Unleash the Wild: Feeding Your Dog the BARF Diet

Inside every dog lies the untamed heart of a wolf—an apex predator born to thrive on raw, natural nutrition. The Ancestral Diet lets you reconnect your dog with their primal roots, fueling them with the diet nature intended. Say goodbye to processed kibble and hello to shiny coats, lean muscles, and endless vitality. 

Let’s break down how to feed your dog raw the right way while ensuring they stay healthy, maintain the right weight, and adapt to this life-changing diet.

How Much Raw Food Does Your Dog Need?

Raw feeding is all about balance and portion control. Use your dog’s weight and goals to determine their daily food needs:

- To Maintain Weight: Feed 3% of their body weight daily.
- To Lose Weight: Feed 2% of their body weight daily.
- For Small Dogs (<20 lbs): Feed 4% of their body weight daily, as smaller dogs need more calories per pound.

Example Calculations:
- A 50-pound dog maintaining weight eats 1.5 lbs of raw food daily (50 x 0.03 = 1.5).
- A 10-pound dog maintaining weight eats 0.4 lbs (6.4 oz) daily (10 x 0.04 = 0.4).

The Role of Vitamins and Vegetables in the Ancestral Diet

A well-rounded Ancestral Diet isn’t just about raw meat—it also includes essential vitamins and nutrients from vegetables. In the wild, wolves consume their prey’s stomach contents, gaining vital plant-based nutrients. Vegetables in your dog’s diet mimic this, providing fiber for digestion, antioxidants for immune health, and vitamins like A, C, and K to support overall well-being. 

Incorporate finely ground or pureed veggies like spinach, carrots, broccoli or whatever you have lying around to boost nutrient absorption and create a diet that’s as balanced as it is natural. Or you can feed any of our products that has Ancestral Blend in the name. Those products have a mix of nuts, fruits, and vegetables. You can also look at multivitamins for dogs, but we strongly believe that keeping whole ingredients helps your dogs microbiome more than harder to process vitamins. 

Monitoring Your Dog’s Health

Raw feeding is transformative, but every dog is unique. Some, especially older dogs, may take time to adjust after years of eating processed kibble. Transitioning gradually and monitoring their health is key to success.

Keep an Eye On:
1. Weight Fluctuations
- Weigh your dog weekly and adjust portions if needed.
- If they’re gaining weight, reduce portions slightly. If they’re losing too much, increase their food.

2. Energy Levels
- Watch for changes in energy and activity. Dogs on raw diets often show a boost in vitality.

3. Coat and Skin Health
- A shiny coat and healthy skin are great signs of a balanced diet.

4. Digestive Health
- During the transition, some dogs may experience mild digestive upset as their bodies adjust. This is normal, but consult your vet if issues persist.

Transitioning to a Raw Diet

Older dogs, in particular, may face challenges when moving from kibble to raw food. Here’s how to help them adapt:

1. Gradual Transition
Replace 25% of their kibble with raw food, increasing the raw portion every few days until it makes up their entire diet.

2. Be Patient
Some dogs may initially resist raw food. Warm it slightly or mix it with their old food to encourage acceptance.

3. Stay Consistent
Stick with the plan. It can take several weeks for dogs to adjust fully, but the health benefits are worth it.

4. Rotate Protein

In the wild, wolves don’t survive on a single type of prey—they hunt what’s available, from deer to rabbits. Your dog deserves the same variety! We recommend rotating proteins weekly. Switching between beef, goat, chicken, and lamb ensures your dog gets the unique micronutrients each protein offers, keeping their diet balanced and exciting.

5. Bowel Changes

Switching to a raw diet changes more than just your dog’s energy levels—it changes their digestion, too. Raw food is packed with bioavailable nutrients, meaning your dog’s body absorbs more and leaves behind less waste. You’ll notice:

• Smaller, darker poop
• Less frequent bathroom breaks

Say goodbye to messy, overly frequent stools from processed foods. With raw, your dog’s digestion will be as efficient as a wolf’s in the wild!

• Pro Tip: Smaller poop also means your dog’s body is thriving on highly digestible, real food.

Why the Ancestral Diet is Worth It

Switching to raw isn’t just a health decision—it’s an investment in your dog’s quality of life. Here’s why the Ancestral Diet stands above processed food: 

1. Healthier Weight Management
- With controlled portions and nutrient-dense food, raw feeding makes it easy to keep your dog at a healthy weight.

2. Natural Digestion
- Raw food is closer to what your dog was meant to eat, reducing bloating, gas, and digestive issues.

3. Cost Savings Over Time 
- Experience the difference with an ancestral fed pet and a standard kibble fed pet. Some studies report that folks save anywhere from $10,000-$20,000+ in vet bills because your pet is fundamentally healthier. 

Fuel Their Wild Side

The Ancestral Diet isn’t just about feeding your dog—it’s about honoring the predator inside them. By transitioning to raw feeding and tailoring meals to their specific needs, you’ll give your dog the health, vitality, and strength they deserve. 

Remember, feeding raw isn’t just nutrition—it’s a lifestyle. Let your dog thrive like the wolf they were born to be. Unleash their wild side today!