The threat of dog parents providing imbalanced diets for their dogs is a leading argument for veterinarians against raw feeding. The minimal education on nutrition that veterinarians receive in school is based on commercial dog food for both healthy and sick dogs. Normal blood values are based on kibble-fed dogs. 

Let's examine what it means to provide a balanced diet to your dog. How were the guidelines created? What agency enforces the guidelines? The answers may surprise you!

Why Most Veterinarians Don't Advocate for Raw Feeding

Veterinarians are not taught about a species-appropriate diet for dogs. Most veterinarians are equivalent to general practitioners in human medicine. During the short four years of veterinary school, students are expected to learn how to treat and care for a minimum of nine animal species. They take 1-3 credit hours of basic nutrition at most, often focusing on livestock nutrition. 

Most veterinary schools in the United States have corporate sponsors from the commercial pet food industry that significantly influence the type of food the future veterinarians will later recommend to their clients. Even the most widely used nutrition textbook, Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, is written by the Mark Morris Institute, a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive, which manufactures Hill's Scientific and Prescription Diets. 

So, as your dog's guardian, you must learn to become her health advocate and find ways to expand your knowledge of preventative health methods through diet. You must also learn how to have difficult conversations with your veterinarian if your pet is not getting the best health care.

Online Canine Nutrition Courses Available for Pet Parents 

Numerous online programs focus on canine nutrition, covering nutritional requirements for dogs' life stages, pet food manufacturing, and pet food formulation of commercial foods and homemade diets. These programs range from short introductory videos to 2-4 semester nutrition certifications.

For a comprehensive list of online programs, click here. 

The American Association of Feed Control Officers is the agency that oversees that statements made on the labels of pet food are accurate. Pet food brands must meet the minimum standards to list their foods as complete and balanced.  

AAFCO  was first established in 1909 for feedlot nutrition, providing feed guidelines for livestock. AAFCO bases its guidelines on the NRC guidelines for dogs and cats, initially published in 1953 and then modified in 1962, 1972, 1974, 1985, and 2006. With no updates since 2006, years of research on dog nutrition are not being reflected in their guidelines.

Natural versus Synthetic Vitamins and Minerals: The Differences in Bioavailability 

In producing dry dog food, the kibble undergoes a rigorous heating process, typically involving four or more heating cycles. This intense heat exposure can lead to the degradation of essential vitamins and alterations in mineral composition. Manufacturers must supplement the dog food with synthetic compounds to meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). However, these synthetic additives do not replicate the characteristics of natural compounds and exhibit distinct bioavailability patterns within a dog's metabolism.

Concerns among dog owners often prompt the supplementation of vitamin and mineral additives to their pet's raw food, driven by the fear of providing an unbalanced diet. Yet, a growing body of evidence indicates that your dog's body may not efficiently utilize these synthetic supplements due to metabolic-process incompatibilities. Paradoxically, these supplements can lead to deficiencies by interfering with the receptors responsible for absorbing natural vitamins and minerals. Additionally, some synthetic variants, with their higher bioavailability, can result in excesses within the body, potentially causing toxicity.

Bioavailability, a pivotal concept in this context, refers to the proportion of a nutritional component, such as vitamins or minerals, that the body can effectively utilize for normal physiological functions. Natural vitamins are intricate compounds encompassing enzymes, coenzymes, transporters, and co-factors. Without these intricate components, synthetic vitamins are limited in their capacity to perform the complete spectrum of biological processes.

Synthetic vitamins are typically composed of isolated components of the natural vitamin, devoid of the essential synergistic compounds found in the natural state. While synthetic vitamins can stimulate cellular metabolism, they cannot fully replicate the intricate interplay of components that a natural vitamin offers. The consequence is the generation of dysfunctional cells within your dog's body.

For instance, the delivery of synthetic vitamin D exhibits significantly lower bioavailability, ranging from 2 to 5 times less effective than natural vitamin D sourced from small fatty fish like sardines and anchovies, which boasts bioavailability rates ranging from 55% to 99%. An illustrative study disclosed that all 320 dogs fed a commercial diet, touted as complete and balanced, exhibited low vitamin D levels upon testing.

The use of synthetic minerals may instigate metabolic irregularities linked to conditions such as kidney disease, chronic hepatitis, and, in extreme cases, fatality. The increased utilization of chelated copper supplementation, characterized by a bioavailability rate of 80-90%, has been associated with elevated occurrences of copper-associated hepatopathy (CAH) in dogs. In contrast, the bioavailability of natural copper stands at 30-40%, and the body can safely excrete excess natural copper through feces.

Zinc is another mineral frequently supplemented in commercial dog food. However, dogs do not receive adequate zinc levels if zinc oxide is used as a supplement due to its 0% bioavailability. Chelated zinc, while more bioavailable, still falls below 60% bioavailability. Natural zinc obtained from high-quality, organically raised animal meats and organs, as well as sources like oysters and hemp oil, typically boasts 20-30% bioavailability but can reach up to 90% in cases of zinc deficiency.

A Nutritionally Balanced Raw Diet: what it looks like and how to create it

Although raw diets may not have the same nutrient levels required of commercial pet food, they are species-appropriate and provide all the necessary nutrients if the proper foods are used at the correct levels. In fact, the raw diet has a complete profile of nutrients like natural vitamins and minerals found in whole food that are more bioavailable for your dog's body to use for metabolic processes. 

Trying to match the vitamin and mineral guidelines of AAFCO is nearly impossible. It can actually be harmful to raw-fed dogs as the AAFCO levels would be excessive in raw form. For example, meeting the AAFCO requirements for iron, zinc, and calcium would give your dog way more than she genuinely requires to remain healthy and thrive. Excessive iron can lead to liver disease, while calcium excesses can cause imbalances in the calcium-to-phosphorus ratios and subsequent bone disorders.   

What Standards Need to Be Met When Feeding Raw

Veterinary nutritionists will tell you you must balance all vitamins and minerals following the NRC guidelines. Still, those guidelines were developed based on kibble, not whole human-grade food.

By feeding your dog a raw, species-appropriate diet, you provide all of the macro and micronutrients needed to maintain her health. The Real Ancestral 6X Diet TM recommends that you feed the following components in the correct portions:

You can create a nutritional imbalance by feeding your dog just one component of a raw diet or just one protein type. You need to fully embrace the concept of raw feeding by using one of the feeding types, the BARF, Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet, or the Ancestral Diet (or the Real Ancestral 6X DietTM coined by Real Dog Box): the Prey Model Diet, or a hybrid of a couple of these diets. 

All of these diets provide guidelines to use when creating your dog's meals. However, each dog has individual requirements and must be monitored to ensure the correct nutrient balance. Following your dog's weight, body score, blood work results, and other commercially available tests will enable you to adjust his meals.

On the Feedreal calculator site, you insert your dog's age, weight, and activity level to get the daily amount of food in pounds your dog needs. It then asks you to choose the feeding model you want to implement and then walks you through the choices of bones, meats, and organs. It even helps prepare your shopping list.

To ensure that you provide the exact balance of nutrients, you can reference a software program like the Animal Diet Formulator. Using this resource when you are new to raw feeding is a good idea, but sticking with spreadsheets and exact numbers can make preparing a fresh food diet complex and overwhelming. 

If you are still concerned about switching to a raw diet, kibble toppers are a practical way to enhance a kibble diet. For example, because kibble contains so little moisture, adding bone broth can aid digestion. Adding shellfish, such as blue-lipped mussels or oysters, gives your dog the trace minerals manganese and zinc, while green-lipped muscles provide glucosamine, which aids joint health. For a complete review of kibble toppers, 

How Do You Know if You Are Providing What Your Dog Needs

You must observe your dog's weight and body condition to determine if she's getting enough calories. Pay attention to your dog's energy level, mental attitude, and overall behavior. Annual veterinary visits for blood work and fecal analysis  ensure your dog is parasite-free and functioning correctly. 

Monitoring your dog's poop is another way to ensure th at the right food components are fed. For example, your dog's stools can tell you if you need to provide more or less bone. 

When feeding a raw diet, dog parents must provide a variety of food components to ensure all nutrients are fed.

Working directly with the veterinary team will ensure that a raw-fed dog remains healthy.

Using the Feedreal calculator takes much of the guesswork out of meal prepping.

Synthetic Vitamins and Minerals in Dog Foods 

Dog Poop 101: Find Out How Healthy Your Dog Really Is – AnimalBiome 

The threat of dog parents providing imbalanced diets for their dogs is a leading argument for veterinarians against <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/raw-feeding">raw feeding</a>. The minimal education on nutrition that veterinarians receive in school is based on commercial dog food for both healthy and sick dogs. Normal blood values are based on <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/kibble">kibble</a>-fed dogs. 

For a comprehensive list of online programs, <a href="https://feedreal.com/articles/online-canine-nutrition-courses">click here</a>. 

The <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/aafco">American Association of Feed Control Officers</a> is the agency that oversees that statements made on the labels of pet food are accurate. Pet food brands must meet the minimum standards to list their foods as complete and balanced.  

<a href="https://feedreal.com/articles/aafco-and-nrc-why-were-standards-established">AAFCO</a>  was first established in 1909 for feedlot nutrition, providing feed guidelines for livestock. AAFCO bases its guidelines on the NRC guidelines for dogs and cats, initially published in 1953 and then modified in 1962, 1972, 1974, 1985, and 2006. With no updates since 2006, years of research on dog nutrition are not being reflected in their guidelines.

Natural versus Synthetic Vitamins and Minerals: The Differences in <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/bioavailable">Bioavailability</a> 

In producing dry dog food, the kibble undergoes a rigorous heating process, typically involving four or more heating cycles. This intense heat exposure can lead to the degradation of essential vitamins and alterations in mineral composition. Manufacturers must supplement the dog food with synthetic compounds to meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). However, these synthetic additives do not replicate the characteristics of natural compounds and exhibit distinct bioavailability patterns within a dog's <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/metabolism">metabolism</a>.

For instance, the delivery of synthetic <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/vitamin-d">vitamin D</a> exhibits significantly lower bioavailability, ranging from 2 to 5 times less effective than natural vitamin D sourced from small fatty fish like <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/sardines">sardines</a> and anchovies, which boasts bioavailability rates ranging from 55% to 99%. An illustrative study disclosed that all 320 dogs fed a commercial diet, touted as complete and balanced, exhibited low vitamin D levels upon testing.

The use of synthetic minerals may instigate metabolic irregularities linked to conditions such as kidney disease, <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/chronic">chronic</a> hepatitis, and, in extreme cases, fatality. The increased utilization of chelated copper supplementation, characterized by a bioavailability rate of 80-90%, has been associated with elevated occurrences of copper-associated hepatopathy (CAH) in dogs. In contrast, the bioavailability of natural copper stands at 30-40%, and the body can safely excrete excess natural copper through feces.

<a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/zinc">Zinc</a> is another mineral frequently supplemented in commercial dog food. However, dogs do not receive adequate zinc levels if zinc oxide is used as a supplement due to its 0% bioavailability. Chelated zinc, while more <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/bioavailable">bioavailable</a>, still falls below 60% bioavailability. Natural zinc obtained from high-quality, organically raised animal meats and organs, as well as sources like oysters and hemp oil, typically boasts 20-30% bioavailability but can reach up to 90% in cases of zinc deficiency.

Trying to match the vitamin and mineral guidelines of AAFCO is nearly impossible. It can actually be harmful to raw-fed dogs as the AAFCO levels would be excessive in raw form. For example, meeting the AAFCO requirements for iron, zinc, and <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/calcium">calcium</a> would give your dog way more than she genuinely requires to remain healthy and thrive. Excessive iron can lead to liver disease, while calcium excesses can cause imbalances in the calcium-to-phosphorus ratios and subsequent bone disorders.   

By feeding your dog a raw, species-appropriate diet, you provide all of the macro and micronutrients needed to maintain her health. The <a href="https://www.feedreal.com/articles/introduction-to-real-ancestral-6x-diet">Real Ancestral 6X Diet</a> TM recommends that you feed the following components in the correct portions:

On the <a href="https://feedreal.com/calculator">Feedreal calculator</a> site, you insert your dog's age, weight, and activity level to get the daily amount of food in pounds your dog needs. It then asks you to choose the feeding model you want to implement and then walks you through the choices of bones, meats, and organs. It even helps prepare your shopping list.

If you are still concerned about switching to a raw diet, <a href="https://feedreal.com/articles/kibble-toppers-for-your-dogs-bowl">kibble toppers</a> are a practical way to enhance a kibble diet. For example, because kibble contains so little moisture, adding <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/bone-broth">bone broth</a> can aid digestion. Adding shellfish, such as blue-lipped mussels or oysters, gives your dog the trace minerals manganese and zinc, while green-lipped muscles provide <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/glucosamine">glucosamine</a>, which aids joint health. For a complete review of kibble toppers, 

You must observe your dog's weight and body condition to determine if she's getting enough calories. Pay attention to your dog's <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/adenosine-triphosphate">energy</a> level, mental attitude, and overall behavior. Annual veterinary visits for <a href="https://www.feedreal.com/articles/testing-your-rawfed-dogs-health">blood work and fecal analysis</a>  ensure your dog is parasite-free and functioning correctly. 

<a href="https://www.feedreal.com/articles/become-a-poop-inspectormonitoring-your-dogs-health-by-examining-his-poop">Monitoring your dog's poop </a>is another way to ensure th at the right food components are fed. For example, your dog's stools can tell you if you need to provide more or less bone. 

Myth Debunked: Raw Feeding Causes Nutritional Imbalances

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