Raw Recipes #3
There are many pre-made raw products out on the market as well as recipes on the internet. Some follow a true carnivorous way of feeding while others unfortunately do not. In this series, we will be evaluating various products and raw recipes based on a true carnivorous diet…. Prey Model or Franken Prey Model Raw Feeding.
The Nutrition Code will be analyzing each recipe or product based off of a Prey Model Raw style of feeding. What does this mean? Prey Model Raw is a way of feeding our cats, dogs and ferrets using nature as our guide. Prey Model Raw includes:
Whole Prey as well as chunked meats, organs and bones from various animals also known as Franken Prey. We base this off of the ratio 80% meat, 5% liver, 5% other secreting organs and 10% bone (the ideal ratio of a prey animal) This also excludes the use of fruits, veggies or grains as well as artificial supplementation (pills, tablets, premixes etc.)
In this series no brand names, products or websites will be provided (unless completely unavoidable). The Nutrition Code does not wish to name bash or product bash others. Therefore, when evaluating products and recipes please utilize information and tips provided to make an educated decision on whether or not a product or recipe is appropriate for your cat, dog or ferret.
Species: Canine
The Recipe:
Gorilla Max Muscle Building Supplement
10 lbs. Raw Ground Beef 80% Lean 20% Fat
18 Hardboiled Eggs including Shells
15 cups Cooked White Rice (Dry, about 5 cups)
1 cup Raw Broccoli
1 cup Celery
3 cups Raw Spinach
1 cup Raw Carrots
4 Raw Apples
1 Head of Romaine Lettuce
6 Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
Gorilla Max Muscle Building Supplement
This supplement includes the following ingredients (quotes denote reasons the creator of this product/recipe includes the ingredients)
Whey Protein Isolate
“Whey protein is the highest-quality source of protein out there. It’s easily absorbed by the digestive system and high in muscle-building amino acids.” This may be true but for carnivores like dogs to gain quality muscle the source of protein must be a quality protein source. Plant based proteins do not provide the same nutrients or benefits for a carnivore that animal based proteins provide. Although whey comes from cows (animal source) dogs no longer have the same ability to breakdown dairy products like milk after they are weaned.
Pea Protein
“Pea protein is high in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which help your dog maintain lean & healthy muscle mass.” As a plant protein, pea protein is not going to provide the quality protein source a dog needs to gain and maintain muscle.
Corn Syrup Solids
“Made from corn, this ingredient provides your dog with energy in the form of carbohydrates. Corn syrup solids are about ¾ as sweet as cane sugar.” Corn is a very cheap protein source, it may be ¾ as sweet as cane sugar but it contains as much sugar as chocolate which means these simple sugars will simply turn into unwanted fat. Sugar is NOT a quality source of fat. There is no sourcing information on these ingredients but considering corn is one of the most common sources for GMOs, this product likely has genetically modified organisms in it.
Vegetable Oil
“Vegetable oil consists of heart-healthy unsaturated fats that nourish your dog while providing a natural source of energy.” Just like quality animal proteins, your dog needs quality fat sources as well. These must be from animal protein sources. Vegetable and plant based oils are not able to be utilized like animal based and most often are a source of omega 6’s. Although important in the diet, they must be balanced as they are pro inflammatory. Most diets are already very rich in Omega 6’s so extra is certainly not needed.
Omega Fish Oil Concentrate
“This concentrate contains healthy Omega 3 fatty acids that help improve your dog’s brain and heart health. Most dogs are woefully deficient in omega 3 fats.”
Fish oil is a fantastic source for Omega 3’s as the author mentioned. Omega 3s are important for reducing inflammation and in addition to brain and heart health is great for hip and joint support, fetal development, eye health, skin and coat health and much more.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Beta Carotene
“Beta Carotene is an antioxidant and a precursor to vitamin A, which means your dog can convert it to vitamin A as needed. Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for healthy vision, skin, and overall health.”
Although Vitamin A is an important vitamin for dogs, they only have a 50% conversation rate of beta carotene to Vitamin A so it is better to simply feed Vitamin A rich foods like liver for example to properly utilize the nutrient and make it easier on the body (https://www.dsm.com/markets/anh/en_US/Compendium/companion_animals/vitamin_A.html)
Later in this recipe you will see the creator recommends the addition of carrots which is the most common source of beta carotene.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Vitamin A Palmitate
Vitamin A Palmitate is an animal-based carotenoid that is essential for healthy skin, vision, and overall health.
This is definitely a much better source of Vitamin A (although liver, heart, kidney, rabbit, poultry, pork lamb, bison, egg, fish are all whole food options for Vitamin A) This is the second source of Vitamin A in this product so one must be aware that too much Vitamin A can result in toxicity. Later in this write up we will see the amount of Vitamin A in this product and can determine the risk.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Cholecalciferol
Also known as vitamin D, cholecalciferol is an essential nutrient for dogs (just like it is for humans). It’s critical for healthy bones & teeth and has even been shown to protect against several diseases like cancer.
Vitamin D is important for dogs however Cholecalciferol is a synthetic version of Vitamin D3. Known side effects are elevations in phosphorus and calcium levels, tissue hardening in the kidneys as well as intestines and heart.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate
“A form of vitamin E, this ingredient is a fat-soluble antioxidant that works to help protect your dog from harmful free radicals.”
Vitamin E is especially important in this recipe as fish oils are being used. The more fatty acids like fish that are included in the diet the more oxidation that can occur so a source of antioxidants must be included to reduce and prevent oxidation. However, in this case dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate is a cheap synthetic version of Vitamin E. Liver, brain, kidney, fish, egg, bison are much better whole food options.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Biotin
“Biotin (vitamin B7) is an important nutrient for the health of your dog’s skin and hair. It also helps your dog maintain a healthy heart and metabolism.”
Biotin is indeed important for proper functioning of the body. Eggs and liver are also quality whole food option.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Folic Acid
“Folic acid is an important B vitamin that helps your dog produce and maintain new cells, while protecting against heart disease by preventing excess blood clots in your dog’s arteries.”
Folic acid is also important for growth and reproduction. Unfortunately, most folic acid found in supplements such as this is artificial and come with the side effects like abdominal cramps, diarrhea, rash, irritability, confusion, nausea, stomach upset, behavior changes, skin reactions, seizures, gas and excitability especially when taken long term. Liver, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, halibut, haddock and sardine much better whole food option for folic acid.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Niacinamide
“This is a form of niacin, a B vitamin that helps release energy into your dog’s cells while lowering your dog’s cholesterol levels.”
While lowering cholesterol levels is a nice thought dogs thrive on a diet of moderate to high protein and do not suffer such problems like humans do.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Calcium D-Pantothenate
“Also known as Pantothenic acid, or Vitamin B5, this ingredient is an essential water-soluble nutrient that helps your dog to metabolize food for energy.” All the B Vitamins are essential in the canine diet however Calcium D-Pantothenate is a synthetic version of Vitamin B5 made from pantothenic acid. Side effects include causing stomach upset/irritation, diarrhea and nausea. Egg yolks, fish, liver and kidney are quality whole food options for Vitamin B5.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Thiamin HCl
“Also known as vitamin B1, this ingredient helps your dog produce energy from food. It’s important for healthy cardiovascular, brain, and eye health.”
Unfortunately, Thiamin HCl is the synthetic version of Vitamin B1 or Thiamin. Natural sources include liver, rabbit, poultry, pork, lamb, bison, egg, beef, fish.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Cyanocobalamin
“Also known as vitamin B12, this ingredient is essential for maintaining healthy nerves and producing sufficient red blood cells.” This Vitamin B is also synthetic and artificially made however liver, fish, red meats, eggs and chicken are natural and whole food options for providing this in the diet.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Riboflavin
“Also known as vitamin B2, riboflavin helps your dog to metabolize protein, carbohydrates, and fat for energy.”
Most often riboflavin if not from a whole food source is a synthetic version of Vitamin B2. While it is essential for producing red blood cells and antibodies, maintain muscous membranes and absorption of other vitamins and minerals it can include side effects like increase in blood, tissue, and urine levels of free riboflavin as well as liver and cell damage. Beef, lamb, mackerel, eggs and pork are all natural whole food sources of riboflavin
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Pyridoxine HCl
“Also known as vitamin B6, this ingredient is important in stimulating enzymatic reactions that are essential to your dog’s health.”
As reiterated prior all the B vitamins are essential in the canine diet however while Pantothenate is the natural version of vitamin B6, Pyridoxine HCl is one of many synthetic versions of this vitamins.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Ascorbic Acid
“Also known as Vitamin C, this ingredient is a powerful water-soluble antioxidant that helps keep this product fresher, longer.”
Ascorbic Acid is a synthetic version of Vitamin C it is used primarily as a natural preservative essential for collagen formations and immune support. However, in excess: intestinal irritation and kidney calculi can result. Not only is Vitamin C made by dogs naturally but liver, kidney, heart and fish are natural whole food sources.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Phytonadione
“This is a form of vitamin K1, which your dog needs for healthy blood clotting and wound healing. It’s also important in the creation of strong, healthy bones” Vitamin K1 is essential for the above-mentioned purposes however besides the fact that dog’s naturally make vitamin K in their gut, Phythonadione is a man-made version of this vitamin.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Copper Gluconate
“This is a form of copper, an important trace mineral. Your dog needs copper for optimal brain, bone, and immune health.” Copper is essential in the body for enzyme formation, blood cell creation, color/pigmentation and nervous seem function however Copper Gluconate is a synthetically made product but organ meats especially liver is a natural wholefood option for this mineral.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Potassium Iodide
“This is a form of the essential nutrient iodine, which helps your dog maintain a healthy thyroid system (the system that controls your dog’s hormone levels).”
While this product is most likely not synthetic (the synthetic version is often radioactive) cod, tuna, turkey breast and eggs are natural whole food options.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Ferrous Fumarate
“This is a form of the essential nutrient iron, which protects against anemia by helping your dog to create essential red blood cells.”
Ferrous fumarate is a synthetic derivative of the natural estrogen estradiol. Liver, shellfish, beef, sardines, turkey, chicken and veal are common natural and whole food sources of iron.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Manganese Sulfate
“This is a form of the mineral manganese, which your dog’s body uses to create essential enzymes for building strong bones.”
Manganese Sulfate is a synthetic version of manganese. It can result in mental status changes, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, hypotension, acute hepatic and renal failure, metabolic acidosis, multi-organ system failure and death. The following are much safer and natural whole food options to provide manganese fish, egg, poultry, beef and pork.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Sodium Selenite
“Also known as selenium, this is a critical trace mineral that can reduce inflammation. It also acts as an antioxidant to help protect your dog from free radicals.” Sodium Selenite is a synthetic version of Vitamin B2. Vitamin B2 is important for red blood cell production, growth and reproduction. Liver, heart, kidney, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, halibut, haddock and sardine are all whole food options for supplying selenium.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Zinc Sulfate
“A form of zinc, this ingredient helps keep your dog healthy by stimulating the immune system and helping with muscle growth and repair.”
This synthetic product is a combination of zinc and sulfur used as a source of zinc to prevent zinc deficiency. Side effects include cancer, interference with hormone function, and bioaccumulation. Rabbit, poultry, pork, lamb, bison, egg, beef, fish are safer whole food and natural options to provide zinc in diet
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Choline Bitartrate
“This is a form of the nutrient choline, which is essential for proper functioning of your dog’s brain, liver, muscles, and nerves. It also helps your dog maintain a healthy metabolism & energy levels.”
Choline Bitartrate is a synthetic version of choline which can readily be found in shrimp, eggs, chicken, turkey, tuna, cod, salmon and beef
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Calcium Carbonate
“This is a form of the essential mineral calcium, which helps your dog to build healthy teeth and bones.” Despite already proving plenty of calcium in the diet via the eggshell (pure calcium carbonate) Commercial Calcium Carbonate is a cheap source of calcium. Calcium is needed for bone structure, blood clotting and helps conduct nerve signals. But It also is used as a preservative and for color retention. In excess other vitamin deficiencies and hip dysplasia can result and it is used as an abrasive in toothpaste. Other than natural bone and egg shell, salmon, tuna, trout and sardines are other quality sources.
Proprietary Nutrient Mix: Taurine
“Taurine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein. Taurine is associated with multiple health benefits, from reducing stress and burning fat to helping prevent heart disease and more.”
Almost all taurine is synthetic and sourced from China as they own about 40 manufacturing facilities for taurine. While dogs (unlike cats) can make their own taurine, natural sources of taurine are hard-working muscle meats like thigh meat, shoulder meat, tongue and heart. It can also be found in small amounts in all other meats and organs.
Digestive Enzyme Complex: Alpha Amylase
“Our digestive enzyme complex is made of enzymes that help your dog better break down and absorb nutrients. Alpha amylase works to break down long starches (carbohydrates) into dextrins, which are easier to digest.”
Although this enzyme is required for this particular diet, it is not needed for an animal on a species appropriate diet. Dogs are carnivores and make VERY minute amounts of amylase in the pancreas to deal with the remaining stomach contents of their prey animals. It can easily be taxed with a carbohydrate rich diet as they are not designed to consume such a diet. That being said this digestive enzyme is artificial as it cannot be extracted and preserved from herbivores naturally.
Digestive Enzyme Complex: Cellulase
“Our digestive enzyme complex is made of enzymes that help your dog better break down and absorb nutrients. Cellulase works to break down plant fibers into beta-glucose, which is easier to digest.”
Although this enzyme is required for this particular diet, it is not needed for an animal on a species appropriate diet. Dogs are not designed to have a diet rich in plant materials and therefore do not have the enzymes to break them down. Just based on this logic the fact that they are included in this supplement goes to show it’s not an appropriate diet or supplement. That being said this digestive enzyme is artificial as it cannot be extracted and preserved from herbivores natural. Enzymes are extremely sensitive to sunlight, air, heat and MUCH more.
Digestive Enzyme Complex: Lipase
“Our digestive enzyme complex is made of enzymes that help your dog better break down and absorb nutrients. Lipase works to break down fats into smaller nutrients that can be more easily absorbed”.
Dogs naturally produce lipase as their natural diet is moderate to high in fats. As long as they are on a species appropriate diet of meat, organs and bones they will continue to produce the appropriate digestive enzymes in the appropriate quantity to handle the fat load they consume.
If an animal isn’t breaking food down effectively most likely (but not in all cases) they aren’t meant or designed to consume that item.
Digestive Enzyme Complex: Lactase
“Our digestive enzyme complex is made of enzymes that help your dog better break down and absorb nutrients. Lactase works to break down milk sugars (lactose) into glucose and galactose, which are easier to digest.” It is true that past weaning dogs can no longer break down dairy products, however if this recipe is complete, there are no dairy products in it, so it’s purpose is unclear in this product. Again, if you need to add a specific enzyme to the diet because the animal cannot properly break it down or utilize it, it probably should not be in the diet.
Digestive Enzyme Complex: Neutral Protease
“Our digestive enzyme complex is made of enzymes that help your dog better break down and absorb nutrients. Neutral protease works to break down many different nutrients, from fibronectin to collagen”
Dogs naturally produce protease as their natural diet is plentiful with protein. As long as they are on a species appropriate diet of meat, organs and bones they will continue to produce the appropriate digestive enzymes in the appropriate quantity to handle the protein load they consume.
Natural Flavor
“All-natural flavoring is added to ensure your dog loves the taste of Gorilla Max.” This term is very indiscriminate and not entirely clear. According to the FDA natural flavors are defined as “With respect to flavors, pet foods often contain “digests,” which are materials treated with heat, enzymes and/or acids to form concentrated natural flavors. Only a small amount of a “chicken digest” is needed to produce a “Chicken Flavored Cat Food,” even though no actual chicken is added to the food. Stocks or broths are also occasionally added. Whey is often used to add a milk flavor. Often labels will bear a claim of “no artificial flavors.” Actually, artificial flavors are rarely used in pet foods.” Natural Flavors can be proprietary so the producer does not need to disclose what the flavoring is made from. This means you don’t know the protein source nor its quality.
If your diet is a quality diet and species appropriate you won’t need to enhance the product so the food tastes better.
Colostrum
“This milky fluid comes from breast milk the first few days after giving birth. It’s one of the most nutrient-rich sources of food we know of, with many different proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and antibodies that promote health and vitality.”
Although true, this is only beneficial for puppies in the first 1-2 days of life. After this period, the body is unable to utilize the benefits of colostrum.
Probiotics (Bacillus coagulans)
“Probiotics are the healthy gut bacteria that improve health and digestion.”
Probiotics are indeed important for quality gut health. Without it digestion is very difficult and our pets often will suffer vomiting and diarrhea. However, like digestive enzymes, commercial probiotics are artificially produced and in order for there to be a beneficial different in the body there needs to be at least 10 strains of probiotics with 20-40 million beneficial bacteria per serving to be effective. That being said a dog on a species appropriate raw diet of meat, organs and bones will produce all the important prebiotics and probiotics they need to properly digest their food and maintain a healthy immune system. You may notice so far, we have mentioned a lot about artificial vitamins and minerals. You are probably wondering why we are so against them if they can help “fill in the gaps”. Briefly:
1. Most vitamins and mineral supplements are artificially made in a laboratory 2. Most contain tar, petroleum and other ingredients not meant for consumption 3. Most vitamins and minerals are made in China and with only 1-3% of products being inspected during import we don’t know their quality 4. Vitamin and mineral supplements are loosely regulated 5. Testing is required but not obligated to be submitted 6. Vitamin and Mineral pre-mixes are designed for the average animal not your specific pet so you could be over or under supplementing
7. You are assuming your food has no nutrients in it since no test is done to understand the deficiency or if there even is one
8. There are TONS of whole food options that contain the vitamins and minerals your companion needs to thrive For more information check out our article on the dangers of supplementing https://www.thenutritioncode.info/dangers-of-vitamins-and-minerals
The following is the guaranteed analysis for 12 tsps. or ¼ of a cup with a serving being 6 tsps. or 1/8 of a cup:
Crude Protein (min)………………………………………………………. 70%
Crude Fat (min)……………………………………………………………… 2%
Moisture (max)……………………………………………………………… 10%
Vitamin A (as Beta carotene, and Palmitate)………………….. 470 IU
Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol)………………………………………. 27 IU
Vitamin E (as dl-alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate)…………………….. 9 IU
Betacarotene…………………………………………………………………. 0.3 mg
Biotin*…………………………………………………………………………… 8 mcg
Folic Acid……………………………………………………………………….. 5 mcg
Niacin (as Niacinamide)………………………………………………….. 4 mg
Pantothenic Acid (as Calcium d-Pantothenate)……………….. 4 mg
Vitamin B1 (as Thiamin HCl,) ………………………………………….. 4 mg
Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin)…………………………………… 1.7 mcg
Vitamin B2 (as Riboflavin)……………………………………………… 2.8 mg
Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine HCl)………………………………………… 2.8 mg
Vitamin C* (as Ascorbic Acid)………………………………………….. 19 mg
Vitamin K1 (as Phytonadione)………………………………………….. 0.6 mcg
Copper (as Copper Gluconate)…………………………………………. 2.2 mg
Iodine (as Potassium Iodide)……………………………………………. 27.9 mcg
Iron (as Ferrous fumarate………………………………………………… 2.2 mg
Manganese (as Manganese Sulfate………………………………….. 0.1 mg
Selenium (as Sodium selenite)…………………………………………. 2.8 mcg
Zinc (as Zinc sulfate)………………………………………………………… 0.9 mg
Choline (as Choline Bitartrate)…………………………………………. 5.6 mg
Calcium (as Calcium carbonate)………………………………………. 10 mg
Taurine *…………………………………………………………………………. 69 mg
Omega fish oil*……………………………………………………………….. 300 mg
Omega fatty acids*………………………………………………………….. 105 mg
Digestive enzyme complex containing
Alpha amylase*……………………………………………………………….. 100 DU
Cellulase*…………………………………………………………………………. 4 CU
Lipase*…………………………………………………………………………….. 40 FIP
Lactase*…………………………………………………………………………… 40 ALU
Neutral protease*…………………………………………………………….. 60 PC
Probiotics (Bacillus coagulans)………………………………………….. 70 million CFU
Raw Ground Beef 80% Lean 20% Fat
Ground raw beef is the next ingredient. As carnivores, our dogs need protein and meat in their diet. Beef is a great source. Although ground beef is often cheaper than chunked beef, chunked meats is so much better for our canine’s oral health as they are required to chew and tear the meat. Furthermore, ground meats increase the surface area of the meat. Not only does this mean it’s more prone to bacteria, but it also means more is exposed to the air. This is not good for oxygen sensitive ingredients which can more quickly be depleted. Finally, dogs get great satisfaction and mental stimulation from chewing.
Hardboiled Eggs including Shells
Eggs are a great addition to the diet. They are chalk full of nutrients, is the least expensive protein source, contains no carbohydrates or sugar and even helps with hairballs! The author mentions hard boiling the egg however. Unfortunately cooking in any form very quickly destroys many heat sensitive nutrients and essential fats as well as enzymes that help to make the egg beneficial
Another big concern is the use of eggshell. Eggshell is usually only used if the dog will not eat whole bone and grinding the bone isn’t feasible. It is a cheap alternative to provide calcium however in this recipe not only do you have about 18 teaspoons of eggshell but you also have the calcium in the supplement at 10 mg per serving. One eggshell yields about 750 – 800 mgs of calcium so there is about 13,500 – 14,400 mgs in this recipe before the vitamin mix is added. Dosage for the vitamin mix is as follows
Up to 20 lbs……………………1 serving per day (5 mg of calcium)
Over 20 lbs…………………… 2 servings per day (10 mg) of calcium)
Serving Size…………………. 6 tsps or 1/8 cup
The NRC recommends 50 mg of calcium per 2.2 lbs of body weight. This recipe recommends feeding: 10 lbs ½ cup/day (needs 227.27 mg) will last 184 days 84.6 mg/day of calcium
20 lbs 1 cup/day (needs 454.54 mg) will last 92 days169.2 mg/day
40 lbs 2 cups/day (needs 908 mg) will last 46 days 338.79 mg/day
60 3 cups/day (needs 1362 mg) will last 30.5 days 510.97 mg/day
80 lbs 3 ½ -4 cups/day(needs 1816 mg) will last 23- 26 day 599 – 677.5 mg/day
100 lbs 4-6 cups (needs 2270 mg) will lasts 15-26 day 677.5 mg – 1038.9 mg/day
*these numbers include calcium from all the ingredients including the calcium found in the premix.
Over supplementing or under supplementing calcium can cause skeletal deformities, interference with vitamin and mineral absorption, physiological issues and much more
Cooked White Rice
According to the creator of this recipe it is for easier digestion (when compared to brown rice)
Dogs are carnivores and because of the way they are designed anatomically and physiologically, they are not able to properly and effectively break down grains such as rice. Carbohydrates especially those containing starch, cause elevations in the blood sugar levels which are a concern for many. Rice is also number three on the list of top 10 genetically modified foods. Finally, this diet is listed according to where it was sourced from as a raw diet. Raw diets do NOT include cooked food like cooked rice because cooking easily and quickly denatures and destroys vitamins, minerals, fats and enzymes.
Simply put rice is bulker and a filler
Fruits and Veggies
Raw Broccoli
Raw Spinach
Raw Carrots
Apples
Romaine Lettuce
Baked Potatoes
The creator of this recipe explains:
Broccoli- is rich in Vitamin C and fiber and numerous other nutrients. It may provide anti-cancer benefits
Celery- Although high in water content it’s a source of fiber and healthy nutrients
Spinach- vitamin and mineral content, source of potassium
Carrots- high in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber
Apples- nutrient and fiber rich
Romaine Lettuce- rich in vitamins and minerals
Potatoes- source of potassium
Dogs are facilitative carnivores. This means they are by physiological and anatomical design to consume meat, organs and bones unless in a dire situation where they need food (be reminded dogs in the wild can go up to a week and a half with out eating). Dogs do not have the digestive enzymes to break down plant material which include amylase and cellulase. Although the pancreas does produce a VERY small amount of amylase the amount of carbohydrates (fruits, veggies or grains) in this recipe would heavily tax the body. Their digestive tract is also extremely short, only about 3 times their body length so food stuff moves through their systems very quickly leaving little time to utilize nutrients from low bioavailable foods that are not meat, organs or bones. Besides being biologically inappropriate for dogs there are many other concerns with this selection of fruits and vegetables specifically:
Broccoli is a Cruciferous plant and known when fed in excess to cause goitrogens which can interfere with proper thyroid function. Even though a fully healthy individual can consume goitrogen containing carbohydrates in large amounts with no effect on the thyroid, it is a good idea to avoid them as thyroid conditions seem to have become an epidemic among our companion animals. The author mentions it’s inclusion for Vitamin C, but dogs make Vitamin C themselves and when feed a species appropriate diet can make enough for its body to remain healthy.
Celery is mainly water and actually provides negative calories as the energy it takes to chew the celery is enough to negate the calories it provides. Fiber was the number one reason this was included in the diet but if feed some whole prey the feather and fur are enough to keep the body regulated.
Spinach contains oxalate acid. It can prevent absorption of important nutrients and further exacerbate stone and urolith formation especially in companions that already have a history.
Carrots. Although carrots contain beta-carotene as explained above dogs can only covert 50% of the beta-carotene they consume into Vitamin A, it is much better to provide Vitamin A from liver for example to satisfy this recommendation. Furthermore, carrots contain a lot of sugar which is not required in the diets of our companions as it simply is a quick shot of energy and from there turns into fat. Sugar from fruits and veggies like carrots can contribute to inflammation affecting obesity, cancer, diabetes, hip and joint problems and more.
Potatoes are in the night shade family and contain Solanine. Solanine containing carbohydrates, can exacerbate inflammation in the individuals including further causing problems with allergies as well as joint pain. Just like carrots, potatoes are starchy and contribute to higher blood sugar levels. Considering potatoes contain 92 carbohydrates, you can imagine the elevation is pretty high.
Of course, it is NEVER advised to feed raw potato, However, this recipe was labelled as a raw diet but calls for baked potatoes…
Fruits and veggies DO have nutritional benefits BUT only for organisms that can properly digest them like herbivores and omnivores. Carnivores like dogs are not one of them. These food items for a dog are simply fillers that more often than not tax the body and contribute to several health concerns.
Ratio:
According to the author of this recipe, this recipe consists of:
10 lbs of beef
2.2 lbs of hard boiled egg
5.22 lbs of cooked rice
0.2 lbs of raw broccoli
0.19 lbs of raw spinach
0.29 lbs of carrot
1.6 lbs of apple
0.22 lbs of celery
1.3 lbs of lettuce
1.8 lbs of baked potato This totals a 23.02 lb batch of food made up of:
56.9% meat
21.7% fruits and veggies 22.5% grain
In contrast, a Prey Model Raw diet (and most raw diets) consist of 80% muscle meat, 5% liver, 5% other secreting organ and 10% bone.
This diet MAY be balanced however since a premix is involved depending on the dog this recipe is most likely over supplemented and as we saw with the calcium content actually under supplemented.
Methods:
This recipe recommends ground beef. As mentioned ground meat is one of the worse preparing methods for raw. Grinding increases the surface area of the meat making it more susceptible to bacterial growth. It also does not maintain as good oral health especially because whole bone is not included in this recipe that otherwise is abrasive enough to scale the teeth.
Three ingredients in this recipe are cooked, baked or boiled. A true raw diet is….RAW. This means the ingredients are unprocessed and untouched. They are in their natural form essentially. Cooking or apply any type of heat to food quickly destroys vital and heat sensitive nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fats and enzymes.
Over all this recipe honestly needs a complete revamp first by eliminating the fruits, veggies, grains and vitamin/mineral premix than by adding more meat, organs and bone in the appropriate 80:5:5:10 ratio.
