Raw Feeding

Study Material

Use the material below as a foundation for deeper research, then confirm you have read it to begin the assessment.

Fundamentals of Nutrition

Nutrition is the foundation of biological health. For carnivores, the metabolic priority is protein and fat over carbohydrates.

• Amino Acids: Essential building blocks. Dogs need 10; cats need 11 (including Taurine). Fatty Acids: Omega-3 (anti-inflammatory) and Omega-6 (skin/coat) must be balanced to prevent systemic inflammation. Enzymes: Raw food contains live food enzymes that assist digestion, whereas high-heat processing (kibble) destroys them.

Specific Requirements & Deficiencies

• Zinc: A common gap that manifests as cracked paw pads , skin lesions, or a dull coat. Nutrient Deficiencies: Thiamine (B1) Deficiency: Can cause neurological seizures (often seen in low-quality fish diets). Calcium Deficiency: Leads to “All-Meat Syndrome,” causing brittle bones and fractures. Factors Affecting Needs: Pregnancy/Lactation requires a 2-4x increase in energy intake. Senior pets require higher-quality, more digestible proteins to offset reduced metabolic efficiency.
• Thiamine (B1) Deficiency: Can cause neurological seizures (often seen in low-quality fish diets). Calcium Deficiency: Leads to “All-Meat Syndrome,” causing brittle bones and fractures.

Formulating the Diet

A “Biologically Appropriate” diet typically follows the PMR (Prey Model Raw) or BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) models.

• 80/10/10 Baseline: 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, 5% other secreting organ. The “Individual” Adjustment: A husky in a cold climate may need 5% body weight in fat-heavy meat, whereas a sedentary pug may need 2% body weight in lean meat.

Benefits & Disadvantages

• Physical Benefits: Reduction in “doggy odour,” improved dental hygiene via mechanical abrasion of bones, and smaller, biodegradable stools. Behavioural Benefits: Tearing meat releases endorphins, providing a natural “calming” effect and mental stimulation. Disadvantages: High cost, storage requirements (freezer space), and the risk of secondary hyperparathyroidism if the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is incorrect.