Dog Food Preparation

Better In The Raw and U-Stew are dog food premixes designed to be combined with water and raw or cooked meat. Vegetables are optional. It is not a food for dogs on its own nor meant to be a sprinkle-on vitamin supplement. No additional supplementation is necessary when feeding this meat based diet. All other dog foods should be removed from the dog's meal plan, including dry food.

Better in the Raw & Better in the Raw with liver

The Recipe - to make a 3lb. batch of dog food                  

•  ½ cup Better in the Raw powder

•  1 ½ cups water

•  2lbs.(900g) raw meat of your choice
(If you are using Better in the Raw without liver also add ½ cup raw liver, chopped or pureed)

•  ½lb (225g) vegetables, chopped and steamed (vegetables are optional)

•  Pour the cold water into a bowl, add the powder mix, and whisk immediately into the water.

•  Thoroughly, but gently combine your choice of meat and, if desired, vegetables with the moistened mixture.

•  2lbs.(900g) raw meat of your choice.

•  ½lb (225g) vegetables (optional)

•  Add the water to the meat and cook on medium heat for 5-7 min. until brown.

•  Cool to room temperature.

•  Add U-Stew powder to the cooked mixture and stir.

•  Divide into daily servings based on the weight of your dog.

Since muscle meats are important ingredients in the Know Better Dog Food diet, special care should be taken when selecting meat for your dog. Meats must be fresh and should be no greater than 20% fat content.  Although most dogs appear to have a preference for beef*, the following meats are equally well suited in the preparation of your dog's food:

Beef - lean pre-ground stewing meat, heart boneless steak or roast Lamb - pre-ground boneless stewing meat shank, leg or butt

Poultry - pre-ground boneless, skinless breast fillet or thigh

Venison - pre-ground stewing meat neck, shank, or shoulder

Or use more exotic meats such as buffalo, caribou, elk, moose, muskox, duck or rabbit.

Try your local butcher or meat processor when purchasing your dog's meats. Supermarkets often cannot supply in bulk quantities and its pre-packaged meats may make it more difficult to obtain the correct amount for the recipe. A butcher will be glad to weigh out your meat and grind the meat for you on the spot. Meat ground with bone-in is not recommended.

The use of fish is not advised. as feeding raw fish can lead to a thiamine deficiency. (*According to Houpt, Hintz & Shepherd in 1978. Ref. The Domestic Dog, Cambridge University Press, 1995)

Vegetables

Although Know Better Dog Food contains all of the essential vitamin and mineral needs of dogs, the addition of optional vegetables, lightly steamed, in a dog's diet is an excellent source of carbohydrates, particularly for larger, or highly active dogs. According to Veterinary sources dogs do not require carbohydrates, unless a female is lactating.

Vegetables to add: Squash, pumpkin, cucumber, zucchini, carrots, parsnips, beets, yams, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts.

Vegetables to avoid: Beans (raw), peas, spinach, beet greens, chard, onions, garlic, leek, tomato, potato, bell peppers.

The use of garlic and other members of the Lily family such as onions, garlic, shallots, and chives in dog food is not advised. Ingestion of these plants in a raw, cooked, or dried form can lead to damage of the red blood cells, which are rejected by the body from the bloodstream, and a continued use of garlic or onions can eventually result in hemolytic anemia. If the anemia is not controlled by discontinuing the use of the plants, it can potentially lead to death. Dogs should never be given raw, un-aged garlic because it is very irritating to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach and can cause or exacerbate ulcers." The nightshade family of plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, and bell peppers contain a bitter poisonous alkaloid called "Solanine". Solanine is toxic to humans as well, but it requires a much more concentrated amount, like that found in green potatoes and potato sprouts, to induce sickness.
Raw green beans should not be fed as they contain a toxic alkaloid similar to arsenic. Cooking green beans will destroy these toxins.

Feeding your Adult Dog

Every dog has an optimum body weight at which it is healthiest and performs best. To determine how much food your dog requires daily, it is important to know that weight. Consult literature on breed standards or your Veterinarian for help. If your dog is overweight base your feeding on the optimum weight

The following formula will assist you in calculating approximately how much of this food to feed your dog daily.

Your dog's weight in lbs: X (0.4) = daily amount of food in oz.
or
Your dog's weight in kg: X (25) = daily amount of food in grams

EXAMPLE

Dog's weight: 65 lbs. x 0.4 = daily amount (26oz)
or
Dog's weight: 30 kg x 25 = daily amount (750g)

Note: Your dog's daily portion may be divided into two meals. e.g. morning and evening

Feeding your Puppy

Puppies are fed the same meat-based diet as adult dogs, with the distinction that they are allowed to eat as much as they wish. To establish approximate daily food intake of your growing puppy, consult your veterinarian. We include literature with our product which will give the appropriate amount to serve to your puppy.

Puppies 8 - 16 weeks of age

Pup's weight in lbs: x 0.8 = daily amount of food in oz.

Pup's weight in Kgs: x 50 = daily amount of food in grams

Divide and feed as 4 meals

Puppies 17 - 28 weeks of age

Pup's weight in lbs: x 0.64 = daily amount of food in oz.

Pup's weight in Kgs: x 40 = daily amount of food in grams

Divide and feed as 3 meals

Puppies 7 - 12 months of age

Pup's weight in lbs: x 0.48 = daily amount of food in oz.

Pup's weight in Kgs: x 30 = daily amount of food in grams

Divide and feed as 3 meals