A typical menu at Kingdom Dalmatians features:

 

 

Amounts are adjusted up or down depending on the individual dog’s needs.

 

Truly, feeding raw can be done in many different ways, as your research will bear. Our method continues to work well for us. We recommend thorough research and study before starting a raw diet. You may find the following websites helpful:

 

 

You may also find interesting reading in the following publications:

 

 

Thank you for your interest in feeding RAW!

We at Kingdom Dalmatians are huge fans of a raw diet, commonly called, “BARF.” The diet consists of “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food—or--Bones and Raw Food.

 

In the beginning, we were a bit nervous about this unusual and somewhat controversial feeding method. But after considerable research and learning of the therapeutic benefits of “feeding raw,” we decided to give the diet a try.

We tried feeding raw on our young female who suffered from chronic ear problems refractory to convention treatment methods. Research told us that ear problems, in particular, often respond to a raw feeding regimen. Within a couple weeks of consuming a raw diet…and to our delight…our girl’s ear problems subsided—with no recurrence! At that point, we became RAW fans!

 

Our main source of protein is chicken backs, purchased in 40-pound boxes. We freeze the ground chicken in portions sufficient to feed our dogs for several days. On occasion, we give our dogs whole chicken wings, turkey necks, and beef ribs—all raw and uncooked, of course. For variety, we substitute canned salmon for chicken, about once a week.

One concern we had, at the outset, was providing an adequate protein supply without causing a “stone problem.” (Information about stone formations in Dalmatians can be found at: (http://www.thedca.org/dal_book.html). We monitored urine, using dip sticks. We canvassed other Dalmatian owners, who feed raw, for their opinions. We discovered quickly that not everyone feeds raw the same way. For instance, we found an article by Ian Billinghurst who modified the original BARF diet for Dalmatians; we have achieved great success following Binninghurst’s modified diet. We also found that some raw feeders use supplements and others do not. At Kingdom Dalmatians, we use supplements, including: Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Kelp, Alfalfa, Barley, Flax Seed Oil, Cod Liver Oil, and Salmon Oil. The supplements are not added to every meal; rather, we supplement several times per week.

 

Next, we added raw, pureed vegetables. Our dogs walked away when presented vegetables. For enticement, we decided to grind a mixture of raw chicken and vegetables. This delicacy was far more palatable. Yes, the process is time consuming; however, using a meat grinder and food processor make the task move quickly.

 

The method used is not as important as the need to “break down” vegetables, as a dog’s digestive system cannot break down the cell walls of fruits and vegetables. Therefore, processing vegetables is an important part of feeding raw.

 

The following is a list of vegetables we use to make our vegetable mix:

Our mixtures are dependent upon growing season and pricing; that is, we choose vegetables based on what is “in season” at the most economical price.

 

In addition to chicken and vegetables, we grind and add fruit to our dogs’ breakfasts, about once weekly. As with vegetables, we search for what is “in season” at the most economical price. Often, we offer frozen fruit to our dogs’ meals.

Health & Diet: Raw! Raw! Raw!
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