fruit & veg

Can I add fresh fruit and vegetables to my dogs’ raw diet?

The answer is YES!!! In fact, we encourage it to ensure they are getting the vitamins and minerals they need in their diet.

Like most foods in life, the less they are tampered with, the better their nutritional value is. So if you can add a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables into your dog’s diet, you are providing them with a variety of essential vitamins and minerals that will be beneficial for their development and growth.

Why do they need vitamins and minerals and what are they for?

Just like us humans, vitamins and minerals are an essential part of a dog’s diet. They assist, regulate, develop, promote, and defend the anatomical systems as a whole. Many illnesses, conditions and defects can occur through deficiencies; therefore, it is essential that your dog receives a balance within his or her feeding programme.

Can I use synthetic supplements?

Synthetic supplements can inhibit the ability of natural sources to be utilised effectively in the body, therefore limiting the benefits of other essential nutrients.

Synthetic vitamins and minerals are found in almost all commercial dog food kibble, canned foods and sometimes, pre-made raw foods. A dog may appear fit and healthy but that does not mean that its humans are not depriving him or her of the nutritional ingredients needed to maintain their health for the long term.

Unlike synthetic vitamins and minerals, whole foods, herbs and spices can provide essential nutrients complete with the cofactors they need to make healthy changes in your dog – just as nature intended!

Can I take short cuts?

The answer is YES!!  Providing your dog with a balanced, raw diet can be time consuming. During our busy lives, we don’t always have the time to prepare freshly chopped fruit and vegetables on a daily basis.  

One way to save time is to prepare in advance. Allocate one day a week to prepare the fruit and vegetables. Divide the portions, place them into freezer bags and freeze them until required. Ensure they are fully thawed before serving.

You can add supplements to your dogs’ diet. These are usually ground up herbs and spices that can be sprinkled onto your dog’s raw food. Click on the ‘supplement’ page to get more information on what they contain and their benefits.

A piece of advice from personal experience – Add these into a mince-based food so you can blend the flavours and smells into the meat. If you only feed chunks and the dog will happily eat his food with the added extras sprinkled on top, that’s great! If he or she turns his nose up, blend them into the mince and form it into meat balls. Don’t forget, a dog’s sense of smell is far superior to ours.