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    Kama Loves Agility

    How to Enhance Canine Performance with Nutrition #InstinctRaw

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    This post is a sponsored postNVinstinct

     

    In order to achieve optimal performance, the canine athlete has specific nutritional needs.  The best foods for the canine athlete to achieve peak performance have the following qualities:  raw, grain free, natural, high protein, high quality, real meat, and nutrient dense.  Seems like a lot, but it is possible.

    Did you know dogs have more endurance-related muscle fibers?  Did you know that because of the higher number of mitochondria in their muscles, dogs burn fat as their primary endurance fuel and carbohydrates are not very important for them?  According to Dr. Joseph Wakshlag (a professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine who published Nutrition for Working and Service Dogs), “Fat is the fuel for performance dogs”.

     

    Unlike us humans, who need carbohydrates in order to enhance our athletic performance, dogs need fat and protein.  Fat works as an energy supply and protein is necessary to build and maintain muscle.

     

    Did you know, that in one study, dogs fed plant-based soy protein experienced far more musculoskeletal injuries than dogs consuming meat protein?

     
    Studies such as these are why I believe in grain-free foods.  This research shows that foods high in protein and containing real meat as a primary ingredient are the best option to fuel my canine athlete.

     

    How to enhance the performance of a canine athlete. #InstinctRaw

     

    What are the benefits of choosing Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw food?  Each package of Nature’s Variety Raw Instinct is a single meat source.  This is incredibly beneficial for those of us who have pets with allergies or certain meat sensitivities.  Instinct Raw also contains montmorillonite clay, which is unique to this brand.  For anyone who has ever had a dog with a sensitive digestive tract, this is important for you.  Montmorillonite clay, when added to the diet, helps immensely with intestinal upset.  So, instead of reaching for stomach medication when my dogs’ are having a bad day, I just rotate in Instinct Raw.  Typically within 24 hours their stool has improved, and we can go back to our normal feeding (and training) routine.  If you’re new to raw, Nature’s Variety has a helpful resource on their website:  Welcome to Raw.

     

    As I mentioned earlier, studies have shown that dogs fed plant-based soy protein diets experienced far more musculoskeletal injuries than dogs consuming meat protein.  That is another reason to feed Instinct Raw…their food is packed with animal protein!  The Instinct Raw diets are made of 95% meat, organs and bones, 5% fruits and vegetables and 0% grain.

     

    But what about safety?  Instinct Raw Bites can be fed straight from your freezer!  You don’t need to thaw them or handle them before feeding.  Just scoop and serve.  The main source of contamination in the raw diets is from improper storage or handling of the raw food.  So, if you make sure to wash your hands after handling the raw, and clean any dishes used for feeding, your health (and your pets’ health) is not at risk.  Nature’s Variety also puts all of their raw diets through high pressure processing as part of their strict quality controls.  You can learn more about their processing here.

     

    If you want to try Instinct Raw, you can sign up for a $3 off coupon on the Nature’s Variety website.  The trial size of raw is only $3.99 in stores, so it will only cost you $0.99 (plus tax) to give it a try!

     

    I would be glad to answer any questions you may have regarding how I feed my dogs in the comments below.  If you need more information on Nature’s Variety visit their website here,call their Customer Service team at 1-888-519-7387, or email Nature’s Variety.  They are super nice, and happy to answer any questions.

     

    Connect with Nature’s Variety on social media:

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    Find a store that caries Instinct Raw near you today!

     

     
             

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    Comments

    3. Diane Stamp

      Hi Kama, would you start a puppy off with the raw diet? I’ve been going back and forth about feeding it to Lady and Ruger and I believe I am ready, but was wondering about a puppy being fed the raw diet.

      Thanks – Diane

      Reply

      • Kama ♥'s Agility

        Hey Diane,
        I actually typically start my puppy off with the raw diet. I do not, however, believe in making my own raw food. Instead, I research commercial raw diets and decide on those that I feel are best. I put my puppy on raw shortly after bringing him home, then transition to whatever kibble I would like to feed regularly. I still rotate in raw and freeze dried once he is transitioned to my kibble, but I have found starting with raw makes the transition from the food he came on to what I want to feed quicker and “cleaner”. The Nature’s Variety raw also does WONDERS for an upset tummy, so I HIGHLY recommend it. Let me know if you have any other questions!

        Reply

      • Kama ♥'s Agility

        It depends on the dog and the situation. Polly Pocket was on raw for a long time, because it was an easy way to control her protein and fat content in her diet. She is now on freeze dried (pretty similar to raw, just less mess). My other dogs get raw as an entire meal about once a week. Of course, I also start my puppies on raw, and I bring raw back full-time for anyone experiencing an upset tummy issues. Raw full-time for my BIG crew would be a lot to sustain financially, so I follow more of a rotational diet with grain-free kibble as a main course. Let me know if that helps or if you have any other questions!

        Reply

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