<<Back to Library Feeding a raw (or partially raw) diet As many of you know I am a vocal advocate for feeding animals what they would naturally have eaten in the wild. Horses did not (and should not) consume animal fats and predators such as dogs and cats need the live enzyme activities of raw meats and vegetables. In the coming months I hope to expand upon the feeding guidelines that we recommend to our clients. My goal is to make it easy and safe to feed dogs and cats diets designed to mimic those they ate in nature. Many knowledgable professionals (veterinarians, breeders, trainers, etc.) have published excellent books on better diets for animals. I have included links below to many websites and discussion lists for those looking to find the method that works best for them. Our stand on natural diets is the K.I.S.S. approach - Keep It Simple Stupid! Most of the home cooked and raw diet recipes call for a huge investment in time and money. Attempting to balance each meal and every necessary nutritional ingredient. Most of this is done to ensure that no nutritional holes exist in the animal's diet. Instead of providing lists of ingredients to add to each meal (i.e. Ester C, Flax Seed Oil, Bone Meal, etc.) we recommend adding Dynamite's Showdown or Liquid Purrrformance to the basic raw feeding guidelines of the approach you decide upon. Showdown and Purrrfomance are the finest broad-spectrum vitamin-mineral supplements available for dogs and cats. As all of the minerals are in an organic form they prevent the imbalances that can occur when feeding any diet - especially raw. These supplements also provide the essential fatty acids and amino acid profiles necessary to keep the body healthy. For the occasional troubles and tribulations of changing any diet, even a raw one always have a good probiotic - "Dyna Pro" on hand. Probiotics are invaluable in eliminating diarrhea, flatulence and appetitie problems when the digestive tract is under any stress. Many purists will tell you to NEVER add raw to a commercial kibble. I don't agree. Yes, adding the live enzyme activity of raw foods to a lower quality chemically preserved food will most often result in loose stools or diarrhea. However, when fed in addition to an ultra-premium kibble or for alternative meals raw foods can add a needed benefit to even the finest packaged dog food. Feeding a completely raw diet is not a lifestyle that everyone is ready to accept. So my goal is to find the best solution for all situations. Many of you have asked for a copy of the basic weight gaining recipe that I prefer to canned food or (ugh) "fat balls". Keep in mind that if your animal won't eat it - it won't help them gain weight. So experiment with flavors and textures - your animal's preferences may be an individual as your own. Click here for links to information on raw diets, dog food comparisons and general pet health.