A raw dog food diet typically consists of:

While meat makes up the majority of their diet, domestic dogs can also derive nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. These non-meat foods are not simply fillers, but can be a valuable source of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A good dog food will contain meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits.

These tips will set you both up for success.

1. Meet with your vet. If you have noticed your pup is packing on the pounds meet with your vet before making any dietary changes.
2. Look at your pet’s meals.
3. Cut back on processed treats.
4. Add fresh vegetables and fruit.
5. Add or increase exercise.
6. Try using rewards other than food.

• Muscle meat, often still on the bone.
• Bones, either whole or ground.
• Organ meats such as livers and kidneys.
• Raw eggs.
• Vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and celery.
• Apples or other fruit.
• Some dairy, such as yogurt.

The American Kennel Club (AKC), American Veterinary Medical Association and other groups discourage pet owners from feeding dogs raw or unprocessed meat, eggs and milk. Raw meat and dairy can carry pathogens, like E. coli, listeria and salmonella, which can make pets and people sick or even cause death.

With a raw food diet, dogs are able to absorb more of the ingredients. Therefore, dogs poop less frequently and overall produce less fecal matter. Your dog is able to go longer on less food, compared to a kibble diet.

Treat dogs as individuals and take their likes and dislikes into account. Any raw meat will do – beef, lamb, pork, chicken, rabbit, venison, tripe, squirrel – anything, in fact, so long as it comes from a reputable source. Any vegetables will do, but not raw potatoes. Vegetables should always be fresh.

A lot of people think that because dogs are carnivores and need a lot of protein, they can get by just fine on a diet of meat! Unfortunately, your dog can’t live on only meat. As a complicated, living organism, they need tons of different vitamins and nutrients that meat alone cannot provide.

Poultry skin, necks, backs, and wings. These chicken parts left over after cooking should not be fed to your pets. The cooking process breaks down the bones causing them to become brittle and more apt to harm your dog when ingested.

High fat foods like bacon, ham, or meat trimmings can cause pancreatitis in dogs. And since these meats are often high in salt content, too, they can cause upset stomachs and, in extreme cases, can cause dogs to drink too much water, leading to bloat, which can be fatal.