Nutrient Puzzle Pieces: PMR • Fed To Thrive

NUTRIENTS COMMONLY LOW IN RATIO DIETS

& easy ways to meet them!

Ratio diets (such as 80/10/5/5/), are by far still the most popular approach to raw feeding. It approaches raw feeding in a way that is simple and easy to understand, which is always ideal for us owners! However, most ratio diets are low in the same few nutrients (and high in the same nutrients, too!) . This guide has been created to provide you with some easy ingredient ideas to provide a more complete meal for your dog! If you’d like to skip to just a downloadable graphic, please feel free to scroll to the bottom of the page.

This guide will expand beyond what’s just on the graphic, helping you to determine how much of these nutrients you need to feed your dog every day so you can determine the best way to fill those needs. To get the most out of this post, begin by visiting this link to easily calculate how many calories per day your dog needs- we will use this number several times!: Calorie Calculator for Raw Fed Dogs.

To determine how much of the whole foods listed below you will need to feed your dog, I recommend utilizing the USDA FoodData Central. There, you will type in the ingredient you would like to use, select the most applicable option (ex: canned versus fresh cooked versus fresh raw oysters), and look for the nutrient and the amount in the ingredient per 100 grams.

If you would like for me to analyze your current diet to determine exactly what your dog is missing, please visit my Recipe Analysis page.

NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS LISTED ARE FOR ADULT DOGS ONLY.

To learn about raw feeding puppies, please click above.

SUPPLEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE USED UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN THAT THEY ARE NEEDED & ARE PROPERLY DOSED.

If you have questions about supplementation, please reach out to chelsea@fedtothrive.co.

zinc

What is zinc?

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Zinc is a trace mineral that is a major player in many enzymes, proteins, and hormones. It helps keep cells safe from oxidation; it is key to immune system function; and it is necessary for proper skin and coat health (many raw fed dogs with persistent skin or coat issues should have their zinc addressed before fatty acids/oils are added). Zinc is also important for cells to signal to each other, and for DNA synthesis.

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Can zinc be balanced over time? No. The body does not have a storage mechanism for zinc.

Equation to determine your dog’s daily need:
15/1000 x your dog’s caloric requirement = daily zinc need in milligrams

What are the best whole food sources? Eastern oysters, lean beef, Pacific oysters, and wheat grass.

Need a supplement instead? Consider Solgar Zinc Picolinate, 22mg

NOTE: Northern breeds such as huskies and malamutes, and mix breed containing these breeds in their mix, are at risk for zinc-related deficiency and benefit from additional zinc in their diet. Dogs who eat primarily wild game or consume heart, lungs, and/or spleen frequently may also require additional zinc, as these foods are very high in iron, which inhibits the body's absorption of zinc.

D3

What is D3?

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D3 is a fat-soluble vitamin that is required for proper calcium and phosphorus balance within the body, which means it is necessary for bone health. It's also required for immune system function and to control inflammatory responses. Low vitamin D3 has been linked to many diseases, including cancer.

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Can D3 be balanced over time? Yes, to an extent. This is because D3 is fat-soluble and thus is stored in the body.

Equation to determine your dog’s daily need:
3.4/1000 x your dog’s caloric requirement = daily D3 need in micrograms

What are the best whole food sources? Salmon, mackerel, sardines, pastured eggs, and cod liver oil.

Need a supplement instead? Consider NOW D3 Liquid Drops, 400 IU. Each drop = 100 IU.

NOTE: Mushrooms cannot be used for vitamin D3- they provide vitamin D2 only, which is not used or converted efficiently by the dog. If your dog is allergic to fish-based sources and eggs, the company Nordic Naturals has an option sourced from lichen. Cod liver oil is high in vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids but is also quite high in A, and should only be utilized if you are aware of how much A is in your dog's diet.

MANGANESE

What is manganese?

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Manganese is a trace mineral that several very important functions within the body. It's found in several enzymes; acts as an antioxidant within cell membranes; is needed for wound healing and blood clotting; and is involved with the digestion and absorption of proteins and carbohydrates and is required for gluconeogenesis, which becomes very important in PMR-fed dogs.

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Can manganese be balanced over time? Ideally it will be provided in the full required amount every day. Small amounts are stored within the body.

Equation to determine your dog’s daily need:
1.2/1000 x your dog’s caloric requirement = daily manganese need in milligrams

What are the best whole food sources? Blue shell mussels, green tripe, brown rice, oats, and Pacific oysters.

Need a supplement instead? Consider Thorne Manganese Bisglycinate, 15mg.

NOTE: Gluconeogenesis is a metabolic pathway wherein non-carbohydrate sources are synthesized by the liver into the simple sugar glucose, which is a required energy source for dogs, especially for brain cells, nerve cells, red blood cells, and fetal cells. Carbohydrates are the greatest and easiest source of glucose. In most PMR diets, little to no carbohydrates are fed. When no "quick" glucose is available for energy and/or blood glucose is low, the liver will break down amino acids into glucose. Ideally, we want these amino acids to be utilized for their other purposes: the formation and replacement of new bodily tissues and cells; the production of enzymes and hormones; the synthesizing of antibodies for immune function; etc.

Vitamin e compounds

What is vitamin E?

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Vitamin E is actually a series of 8 compounds: 4 tocopherols, and 4 tocotrienols. While only one of these, alpha-tocopherol, is required, it's best to provide as many forms as ppossible so that your dog can benefit from their different functions. As a dog's omega fatty acids increase (omega-3s, 6s, and 9s), his need for vitamin E increases. Low antioxidant status is linked to more rapid aging and lower immune system function. Senior, performance, and sick dogs can benefit from increased antioxidants in their diet.

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Can vitamin E be balanced over time? Yes, to an extent. This is because E is fat-soluble and thus is stored in the body.

Equation to determine your dog’s daily need:
7.5/1000 x your dog’s caloric requirement = daily alpha-tocopherol requirement in milligrams.

What are the best whole food sources? Vitamin E is best provided through a naturally-derived supplement. This is because the whole foods that have E- nuts, wheat germ oil, etc.- have E because that item is also high in fatty acids, which will increase the requirement even more.

Supplement: Consider Solgar Mixed Tocopherol Vitamin E 100 IU, or Mercola Tocopherol and Tocotrienol, 200 IU.

NOTE: Vitamin E supplements that are naturally-derived will utilize "d-alpha-tocopherol". The synthetic form of vitamin E is dL-alpha-tocopherol, and should not be used.

Iodine

What is iodine?

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Iodine is a trace mineral that is required by the body to create the T3 and T4 thyroid hormones. These horomones play a role in oxygen uptake by the body's cells and are required for normal growth, including the development of the bones and the brain.

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Can iodine be balanced over time? No. It should be provided every day.

Equation to determine your dog’s daily need:
220/1000 x your dog’s caloric requirement = daily iodine requirement in micograms.

What are the best whole food sources? Kelp, fish, shellfish, and iodized salt.

Supplement: Consider NOW Organic Kelp Powder, 450 mcg/scoop for large dogs or NOW Kelp tablets, 150 mcg/tablet for small to medium dogs. If your dog is intolerant to kelp and cannot have seafood, liquid iodine supplements are also available.

Chloride

What is chloride?

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Chloride is an electrolyte that has several functions within the body. It maintains the body's blood volume; maintains fluid homeostasis (balance) in cells; maintains the body's pH; is required for hydrochloric acid for digestion in the stomach; and works with potassium and sodium to transport impulses for the nervous system.

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Can chloride be balanced over time? No. It should be provided every day.

Equation to determine your dog’s daily need:
300/1000 x your dog’s caloric requirement = daily chloride requirement in milligrams.

What are the best whole food sources? Himalayan salt, table salt, and seaweed.

Supplement: No specific, non-food supplement should be needed.