Raw diet

Dogs, wolves included, are not true Carnivores. They are Omnivores and their bodies do actually derive nutrients from both meat and plant matter. They require fiber in their diets and you can't get that from meat.

Cats are true carnivores. They can not process plant materials.

That's why most any raw diet for dogs is more involved than just throwing a piece raw meat in front of the dog.

 

Interesting. All of the reading of done always describes wolves as being true carnivores or facultative carnivores which means they are carnivores but can benefit more from plants than a obligate carnivore(cats) However, they dont actually need to eat plants. I know a few old school guys that feed only meat and their dogs are phenomenal. I do believe that some breeds probably benefit more from a mixed diet. Either way, I’ll probably never be able to feed 100% meat with two kids throwing anything and everything to the dogs.

 

I should not have added wolves. There's some back and fourth scientifically with them but I guess they saying at this point in time that they are now considered true carnivores. Dogs are still classified as Omnivores though.

 

What about the grains ? Any nutritional value

 

for sure, and I’ve seen with my own eyes the difference in behavior and performance. I gave my boys 3lbs of bad meat(on more than one occasion) and they are perfectly fine each time. I did it with copper for the past 11 years. Nothing bothers him. On the other hand, my buddies bully gets violently ill from raw meat. I start my guys young which I’m sure helps maintain the enzymes in their stomach to process raw anything. Copper has definitely gone months on only raw and been fine. If I can consistently get 12 years out of a dog and they are happy and perform well- I don’t care what they eat. I can also tell you veggies cause a messy stool and all meat cause a tiny stool that disintegrates in a day or two. The argument of the old heads I talk with is that their dogs are from working stock and therefore have maintained the ability digest and survive off only meat. Maybe they’re crazy, and maybe they’re brilliant.

 

A dog can " survive" on just about anything like a scavenger. However when talking about k9 athletes that's a whole different conversation in itself. If they rely on the conversion of carbs/sugar for their energy they going to run hot and fall flat and be pushing lactic acid at a rapid pace. That's exactly what you get when you are feeding carbs/grains in a ratio around 15-20% of calories. 60%fat,30%protein 10% carbs of calories change the biochemistry. You end up with something that is converting the fat as the first scorce of energy and pumping oxygen into the muscles the same as a sled dog. Feed grains , vegetables and carbohydrates for a month at 15-20% have a RBC count done then 60,30,10% fat protein and carbs and you will notice the difference between " survive" and thrive.

 

Yes- I’d agree it can be beneficial for competition dogs. When I lived in Alaska you wouldn’t believe the shit they fed those dogs. For the most part(just fish) I always pictured sled dogs as being beautiful malamutes or huskies. However, the best ones I saw looked like mangy coyotes. Usually mixed with some type of hound. Another conversation. I guess my whole point is that for all intents and purposes a family pet could survive(thrive) on only meat. The fattier- the better. I’m surrounded by people who believe 50% grains/veggies are necessary and that’s just not the case. I also know some vegan dogs(no good) AGK, frozen Eli, Michelle, have gotta make video sharing easier, lmao. Maybe I should take a technology class