Jazzy, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Feeding Basics

Bottom line is this. Raw feeding is Biologically appropriate, less expensive than premium brand dog foods, better for the dog in the long run, and can go a long way toward giving you a stronger bond with your animal.

This might be a basic diet for adult healthy Stafford 35-40 lbs.

The quantities are very simple and based on weight.

Mix 5 Chicken necks, 1/2 cup of muscle meat (ground turkey, chicken, beef, lamb, etc)
handful of minced veggies (carrots, squash, celery, broccoli, etc)
2 teaspoons dry alfalfa,
2 teaspoons Kelp,
1-2 teaspoons of Flax Seed Oil OR ½ teaspoon of Safflower oil and ½ teaspoon of Olive Oil,
and 1 teaspoon of Cod Liver Oil.

Mix that together and let the dog eat. If you'd like break the meal in two.

Keep in mind though, that Cod Liver Oil is Fat Soluble and can become Toxic if given too much.

The quantities given above are fine for everyday use but if you are concerned, give Cod Liver every other day and substitute an egg every now and again (shell and all).

Lots of people worry about quantity and such, but once you've done it once it's a breeze. If the dogs turn their noses up at it, pick it up, offer nothing until the next day and try again. They usually take to it in a moment but on occasion will make it hard on you.

Raw uncooked bones should pose no problems. Only FLAT BONES, CHICKEN NECKS, RIBS and NON-TUBULAR bones are permitted!

Exact proportions could be found in these books: "The Ultimate Diet" by Schultz and "Give Your Dog a Bone" by Dr. Ian Billinghurst.

Both are excellent reference books and give quantities for feeding puppies and older dogs alike.

Cooked bones are NOT PERMITTED. They loose stability and splinter.

Let's start with concerns about worms and such.

No shot will kill parasites found in a puppy's intestinal tract that would come from food. Canines naturally have enzymes in their intestinal tract to ward off any parasite that may be found in raw meat. However you do NOT want to feed your dog meat that is not fit for consumption. To insure that he has the right bacteria in his stomach/intestines, go to a health food store and buy some Pro-Biotic, they should help promote the growth of "good bacteria" in the dogs body (these are the opposite of Anti-Biotic). Add just about a small pinch or 1/4 teaspoon to his food.

For a 2-3 months old puppy you need to give him 1/4 cup of raw muscle meat (Beef, Chicken, Turkey, etc...) then add meaty bones, if you don't have access to a butcher for Chicken necks, by a package of "drum sticks". Give him the meat and chicken with the pro-biotic and watch him go. The Pro-Biotics are really not necessary because he is still carrying a lot of the good bacteria from his mother and will for a few more weeks.

You'll need to get a source for FRESH, chicken necks because in the long run it'll get expensive to feed him from the market.

Add a mixture of vegetables. Mince them in a food processor.

Typical mix is 2 heads of Broccoli, 1 Big package of carrots, 1 Package of Celery, Squash of some kind, perhaps some potato, and a clove of garlic. Make a big bowl of this stuff and then freeze into small bags, about as much as a golf ball or two. The amount is not critical, but the goodness of the veggies is. When you go to the health food store for pro-biotic (if you choose to use them) get the following ingredients:


Flax Seed Oil Cod Liver Oil/Fish Oil Kelp Powder Alfalfa Powder Vitamin C Powder		Basic diet for the pup at 10 pounds: 1/4 cup of muscle meat 2 chicken necks/ 2 medium sized chicken wings 1 package of veggies 1/2 teaspoon kelp 1/2 teaspoon Alfalfa 1/2 Teaspoon of Flax seed 1/4 teaspoon of Cod Liver/Fish oil 1/4 teaspoon of Vitamin C

Be careful with the Cod Liver oil and vitamin C, if given too much it can cause loose. Start with all ingredients mixed together if you can. If you start with just the meat they may reject the veggies and extra goodies later. Add an egg - raw (with the shell), or boiled, a small amount of raisins, some yogurt, cottage cheese or any other blend of wholesome foods you can think of. Just remember that this diet is specific to his weight. You'll need to increase his food as he grows (which will be rapidly).

Keep in mind that dogs are natural born small predators and you are trying to create a prey animal model in your mind. Although he does not have to hunt for his food the right diet is still highly recommended.

© 2001 by Alex M Korotenko. All Rights Reserved.
This site contains general informational material and is not intended to give any professional advices.
*Articles on socialization* were provided by http://www.staffords.co.za.


	Special thanks to Nelline Pretorius of http://www.staffords.co.za for the help with content.