Raw Diet - What Is It?
That's right, raw, real food.  The same types of foods that you and I eat.  All of these are a part of a raw diet and all are excellent sources of natural protein, enzymes, vitamins and nutrients essential for the development of a healthy dog. Think of it this way, commercial dog foods such as kibble and canned foods have only been around for approximately 50 years. What do you think people fed their dogs before that???

This common sense approach to pet nutrition is time tested and true. Dogs and their ancestors have been killing and eating prey animals in the raw state for literally millions of years. In fact, modern science considers dogs and wolves to be the same species (Canis Lupus). In other words, your Dane has the digestive system of a raw meat eater, plain and simple. To achieve optimal health they require "prey-based" foods of the same type that their evolution and basic biology demand. That diet is called a raw diet.

The most common foods you will find in a raw diet are raw meaty bones such as chicken backs and chicken leg quarters; raw lamb, pork or beef; raw organ meat such as liver, kidney and heart, and whole raw eggs.  Raw meaty bones (RMB's) should be large and have plenty of meat on them.  Large pieces will force your Dane to tear the meat off the bones and will work to floss the dog's teeth.  This will help maintain healthy gums as well.  The diet is designed to produce a balance of natural foods over an extended period of time. Using raw foods means that your Dane gets the very best nutrients out of each and every bite.

What Are the Benefits of a raw diet?
The following are just a few of the results you may expect to see after switching to a raw, natural diet

• Healthier Danes, with resulting lower veterinary costs
  
• Balanced energy: "hyper" animals can become calmer, lethargic ones often become more energetic
  
• Naturally clean teeth - no more dental visits!
  
• Smaller, nearly odorless stools which disintegrate relatively quickly
  
• Reduced chemical exposure (found in commercial dog foods)
  
• No "doggy" odor and fresher smelling breath
  
• Often, a reversal of behavior and certain physical ailments
  
• Not yet proven, but quite likely less prone to bloat
  
• Less expensive
  
• YOU control what your pets eat
  

Bones? Aren't bones dangerous to feed?
Whose vet hasn't told them time and time again not to feed your dogs bones, particularly chicken bones? But here we are advocating a diet where one of the primary "ingredients" is chicken bones such as wings, necks and backs. This warning comes from vets in regards to COOKED bones - cooked bones will more often splinter, which can cause perforation of the digestive organs. Raw bones, even chicken bones, are soft, pliable, and digestible. They also contain some of the richest nutrients available.

Raw meat? What about bacteria such as salmonella?
First of all, remember that bacteria are everywhere, whether we like it or not. We know that raw meat, such as chicken, can contain salmonella, but it can also be found on vegetables, countertops and all sorts of other places. Dogs' digestive systems are equipped to handle bacteria such as these, usually with no ill effect whatsoever. One good point is to remember how both dogs and cats clean or groom themselves by licking. They come in contact with all sorts of germs and bacteria daily while grooming. Just be sure to use common sense when handling raw meat, keeping your hands washed and your countertops clean.

Kibble has grain in it, doesn't it? Why is there no grain in this diet?
Imagine what a wolf would eat. Its diet consists primarily of animals that it kills. Wolves in the wild don't hunt wheat or corn or other grains. They hunt MEAT. Your Dane's digestive system is relatively the same as a wild wolf's. It is designed to digest meat, bones and partially digested vegetable matter like that found in the stomach of a wolf's prey. Grains provide only empty carbohydrates, similar to what white bread does for us. Many dogs are actually allergic to grains, causing owners to look for foods with fewer grain products in them. This IS that diet. Dogs with problems such as irritable bowel syndrome often do very well on a raw diet due to the complete elimination of grains from their diet.

What types of supplements are needed?
The primary supplements are as follows (but remember the great thing about this diet is that you can regulate these for the individual need of each dog based on health issues that only you know).  Please be aware that supplementation is not necessary unless the animal has specific needs or health issues.

Oils: Salmon or fish body oils. These oils are high in omega 3's and will balance the omega 6 in the fat of chicken skin. Great for dandruffy coats and other skin problems.   

How much do I feed?
The simplest way to explain this is to look at your dog. Can you see all of its ribs? If you can, feed more. If you can't see any of its ribs, feed less. If you need to know total amounts, a good guideline to follow is 2-3% of total body weight for adults (daily) and 10% of total body weight for puppies (daily).

I've decided to take the plunge and have all my RMB's ready. Most people say that you shouldn't change a dog's food from one kind to another overnight. How do I switch?
Because grain-based foods digest at a much slower rate than raw food, it is advised that you do not combine kibble and raw. It may cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Most experienced raw feeders will advise you to switch "cold turkey", literally. It is definitely not advised that you feed both kibble and RMB's in the same meal. If you feel the need to switch slowly, then the best way to do that is to alternate meals, with one being kibble and one being RMB's for a couple of days, then replace the kibble meals with RMB's. There is no hard and fast rule; just do what works best for you and your Danes.

This diet sounds terribly complicated. How can I ever possibly know that I'm doing it right?
For those of us who've done it for a number of years, you look back and realize that you learned as you went. If you're looking for a diet that will offer better overall health and longevity for your Dane, more control over the "goodness" of the food they eat, and the ability to recognize the subtle changes in your Dane's health that will let you KNOW that something is really right or really wrong, this is the diet for you.

If you want a diet that you can just dispense into his/her dish and not think about it, this is not a diet you want to undertake. Typically, feeding raw is no more expensive than feeding premium or super premium kibble, but it does require planning and forethought on your part. You must be able to order food in bulk ahead of time; remember to have the RMB's thawed (without microwaving!) for the next meal.  If you can't make that kind of commitment, then stick with the super premium kibble. This diet takes time - yours - to understand it, to commit to it, and to provide it. But know that those of us who have fed it for a number of years have seen amazing differences in both the health and temperament of our beloved Danes.

Question: Where can I find an economical supply of raw, meaty bones?
The International Purveyor Index has a listing of wholesale meat distributors.  In many areas there are also co-ops for buying meat and other items.  In addition, there are several great internet list resources such as Rawfeeding and CarnivoreFeed-Supplier

Question: My Dog has diarrhea, what do I do?
Diarrhea is common with any diet change and will clear up ... however canned pumpkin is great for firming loose stools. Buy the 100% pure canned pumpkin (not the pie in a can :) and give about 1 cup in the morning and another cup in the evening until the stools firm up. You can mix in a little plain yogurt for flavor, too! If it gets too bad, fast them for a day and then ease into it again. Offer broth if they are acting overly hungry during a fast.

Getting Started
Are you still with us? Do these ideas make you feel like you've just had an amazing revelation? Good. That's how most of us felt when the logic and simplicity of this diet became obvious. Your next step, before going out and investing in the food and the supplements is to DO THE RESEARCH. We cannot stress this enough. Buy the books. Check out the websites. Join an e-mail group and ask questions. Do whatever it takes to find out HOW this diet will work for you and your Danes first. See our reading list for more suggestions.