Domesticated dogs are carnivores. Wild dogs eat a variety of food which consists mainly of prey animals. Prey animals are composed of raw meat, raw bones, organs, other tissue and digested vegetable matter. While dogs are carnivores they do consume a small amount of the vegetable matter contained in the stomach and intestines of their prey. Dogs have evolved over thousands of years to eat this type of diet.

Basic dog feeding guide:

• Provide a combination of both high quality commercial food and natural foods to ensure a balanced diet is provided
• Natural foods include fresh raw meat (eg raw lamb), raw meaty bones and vegetables                                               
• Human-grade raw meat is preferable to pet meat as pet meat/pet mince/pet rolls often contain high amounts of preservatives that can be detrimental to the dog's health                                    
• Raw meaty bones such as raw lamb ribs (not lamb chops though), raw lamb tail bones, raw lamb neck bones and raw chicken wings provide several important health benefits. They keep teeth and gums healthy by preventing tartar build-up; provide gastrointestinal and general health benefits and possibly mental health benefits aswell via endorphin release from the 'chewing' action
  • Too many raw bones may lead to constipation. 1-2 raw bones may be offered per week with a few days in between each serving
  • The bone must be large enough so that the dog cannot fit the whole bone in its mouth or swallow the bone whole
  • Never feed cooked bones as these can splinter and cause internal damage or become an intestinal obstruction
  • Always supervise dogs when they are eating raw bones
  • Dogs ‘like’ bones very much and sometimes become protective. Do take care and discourage young children and others from approaching dogs that are eating.
  • Avoid large marrow bones (these have very thick outer rims), T-bones, 'chop' bones eg lamb chops, large knuckle bones and bones sawn lengthwise (as done by some butcher's) as dog's may crack their teeth on these
  • Please check with your vet that raw meaty bones are suitable for your particular dog (e.g. some dogs with misshapen jaws or dental disease may find chewing on raw bones difficult)

• Dogs may be offered fish such as tinned sardines in springwater, tinned tuna and tinned salmon (care with any fish bones). Please avoid feeding the one type of fish constantly
• Dogs may also be offered a small amount of cooked vegetables e.g. pumpkin, carrots etc
• Cooked meat such as boiled chicken or lamb may also be offered but ensure there are no cooked bones; onions/onion sauces or other toxic substances present (see below)
• A small amount of pasta/rice may be offered but again ensure there are no onions/onion sauces or other toxic substances present (see below)
• Provide access to grass (avoid chemically treated grass and toxic plants) - dogs will sometimes eat grass which may provide a source of vegetable matter and nutrients
• Providing variety in the diet ensures that trace minerals and vitamins are provided. Restricting variety in a diet increases the chances of missing essential nutrients or providing too much of another nutrient which can lead to serious health problems.
• Adult dogs should be fed at least twice a day. The amount of food required will depend on the dog's size, breed, age and level of exercise, but take care not to overfeed or underfeed
• Fresh water must be available at all times

• Do not feed the following: onions, garlic, chocolate, coffee or caffeine products, avocado, bread dough, grapes, raisins, sultanas, currants, nuts including macadamia nuts, fruit stones (pits) e.g. mango seeds, apricot stones, avocado stones; fruit seeds, corncobs; green unripe tomatoes, mushrooms; the one type of fish constantly, cooked bones; small pieces of raw bone or fatty trimmings