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thirds meaty bones and half to one-third meats and offal (organ
meats). There is no magic formula and every puppy is a bit different.
Despite what the kibble manufacturers say, it’s pretty
easy to balance calcium and phosphorus and there is a wider
margin of error when feeding raw. Calcium that comes in a synthetic
powder is nearly impossible for a puppy to excrete, so
excesses of calcium are more of a concern with synthetic products
than with the naturally occurring calcium found in bones.
My Favorite Meaty bones (50% to 65% of the diet)
Turkey tails and necks
Chicken backs and necks
Veal ribs and tails
Venison bones of any kind
Muscle Meats (35% to 50% of the diet)
From a variety of animals (includes heart and tongue)
Offal (10% of the diet)
Liver, kidneys, spleen, brain, lung
Balanced foods (feed often)
Eggs with shell
Green tripe
Whole animals (rabbit, quail, etc.)
Also includes fish but this should be fed less often, due
to mercury exposure
Extra yummies
Chicken feet and beef windpipes (good source of naturally
occurring glucosamine and chondroitin)
Beef neck bones (a great chew that won’t break teeth)
Don’t forget the supplements
Even if you’re feeding free range, organic meats, the earth is not
what it used to be so your puppy will benefit from some supplementation.
Supplements to consider include:
Fish or krill oil (a source of Omega-3 fats which are a good idea
if the meat is not grass fed)
Coconut oil (antibacterial and antifungal)
Nutritional herbs (alfalfa, dandelion leaf, nettle and more)
Probiotics (soil based products are best and green tripe is an
excellent natural source of probiotics and digestive enzymes)
Bovine colostrum (helps to build a strong immune system)
Other important stuff
Make sure your puppy has plenty of fresh, non-chlorinated water.
He should also have plenty of fresh air and exercise. Exercise
for young puppies should not be forced walks - his growing
joints will suffer less stress if you take him outside for short play
or training sessions instead. Keep the walks short - about five
minutes per month of age until he is about six months of age.
Find a mentor or raw feeding chat group
You will find there are plenty of experienced dog owners who
love to help. One day, you can return the favor and help another
puppy owner realize how simple it is to raise puppies on
raw! f
Dana Scott breeds naturally reared Labrador Retrievers under
the Fallriver prefix.
Feed three times a day
Your puppy should eat three small meals a day until he is about
six months of age - then he can eat twice a day and eventually
once a day if you wish. This is especially important for small
breed puppies as they can become hypoglycemic if meals are
spread out too long.
Feed 2-3% of his adult body weight
This is easier to determine if you have a purebred dog, but the
amount you feed should be 2-3% of your puppy’s anticipated
adult weight. If you’re not sure what that will be, then feed
about 10% of his current weight. Watch to see if he gets too fat
or too thin and adjust accordingly.
Don’t overdo it with the offal
Liver and other organ meat can cause some pretty nasty loose
stools in puppies who have never had them before. If your puppy
is new to raw feeding, wait until you see a good two or more
weeks of solid stools before you introduce organ meats. Then
add them in gradually instead of feeding one giant meal of liver.
Don’t skip the organ meats; they are important because they
are full of nutrients not found in muscle meat.
Dogs Naturally Magazine | May/June2012
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