​FEEDING RAW FOOD TO DOGS

Dogs can eat raw bones, which they chomp up, (but if bones are cooked they become brittle and dangerous) and bones are essential to add to raw meat. You can adjust how soft or hard your dog’s poop is with the amount of bones you feed. More bones means harder poop, fewer bones means softer poops.

Most animals' bones are soft enough for a dog to chomp up, though not beef bones. Large beef bones (specially marrow bones) can break or grind a dog’s teeth down. The exception is smaller beef bones like short ribs which larger dogs can chomp up. Do not feed the last joint of a chicken wing as dogs have been known to choke on that. I just cut it off and trash it.

I learned that Aajonus, the founder of The Primal Diet, which I myself eat, said to give green juice to dogs. I find dogs get growly tummies (acidic) unless there is a green component. I also learned that it is very important that dogs eat organ meat as approx 10% of their diet. Dogs can develop ACL knee problems as a result of not enough manganese that organs provide. I found this to be true during a period I was being lazy about feeding organ meat. When I reintroduced liver to my dog's diet my dog’s limping leg got better! (Heart is muscle meat  and not organ meat).

It is most important that you DO NOT FEED PREVIOUSLY FROZEN MEAT. Only feed “never been frozen” meat. Aajonus wrote: “When only frozen meat was fed to carnivores, they developed mange and other skin disorders, and sometimes scurvy”. I have found my dogs to be sensitive to frozen meat and they developed itchy skin very quickly.

I was staying with a friend whose dog had mange while she was feeding her a raw diet. We read the above quote and went straight out and bought never been frozen meat. The dog healed from mange in about 2 weeks! As a side effect the dog was far more satisfied, so much so that she stopped her annoying begging while we ate!

Note: Most of Trader Joe’s meat has been frozen. Ask in any supermarket if it “comes in frozen”. If you ask if it has been frozen they do not necessarily understand because it isn’t frozen now.

This is approximately what I feed dogs:

80% meat, sinew, ligaments, fat (cheaper cuts, like stewing meat are better. Always meat that has never been frozen)
10% edible bones (dogs can chomp up pork, chicken, lamb and small beef bones, like short ribs)
10% organ meat (heart is considered muscle not organ. I use mostly liver as it is hard to find other organ meat but it would be preferable to mix it up)
Green juice (¼-½ cup day depending on size of dog or if I don’t have any green juice I use chlorophyll drops from a health food store. I use 7 drops twice a day for a 60 lb dog, for example.)
Eggs, preferably unrefrigerated, (1 or 2 a day)
Raw Dairy (unpasteurized), small amount (I use up my sour raw milk, cream or kefir and swish the empty containers with water to give to my dogs)
Human leftovers, small amount and I allow the dogs to lick the plates, which they adore.

Do not worry too much about the proportions.

​Raw food never goes bad, it just changes.

Raw food digests more quickly, so I feed twice a day.

Here is a raw food for dogs calculator:
https://www.rawdogfoodcalculator.com/

If the dog has itchy skin add raw butter, unsalted, to the diet, if you can find it. (Avocados do not have the same effect).

Some dogs take to raw meat and bones immediately and some need a little help. Ground raw meat is easiest to start with. If that too is unappealing put something on it like pieces of cheese, bacon fat, anything to get the dog started. Then introduce raw meaty bones. It can take a few days to get them used to it but it’s well worth the effort!

I often get ground leftover raw meat from my health food store butcher or any large chunks of meat. I then buy small sections of beef short ribs, or chicken feet or I go to the Mexican supermarket and buy pork neck bones which are inexpensive. Or I might buy pork or lamb chops, with bones in, if I can afford it. I also give my dogs all parts (except the wing tip) of a raw chicken. It’s particularly easy to find drumsticks or thighs. I might add an extra piece of meat with that, an egg, some human leftovers and green juice or chlorophyll drops. It’s fine to mix different types of meat together, like chicken and beef. No need to give smaller pieces of meat. Large pieces are actually more natural, and the dog will enjoy chewing them up.

Aajonus says not to worry about the source of muscle meat, so buy anything inexpensive, if budget is a constraint. If you can afford it, buy organic meat and bones. But, ORGAN MEAT MUST BE ORGANIC! (Having said that, I have a friend who cannot get organic organ meat so she feeds conventional organ meat and her dog is MUCH healthier than she was on kibble. In fact she took her dog off her arthritis meds as her legs were so much better!)

Dogs fed raw food do not smell bad the way their kibble eating cousins do, neither their bodies, their breath, nor their poop. Their poop is smaller, firmer and easy to pick up. Their teeth and gums are clean and healthy. You can tell how much indigestible food there is in your dog’s food by how big their poop is. Even expensive raw frozen brands, recommended by vets, create large poops. This is not a good sign.

I helped a woman who had a young dog, 1.5 years old, who did not have normal energy levels and had constant itchy skin. The woman was a vegan but understood her dog needed raw meat. She had been using a very expensive frozen raw brand of dog food that didn’t seem to be helping her dog. We switched the dog to the diet described above, with extra butter for his skin and 2 eggs a day. The dog became energetic and no longer had skin issues within a couple of weeks. She was thrilled.

If your dog ever gets a rumbly tummy or indigestion I find a capsule of activated charcoal works wonderfully. Activated charcoal removes toxins from the gut and is supposed to increases life expectancy by 42%.

Another tip, slightly unrelated:

I adopted an older pitbull. After she was spayed she developed urinary incontinence, which is a result of lowered hormones. I took her to the vet. We tried some very expensive Chinese herbs. They didn’t work. I asked if I could give her some of my estrogen/progesterone drops, which I use on my skin and can be taken orally (Bezwecken PhytoB-L 4x, clean and good product). She said I could.

I went home and gave my dog 1 drop of the hormones a day in her food and the problem resolved. It takes a while to build up in the system, so be patient. I had to increase her dose to 3 drops/day as the years went on but I no longer found pee all over my house!
Note: This product has a little progesterone in it which is sometimes given to calm dogs down.

Like my husband says, “I’ve never met a dog who owns a stove”. Dogs are designed to kill and eat small animals in a  raw state, bones and all.

On a raw diet your dog will definitely be happier and healthier. Give the dog a bone… a RAW bone!

Happy Raw Dog Feeding

Ronit Corry, Santa Barbara, California, USA

SBDogWhisperer.com
​SBDogWhisperer@gmail.com



​Here is the link for this article, published on The Primal Diet website WeWant2Live.com on December 28, 2016:

http://www.wewant2live.com/2016/12/28/feeding-raw-food-to-dogs-including-advice-from-aajonus/

This post is the same as the second part of the above article, the part about feeding dogs. The first part, (both at the link above) is my own experience of The Primal Diet, a raw diet by Aajonus Vonderplanitz.
              ______________________________________________
​

Here is a blog piece I wrote about dog’s dental health and raw food based on an interesting and shocking study.  http://www.ronitcorry.com/blog/dogs-dental-health-and-raw-food                            


The Information on this website is for informational purposes only and not to be considered as medical advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure any medical condition. Statements should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed physician. It is recommended to consult with your physician before implementing any dietary or lifestyle changes. In using this website you accept the terms and conditions of this disclaimer. You further acknowledge that you are completely responsible for any changes you make regarding your dog's diet and health and will not hold Ronit Corry or affiliates liable for your own decisions or any results of your decisions.

I am reposting this blog post from Alexander in The Forest  as it is such an interesting description of how awareness and mindfulness changes our lives as well as the lives of the dogs around us!


"THIS IS BETTER THEN SMOKING DOPE
​
​
The other day I went to pick up one of our dogs from the vets,

For more information about The Alexander Technique click here.

strictly speaking a therapy at all. Its therapeutic benefits are well documented but what sets it apart is that it’s truly educational. It essentially shows you how to stop hurting yourself with unconscious patterns of movement, and muscular and mental tension. You can think of it as a self care skill that puts you in the driving seat to actively take responsibility for your own health and well being, as well as improving your performance in sporting activities or playing a musical instrument.

The Alexander Technique is a practical form of embodied mindfulness, and this is something else that sets it apart from most other therapies. At its core is the idea that the body and mind aren’t simply connected (leaving them as separate entities still), but are part of a functional and indivisible whole, a psychophysical unity. A continuum rather than a connection. As such it’s not just useful for dealing with physical pain but also how you react (and over-react!) to situations mentally, helping you to reduce your stress levels whilst maintaining your poise and improving posture.

Here is a short video from England about Alexander Technique tips for using your phone or tablet.

​Book one Alexander Technique lesson and see how you feel!

I went to the house, assessed Earl and then Maggie and I went out for a walk to work with Earl.

Earl understood my corrections and quickly fell in line with what I was suggesting to him, which was to remain calm at all times, specially when he sees another dog.

I handed the leash to Maggie and I explained how to handle Earl while being calm and assertive. She did an excellent job and was able to give appropriate corrections that helped Earl remain calm in the face of other dogs. His behavior immediately changed for the better and we were both pleased.

We went back to the house and we worked on Earl's relationship with one of the cats in the home. The two don't get along, with the cat swatting Earl and Earl wanting to bite the cat. Worried that Earl will attack, Maggie does not allow them to be in the same room. We worked on calming Earl, using clear boundaries and hands-on techniques. The cat was more relaxed and Maggie could see and understand what she needed to do to create a better relationship between cat and dog.

While browsing my website Maggie had read about The Alexander Technique. She asked me if I thought I could help her older Australian Shepherd, Lilly, who has a hip problem on one side. I have often given Alexander Technique work to animals to loosen habitual tension in their joints, with great success. I said I would be happy to work with Lilly. Lilly was cautious and frightened at the start as she had experienced some rough work in the past, however my work is very gentle and soon she was relaxed. Lilly was able to let go of some tension around her hip, which is what I wanted.

Next Maggie asked me if I could help her sick duck! The duck had a "vent prolapse" that day, when trying to lay an egg.  I was happy to use my Alexander hands on a duck!

I found the duck, Cousteau, in a shower stall, in a container with water at the bottom. I reached down and felt the underside of the duck. The Alexander Technique is based on releasing tension. As expected, because of the prolapse, there was no excessive tension that I could detect. However when I moved to the shoulder, back and wing areas of the duck I was surprised by how much tension there was! I spent about 10 minutes working on the duck. She had 2 big releases of tension, which was good news.  

Maggie asked if I would try to feed Cousteau some peas and corn as she had not been eating earlier. To Maggie's delight Cousteau ate hungrily. And it was a lovely experience to feel her gently eating out of my hand!

The next day I received this email:

"Hi Ronit,

It was a pleasure meeting you  and experiencing your work.

Lilly had a pretty dramatic change. Her tail usually hangs tight to her body then curves to her left like a letter "J". It stays that way walking or trotting. Today is the first time I ever remember her moving with her tail up off her body and in alignment with spine out to the tip, swinging naturally side to side. I believe we are on the right track. Thank you!

Cousteau laid her egg last night without recurrence of prolapse. I am keeping her separate in "sick bay". Her appetite is good, her eyes are bright and I am optimistic. Congratulations on your first duck client!

Earl continued to work well on our later walk. 

I look forward to experiencing our progress together.

 Have a great day!"   Maggie, La Conchita, CA


I was thrilled!

The study is about the dental health of dogs. You can read the whole article at the link below.

I am a firm believer in raw feeding and I basically follow the Raw Meaty Bones diet for my dogs. My few changes are that I add some raw green juice, if I have some, or chlorophyll drops to alkalize the diet a little. I found the diet too acidic as is. I also add raw (preferably unrefrigerated) eggs and some raw (unpasteurized) dairy. Not everyone agrees on what is best, but this works for me and my dogs. 

My dog's teeth are always white and beautiful from the raw diet and vets do comment on this. Raw bones are natural teeth cleaners. Processed food, especially kibble, causes dental decay quite quickly, as you can read in the study below and see in the picture above.

I have helped a few clients transition their dogs to raw unfrozen food. Here is a testimonial from one client whose dog had skin and ear conditions on a commercially prepared frozen raw formula.

"Mica is loving the new food program! His skin and ear have cleared up! He is looking better and definitely has more energy. Thanks for your guidance!" Amy, Santa Barbara

It is very important that the meat and bones you buy for your pet (or yourself) are fresh and have never been frozen! There is a very big difference! If frozen and thawed, the protein in the meat is only 25% utilizable and the enzymes and vitamin B's have been destroyed. Consuming frozen meat can cause skin conditions and mange. This is not the case with fresh, unfrozen meat.

Here is a quote from the article by Dana Scott. 

"The Experiment

Since Dr Lonsdale had become accustomed to seeing drastic improvements in dental health with the change from kibble and commercial pet foods to a raw diet, he wondered 'How quickly will healthy dogs start to deteriorate if we feed them junk food?'

And a very interesting study was begun …

Dr Lonsdale recruited four raw fed dogs and, for the next 17 days, he fed them kibble – Science Diet veterinary food to be exact.
​
The results were visible.

Each photo shows the subject dogs’ teeth while they were eating a raw, species appropriate food, and the stinky breath, yellow teeth, and sore bleeding gums that occurred just 17 days after feeding a veterinary diet.

'Because they haven’t been scrubbed away by the appropriate food, the bacteria multiplied,' explains Dr Lonsdale. 'And they’re now gaining access to these dogs’ mouths, and from the mouth to the rest of the body. And that, we think, is the reason why animals end up with many diseases of the liver, the kidneys, the heart, the immune system, and so on.'

Dr Fox warns, 'Maintaining  pets’ dental hygiene, along with good nutrition – where highly processed pet food ingredients, especially corn and soy glutens, leave micro-particles adhering to the teeth and foster dental disease – prevents much animal suffering. Dental problems, closely related to diet, are very common in dogs and cats and are often left untreated for too long, causing much suffering and long crippling, even fatal illness. These include kidney, liver and heart disease secondary to periodontal disease.' "

​Happy Raw Dog Feeding

Ronit Corry, Santa Barbara, California, USA
SBDogWhisperer.com
​SBDogWhisperer@gmail.com
​

To read the full article: http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-disturbing-cuase-of-dental-disease-in-dogs/



​The Information on this website is for informational purposes only and not to be considered as medical advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure any medical condition. Statements should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed physician. It is recommended to consult with your physician before implementing any dietary or lifestyle changes. In using this website you accept the terms and conditions of this disclaimer. You further acknowledge that you are completely responsible for any changes you make regarding your dog's diet and health and will not hold Ronit Corry or affiliates liable for your own decisions or any results of your decisions.

If I am in my head, thinking thoughts about what I am going to have for dinner, for example, the dog will not respect me in the same way and my work will be less effective.

Here is an interesting article about a wolf who teaches that lesson to a man.
​
Enjoy...

Be with the Magic
by Steve Karlin


When animals look out of their eyes they don’t see what we see. Some of them see ultraviolet light, some of them can see very clearly for hundreds of yards, some of them can’t see further than a foot away from their heads, some of them see color, some of them don’t see color. When they listen with their ears, what they hear is not the same as what we hear. When they taste, their taste buds are different than ours. When they smell, some of them smell hundreds of times better than we can, some of them can’t smell at all. But we as human beings have the ability to reach out to them and they have the ability to reach out to us and when those two things touch, when the being of that wild animal and the being inside of you is yearning for a relationship and it touches, that’s the magic. […]


Most of the time we stop ourselves from seeing what’s really going on outside of us. Or we use the filters that we put in place and what we see is only a projection of what we want to see out in nature. What we need to do is sit down and just go to that zero point, that place of quietness inside where we can have relationships and understand what is going on around us. I think that some sort of contemplative, meditative practice is extremely important for us as human beings, no matter what it is. It’s an incredible way to clear yourself out so you can be there in a present state in a relationship.


A wolf called Cheyenne helped me tremendously to cultivate a meditative, mindful practice. Whenever I was in this wolf’s enclosure and I started to think about something else, immediately within seconds the wolf knew that I was not one hundred percent with her. In response, she would lift up her lip and start growling at me, telling me: “Steve, you are here with me now. You be here. Don’t think about other things. Don’t be outside this thing. Be with the magic that is taking place between me and you at this moment.” And that lesson has carried me over because with her, she was physically telling me, “Meditate, be still.”


Meditation is not always with your eyes closed, being remote from humans, and remote from everything. A lot of it has to do with what happens when your eyes are open and you’re walking around in this world. Who are you? Are you out for yourself? Are you becoming a martyr? Who are you? Are you judging everything by standards that you’re not even sure of? Maybe you can just be who you are and not have to worry and change that self-narrative because we all have a self-narrative about who we are but like any story we can change it. We have the power of the pen, which is our consciousness. We have the power of rewriting our own story, which is inner work. And that’s just as important, if not more, as outer work. It really helps clear you out and when you’re cleared out inside, these animals tend to want to look at you and they’re attracted to you.


About the Author: Steve Karlin is a former National Park Service ranger, renowned environmental educator and award-winning environmental reporter who has appeared on local and national news. He is the founder of Wildlife Associates, where animals that cannot survive in the wild are cared for, and in turn given the space to become teachers.
​