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Ridgeback/Boxer mix. Ridgebacks are well-known for their
love of food, need for their pack, and lounging on couches.
help those on the verge of a similar raw diet paradigm, but aren’t sure of the application and experimentation of their newfound
knowledge.
What can be so hard about feeding dogs an unprocessed diet? I will admit, it was difficult for me at first, I felt fear. I was not
raised to feed my dogs in this fashion, nor did I know anyone who did. Questions went through my mind that I couldn't control.
Were my dogs getting enough to eat? Would I accidentally harm them? Was it possible to over-feed them?
Learning From a Pro
I’m a retirement foster home for an old dog that is a raw-feeding pro. Candy has been on a raw diet for 2 ½ years at this time.
She eats raw broccoli and sincerely enjoys it. Lucky was far more finicky. Without Candy’s guidance, we never would have
made it. Lucky’s expression when his dinner was a salad or uncooked vegetables was one of puzzlement. His expression invited
the interpretation “You don’t really expect me to eat that do you?” He would leave his food, glancing at me in disappointment.
Curiously, I never received this look when raw chicken legs or hamburger were on the menu.
I was anxious and so sure Lucky was starving and not getting the nutrients he needed eating only meat and bones. The anxious
feelings turned to mounting annoyance as I watched Candy continuously wolf down Lucky’s lingering leafy food.
Experimentation
I resolved to experiment. I began by mixing lettuce and cabbage with raw egg. I was thwarted when Lucky ate only the leafy
parts that had egg yolk on them. Three-fourths of the meal was left in his bowl. When Candy was done with her dinner, she
sauntered over to the other dog diner and finished Lucky's leftovers. My annoyance was now exasperation. I decided that
enough was enough. I vowed to find a way to get this dog to eat his vegetables too.
The next night I hatched my ingenious plan. I would make a gourmet salad complete with
extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and topped with cheese. I stirred the ingredients with glee and a chuckle. I walked over to
Lucky’s dog diner, placing the bowl in the table. I stepped back to watch the culmination of my clever strategy.
Lucky devoured it.
The Complete Recipe
The following recipe is the clever formula for the first few salads. We've progressed to adding varied vegetables and I’ve used
my creativity, but this procedure encouraged Lucky's taste for vinegar and olive oil.
3 QT stainless bowl (for medium to large dogs)
1/2 bowl Shredded cabbage
1/2 bowl Salad mix
1/3 bunch Cilantro
Mix the above with your choice olive oil and balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
Add 4-6 eggs and mix again
Sprinkle with cheese
After a week you can abandon the cheese if you choose, and add carrot shavings, green pepper, raw minced garlic (not harmful
to dogs in small doses, 1/4 clove for small dogs 1/2 clove for larger dogs; great to keep fleas away), cucumber, tomato, or
whatever else you want to get rid of that is going bad in your fridge (no grapes, raisins, or onions) . The dogs are very pleased
with this arrangement.
Now I wish Lucky would stop trying to persuade me into sharing the salads I eat.
I have found that my dogs can be over-fed, therefore I fill their diner bowls with large dinners three times a week.
Please feel free to email me your results and any variations you come up with. I'd love to post them and any pictures of your dog
doing the unthinkable; eating a salad.
Jessica Tighe (No dogs were harmed in this experiment).
normal. When the dog has only eaten bones, the poo will be crumbly. This is normal. Your dog's
poo will also be a lot smaller and there will be less of it, they are assimilating the nutrients, unlike
that which is in commercial dog foods. Use your best judgement and knowledge to make decisions
for you and your dog.
