As advocates of raw feeding, we often contemplate the optimal diet for our pregnant dogs. Typically, I provide our dogs with a diverse array of proteins, rotated daily to ensure nutritional balance over the course of a week, rather than in each individual meal. For instance, Monday might feature chicken drumsticks for breakfast and a blend of beef liver, kidney, and heart for dinner. Tuesday could include sardines in the morning, followed by ground beef in the evening. However, the dietary needs of pregnant or lactating dogs, as well as growing puppies, present unique challenges that require a more tailored approach.
Initially, I explored commercially available raw food brands labeled as suitable for “All Life Stages.” While these products are convenient, the cost—often exceeding $6 per pound—becomes prohibitive when feeding a lactating mother and her litter of seven ravenous puppies. To address this, I identified two cost-effective and nutritionally sound solutions.
- Red Rock Raw: This brand, a subsidiary of OC Raw, offers a bulk, minimally packaged product designed specifically for shelters, rescues, and breeders. Through my local raw feeding cooperative, Pawradise Raw, I can procure this food at a more affordable rate. To confirm its suitability for all life stages, I reached out to Red Rock Raw and received a thoughtful response from CEO Olivia Hudson. She affirmed the product’s appropriateness but recommended supplementing with a multivitamin to support the heightened metabolic demands of gestation and whelping. Additionally, she generously provided samples of their newly launched Veggie Boost Power Powder and Omega Boost Power Powder. Since incorporating these supplements, I’ve noticed our dogs, particularly Braya, eagerly devouring their meals, with the Omega Boost proving especially palatable.
- Custom Meals from Perfectly Rawsome: For a more bespoke approach, I engaged Perfectly Rawsome, which formulated three nutritionally complete meals tailored to my dogs’ needs. This process began with an in-depth consultation with Ronny LeJeune, a certified canine nutritionist and fitness trainer (CCFT, CertCN, CCFC). Based on our discussion, Ronny crafted recipes that align with my sourcing preferences and comfort level. One such recipe, Beef Round with Tripe, includes beef round, lamb liver, beef kidney, green tripe, chicken drumsticks, chicken necks, hempseeds, butternut squash, and green beans. As any raw feeding enthusiast knows, a do-it-yourself approach is both cost-effective and rewarding, provided one has ample freezer space and a willingness to embrace the hands-on nature of meal preparation. For the most part all proteins are sourced through Pawradise Raw
This dual strategy ensures that my pregnant and lactating dogs, as well as their puppies, receive balanced, high-quality nutrition without straining our budget, all while maintaining the principles of raw feeding.
