Here we are in the midst of winter - the solstice has passed and we know that the Sun is returning little by little, day by day. So, in this piece we are looking in to how to get the best from your dog’s diet especially if they are on a raw dog food diet.
It’s a time of year when we could all do with a boost to pick us up to be the best we can physically and mentally and help us ward off illness.
One really good addition to diet is vitamin D3
Vitamin D is obtained in two ways - by the Sun-rays onto the skin and via food. With the Sun being almost non-existent at the moment and the opportunity to sunbathe very remote(!) it’s a good add to any diet. It’s also believed to help relieve depression.
Dogs and cats are unable to produce their own vitamin D due to the fact that they are furry (no sunlight on skin) so they have to acquire all their vitamin D from their diet.
Vitamin D3 is the most bio available form -and able to be used more effectively within the body. It is very important for heart health in humans and (indications are) in dogs and all animals as well (further studies are required)
It is essential for many functions, including healthy bones, teeth, muscles and immune system and the absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphate.
Good sources of dietary vitamin D are found in oily fish, including salmon, sardines, tuna and trout and cod-liver oil. It is also found in egg yolk, beef liver, cheese, and mushrooms.
The oily fish, salmon, and trout are all found as ingredients we use here at Nurturing by Nature as part of our mince mixes alongside our chicken mince to give a nutrient rich diet full of vitamin D.
Many dogs enjoy a few defrosted sprats added to their meals on a daily basis and also the addition of a whole egg, including the shell.
After they have got used to eating an egg – try offering a whole uncracked one as an enrichment exercise. Many years ago my first dog Pippin, became an expert at cracking eggs by picking them up and dropping them on the floor!
Our minced chicken and oily fish, salmon or trout is very good introduction to fish without being over the top and greatly enjoyed by many dogs and cats
As vitamin D can be degraded by cooking - raw is best – as if we didn’t know!
Another bonus in feeding these foods with vitamin D is the high amount of omega-3, which is also present. This is the anti-inflammatory type of omega oil and another great bonus to any raw dog food diet.
To boost your dog’s diet even further and tick the boxes for all of the trace elements which are not available in many parts of modern pet diets, Nurturing by Nature suggest adding the following multivitamin and minerals supplement made from natural ingredients.
Neptune's Yard Seawees Suppliment is a superfood that provides great support for gut health by feeding the good bacteria in the intestines. It is becoming increasingly clear that these bacteria promote good health and need to be looked after.
Once the Neptune’s Yard has been given enough time to start working properly and the gut becomes healthier and stronger, the rest of the body follows suit. You then start to see other benefits such as a shinier healthier coat and skin, and better joint health to name a couple.
Another great supplement you can feed your dog is Dorwest Keepers Mix which is a combination of 8 herbs and ingredients which support a body’s natural balance. This supplement is perfectly balanced to provide natural antioxidants (to neutralise free radicals), vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, fibres and complex bioactive compounds. Keeper`s Mix promotes all-round health, supporting vital organs and maintaining natural balance in your pet`s body, as well as encouraging a thick and healthy coat.
So that’s where we will leave it for this instalment. If you have any questions about your pet’s diet and how to get the most benefit from a raw dog food diet then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at any of our shops or even at our main office and we will do our very best to get you the advice you need.
