“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” – Hippocrates
When it comes to nutrition, it just makes sense: our pets should eat as close to nature as possible. For dogs and cats, that means a fresh, raw, species-appropriate diet.
Interestingly, veterinarians are the only health professionals who routinely recommend a highly processed commercial diet to their patients—often the very products they stock and sell. Thankfully, more vets are starting to question their nutritional training. Some inspiring examples include Dr. Renee (Bella & Boots), Dr. Clare Middle, Dr Bruce Syme (Vets All Natural), and Dr. Ian Billinghurst , creator of the BARF diet.
The Biological Reality
Dogs and cats have evolved over thousands of years as hunters and scavengers. Their digestive systems are perfectly adapted to raw meat, offal, and bones—not the high-carb, dry, ultra-processed foods that have only existed since the 1960s.
Their stomach acidity (around pH 1.5) allows them to digest raw protein and even contaminated meat efficiently. But when fed processed kibble—cooked at extreme temperatures and full of starch—the stomach pH rises to 4–5. This alters digestion and creates a cascade of issues:
✅ Reduced nutrient absorption
✅ Gut imbalance
✅ Skin inflammation
✅ Immune dysfunction
✅ Chronic disease
In recent years we are seeing an explosion of chronic diseases, similar to people, amongst our furry friends.1 From obesity and arthritis to kidney and heart disease, our canine and feline companions are now experiencing these chronic conditions at alarmingly high rates.
Dry Food and Digestive Issues
In my experience, dry food is one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal upset. Yet when a dog with a history of kibble feeding gets an upset tummy after trying raw food, the raw is blamed—rather than the long-term damage done by dry food that has altered their gut function.
This is why transitioning to raw can sometimes be tricky, especially for dogs with sensitive digestion or pre-existing conditions. Some may even appear “intolerant” to raw at first, but in truth, their digestive system needs time and support to adapt.
📖 For a step-by-step guide, see: How to Change Your Dog to a Raw Diet
My #1 Recommendation: Feed a Non-Processed Diet
Ideally, your pet should eat a balanced, raw diet. If your pet has existing health concerns or you’re unsure how to make the change safely, please book a consult—I’m here to help.
The “Balanced Diet” Debate
Conventional vets often worry that home-prepared raw diets may be nutritionally deficient. This is a valid concern—especially in growing puppies, breeding animals, or breeds with unique needs (like Dalmatians).
But for most adult dogs, it’s not difficult to formulate a balanced raw diet. The key is variety and correct proportions.
Basic raw diet structure:
- 70% animal product
- 50% muscle meat
- 10% bone
- 10% offal
- 30% vegetables
Vegetables should be blended raw (pesto-style) with water and superfoods added. Freeze into small portions for ease of use.
Great vegetables to include:
Kale, spinach, silverbeet, herbs, edible weeds, broccoli, carrot, zucchini, cucumber, celery (anything you’d eat raw—except avocado).
Add to your veggie blend:
- 1–2 tsp spirulina or moringa
- Chia, hemp, or linseeds
- Healthy fats like fish oil, flaxseed oil, coconut oil, hemp seed oil or tahini (add at feeding time, especially important for skin issues)
Support with Probiotics
Live probiotic foods support digestion, especially during the transition to raw.
✅ Dr Nat’s Defend Immune Tonic and Restore Digestion Tonic contain wild-fermented live probiotics and prebiotics—excellent additions for gut support.
Not Ready to DIY? Try These Brands:
Pre-made raw diets I recommend:
- Inner Wolf (Sunshine Coast)
- Bella & Boots (organic, formulated by Dr Renee)
- The Complete Pet Food Company (Brisbane)
- Instincto (delivery available)
Shelf-stable, minimally processed alternatives:
- Frontier Pets (freeze-dried) – use code DRNAT10 for a discount
- Eureka (air-dried)
- Ziwi Peak – also great as training treats
Gently cooked transition option:
- Lyka – cooked at low temps with human-grade ingredients. Not highly processed and preservative-free.
👉 Use this link for 50% off your first Lyka box.
Need Help?
Every pet is different. If your dog has digestive sensitivities, chronic illness, or you just want reassurance that you’re doing it right, I’m here to help.
📞 Book a phone consult and we’ll create a diet plan tailored to your pet’s age, breed, health history, and needs.
Further Reading
Sources
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