Big Dog Pet Foods Blog
Raw meat in your Dogs Diet - Does "quality" effect health, well being and performance?
Mon, 14 May 12
Cattle too are what they eat……if cattle eat a diet that they are not intended to consume, they become unhealthy. So, if your meat supply of beef comes from a cow that has been finished off with grain (a food they are not designed to eat) and you think that it’s the same quality that comes from 100% pasture raised cattle…… think again. "Would you think that there is a difference in nutritional properties between meat derived from a cow that was pasture fed to the very last day of slaughter, as opposed to a cow that was originally grass fed and “finished off” on grain prior to slaughter?" At a basic level, meat supplies excellent levels of digestible protein and energy when fed raw. The broad range of amino acids available in raw meat, including those amino acids that are considered ‘essential” to a canine diet, provide muscle health, including muscle growth, repair and prevention of soreness from competition and daily training. Meat also supplies numerous levels of minerals too, including important levels of zinc and iron. These levels can change drastically depending upon the “species” of meat you are feeding. A classic example would be a comparison of “chicken” to ‘beef.” Chicken is lower in protein than beef. Keeping this point in mind, I am constantly bemused on the rearing of puppies on chicken meat? Chicken (if majority fed) with its low levels of zinc and Iron; would not be a suitable protein or meat source for ensuring the growth of strong, athletic healthy puppies.
How to switch to a BARF Diet or RAW Food Diet
Mon, 23 Apr 12
There is no right or wrong way to switch your loved one over to a RAW Diet but there are many options to choose from. Ranging from fast switch to slow switch and everything in between. Our pets have become intrinsical family members and like our kids we want what’s best for them, but also like our kids they may try and dictate to us what they think is best, refusing to eat what we pop on their plates.
Oils ain't Oils - the truth about Oils (Omega 6 & 9) What every trainer should know.
Wed, 30 Nov 11
We have all heard this statement before, but do we really understand what this just might mean in the animal industry, and for our own personal health? When we discuss oils, for health and performance, essentially we are chasing the “essential fatty acid (EFA)” component of the oils. These are the “essential” fatty acids that the body does not manufacture; therefore we need to obtain them from our diet. The presence of fatty acids in our diet is now considered an absolute necessity for maintaining and promoting health. It is important to remember that EFA’s must be provided and available in their “natural” state, or form. This is the most important point when deciding on the oil you are about to supplement with. If we get this wrong, we can be absolutely sabotaging the very reason why we are trying to include oils in our performance animal’s diet.
How much should I feed my Dog?
Wed, 26 Oct 11
As a general rule of thumb we can use the following table as a guide line. The table reflects volumes of foods in grams and also converts it to number of Patties for those of you who are feeding Big Dog BARF Patties (which weigh 250g each) This is recommended as a guide only and no one knows your dog better than you. Consistent monitoring of your dogs weight is important, and adjustments to the volumes might be required. Remember just like you or I, every dog is different, has different energy requirements, and metabolisms. What is right for one dog may not be right for the other. Please ensure you monitor your dogs’ weight, and adjust their feed accordingly if you notice weight gain or weight loss. Other important factors to take into account might be • Current life-stage (Age) • Exercise levels • Climate (temperatures)
