Why we recommend a rotation of raw meats

Many people who feed their dogs or cats raw food tend to stick to one meat type that works for them.  This may be due to allergies, the lower cost of chicken or a fear to try something new for their companion.  We often try to encourage our customers to try to get a variety of meats in their dog’s or cat’s diet – chicken, bison, beef, turkey, duck, fish, and caballo.  Let me explain why 🙂

At the end of this post, there is a crude breakdown of the different meat sources.  This table is meant to demonstrate how there is a different amino acid, mineral and vitamin composition for different types of meats (NOTE: the values are general values and do not necessarily represent the composition of the raw foods that we offer).

For example, if you were feeding your dog strictly beef or chicken, then your dog would be missing out on the beneficial levels of vitamin K & E that duck meat contains.  Turkey meat offers a whole host of high levels of protein, vitamins and minerals, in particular vitamins B6, B12 and niacin, but rotating the raw food you feed your dog will ensure that he never gets an excess of any particular nutrient or lacks one.

So the bottom line is, if your dog or cat can and will eat a variety of meats, give her the variety!  Not only am I sure that she will enjoy the change, but you will be ensuring that she gets everything that she needs to lead an entirely healthy and happy life!

Protein Source Comparison
	CHICKEN	TURKEY	DUCK	BEEF	BISON	HORSE
Amino acid score	133	142	137	142	~	144
Nutrient score	39	45	20	28	36	45
Protein  (g)	192	1131	33	79.3	98	97
Vitamin A  (IU)	8064	18945	482	0	0	0
Vitamin C  (mg)	27.2	11.1	8	0	0	4.5
Vitamin D  (mg)	~	~	~	~	~	~
Vitamin E  (mg)	~	~	2	~	~	~
Vitamin K  (mg)	~	~	15.8	~	~	~
Thiamin (mg)	0.6	3.6	0.6	0.4	~	0.6
Riboflavin  (mg)	1.9	11.3	0.6	0.8	0.4	0.5
Niacin (mg)	69.4	230	11.3	16.1	8.7	20.9
Vitamin B6 (mcg)	3.6	22.8	0.5	1.5	~	1.7
Folate (mcg)	314	1278	37.3	31.7	~	~
Vitamin B12 (mg)	11.6	90	0.7	12.2	~	13.6
Pantothenic Acid (mg)	11.2	52.9	2.7	1.5	~	~
Choline (mg)	~	~	89	~	~	~
Betaine (mg)	~	~	12.3	~	~	~
Calcium (mg)	115	833	31.6	36.3	27.2	27.2
Iron (mg)	13.7	93.9	6.9	8.4	11.8	17.3
Magnesium (mg)	209	1222	43	77.1	113	109
Phosphorus (mg)	1558	9999	399	707	848	1002
Potassium  (mg)	1977	14939	600	1229	1556	1632
Sodium (mg)	732	3721	181	268	245	240
Zinc (mg)	15.5	128	3.9	16.3	12.7	13.1
Copper (mg)	0.7	6.3	0.7	0.3	0.4	0.7
Manganese (mg)	0.3	1.4	0	0.1	0	0.1
Selenium (mcg)	123	1294	35.6	72.1	122	45.8
Fluoride (mg)	~	~	~	102	~	~