liver or oily fish, can lead to a condition called Hypervitaminosis A which causes painful joints, skin issues, lethargy, constipation and lameness. Too much offal in general can also cause diarrhoea and digestive problems.

Many owners love to feed offal and believe these elements, which include lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys and heart, are rich in vitamins and minerals but it is important to remember that not all offal is equal and therefore, a simple instruction of ‘10% offal’ can be misleading. 

As suggested, the nutritional profile of raw liver is significantly different to the nutritional profile of heart or lungs for example, yet both are considered ‘offal’ in the most general terms.  We therefore cannot use the term offal as a ‘catch-all’ term, as it is not specific enough when considering the daily nutritional requirements of dogs. 

As well as this, the sourcing of raw ingredients can also have an impact on the nutritional integrity and not all elements may be of high quality, especially if the storage, history and health of the slaughtered animal (or other ingredient) is not known.    

Incorporating Freeze Dried into your natural feeding routine 

The world of natural pet food has come a long way, providing formats and recipes to suit every dog and pocket.  Commercially available frozen raw dog food provides  a touch-free, easy-store and serve option that has been around for decades. 

There are a wide variety of flavours on the market – from single animal proteins like beef or duck, to mixes like goose and turkey, or salmon and chicken. Smaller, frozen, individual nuggets are also available for top-up portions or heightened convenience when feeding small dogs.  

However, for those seeking to feed naturally, but lacking freezer space, travel a lot with their dogs or are always on the go, freeze dried raw foods are the perfect solution. 

Freeze dried raw food is as close to frozen raw as possible and offers a flexible feeding alternative. Freeze drying gently removes almost all the water from high-quality raw ingredients, preserving the natural flavours and nutrients for a wholesome, easy-to-serve meal that can simply be stored in the cupboard.  

As such, freeze dried food is made with maximum convenience in mind, without sacrificing on taste, quality or digestive wellbeing, meaning pet owners can access complete and balanced meal options, anywhere and anytime.  

Freeze dried foods can also be combined with other feeding formats – like wet, dry, and frozen for exciting mealtimes. 

Backed by science and tailored for convenience, modern solutions from UK Pet Food raw manufacturers make it easier than ever to support your dog’s health, naturally. 

With over 40 years in the business, Natures Menu is Europe’s leading expert in raw and natural pet food. Developed with a team of professional vets and pet food experts and produced to the highest standard, its delicious selection of raw dog food is made with quality meat and fish, blended vegetables, fruits and healthy carbohydrates, and satisfies the nutritional needs of pets. The brand prides itself on using British suppliers and ethical product sources wherever possible. To find your local stockist of natural, raw dog food, visit naturesmenu.co.uk/stores