Leading RAW

A natural, raw food diet for your dog at any age.

Leading RAW is a raw foods canine diet developed by Guide Dogs Queensland in partnership with Big Dog Australia in Lawnton, Queensland.

Leading RAW recipes contain:

fresh meat trimmings (beef, lamb, chicken); ground bones and cartilage (beef, lamb, chicken); heart (beef, lamb); kidneys (beef, lamb); liver (beef, lamb); beef fat and fresh seasonal green vegetables.
no fillers
no preservatives
no artificial additives
no chemicals
no artificial colours

Health benefits of a natural raw diet

improved skin and coat condition
healthy teeth and gums
improved digestive function
improved urinary function
rigorous immune system
reduced stool volume
orthopedic soundness
reduced body/breath odour
increased resilience to parasites

In early 2010, following 6 years of feeding trials using BARF, Guide Dogs Queensland (GDQ) decided to eliminate a diet based on carbohydrates (kibble) and in consultation with a companion animal scientist and food t echnologist, developed the concept of Leading RAW - a minced, all-in-one, pre-packaged RAW BARF food diet available in a recipe to suit dogs of any age.

In terms of benefits to date, GDQ has seen dogs with chronic skin conditions return to normal health.
Vet consultations have decreased as dogs with skin complaints no longer need veterinary support.

Not only has GDQ seen a reduction in the development of skin allergies, but they are witnessing
A compact stool of reduced volume and odour
Predictable elimination patterns in training dogs.
Improvement in orthopedic assessments for which data is being collected for publication.
Healthy, well-muscled robust pups and dogs.
Robust, relaxed pups weaned directly on to raw foods, and considerably reduced hyperactivity.
Some dogs/breeds known to be fussy eaters on kibble, eat well on raw.
A climbing conception rate on the breeding programme.
Exceptional semen quality in stud dogs
Improvement in 7-week ophthalmic puppy exams.
Contrary to some people's belief about raw food, there has been no increase in resource guarding or defensive behaviour relating to food. The colony is relaxed and calm. The dogs do not anticipate a raw meal any more intensely than they would a kibble meal.

Guide Dogs Queensland is now collecting data on the above trends for analysis and publication.

Leading RAW is available in four recipes.

Growth - puppies under 12 months
Maintenance - adult dogs over 12 months
Energy - performance and lactating dogs
Senior - adult dogs over 7 years

Basic facts to consider in dog nutrition

A dog's food should never be cooked. It should be fed in a raw natural state. Cooking a dog's food ruins most of its nutritional value.
The main ingredient of commercial dog good is grain by-product, despite the fact dogs are designed to eat a raw diet from a range of prey species. Grains cause a range of problems such as allergies.
Commercial dog foods are often laden with preservatives, colours (dyes) and salt. The additives made the food more palatable so dogs will overeat. Dogs also appear to enjoy kibble so the owner feels good about feeding it and continue buying the product.
The vast majority of commercial dog foods contain too many carbohydrates (grain). High levels are linked to overeating, diabetes, weight gain and numerous other complaints.
There is no substitute for a RAW, natural diet for which the dog through evolution has chosen for itself. Only human influence has removed choice for the dog and isolate the species from its evolutionary diet. The domestic dog's anatomy has not evolved to differ from that of the wolf...only its habitat has changed.

Questions and answers on a RAW food diet

I didn't think responsible people fed dogs raw foods?

Top breeders, caring owners and well educated vets are getting back to basics.
There is undeniable proof that commercial dog diets have caused damage to dog health internationally. While many people know it's common sense to feed a natural diet to their dogs, a major re-education campaign is now underway to help people "discover" again the fabulous benefits of feeding their dogs a RAW natural diet.

I thought dogs were omnivores?

Dogs are carnivores, as classified by the Smithsonian Institute, based on their dentition, digestive tract and their natural instinct to eat a pre-model diet. when dogs are referred to as omnivores it is usually by those who are marketing commercial grain-based foods, or business owners and vets who are benefiting financially from the sale of commercial grain-based foods.

What is best for a dog's digestive system?

A RAW food diet. A dog's digestive system does not cope with grains, yet they are the major ingredient of many dog food products around the world. Grains are one of the biggest allergy sources in dogs. Many people find that when they switch to a RAW food diet, their dog's allergies disappear.

Are you saying commercial grain-based kibbles ar enot good for my dog's health?

There are many reasons why a kibble diet should be avoided. The number one factor being that kibble pet foods are cooked. No one has ever reported seeing wild animals routinely barbecuing their meals! Raising the temperature of food above 47 degrees Celcius destroys all the naturally occurring enzymes and many of the nutrients.
There is no evidence that dogs require carbohydrates in their diet, yet this makes up most commercial pet foods. Most commercial dog foods contain more than 50% grain. Dogs should be fed a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates - as nature intended.

I have been told by my vet that a raw food diet is not good for my dog?

Vets generally focus very little on dog nutrition at university. In fact, in some universities, dog food companies present information on dog nutrition as part of the curriculum which means many vets are educated about a dog's diet by commercial dog food representatives.

Vets make money from retailing dog foods.
Vets are not realising there are significantly better alternatives to grain-based dog food.

What are the benefits of feeding a raw food diet?

You control what you pet eats. Feeding your pet is not rocket science as pet food companies would have you believe.
A healthier animal resulting in fewer veterinary bills.
Your pet will eat what it anatomically designed to eat - dentition design, oesophageal action, digestive tract and elimination. None of these aspects of canine anatomy supports digestion of grain-based commercial kibbles.
Balanced energy: hyper animals become calmer, lethargic ones become energetic.
Naturally clean teeth - no need for toothbrushes, de-scaling jobs, or gum disease.
Smaller, nearly odourless stools which disintegrate quickly.
Puppies develop at a more appropriate rate - and quick growth spurts are avoided.
Reduced chemical exposure (found in commercial foods)
No "doggy" odour and fresh smelling breath
Often, reversal of behaviour and physical ailments
Elimination of bloat
Less expensive feeding costs.

What about Salmonella?

Bacteria are everywhere. We all live with a tremendous amount of bacteria and dogs are especially adapted to be able to handle ingesting bacteria. Remember how dogs greet each other and clean themselves...

Yes, salmonella is found on chicken, but it is also on vegetables, on your counters, your floors, in your back yard, at the park and everywhere else inbetween. Handle these foods as you would you own stir-fry chicken. Wash your hands. Clean your counters and benchtop and be aware. Common sense and proper food handling is always advised. Human digestive tracts are not as robust as our dogs so sensible hygiene is required.

I don't think I have enough reason to change my dog over to RAW foods?

The National Animal Control Association (USA) has estimated that animal shelters kill over 13 million household pets a year. Of this total 30% are buried, 30% are cremated and the remaining 40% - about 5 million pets - are shipped to rendering factories to be recycled and used in commercial pet food.

Source: Food Pets Die For by Ann Martin.