The Science Behind Raw Dog Food: Understanding Nutritional Balance and Dietary Requirements

Dogs are facultative carnivores i.e. their primary nutritional needs should be met with animal content although they can subsist (but not necessarily thrive) on other food groups such as carbohydrates or vegetables. Their ancestors' predatory lifestyle shaped their dietary needs with raw prey being their primary source of sustenance. Fast forward to today: while our beloved companions have become more domesticated, their inherent biological requirements remain largely unchanged.

Compared to other processed commercial diets, a raw diet that is unprocessed has the highest bioavailability. However, not all raw diets are created equal. To ensure a well-rounded meal, it's essential to understand the dietary components that make up these meals.

1. Essential Nutrients

A raw diet for dogs should have high animal content as its foundation, delivering a precise blend of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, in their most natural and bioavailable forms, to support optimal health and vitality. High-quality proteins, such as those found in land-based meat sources, supply essential amino acids necessary for muscle development, repair, and immune function. Although different types of meat offer varying levels of essential nutrients — such as beef, which is rich in iron, and chicken, for its higher niacin content — they also supply essential fats necessary for maintaining skin health, fur quality, nervous system function and overall energy levels.

While mixing various meat proteins in a single meal might seem beneficial, the complexity of proteins may inadvertently trigger allergies, especially if you’re unsure of what your pet is allergic, intolerant or sensitive to. Instead, try trialling and rotating different protein types over time. This method ensures your dog receives a broader spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids while allowing their digestive system to adapt. Rotation helps to balance the variations in micronutrient content, as each protein source has its own unique advantages.

Offals, or secreting organs such as liver and kidney, are diverse in essential vitamins and minerals, making them key players in ensuring nutritional balance. The liver is particularly nutrient-dense, providing vital components such as fat-soluble vitamins A to K, to support vision, skin, and overall organ function. Other secreting organs such as the pancreas, brain, testicles can be fed too but beware of the high fat content., Spleen and ovaries are alternatives too although liver and kidney are the most-prized for nutritional diversity and density. Non-secreting organs like the heart and lungs may also be fed but are categorised more as muscle meats than secreting organs or ‘offals’ in the fresh food world.

Note: To include offals in a raw diet, it's best to start with small portions and gradually increase to no more than 10% of your dog’s total diet, ensuring that liver accounts for half of that.

If you're ever unsure, consulting a pet nutritionist when formulating your dog’s diet is advisable to ensure it meets all their nutritional needs.

2. Calcium and Phosphorus

Calcium and phosphorus are fundamental building blocks for strong bones and teeth. However, achieving the ideal calcium to phosphorus (Ca:P) balance is crucial - the NRC guides for a ratio of 1 to 1.5:1. Raw meaty bones (RMBs) are nature's ideal source of both calcium and phosphorus, offering these minerals in the correct proportions.

But, it’s important to select the right types of bones to prevent choking hazards or digestive issues. Avoid feeding cooked or dehydrated bones, as they can splinter and cause serious damage to your dog's digestive tract. Instead, opt for raw, non-weight-bearing bones that are covered in meat. The size of the bone should be appropriate for your pet's size: smaller pets benefit from poultry bones, while larger pets can safely handle pork bones.

3. Carbohydrates

Although dogs don’t have a dietary requirement for carbohydrates, as noted by NRC, AAFCO, and FEDIAF. Though they can digest a certain amount, they do not need carbohydrates in their diet if they can meet their metabolic requirements by consuming sufficient protein and fat. Including small amounts of carbohydrates, such as those found in vegetables and limited fruits (guard against inclusion of high-fructose fruits such as apple, pears, melons, bananas etc.), can contribute to overall energy levels.

In essence, a well-crafted fresh dog food diet is more than just feeding raw meat, it's a commitment to providing complete and balanced nutrition customised to your dog's specific needs. At BOM BOM, we are dedicated to delivering essential and health-boosting nutrients and balanced raw meals to set a new standard in canine care. By prioritising fresh ingredients and avoiding unnecessary fillers, we help your furry companion receive the optimal nourishment they deserve. Our meals are also high in bioavailability, nutrient density, and coverage, eliminating the need for additional supplements. Experience the difference of a truly tailored raw diet for your pet.

Visit BOM BOM today and get your customised pet food here!