I do not recommend feeding a fully raw diet due to the complexity of balancing all vitamins and minerals**, but adding raw elements like meat, organs, and veggies to kibble boosts nutrition with fresh protein, vitamins, moisture, and probiotics, improving digestion, skin/coat health, energy, and hydration, while providing variety for picky eaters, creating a more balanced diet without fully switching to raw. This "mix-and-match" approach enhances the nutrient profile of processed food, offering benefits like shinier coats, better energy, and improved gut health. Start small, gradually introduce small amounts of raw meat, organ meat, or veggies to your dog's kibble to let their system adjust. Use high quality kibble with real meat as the first ingredient and supplement with human grade raw foods. I've also included a growing list of supplements for targeted concerns as well as a few different therapy modalities I employee on my dogs to keep them in top condition.

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Go to Supplements, Therapies, and Nutrition pages

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Protein & Muscle Support

• Hearts (chicken, beef, etc.)

  • Rich in CoQ10 and essential amino acids to support muscle building and energy storage

  • Twice as much collagen and elastin compared to other meats, supports joint health

• Lamb

  • High quality protein, rich in vitamin B12 and niacin

  • Niacin deficiency can cause weight loss, inflammation and ulcers

• Muscle Meats (hearts, gizzards, lungs)

  • Excellent source of essential amino acids and minerals

• Beef

  • High quality protein, B vitamins (especially B12), iron, zinc

  • Supports muscle growth, energy metabolism and immune function

• Tripe (green or frozen)

  • Excellent source of probiotics (especially green tripe), protein and essential fatty acids

  • Supports gut health and digestion

• Brain

  • Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, phosphatidylcholine (supports cognitive function), and trace minerals

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Organs & Offal, Nutrient Dense Superfoods

• Liver

  • High in vitamin A, glycogen, potassium, copper, B vitamins, and vitamins D, K, and E

• Kidney

  • Rich in vitamins A and B, and iron

• Pancreas, spleen, brain

  • Provide specialized nutrients and bioactive compounds

• General Benefits of Organs

  • Support energy metabolism, immunity and overall nutrient balance

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Eggs

• Quail Eggs

  • Protein rich, packed with vitamins and minerals (iron, folate, B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium)

  • Six times more vitamin B and 15x more B2 than chicken eggs

  • Shells provide calcium; membrane supports joint health

• Free-Range Eggs

  • Higher in vitamin D to support calcium absorption

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Seafood & Omega-3 Sources

• Salmon: Protein, EPA & DHA omega-3s, vitamin D, selenium. Excellent for skin, coat, anti inflammatory, immune support, cardiovascular support

• Sardines: Protein, EPA & DHA, calcium (with bones), vitamin D, B12. High in calcium when fed whole, great heart and bone support, compact omega-3 source

• Mackerel: Protein, EPA & DHA, vitamin D, selenium. Higher fat content, rich omega-3s for skin, coat, joint, and immune health

• Smelt: Protein, calcium (if fed whole), omega-3s, vitamin D. Small fish, good for teeth and bone minerals, omega-3 support, low in mercury

• Oysters: Protein, zinc, iron, omega-3s. Supports immune system, skin & coat, and heart health​

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Frozen whole fish (the smaller ones) are not only great as treats and entertainment, but it helps clean teeth!

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Vegetables

• Carrot

  • Rich in beta-carotene (vitamin A), fiber, and antioxidants

  • Supports vision, skin and immune health

• Broccoli

  • Vitamins C, K, and folate; antioxidants; fiber

  • Supports immune system, bone health and gut health

• Pumpkin

  • High in fiber, beta-carotene (vitamin A), potassium

  • Supports digestion, stool consistency and eye health

• Sweet Potatoes: Fiber and beta-carotene, aids digestion

• Green Beans: Fiber, iron, low calorie filler

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Fruits

• Blueberries: Vitamins C & K, manganese, antioxidants, flavonoids. Strong antioxidant activity for cognitive support, anti-inflammatory

• Strawberries: Vitamins C & A, folate, manganese, fiber. Lower sugar than some fruits, good for immune health and skin

• Apples/applesauce (unsweetened): Vitamins A & C, fiber, antioxidants. Supports dental health when sliced and chewed, fiber aids digestion

• Raspberries: Vitamins C & K, manganese, fiber, antioxidants. Digestive support, anti-inflammatory, immune support

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Joint Support & Chewing Treats

• Duck Feet

  • Highly digestible, low fat, natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin

• Raw Pig Ears

  • High protein (73%) and fat (20%)

  • Chewing removes plaque/tartar and provides hydroxyproline (supports collagen/cartilage)

• Chicken & Turkey Tracheas

  • Natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, which support joint health

  • Hard cartilage provides chewing enrichment and helps maintain dental hygiene

  • Low in fat and calories compared to other chewing treats

  • Provides a natural way to mimic the cartilage component of whole prey feeding

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Micronutrients​

• Animal Fat (Beef or Chicken)

  • Concentrated energy source, supports skin and coat health

  • Helps absorb fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)

• Honey

  • Natural source of antioxidants, trace vitamins and prebiotic compounds

  • Can support digestive health in small amounts

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Dairy & Eggs

• Cottage Cheese

  • High in protein and calcium, moderate fat

  • Supports muscle, bone and dental health

• Yogurt

  • Probiotics for gut health, calcium for bones and protein

• Cheese (hard cheeses like cheddar or gouda)

  • Provides protein for muscles and repair

  • High in calcium and phosphorus to support bone and teeth health

  • Contains vitamin A and B vitamins for skin, coat, and energy metabolism

  • Healthy fats support skin, coat and energy needs

  • Can contain probiotics (especially cultured varieties) for digestive support

  • Highly palatable and works well as a training treat or to hide medications

Feed in moderation due to calorie density, and avoid if your dog is lactosesensitive.

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Feeding Philosophy

• Whole Prey Mimicry: Aim to feed in ratios that approximate what a dog would consume naturally (muscle, organs, bone)

• Moderation: Hearts and other organ meats only make up ~1% of diet per meal

• Variety: Rotating proteins and flavors prevents nutrient plateaus and keeps meals interesting

• I don't give meaty bones to my dogs, Weims aren't satisfied with just casually gnawing on a bone, they will chew and crunch and attempt to devour which is too high risk for broken teeth. I prefer frozen whole fish, pig ears, duck feet, tracheas

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** I too often hear people say they feed raw and when I inquire it's something along the lines of oh we boil chicken or beef with rice and sometimes broccoli. THIS IS NOT ENOUGH! If you are going to commit to full raw, please consider that commercial dog foods incorporate many of the nutrients needed outside of just meat products in their foods and if you are not going to use kibble as a base, you will need to supplement with the following, which is not a fully inclusive list: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, selenium, copper, iodine, cobalt, molybdenum, chromium, boron, vitamins A, D3, E, K, B12, B6, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, biotin, carotene, carnitine, taurine, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA), omega-6 fatty acids, probiotics such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, digestive enzymes including amylase, protease, lipase, glucosamine, chondroitin, CoQ10, L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, selenium yeast, dried chicory root, yucca schidigera extract, amino acids including methionine and lysine, antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids. . . .

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