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Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Blogger

The Legal Stuff

© 2016 Copyright Kimberly Gauthier, Keep the Tail Wagging™

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this report may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informational storage or retrieval system without express written, dated and signed permission from the author.

DISCLAIMER AND/OR LEGAL NOTICES: This information presented herein represents the view of the author as of the date of the publication. Because of the rate with which information and conditions change, the author reserves the right to alter and update her opinion based on the new information and conditions. This report is for informational purposes only and is written based on the author’s sole experiences. Although every attempt has been made to verify the information in this report and provide accurate details of one person’s experience, neither the author nor her sources used in the creation of this report assume any responsible for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. Any slights of people or organizations are unintentional. If advice concerning legal or related matters is needed, please seek the services of a fully qualified professional. This report is not intended for use as a source for legal or accounting advice. You should be aware of any laws which govern business transactions or other business practices in your country and state. Any reference to any person or business whether living or dead is purely coincidental.

I am not a or an nutritionist. Please do not use this book or my blog to diagnose an illness or in place of professional veterinarian care. Throughout this book, I may use the term “pack” to describe my four . Not because I believe dogs are wolves.

This eBook does contain affiliate links. Should you purchase a recommended product through this publication, I may earn a commission.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Kimberly Gauthier Keep the Tail Wagging™ Marysville, Washington 98271 W: http://www.keepthetailwagging.com E: [email protected] P: 425 320 6980 Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ keepthetailwagging

Quick Start Guide to , KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 2 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

What is Raw Feeding? 5 Like only the best for dogs EVER! 5 FrankenBARF 6 An Unofficial Model of Raw Feeding 6 FrankenBARF Model 6 Feeding Our Dogs What They Need 9 Where do the Fruits and Veggies Fall in Raw Feeding? 10 A FrankenBARF Recipe 11 Jenga Juice - Vegetable/Fruit Supplement 12 Feeding Raw Bones to Dogs 13 My Raw Feeding Budget 15 Tools of a Raw Feeder 16 Shopping and Preparing Raw Meals 16 Where You Can Source Your Meat 16 Commercial Raw I Feed Our Dogs 17 Equipment for Raw Feeders 18 Getting a Great Deal on Freezers 19 Raw Meal Ideas 20 Tripe Smells Like Satan’s Butt 22 How Much Meat Costs (In My Town) 23 Raw Feeding While On the Road 25 Bone Broth 28 A Nutritional Treat for Dogs 28 Dog Treats 31 Best Brands for Raw Fed Dogs 31 Raw Feeder Hacks 32 Raising Dogs Naturally 32 Sharing My Journey 33 Keep the Tail Wagging™ 33 Thanks for Reading 35 My Disclaimer 35

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 3 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

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Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 4 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger What is Raw Feeding? Like only the best diet for dogs EVER!

A raw food diet is designed to mimic the diet of the Grey Wolf, our dogs’ ancestor. Raw dog food consists of muscle meat, organ meat, and raw bones. Although there are several models of raw feeding to follow, the most well-known are the Prey Model and the BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) Model of raw food. The biggest difference I found between BARF and Prey model, is the additional ingredients in BARF: vegetables, fruits, and supplements.

The Prey Model diet is fed using the following ratio: 80% muscle meat, 10% organ meat (1/2 is liver), and 10% bone. To feed BARF Model, some people adjust the ratios to incorporate vegetables while others just add in vegetables.

Although raw feeders seem to choose one model over another; many that I know feed a combination of the two. I feed my dogs a model that I call FrankenBARF.

Counter Clockwise, Starting from Top:

Scout

Zoey

Sydney

Rodrigo

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 5 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger FrankenBARF An Unofficial Model of Raw Feeding

In April 2013, I transitioned our dogs to a raw diet prepared and delivered by Darwin’s Pet, a local company that ships raw meals across the US for dogs and . Their food includes muscle meat, organ meat, bone, vegetables, fruit, and supplements – all ground together in a yummy dose of healthiness.

Premade raw is the way to go if you can afford it. With four big dogs, we couldn’t continue feeding them 100% premade and pay our other bills. I joined a local raw food co-op and began making raw dog food at home. Because our dogs did well on the BARF model, I continued to follow the model at home.

I immediately came up with one problem – I couldn’t find all the ingredients I needed. The grocery store doesn’t have a large variety of muscle and organ meat. I don’t live near an Asian supermarket (which tends to have more options). And our butcher is expensive.

So I began piecing together a BARF-ish diet for our dogs that I call FrankenBARF.

FrankenBARF Model

• 65% muscle meat (alternated weekly)

• 15% raw meaty bones (duck necks, turkey necks)

• 10% offal (organ meat), half of which is liver

• 10% fruits, veggies, eggs, and/or raw goat milk

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 6 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

My model is not a balanced diet on its own and the percentages change all the time.

And I add the following to our dogs’ diet:

• Green beef tripe and/or ground eggshells for (when I don’t have bone)

• Bonnie & Clyde fish oil for Omega 3s; alternating with Camelina Oil

• Connectin by In Clover, joint supplement

• FullBucket digestive supplement, OptaGest by In Clover prebiotic

• Olewo carrots - dehydrated carrots from Germany that work as a natural digestive supplement that also quickly eliminates , acts as a natural dewormer, promotes healthy and coat, relieves itching, strengthens the immune system, and promotes vitality. (Source: OlewoUSA.com)

I feed our dogs premade raw food that is available through our co-op: Steve’s Real Food, K9 Naturals, and Vital Essentials Raw are our favorites. Find a complete list on Page 13.

Sounds complicated? I thought so too, at first.

When I started making raw dog food at home, I quickly became overwhelmed, because everyone has advice on what you should and shouldn’t feed your dogs. There are plenty of books, YouTube videos, and websites that offer guidance as well. Information overload happened quickly and then a friend advised me to feed my dogs what they need.

If you’re asking “what the heck does ‘what they need’ mean?” Keep reading.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 7 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 8 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Feeding Our Dogs What They Need

We have four dogs that have different needs, and I adjusted their diets to accommodate those needs. I began paying attention to their poop (yep, gross, but educational) to learn more about our dogs.

• When our dogs’ poop is too solid and crumbles as they poop - I add a little more fish oil or coconut oil and cut back on the bone.

• When our dogs’ poop is a different color, before I panic, I think back to what they’re eating. Venison and elk leads to slightly darker poop than turkey and duck.

• When one of the dogs has loose stool or diarrhea, I review their diet to identify the food or treat that caused the change.

From there, I made adjustments to their individual meals – and it worked!

The following “Poop Chart” is a slightly modified version of one presented by Barbara Royal DVM CVA at the 2016 Raw Roundup.

Poop Color Action White Too much bone, lack of nutrient absorption, old poop Yellow Parasites, bacteria Orange Food coloring, blood tinged

Red Blood from large intestines or anal area Brown Typically normal Black Digestive blood - CALL THE VET! Green Gi Hypermotility, bile not fully digested

Mucous Secretory/detox response Blue or Aqua Rat poison or toys Grey* The right amount of bile isn’t being produced

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 9 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

*Rodrigo experienced this and I learned the meaning from a local dog nutritionist. It cleared up in 12 hours.

He’s had a history of digestive issues and allergies and is the reason I switched our dogs to raw feeding.

Because of Rodrigo’s digestive issues, his system wasn’t working right on this day. Had his poop not gone back to normal within a day, I would have taken him to the vet.

Where do the Fruits and Veggies Fall in Raw Feeding?

I believe dogs are carnivores; I also think fruits and vegetables have a place in their diet. I feed our dogs fruits and veggies, because…

• They provide nutrients and , which help fight cancer.

• They are an excellent source of fiber, which supports a healthy digestive system.

• They help a dog feel fuller faster (great for dogs on a diet).

• They’re a healthy snack, and my dogs love them.

While some raw feeders believe fruits and vegetables are unnecessary fillers meant to save money; I believe they can boost a diet, making it healthier.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 10 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

A FrankenBARF Recipe

The below recipe will give you an idea of what a FrankenBARF meal looks like for our dogs.

20 pounds of ground duck 20 pounds of duck necks 5 pounds of whole duck hearts wings (chopped in half)

Kindly grain-free base mix by The Honest Kitchen (approx. 1-1/2 cups for every 5 pounds of food)

I mix these ingredients in 8-quart bowls before transferring them to Rubbermaid container to be fed during the week. Each of our dogs receives fish oil, a joint supplement, a digestive supplement, and Olewo carrots. I add frozen green beef tripe twice a week (either mixed in their meals or as an individual meal).

When choosing a raw feeding model, keep your dog’s needs foremost in your mind. It’s easy to be distracted by well-meaning friends and strangers, but it’s important to remember that you’re an expert in your dog.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 11 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Jenga Juice - Vegetable/Fruit Supplement

I created a vegetable supplement for my dogs and mix 1-2 tablespoons into their food each month. This is another way to introduce organic vegetables and fruits to their diet.

In some batches, I also add…

•apple cider vinegar (I prefer Braggs)

•bee pollen

•blueberries

1 bunch of organic spinach 1 bunch of organic kale 1 bunch of organic parsley 1 bunch of organic celery

2 bunches of organic carrots with greens 1 whole organic apples with skin 2 inches of ginger (purchase the root and cut off an inch at a time) 1 whole lemon

3-4 tablespoons of local raw honey 1/3 cup of Connectin by In Clover (joint supplement) 1/2 cut of Flora4 by Carna4 (digestive supplement) 1 batch of bone broth; mix in 3 tablespoons of turmeric and black pepper 10 minutes before broth is finished

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 12 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Feeding Raw Bones to Dogs

At first, I was terrified to feed our dogs raw bones, because I thought they’d break their teeth or perforate their esophagus or digestive tract. In nearly three years, our dogs have never had an issue with raw bones.

Raw Meaty Bones

I feed our dogs duck necks, turkey necks, and lamb necks. Duck and turkey necks are eaten as a meal - the dogs fully consume them. Lamb necks, which are shorter and wider, are eaten as a treat and I take them away when they reach 1-2” in diameter.

Recreational Bones

I feed recreational bones to satisfy our dogs’ chew drive (all bones do this actually), work out their jaw and neck muscles, and scrape any tarter off of their teeth. The bones that work great for our dogs are beef kneecaps and beef knuckle bones from Vital Essentials Raw. I take these away when they become small enough for the dogs to swallow.

What I love about recreational bones is that the dogs can eat them over a few days; I store left overs in a storage contain in the fridge until they’re ready to chew again.

Bone Safety

Supervising our dogs when they enjoy their bones helped alleviate my fears. This helps me step in if the bones become too small, keep the peace between the dogs, and learn which bones work and don’t work for our dogs.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 13 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 14 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger Getting Started My Raw Feeding Budget

My goal is to spend $125 per dog per month. This sounds expensive, but it includes food, supplements, treats, and toys. And I’m doing pretty well. There are high months when I stock up and low months when I don’t need much.

I developed my budget through experience and by figuring out how much our dogs will eat. There are many raw food calculators online, I like THIS ONE.

Keep in mind that the raw food calculator is just a start. You’ll have to customize your dog’s amount based on your dog’s needs. For instance, I fed Scout and Zoey 10% of their body weight when they were puppies. I weighed them weekly to keep from over or under feeding them. And Rodrigo has a high , so he needs more food (this was approved by his veterinarian).

Weight % of Body Weight Daily Meals (in pounds) Rodrigo 65 3.5% 2.3 pounds Sydney 78 2.0% 1.6 pounds* Scout 72 3.5% 2.5 pounds Zoey 60 2.5% 1.5 pounds*

*Our girls are on a diet. We’re trying to get Sydney’s weight down to 72 pounds and Zoey gains easily, so she’s maintaining at 2.5%.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 15 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger Tools of a Raw Feeder Shopping and Preparing Raw Meals

Keep in mind that I’m feeding four big dogs. Many things I use to prepare raw meals are optional, which I’ll identify with a (*). As you figure out what works best for your lifestyle and your dog, you’ll naturally make adjustments that meet your needs.

Where You Can Source Your Meat

• Local Raw Food Co-Op (CLICK HERE to find one near you)

• Butcher

• Hunters

• Grocery Store (higher bacteria content in my experience)

• Raw Paws Pet Food (offers home deliver)

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 16 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Commercial Raw I Feed Our Dogs

I’m able to get great deals on commercial raw through our local co-op, because we order in bulk. I also place orders with Darwin’s Pet and Raw Paws Pet Food, which deliver to my door.

Darwin’s Pet (offers home delivery) Vital Essentials Raw Steve’s Real Food K9 Naturals Northwest Naturals Answer’s Pet Food OC Raw Primal Pet GreenTripe.com Raw Paws Pet Food

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 17 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Equipment for Raw Feeders

Meat Grinder (*) Dedicated Mixing Spoons (*) Dedicated Freezer (*) Professional Knives (*) Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (*) Sturdy, Plastic Containers for Freezing (*) Stainless Steel Dog Dishes Glass Containers for Dry Goods (*) Digital Kitchen Scale Calender

A calendar? Yes, a calendar. Use an inexpensive date book to track your dog’s meals, progress, and poops. If your dog has loose stool or diarrhea, you’ll be able to track it back to a or something else in his diet. Your vet will love you!

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 18 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Getting a Great Deal on Freezers

We have two dedicated freezers for our four dogs.

We ordered a 20 cf stand up freezer from the Appliance Recycling Outlet in Snohomish, Washington. They buy floor models and service them for resale to the public. I received a one year warranty on my freezer.

Our second freezer was purchased at Costco. It’s a 7 cf chest freezer.

• Stand Up Freezer: cost $300; it was regularly $1000. It’s huge.

• Chest Freezer: cost $175; it competitors were selling it for more than $250.

If you choose to shop Craigslist for your freezer, be sure to research the brands before handing over your cash. Also, look for a freezer that is energy efficient. You don’t want to see your energy bill spike with your new edition.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 19 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Raw Dog Food Meal Ideas

Below are recipes that I create and share on KeepTheTailWagging.com every Friday (most Fridays). Their purpose is to give you ideas of what you can feed your dogs.

The below recipes do not include measurements, because every dog is different. I’m feeding four big dogs. You may be feeding one small dog. Although you could probably do the math, it’s not always about dividing or multiplying. It’s about giving our dogs what they need using the ingredients we have.

I order 99% of my ingredients through our local raw food co-op.

Ground Turkey Necks and Lamb Liver

20 pounds of ground turkey neck, mixed with 10% liver, 15-17% heart, 10% gizzard 1-2 ground lamb livers 4 cups of Kindly Base Mix by The Honest Kitchen or DIY Vegetable Blend Note: when using the vegetable blend instead of a base mix, I use approximately 1/4 cup per meal, when using a base mix, I only add two tablespoons of my veggie mix.

Ground (or Chopped) Venison

28 pounds of venison meat (no organ meat) - ground or chopped into pieces 2-3 pounds of ground organs (kidneys, liver, and heart) 4 cups of Kindly Base Mix by The Honest Kitchen or DIY Vegetable Blend

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 20 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 21 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Ground Rabbit

24 pounds of whole ground rabbit (80% muscle meat, 10% organ meat, 10% bone) No additional organ meat is added 4 cups of Kindly Base Mix by The Honest Kitchen or DIY Vegetable Blend

Ground Duck Wings, Whole Duck Hearts, Whole Duck Necks 20 pounds of ground duck wings meat 5 pounds of whole duck hearts 20 pounds of whole duck necks (chopped in half) 4-5 pounds of pork ground organs (kidneys, liver, and heart) 4 cups of Kindly Base Mix by The Honest Kitchen or DIY Vegetable Blend

Tripe Smells Like Satan’s Butt

Many raw feeders will tell you that you HAVE to add green beef tripe (or lamb) to your dog’s diet. I’m one of them. But, to be honest, you don’t HAVE to add it if you can’t tolerate the smell. It is awful - at first. Eventually, you get used to it and it smells like a barn.

But if you don’t, try freeze dried green tripe instead. I order mine from Raw Paws Pet Food.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 22 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Ground Green Tripe

Ground green tripe (measure appropriate amounts for each dog) No organ meat necessary No veggies or base mixes necessary

Supplements

The following supplements are added 5 days a week (personal choice).

Ground green tripe (measure appropriate amounts for each dog) No organ meat necessary No veggies or base mixes necessary

How Much Meat Costs (In My Town)

Protein Cost per Pound Protein Cost per Pound Rabbit $4.50 Duck $2.50 Venison / Elk $4.50 Tripe $2.50 Emu $4.50 Pork (Steve’s Real Raw) $4.00

Turkey $2.00 Pork Organ Meat $1.25 (Kidneys, Liver, Heart) Beef $5.00 Duck $2.50

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 23 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 24 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Raw Feeding While On the Road

After I transitioned our dogs to raw dog food, I actually thought I was saying “goodbye” to traveling with my boyfriend or the dogs. I was worried that no one could feed our dogs, no one would want to handle raw food, and frozen raw doesn’t travel well.

I was wrong.

If you travel with your dogs or have a pet sitter, not only are you crazy lucky (finding a quality pet sitter is like digging for gold in the back yard), but you’re don’t have to switch back to kibble unless you want switch.

Freeze Dried Raw

Just add water. Freeze dried raw not only travels well (takes up little space), but no one can mess it up, because you just add water. This is the easiest solution to traveling with dogs or teaching your pet sitter how to “feed raw.”

Prepare Raw Meals

Last summer, I created individual raw meals for three days, each container had the food and supplements, and was labeled for each dog. Our pet sitter didn’t have a problem.

If you have a pet sitter that isn’t concerned with handling raw meat (and, to be honest, they don’t have to touch it if it’s already prepared) then is a great option.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 25 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Leave a Detailed Note

If you’re leaving your dog with a pet sitter, leave a detailed (but not too detailed) list of each dog’s eating habits.

•Rodrigo eats fast and tries to finish Scout’s meal - watch him.

•Sydney sometimes won’t eat, because she’s waiting for a topper, you can sprinkle this (leave topper with note) or not. She’ll eat if Rodrigo starts sniffing around.

•Scout is the slowest eater on the planet.

•Zoey cleans everyone’s dishes. Make sure she waits until Scout is finished before she starts cleaning his dish.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 26 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 27 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger Bone Broth A Nutritional Treat for Dogs

What is Bone Broth?

Just as it sounds, broth made after slow bones in water and creating a broth. Yes, there’s a little bit more to it, but not much.

Why Bone Broth?

• It’s a nutrient rich addition to any dog’s diet and has several benefits:

• Bone broth promotes a healthy digestive system

• It’s going to be great for Rodrigo and Sydney’s joints

• It acts as a liver detox, so if you have your dogs on an inferior kibble (no judgment, we all do the best we can), this is an affordable way to give your dog something better. Plus in this chemically laden world, our dogs can use a liver detox here and there.

• And bone broth is great for sick dogs, because it provides them nutrition when they’re not eating.

Bone broth isn’t a meal. It’s to be used as a supplement for our dogs.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 28 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Making a Bone Broth for Dogs

Ingredients

Raw apple cider vinegar or lemon juice – this will help bring out the in the bones I purchased turkey legs and thighs, because this is readily available at our grocery store. Use 1 tsp per every gallon of water.

When searching for bones, it’s suggested that we go for joint bones with cartilage. You can freeze bones (rinse off any sauce) that were used in cooking; since I use turkey, I didn’t save the bones. You can add the bones into your slow cooker frozen or you can thaw them. I’ve done both.

I also added 1 tablespoon (3 cloves) of minced garlic (in small amounts, it’s not toxic), kale (a half of bunch), oregano (1 tsp), kelp (1 tsp), parsley (a half a bunch), and 2-3 tablespoons of turmeric 10 minutes before the bone broth is finished cooking.

To learn more about garlic, the benefits it offers to dogs, and the serving amount, check out this article on PetGuide.com. Please note that the amount of garlic I add to the bone broth is for 4 dogs with a combined weight of 270 pounds.

Cooking Time

I made it in our crockpot, simmering for 20 hours. I chose the crockpot, because we have a gas stove and even on low, the pot would boil over. A crockpot can be left unattended (although I only make bone broth on weekends when I’m home).

I covered the bones with water by a couple inches and added the apple cider vinegar (you can use lemon juice instead).

I spooned some of the cooled broth into ice cube trays and placed in the freezer; the rest went in the freezer in larger containers. The broth we plan to serve immediately has a shelf life of 3 days (the Internet said 4 days, but I’d better be safe than sorry and with 4 dogs, 3 days worked out perfectly).

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 29 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Get Creative with Your Bone Broth

I use turkey bones, because they’re readily available, but I’ve also used other bones. My goal is to use bones that are easy to fish out of the broth when the bone broth is finished.

Dogs Naturally Magazine suggests the following…

• Kelp

• Nettles

• Garlic

• Dandelion root *

• “Italian” herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, fennel seed)

• Astragalus Root *

• Burdock Root *

• Shiitake mushrooms *

*Strain these ingredients before using the broth

If you feed kibble and want to give your dog something more, try a bone broth and see how your dog likes it. Then come back here and tell me how your dog reacted to this yummy treat.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 30 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger Dog Treats Best Brands for Raw Fed Dogs

Below is a list of the dog treats I purchase for our dogs; as you can see, my dogs are loved.

Barkworthies - duck feet, kangaroo jerky, PawStruck.com lamb lung Einstein Petcurean Spike Grain Free Catfish Jerky

Finest Fetch PetKind - green tripe treats Hare of the Dog Real Pet Food - subscription box service Jones Natural Chews Scout and Zoes K9 Granola Factory Coconut Chips The Honest Kitchen Beams - catfish skin

Koda Pet Dog Treats - Papa Tatanka Vital Essentials Raw

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 31 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger Raw Feeder Hacks Raising Dogs Naturally

Once I transitioned to raw feeding, I became interested in other healthier ways to raise our dogs. Today, I now have natural treatments for the following: fleas and ticks, anxiety, hot spots, tummy troubles, ear cleaning, teeth cleaning, and hairballs (yep, I have something for cats too).

This list contains all of the products I’ve found that are amazing and safe.

A Few Common Issue Products I Use and Recommend Repel Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitos Wondercide spray and dog shampoo bar

Anxiety and Fear Canine Calm by Earth Heart Ewegurt Dehydrated Treats Serenity Zen by Natura Petz Hot Spots NuStock Paws & Licking by Tender Paws Itchy Dog Skin by Tender Paws Itchy Paws Paws & Licking by Tender Paws 50/50 Mix of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar & Water - Rub Paws with Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Bath Time 4-Legger Dog Shampoo

Overweight Super Model in a Bottle by Natura Petz Organic Kelp by Life Line*

*I add organic kelp to our dogs’ diet to promote thyroid . My dog, Sydney, has an under active thyroid (not hypothyroidism) and kelp helped get her back on track.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 32 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger Sharing My Journey Keep the Tail Wagging™

When I transitioned to raw feeding, I was overwhelmed and nearly changed my mind. I didn’t want to make my dogs sick, raw feeding seemed complicated, and it was also looking expensive.

Someone was kind enough to share a few tips. That conversation helped inspire the direction of my blog, KeepTheTailWagging.com, and today, I write about what I’m learning as I feed our dogs a raw food diet. I work with several holistic and other raw feeders to understand how to create a healthy, balanced diet or our dogs.

I’m always learning something new about raw feeding and today, I understand when I can manage the minor things with diet and natural supplements and when I need to call our veterinarian.

Join me on my journey as I learn about raw feeding. There will never be pressure to transition; I just get a kick out of sharing my experience with other dog lovers.

My ebook, Raw Feeding from A to Z, is now available at KeepTheTailWagging.com/ rawfeedingaz.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 33 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger

Why should you add Ewegurt to your dog’s daily diet? EWEGURT is a nutrient rich powerhouse and dogs love it! Blended sheep’s milk yogurt, sardines, kale, beets, parsley, organic coconut oil and unfiltered apple cider vinegar give “those extra benefits” to your dog’s diet. Among the many benefits of sheep’s milk brings to our canine companions is the higher concentration of and minerals versus those found in both cow’s and goat’s milk. It also contains a higher concentration of magnesium which is nature’s sedative.

Ewegurt is a unique treat, terrific as a food topper, and is also a problem solver. It helps support relaxation for dogs with all types of anxiety like, for example, separation anxiety or thunder phobia or visits to the vet. Ewegurt is good for that sensitive tummy. It is a super probiotic and perfect for the lactose intolerant dogs or dogs that are on antibiotics.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 34 Kimberly Gauthier KeepTheTailWagging.com Dog Nutrition Blogger Thanks for Reading And Subscribing

• Kimberly Gauthier, Dog Nutrition Blogger for Keep the Tail Wagging™

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Do you have more questions? Feel free to email me at [email protected] and I’ll do my best to help.

My Disclaimer

I’m not a veterinarian or nutritionist. I share my experience feeding our four dogs a raw food diet on KeepTheTailWagging.com. Please do not use this Guide or my blog to diagnose your dog or in place of veterinarian care.

Quick Start Guide to Raw Feeding, KeepTheTailWagging.com, Page 35