If you’ve started your dog on a raw diet, you may be wondering what (if anything) you can add to his meals to switch things up a bit. While raw diets work best when they are carefully balanced, that doesn’t mean that there’s no room for variety.
To help you make your dog’s raw diet more exciting, try mixing some of the things listed below into his food.
Caution: No Kibble!
Although many people mix kibble with raw food when they are first transitioning their dog to a raw diet, this is not recommended for dogs who are already on a steady raw diet. Kibble and raw food are digested in different ways, and having to work on both at the same time could become very taxing for your dog’s stomach. If you do want to feed your dog some kibble in addition to his raw food, it’s best to do it in separate feedings to avoid making him queasy.
5 Things You Can Mix with Your Dog’s Raw Food
1. Bone Broth
Bone broth is rich in nutrients that are hard to get from other sources, including arginine, glycine, and glucosamine. These can boost your dog’s collagen production, platelet levels, blood flow, and other key signs of health. You can make your own broth from leftover bones from your kitchen cabinets or purchase pre-made broth made especially for dogs.
2. Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is high in fibre as well as vitamins A and C. The extra vitamin A helps keep your dog’s eyes, nerves, and muscles healthy while the vitamin C boosts his immune system. Sweet potato is also easy to mash up and stir into raw food, so your dog won’t have to contend with too many different textures in his meal.
3. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a popular addition to many raw diets. It’s high in both fibre and antioxidants, substances that can help protect your dog against health issues like cancer and heart disease. It also comes in a convenient canned form that you can buy in bulk and store in your pantry, ensuring it’s always there when you need it.
4. Fruits
Fruits like apples, pears, and watermelon all make excellent additions to a raw diet. Dogs love their sweet taste, and they offer plenty of vitamins and minerals with minimal extra calories. Make sure you keep your dog’s portions small to avoid excess sugar, and don’t give him any grapes! As most dog owners know, grapes are toxic to dogs.
5. Raw Eggs
Raw eggs are perfect to add to a raw diet mix. They’re high in protein and offer a plethora of vitamins and amino and fatty acids that will help your dog look and feel his best. Dogs also love the taste of them. Unfortunately, they are relatively high in calories, so you’ll need to be careful about how often you include them. Try to save them for special occasions when you can offer them to your dog as a relatively healthy treat.
Mix It Up!
A raw dog food diet offers an excellent array of nutrients as it is. Anything you add to it is a tasty bonus for your pup to enjoy. Experiment with different raw formulas and mix-ins to find the combination that your fur kid loves best.
