GUIDELINES
For Raising a Healthy Cane Corso
It is your responsibility to raise your dog in the best and healthiest way possible.
If your dog gets biologically appropriate raw foods, they are less likely to have a nutritional health problem. In fact, your dogs will likely have more energy and improved health on their raw diet! The dog, Canis familiaris, is a direct descendant of the gray wolf, Canis lupus. In other words, dogs as we know them are domesticated wolves. Not only has their behavior changed; domestic dogs are also different in form from wolves, mainly smaller and with shorter muzzles and smaller teeth. Wolves and dogs share 99.9% of their DNA.
Technically, they are still the same species and can also produce healthy offspring. But, having said that, there’s no denying the physical difference between wolves and dog breeds such as Chihuahuas and Dachshunds – they are carnivores!
You may hear people or even vets warning you about salmonella and other things, making you scared to feed raw. Let me put things right in your head with facts! Dogs’ stomach acidity is strong enough to kill pathogens in raw flesh. No bacteria can survive in that acidic environment! Food poisoning is caused by toxins produced by the bacteria, not the actual bacteria itself. Even dry dog foods/kibbles have been reported to cause cases of salmonellosis! To avoid food poisoning, you must feed meat from a trusted supplier and always feed it fresh (also deep freeze it fresh then feed it after defrosting). Vets recommend dog food processed food instead of their scientifically proven diet needs because many veterinary clinics are profit-oriented businesses. Big dog food brands sponsor a lot of veterinary universities and scientific research, similar to the Big Pharma in human medicine. Dogs are carnivores, and while some people believe adding veggies and fruits to their diet is beneficial, it’s not necessary as carnivores get their energy and nutrients by eating herbivores, omnivores, and other carnivores.
I am not a real fan of vegetables, but as a snack, it’s okay to give them, although not necessary, as carnivores get their energy and nutrients by eating herbivores, omnivores, and other carnivores. The animals that eat secondary consumers, like owls that eat rodents, are known as tertiary consumers.
Carnivores that have no natural predators are known as apex predators; they occupy the top of the food chain. Carnivores, by definition, are animals that primarily eat other animals. They do not need to eat plants to get their nutrients, as they obtain the necessary nutrients from their animal-based diet. Carnivorous animals have evolved to be able to efficiently extract the necessary nutrients from their animal-based diet. They have a high protein and fat requirement and a lower carbohydrate requirement, which is more efficiently found in the animal-based diet. However, some carnivores do consume small amounts of plant material, either accidentally or intentionally, as a source of fiber or other non-essential nutrients. For example, some big cats such as lions and tigers have been observed eating fruits and grasses, which may help them digest their food more easily. It’s worth noting that some carnivores can survive on a diet that lacks certain nutrients, like vitamin A and C, for example, by obtaining it through other ways, such as by eating the liver or other organs of their prey.
In summary, carnivores do not need to eat plants to get their nutrients, but they may consume small amounts of plant material as a source of fiber or other non-essential nutrients. Vegetables rich in fibers may only make a ballast in stool; however, most vegetables edible for them won’t harm them, but they don’t contain what a dog needs for a nutritious and balanced diet.
If you are about to change your dog’s diet from kibbles to raw, you will see four things in a few weeks of time:
1. 60% less amount of stool than before.
2. The dog will be much more energized and happier.
3. Their appearance and structure will change along with a sparkling shiny coat.
4. No or very small amount of tartar building up on their teeth.
Approximate biological balance is achieved as long as meat alone is not the principal dietary component.
That job must be left to the raw meaty bones (RMBs). When a young and growing dog eats RMBs, if the bone to meat ratio of those RMBs is around 1:1, then the balance of calcium to phosphorus is appropriate for bone mineralization and formation.
For large breeds, the protein (phosphorus) needed is 28-30% of the whole meal. The rest is flat bones, cartilages, skin (fat), and a very small amount of intestines (such as liver, kidney, lungs).
Side note: Liver contains a high level of Vitamin A, so be careful with the amount of liver, as this type of vitamin can have similar effects if overloaded when there is a lack of it! 2-3 times a week is enough to give them liver as part (5-10%) of their whole meal.
My puppies’ current food, that they are used to, is poultry (most likely chicken as it has the most flat type bones, which are the easiest for them to digest!).
“The parts that can be fed are:
• Chicken neck
• Chicken back
• Chicken breastbone (actually the best for young puppies as it has the right ratio of flesh, bones, and cartilage) I recommend these foods minced to avoid choking.
Eggs: 1 raw egg every 3 days.
The amount: A pup needs 4-5% of their body weight per day in 3 portions until the age of 4 months.
After that, 2 portions are sufficient until they are fully grown with a stable skeleton.
From 12 months onwards, the amount can be reduced to 2 times a day, with 3% per body weight per day. Please note that some dogs, as adults, are absolutely fine being fed once a day because most of them will be picky and will not eat their food as they should when they don’t feel hungry anymore.
This can lead to a loss of motivation and appetite. For working dogs, it’s okay for them to feel a bit hungry all the time as it makes them more alert and stimulates their prey drive!”
Example Amount: A puppy needs between 4-5% of its body weight per day.
Let’s say a pup weighs 10 kgs/22 lbs at 10 weeks, which is the average weight (usually they weigh as many kilos/lbs as many weeks up to about half a year old, see body weight chart).
A puppy weighing 10 kgs/22 lbs needs between 400-500 grams / 0.88-1.1 lbs of food per day, divided into 3 portions, meaning that breakfast should be 150g / 5 ounces, lunch 150g, and dinner 150g. A 20 kg / 44 lbs pup eats 800-1000 g / 1.7-2.2 lbs a day, and so on.
Supplement: Nothing is needed except chondroitin and glucosamine, which you may like to add on top, as the raw diet provides enough sources of calcium and vitamins. Natural glucosamine can be made by boiling cow leg bones or chicken feet until you get an aspic. That jelly can be given daily (excluding the bones) as it helps to maintain healthy joints and strong tendons.
DON’T feed dogs cooked bones, especially the long tube-type bones (chicken drums or cow leg, etc.), as these bones not only break into sharp edges and can actually puncture the guts but by cooking, you make the bone hard like a stone or glass!
I do not recommend any treats unless they are 100% natural, as they can cause allergies if they contain preservatives, soy, grain flavorings, etc.
If your dog won’t eat its meal like it is at a race, it means one thing: it is likely overfed. Especially for a dog that is still developing, leaving the food or not eating it completely, like a hungry wolf, could mean two things: either the food is too much or the dog is sick (but that will show other signs too). So measure again and give the appropriate amount of food!
Special Diet in case of diarrhea: Puppies and dogs sometimes can have runny poos, and you don't necessarily need to think of anything serious. Sometimes the food they ate was too rich or they ate too much, or they picked up something from the kitchen floor they shouldn't have. Sometimes they just catch a bug or parasites (that can be transmitted even on your shoes or during dog walking, etc.).
These things can be treated easily. Just stop feeding for half a day to reduce the workload on the digestive system. Once you give food, try to give foods that also lower the stomach acidity level when dealing with an error. Boiled rice with a teaspoon of salt can help in this situation.
By adding a small amount of salt to the water you cook the rice in (the consistency should be like a watery pudding), you can help replenish lost electrolytes, promote better water absorption, and prevent dehydration until you see their stool returning to normal.
Parasites are often the root cause of diarrhea. If the pups produce poop that is a bit jelly-like and has some drops of blood at the end, it is most likely due to parasites, most commonly Giardia, which is very common. The good news is that you can get rid of it with antibiotics such as Metronidazole or fenbendazole (most dewormers contain it). Please see a Vet for exact treatments, more advice, and prescriptions.
VERY IMPORTANT: Start giving PROBIOTICS with every meal from the first time you notice runny poo or start antibiotics.
It is crucial to replace the "good bacteria" in the guts to help the recovery as fast as possible. "Important Note: Large-breed puppies have delicate joints, and creating the right environmental conditions lies in the hands of the owner. It is crucial to avoid excessive physical activity, as they have similar physical demands as a 2-year-old child and can easily tire out.
Adequate playtime in the backyard and spontaneous running for their own pleasure is sufficient. Ensuring proper ground conditions is of utmost importance, as slippery and hard surfaces can affect their orthopedic development.
If you have the opportunity and inclination, swimming is an excellent option for additional exercise. In water, the properties of buoyancy can have a positive impact on early prevention, post-surgery therapy, or addressing existing issues, as the weightlessness in water allows the dog to build muscle without unnecessary stress on their joints."
