American Bully dogs thrive on a balanced diet rich in protein and fat, making a raw diet an excellent choice for this breed.
In a raw diet, 80% of the ingredients should come from animal sources, such as meat, fish, and eggs.
To ensure your American Bully gets the nutrients it needs, feed it a mix of organs, bones, and muscle meat.
A good starting point for an American Bully raw diet recipe is to use 10% of its body weight in boneless meat per day.
Components of a Good Diet
A good raw diet for your American Bully is all about balance and variety. It should contain a mix of meat with the bone, fresh organ meat, and cooked vegetables.
The 5:1:1 formula is a great starting point. This means five parts of meat with the bone, one part of fresh organ meat, and one part of cooked vegetables. This formula is easy to remember and can be adapted to your dog's unique needs.
Use a variety of organ meats to add nutrients to your dog's diet. Fish heads are a great source of brains and eyes, and they're free! You can also use liver, kidney, spleen, and pizzles.
Raw eggs are another excellent addition. They're a great source of protein and can be added whole, without the shell. Crushed raw garlic can also be used in small doses to help control parasites.
Oils like cod liver oil, coconut oil, and flaxseed oil are essential for your dog's health. Use them in moderation, and avoid vegetable oils and seed oils.
Sardines are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Use them fresh, or in brine or olive oil. Probiotic yoghurt can also be added to support gut health.
Bone broth is a nutrient-rich addition to your dog's diet. You can make it by stewing bones in a slow cooker, or simply give them the bone itself.
Here's a quick rundown of the essential components of a good raw diet:
Raw Diet Recipes
As an American Bully owner, you're likely looking for ways to provide your furry friend with a healthy and balanced diet. One option to consider is a raw diet, which can have numerous benefits for your dog's overall health. Raw feeding can improve your dog's energy levels, coat health, and even reduce allergy symptoms.
But what exactly is a raw diet, and how can you get started? A raw diet consists of uncooked, unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients and proteins. By making your own raw dog food, you can control the source of your ingredients, avoid commercial food recalls, and enjoy better budgeting and bulk buying ability.
Some simple raw recipes for American Bullies include:
- Ground Beef, Chicken Back, Spinach, Green Lipped Mussels, Anchovies, Beef Liver Protein Pack, Berry Supplement, Joint Supplement
- Chicken Mix, Mackerel, Chicken Feet, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Fruit and Veggie Mix, Parsley, Pork Tongue
You can also consider making your own raw dog food to address special needs and allergies, quickly adjust your dog's diet for different life stages, and enjoy better health benefits such as improved digestion, healthier skin and coat, and better dental health.
Take a look at this: American Bully Health Issues
Here are some easy-to-follow raw recipes that meet AAFCO minimum nutrition requirements for adult dogs:
Remember, the key to a successful raw diet is to choose high-quality ingredients and to balance your dog's diet accordingly. By following these simple recipes and tips, you can provide your American Bully with a healthy and balanced diet that will keep them thriving for years to come.
Raw Diet Planning
A raw diet for your American Bully can be a great way to improve their health, but it can be overwhelming to plan. Knowing what to look for in a raw diet is key, so let's break it down.
A good raw diet should contain a variety of ingredients, including organs like liver, kidney, and spleen. These can be found in many of the recipes listed in the article, such as the Ground Beef, Chicken Back, Spinach, Green Lipped Mussels, Anchovies, Beef Liver Protein Pack, Berry Supplement, Joint Supplement meal idea.
To ensure your dog gets all the necessary nutrients, consider adding supplements like probiotic yoghurt, cod liver oil, and flaxseed oil to their diet. These can be added in small amounts, such as 1/3 clove of garlic per 25kg of dog for parasite control.
Here are some key ingredients to include in your American Bully's raw diet:
- Organ meats (liver, kidney, spleen)
- Raw eggs
- Crushed raw garlic (1/3 clove per 25kg of dog)
- Oils (cod liver oil, flaxseed oil)
- Sardines (fresh or in brine)
- Probiotic yoghurt
- Bone broth
Remember to always consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's diet.
Healthy Diet Additions
Adding variety to your dog's diet is essential for their overall health. Use as big a variety of organ meats as you can find, including liver, kidney, spleen, and pizzles.
Raw eggs are a great addition to a healthy diet for dogs. Whole, raw eggs are perfectly fine, with no need for shells.
Crushed raw garlic can be added in small doses for parasite control. A third clove per 25kg of dog is a good starting point.
Adding oils to your dog's diet can be beneficial. Cod liver oil tablets are a good option, with an average dose of 1000mg per 30kg of body weight. Other options include coconut oil, flaxseed oil, and wild salmon oil.
Sardines are a nutritious addition to a raw diet. Fresh sardines are best, but frozen ones are also okay. If using tinned sardines, choose those in brine or olive oil, and pour off the excess brine.
Probiotic yoghurt can be added in small scoops, especially after antibiotics. This helps maintain a healthy gut.
Fish can be a great addition to a raw diet, but make sure to freeze fresh fish for two days to kill any parasites. Fish heads are a great and free option.
Bone broth is a nutritious and healthy addition to a raw diet. It's made by stewing the marrow and goodness out of bones in a slow cooker, and can be frozen in ice cubes for later use.
Here are some healthy diet additions that you can consider:
- Cod liver oil tablets (1000mg per 30kg of body weight)
- Coconut oil (MCT is best)
- Flaxseed oil
- Wild salmon oil
- Sardines (fresh or frozen)
- Probiotic yoghurt (add in small scoops)
- Fish heads (free and nutritious)
- Bone broth (made from marrow and bones)
Weight Adjustments
Figuring out your dog's weight adjustment needs is a crucial part of raw diet planning.
Your dog's weight gain or loss needs will help determine the starting point for your raw food diet, so consider whether they need to lose weight, gain weight, or maintain their current weight.
Adult dogs generally need to consume between 2% and 3% of their body weight in raw food each day.
Monitoring your dog's habits and lifestyle will help narrow down their daily food intake, which can be affected by their activity level and body condition.
Active dogs that get plenty of exercise will need more food, while older or less active dogs will need less.
If your dog is underweight, they'll need more food to get healthy, and if they're overweight, you'll need to cut back to prevent lasting problems.
Body condition also plays a role in determining your dog's daily food intake, so take note of their shape from above and adjust their food accordingly.
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Raw Diet Ideas
Raw diet ideas for American Bullies can be as simple as adding a variety of organ meats to their meals. Use big a variety of organ meats as you can find, such as liver, kidney, spleen, and pizzles.
Raw eggs are also a great addition to a dog's diet. Whole, raw eggs can be fed without the shell.
Some other excellent additions include crushed raw garlic for parasite control, and a range of oils such as cod liver oil, coconut oil, and flaxseed oil.
Why?
Dogs need fresh, species-appropriate food to thrive, just like humans do.
Eating dry dog food for a lifetime is essentially a waste, as it's often made from low-quality ingredients. Dogs require a diet rich in fresh meat, which is why raw dog food is a game-changer.
A raw dog food diet can be tailored to a dog's specific needs, whether it's addressing allergies or adjusting to different life stages. You can easily make changes to their diet as needed.
Take a look at this: Cost of Raw Food Diet for Dogs
Some of the health benefits of a raw diet include improved digestion, healthier skin and coat, better dental health, reduced allergy symptoms, firmer stools, and weight management.
If you're new to raw dog food, it's worth noting that a 7:1:1:1 ratio is a common guideline for mixing ingredients. However, this can be tweaked to suit your dog's individual needs.
Here are some key things to keep in mind when it comes to bones in raw dog food:
- Chicken bones are softer and less dense due to the birds being killed at a young age.
- Turkey bones can be more dense as they are older birds when killed.
- Lamb and beef bones are larger and more dense, so less is needed in a mix.
- Weight-bearing bones like ribs and necks are ideal for dental health and recreational use.
Raw Meal Ideas
Raw Meal Ideas can be a fun and creative way to feed your dog a raw diet.
You can mix and match different ingredients to create a variety of meals that cater to your dog's individual needs and preferences.
Ground beef is a staple ingredient in many raw meal ideas, including Meal Idea #1, which combines it with chicken back, spinach, and other nutrient-rich foods.
Chicken is another popular protein source that can be used in a variety of meals, such as Meal Idea #2, which pairs it with mackerel, chicken feet, and beef liver.
Some raw meal ideas include adding supplements like joint supplements, berry supplements, and probiotic supplements to support your dog's overall health.
For example, Meal Idea #3 includes a berry supplement and joint supplement to help maintain your dog's joint health and mobility.
You can also use different types of meat, such as beef, chicken, and pork, to create a variety of meals.
Meal Idea #6, for instance, combines ground beef with duck head, duck feet, and beef kidney for a nutrient-rich meal.
Some raw meal ideas also include organs and other nutrient-rich foods, such as beef liver, chicken hearts, and green tripe.
Meal Idea #8, for example, pairs beef trachea with green tripe and veggie mix for a balanced and healthy meal.
When choosing raw meal ideas, it's essential to consider your dog's individual needs and preferences.
You can experiment with different ingredients and combinations to find what works best for your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much raw should I feed my XL Bully?
For an XL Bully, feed 2-3% of their body weight in raw food daily, so a 30kg dog would need 600g-900g per day. Consult our guidelines for a more detailed feeding plan tailored to your dog's specific needs.
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