Feeding your dog as widely a varied diet as possible is the key to a successful raw diet. There reasons for this are laid out in the Brand & Protein blindness blog.
Here we will explain about each Vitamin & Mineral, as well as listing whole food sources of them. Bear in mind the physical amounts found in each source will vary in them depending on which protein it is, how that protein was raised (Organic & Ethical protein is richer in vitamins & minerals than farmed produce), and even the quality of the soil that the food was fed from. This is why we do not recommend using macros to calculate your dogs diet
Vitamin A:
⁉️Enhances immunity, prevents eye problems & skin disorders. Protects against colds & infections. Slows aging process. Important for bone & teeth formation.
⚠️ This is fat soluble and can accumulate in the body over time. It is hard to get Vitamin A toxicity from food BUT as a precaution we recommend avoiding adding foods rich in vitamin A to a diet that had added vitamin A (such as a vitamin premix)
🐾 Meat sources: Chicken, Pork, Egg, Salmon, Halibut, Haddock, Sardine, Liver, Kidney, Brain.
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), borage leaves, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, horsetail, kelp, lemongrass, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, peppermint, plantain, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, sage, uva ursi, violet leaf, watercress, yellow dock
🐾 Plant sources: Carrots, Squash, Pumpkin, Dandelion Greens, Kale, Spinach, Brocoli, Apricots, Peach.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
⁉️ Promotes growth. Improves mental attitude. Aids digestion. Helps strengthen nervous system. Prevents stress.
🐾 Meat sources: Liver, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine.
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), bladder wrack, burdock root, catnip, chamomile, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, red clover, rosehips, sage, yarrow, yellow dock
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):
⁉️Needed for red blood cell formation. Aids growth and reproduction. Promotes healthy hair, skin and nails. Important in the prevention and treatment of cataracts.
🐾 Meat sources: Liver, heart, kidney, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), bladder wrack, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, ginseng, hops, horsetail, mullein, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, red clover, sage, yellow dock
🐾 Plant sources: Broccoli, spinach, other dark leafy greens.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
⁉️ Essential for proper circulation and healthy skin. Increases energy. Aids digestion. Helps to prevent migraines.
🐾 Meat sources: Rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine.
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, liquorice, mullein, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, slippery elm, yellow dock
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid):
⁉️Enhances stamina, prevents anaemia, helps wounds heal. Fights infection, strengthen immune system.
🐾 Meat sources: Liver, heart, kidney, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, sardine, haddock, halibut.
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), burdock root, nettle, yellow dock
🐾 Plant sources: Dark leafy greens
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
⁉️ Needed to produce hydrochloric acid. Aids in absorption of fats and protein. Mildly diuretic, helps prevent kidney stones. Helpful in treating allergies, arthritis and asthma
🐾 Meat sources: Liver, Kidney, Heart, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, halibut, haddock, sardine
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), catnip, oat straw
Vitamin B9 (Folate, Folic Acid)
⁉️ Works to produce red blood cells and help iron function properly. Controls blood levels of amino acids. Important in pregnant females to lower risk of birth defects.
🐾 Meat sources: Liver, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, sardine, haddock, halibut.
🐾 Herbal sources: Rosemary, dandelion, parsley, spirulina
🐾 Plant sources: Dark leafy greens
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin):
⁉️Helps prevent anaemia. Protects nervous system, improves concentration, aids digestion
🐾 Meat sources: Liver, heart, kidney, rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, sardine, haddock, halibut.
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), bladder wrack, hops
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
⁉️ Helps calcium and iron formation. Enhances immunity. Helps to prevent cancers. Aids in production of anti-stress hormones. Antioxidant required for proper tissue growth and repair, and adrenal gland function.
🐾 Meat sources: Liver, Kidney, Heart, fish
🐾 Plant sources: Cabbage, Cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, kale, berries
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, kelp, peppermint, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, pine needle, plantain, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, skullcap, violet leaf, yarrow, yellow dock
Vitamin D
⁉️ Essential for calcium and phosphorous usage. Prevents rickets. Needed for normal growth of bones and teeth. Helps regulate heartbeat. Helps prevent cancer and enhances immune system.
⚠️ All vitamins D for dogs comes from the diet, grass fed or free range Meat and eggs are best. Fat soluble vitamin.
🐾 Meat sources: Egg, sardine, liver, kidney, salmon
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), horsetail, nettle, parsley
🐾 Plant sources: Dark leafy greens
Vitamin E
⁉️Antioxidant which helps prevent cancers and heart diseases. Prevents cell damage. Reduces blood pressure and promotes healthy skin & coat.
🐾 Meat sources: Ostrich, buffalo, egg, haddock, sardine, kidney, liver, brain
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), bladder wrack, dandelion, dong quai, flaxseed, nettle, oat straw, raspberry leaf, rose hips.
⚠️ Vitamin E is not easily absorbed, only about half the available amount is able to be absorbed. There is 4 times as much in grass-fed meats to grain-fed. Fat soluble vitamin.
Vitamin K
⚠️ Promotes healthy liver function. Helps bone formation and repair. Increases longevity. Fat soluble vitamin.
🐾 Meat sources: Egg, haddock, sardine, liver
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), green tea, kelp, nettle, oat straw, Shepherds purse.
🐾 Plant sources: Dark leafy greens
Calcium
⁉️Builds & protects bones and teeth. Helps maintain regular heartbeat. Prevents muscle cramping.
⚠️Young pups especially require sufficient calcium for calcium and phosphorous to ensure healthy skeletal development.
🐾 Meat sources: Rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, haddock, sardine
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), burdock root, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, chicory, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, flaxseed, hops, horsetail, kelp, lemongrass, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, peppermint, plantain, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, Shepherds purse, violet leaf, yarrow, yellow dock
Copper
⁉️ Converts iron to haemoglobin. Protects against anaemia. Needed for healthy bones and joint
🐾 Meat sources: Chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, haddock, sardine
🐾 Herbal sources: Sheep sorrel
Iodine
⁉️ Needed in trace amounts for healthy thyroid gland and to help metabolise excess fat.
🐾 Meat sources: Salmon, haddock, egg
🐾 Herbal sources: Calendula, tarragon leaf, turkey rhubarb
Iron
⁉️Essential for metabolism and the production of haemoglobin
🐾 Meat sources: Rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, haddock, sardine
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, chicory, dandelion, dong quai, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, horsetail, kelp, lemongrass, licorice, milk thistle seed, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, peppermint, plantain, raspberry leaf, rose hips, sarsaparilla, Shepherds purse, uva ursi, yellow dock
Magnesium
⁉️ Prevents calcification of soft tissue. Helps to reduce and dissolve calcium phosphate kidney stones. Helps prevent birth defects. Improves cardiovascular system.
🐾 Meat sources: Chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, haddock, sardine
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), bladder wrack, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, lemongrass, licorice, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, red cover, sage, Shepherds purse, yarrow, yellow dock
Manganese
⁉️Minute quantities of this mineral are needed for healthy nerves, blood sugar regulation, normal bone growth and thyroid hormone production.
⚠️There is zero studies on the exact amounts needed or the exact maximum to give at this time.
⚠️ If your dog has a tendency to get repeated ligament or tendon damage, ask for manganese levels to be checked by your vet.
🐾 Meat sources: Rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, haddock, sardine
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), burdock root, catnip, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, ginseng, hops, horsetail, lemongrass, mullein, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, wild yam, yarrow, yellow dock
Phosphorous
⁉️ Needed for healthy teeth and bone formation, nerve impulse transfer, normal heart rhythm and to support kidney function.
🐾 Meat sources: Rabbit, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, haddock, sardine
🐾 Herbal sources: burdock root, turkey rhubarb, slippery elm bark
Potassium
⁉️Regulates water balance and muscle function. Important for health of nervous system & regular heart rhythm
🐾 Meat sources: Rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, haddock, sardine
🐾 Herbal sources: Catnip, hops, horsetail, nettle, plantain, red clover, sage, skullcap
Selenium
⁉️ Provides important trace elements for prostate gland in males. Protects immune system, helps regulate thyroid function
🐾 Meat sources: Rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, haddock, sardine
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, fennel, fenugreek, ginseng, garlic, hawthorn berry, horsetail, lemongrass, milk thistle, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, rosehips, sarsaparilla, uva ursi, yarrow, yellow dock.
Zinc
⁉️ Promotes growth and mental alertness. Accelerates healing. Regulates oil glands. Promotes healthy immune system & wound healing
🐾 Meat sources: Rabbit, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, goat, ostrich, buffalo, egg, beef, salmon, haddock, sardine
🐾 Herbal sources: Alfalfa (organic only), burdock root, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seed, hops, milk thistle, mullein, nettle, parsley, rosehips, sage, sarsaparilla, skullcap, wild yam
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