Food for dogs

Back to nature, forward in health

What is actually good nutrition for your dog? A question that more and more conscious dog lovers are asking themselves. Kibble is convenient, but does it offer what your dog really needs? At Natuly (formerly Bio-Ron), we believe that health starts in the food bowl, with nutrition that suits the natural disposition of your animal.

Dogs are essentially carnivores. You can see that in their short intestinal tract, acidic stomach, and scissor bite. Their entire body is built to digest meat, not to process large amounts of grains or heated fats. In nature, dogs eat entire prey animals, including bones, organs, and the contents of the digestive tract. It is precisely that balance that we find back in raw food. Functionally, dogs are omnivores; they also have enzymes to break down starch, which is typical of omnivores. Their diet therefore consists primarily of meat, with the occasional bit of plant-based food.

What is raw food for dogs?

Raw food, also known as fresh meat or KVV (Commercially Prepared Raw Food), consists of raw muscle meat, bones, organs, and vegetables or herbs. It is stored frozen and contains all the natural building blocks that a dog needs. Because it is not heated, enzymes, bacteria, and vitamins are preserved. This is essential for a healthy gut flora and a strong immune system. What is often forgotten, but is an essential component in the food bowl, is the presence of living microorganisms. Exactly as they would be found in the stomach of their prey. You can add these with, for example, green tripe. If you prefer a cleaner alternative, you can use bokashi for this.

Combine with Veendrenk (peat drink) to provide minerals and trace elements. We believe both bokashi and peat drink belong in a dog's standard diet. You can read more about it here in our blog!

Why kibble confuses the body

Unlike raw food, standard kibble usually consists of grain flour, meat waste, and synthetic additives. During production, it is heated to as high as 200 degrees Celsius, which damages proteins and fats. Free radicals are created and much nutritional value is lost. What remains is filler that the body barely recognizes as food.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), kibble is also not ideal. It is energetically hot and sweet, which can lead to overheating of the stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, and eventually even chronic conditions such as diabetes, allergies, and autoimmune problems.

The switch to fresh meat

If you want to switch to fresh meat, it is best to switch your dog over completely at once. In the first week, you can lightly warm the meat with some hot water or in a bain-marie. Always give the food at room temperature, never directly from the refrigerator. Many dogs not only find raw food tastier, but they also feel visibly better on it.

BARF: assembling your own with meat, bone, and vegetables

For those who like to assemble their own meals, the BARF principle offers a lot of freedom. You combine raw muscle meat, meaty bones, organ meat, vegetables, and possibly a small amount of grains.

Essential here is sufficient variety. Think of chicken necks, beef heart, tripe, liver, duck wings, fish, and seasonal vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, or bok choy. Fruit can also be given occasionally, such as apple or melon, always without seeds.

Preferably use organic ingredients. Always wash vegetables and fruit well, or steam them briefly so that the cell walls become easier to digest.

A supplement to the BARF menu is bokashi and peat drink. Peat drink is a natural humus extract, rich in minerals and trace elements, and supports the intestinal wall through the presence of humic and fulvic acids. Bokashi is fermented food that supports digestion through, among other things, the presence of thyme and celery.*

Pay attention to puppies and seniors

For young and older dogs, it is important to warm the meat slightly for the first while. In TCM, it is explained that their spleen energy is often not yet strong enough to process cold food well. Warming it helps to prevent digestive problems.

Healthy guts start with healthy nutrition

What your dog eats determines how he feels. A healthy gut flora is the foundation of a strong immune system, good digestion, and stable energy.

Raw food contributes directly to this, especially if you include bokashi and peat drink in the daily menu. Both support naturally and help your dog get the most out of his nutrition.

*Health claims pending European authorization.