Reddit reviews Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs, Revised Edition: The Definitive Guide to Homemade Meals

I know very little about this guy, but the products look decent, TBH. Freeze dried is up there with raw for quality food, BUT... for a dog who already has kidney issues and is drinking excessively already, this is not a wise pick, unless you add water, which, at that point, defeats the purpose of purchasing this particular food. Raw would also, without a doubt, but much cheaper, not to mention better for your dog. Please see this excellent series on CRF in dogs, starting with the chapter: "A Diet Void of Water for CKF Patients Goes Against Every Principle In The Book."

For some extra guidance on raw feeding for dogs with your particular health issue, both Dr. Jean Dodds has a book called Canine Nutrigenomics (pp. 174-177), and Dr. Lew Olson's Raw and Natural Nutrition (ch. 25). Please also be aware that there's annoyingly regular mention of the things they're selling in these books; Dr. Dodd's has her Nutregenomic's testing, and Dr. Olson is selling supplements. Still, the info and guidance is good, just look past the sales.

If you're totally new to raw feeding, here's a huge list of resources (FB groups, books, etc.) with a LOT of info that should definitely be looked over. That site, Primal Pooch, also has an excellent raw food transition article, and PerfectlyRawsome.com provides terrific guidance for just about every meat and organ available, and what shouldn't be fed. The Raw Feeding Community, probably the biggest raw feeding group on FB, also has a great site. RFC also has a page on CRF, particularly as pertains to the myth that too much protein is bad for dogs with this condition (it's not true).

https://www.amazon.ca/Raw-Natural-Nutrition-Dogs-Revised/dp/158394947X

This is my favorite :)

https://www.amazon.com/Raw-Natural-Nutrition-Dogs-Revised/dp/158394947X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494514938&sr=8-1&keywords=raw+and+natural+nutrition+for+dogs+lew+olson

Extensively sourced and footnoted, basically has all the information you need.

Honestly, a lot of the popular foods you find in the stores and not really that good for your poochie. Our rotties are eating Fromm Salmon ala Veg because it contains Taurine. Stay away from peas, lentils, and other legumes or potatoes because it blocks Taurine absorption which can lead to a canine heart disease, known as dilated cardiomyopath (DCM). High levels of legumes or potatoes appear to be more common in diets labeled as “grain free". Here's the link to an FDA warning.

My wife has worked for a vet for 20 years and has spent a ton of time researching which food is best and right now that seems to be the Fromm. We're considering going to a raw diet soon because they love it and we can control exactly what they're eating. We want our babies to stay around for a long time and we've spoken to several breaders and owners to see what they're feeding them and many swear by the raw diet. We've had rotties for 20 years but have never had one make it to 10 years but some of our friends have had several that have made it to 13 & 14. A lot of the people we've talked to swear by the raw diet.

My wife knows the author of Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs, Lew Olson. You might be interested in getting this book and taking a look. Good luck.