Natural rearing is not a fad. It is instead going back to the way that animals were intended to live. Over thousands of years, Nature designed animals to suit their environments. Each species has their niche. Dogs are a subset of wolves. They are designed as carnivores, though they have the ability to use some fruit and vegetable matter. Dogs have no need for carbohydrates; most of their energy is derived from fats.

For the last hundred years, humans have been making a dry food for dogs, originally out of wasted grain, byproducts of human use. It's convenient, but is it truly the best diet for our companions? Many diseases have become common over the last hundred years that were rarely seen in dogs before. Should a carnivore really be fed a diet that consists of a significant portion of grains? Many people are taking a hard look at how our companions are faring these days and making changes. We are returning to the way that Nature intended our animals to eat. For dogs, this means raw, meaty bones, skeletal and organ meats. A variety of meat sources are used, including beef, chicken, pork, lamb, turkey, duck and fish. Other meats are occasionally available, like bison, elk and beaver.

Some veggies and fruits are used. Veggies (mostly leafy greens) are either put through a food processor or steamed to start breaking down cellulose. A dog's digestive tract is very short and they are not equipped to break it down themselves. You can be creative and add things like dandelion to the mix. In the wild, the vegetable matter a dog would eat generally is small amounts from the stomach and intestines of prey animals. Fruits can be fed directly, as they are easy to break down. Most dogs like bananas, apples and various berries. Some will even eat citrus. Nutmeats are occasionally added, too. Overall, veggies and fruits make up quite a small portion of the diet.

Another facet of natural rearing is allowing the dog to develop a strong immune system on their own. Vaccines are not innocuous and care should be taken to choose a schedule that is best for both you and your dog. Standard vaccine schedules are usually too much for a puppy. Rabies every three years is law in this area but you should check in your own locale.

Also take note of the different chemicals that are used on and around your pet and yourself. Many people automatically use medications on their pets without stopping to assess the risk in their area. Why use flea meds if you don't have a flea problem? Is heartworm a big risk in your area? Care should also be taken around golf courses and other heavily sprayed areas. Remember that your dog is barefoot and walking on these chemicals. Cancer has become a huge concern in many breeds as the increase of a great many chemicals has become more and more common. There are direct links between the use of herbicides and an increase in lymphoma rates. These chemicals are used mostly for our vanity, wanting that beautiful lawn. Isn't our health and the health of our pets more important?

Those that are making changes and feeding dogs the way that their biology demands are seeing wonderful benefits. Naturally fed dogs have cleaner teeth, better coats and usually lack that "doggy" smell. They shed less than dogs fed kibble. They heal faster and generally have stronger immune systems, which translates into fewer illnesses. Many dogs that change from kibble to raw experience better mobility, even those that have been diagnosed as dysplastic.