In the words of Prince (the Coolest. Ever.)
… All I want is your extra time and your ….. KISS!
Love,
The Dog.
I tend to get wrapped up in things I have a passion for, you know? And once I started feeding a Raw food diet, I got excited about the the endless possibilities of food combinations. I even gave some thought to developing my own product line, which may come one day.
But for now, I’m still learning and proactively seeking to educate myself on as many aspects of HOListic nutrition and health as I can.
There for a while, I was preparing complicated recipes, and in the process, I was over-feeding my dogs (and they were happy to oblige my enthusiasm).
I would encourage you to KISS your dog! Keep it simple, stupid! Don’t get overwhelmed or intimidated by this. It can be time consuming. And I certainly understand that not everyone has the luxury of spending 20 minutes preparing a beautiful, multi-colored, nutritionally balanced, fortified bowl full of glory for their dog.
(Ahhhh! the Heavens open and the Angels sing).
You don’t even do that for yourself, right?
That’s why I’ve suggested A+ Answers. It will simplify your life.
I suggested FreshPet early on, which is fine for a few days when you’re gone & someone else has to feed your pup, but it is heat pasteurized and therefore not really raw.
If you are devoted to the convenience of dry kibble and just can’t Go Raw, might I suggest Orijen, or Acana, or even Taste of the Wild? They are high quality, high protein, grain-free dry dog foods.
Then, if you want to gradually wade into feeding raw, add a couple of ounces of raw goat’s milk to the kibble. Or toss a raw chicken wing in the bowl the next time your grilling. When you’re making stew, hold a few ounces of the raw meat out for your pup. If you’re scrambling a big mess of eggs on Saturday morning, beat one for your dog and pour it in his dish.
Add a powdered digestive enzyme, like Prozyme or Total-zymes, which aid in nutrient absorption of cooked foods.
Every now and then, add a teaspoon of raw honey, or raw Apple Cider Vinegar, or both.
Even these little things will make a big difference in your dog’s health.
But if you want to Go RAW, and you’re overwhelmed by fear of feeding the wrong thing or the wrong amount, or of failing to get the right balance, please don’t give up.
Take a look back at the list of What Not to Feed (#WNTF). It is SHORT. The world is your oyster!
You may not be able to balance the nutrition completely with each discrete meal, but over the course of the week or the month, you will be able to balance if you rotate your offerings. Dogs on a raw diet can endure a rotation in protein and vegetables without stomach upset. I’ve been doing it for months without incident.
One protein, one vegetable, one add-in, and digestive enzyme. DONE.
Keep it simple! You can do it!
pugs & kisses
The HOL Dog 