Puppies on Raw Food Diet

If you wonder if puppies can eat raw pet food, you should be assured they can. They can benefit from raw diets just as adult dogs do. It doesn’t matter which breed, size, or age the puppy is. Many puppies are ready to get on raw pet diets as early as four weeks.

The fact that raw pet food is loaded with all the nutrients they need is a plus. Generally, puppies need rapid protein synthesis to support their growth. Therefore, some of the best proteins are found in raw diets, which are easy to break down and serve as building blocks. Besides that, raw diets also have complex vitamins and enzymes, all of which contribute to the dog’s well-being.

Components of the Raw Diet Foods and their Benefits

Organ Meats

These are important because they contain almost all crucial minerals the puppies need except for calcium which must be supplemented.

Ground Bones

Bones are important for puppy development because they contain all the essential minerals including magnesium, iron, copper, and iodine. Chewing raw bones also helps the puppies with their dental wellness.

Phosphorus and Calcium

These minerals are vital for the puppy’s growth since they are needed for different functions, including endocrine, immune, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular. In addition, phosphorus is needed for the absorption of fats and carbohydrates. Calcium, on the other hand, is needed for skeletal development.

Raw Meaty Bones

These should be given to puppies as a healthy chewing outlet. Since chewing is a psychological and physical need, it is important to give puppies healthier options to explore. Ribs, bones, and necks are great for this. Choose pieces from chickens, ducks, and other animals. However, you should always monitor the puppies consuming meaty bones.

Generally, these meaty bones have several advantages, including:

Healthy teeth & gums
Skin & Coat
Great for jaw, skull & shoulder muscling
Unwanted chewing habits
Offers minerals & nutrients
Aid with their digestive tract

How to Go About it

Start with simple protein such as turkey and rabbit meats when transitioning your puppies. These can be given for 4 to 5 days. However, it is important to warm this food for the first week and include some good quality probiotics before introducing more protein, such as fish oil, daily.

How to Feed the Puppy

Unless you are sure about the weight of the puppy, follow the following guide:

2 – 3 months 8% to 10%
4 – 5 months 6% to 8%
6 – 8 months 4% to 6%
9 – 12 months 3% to 4%
12 plus 2% to 2.5%

Supplementation and the Benefits Thereof

To support your puppy’s growth, consider adding extra supplements. Of course, you can also get this from the company selling you the raw food. A good example would be Houston Raw Pet food. But why should you? Below are some advantages of supplementation.