AWARD WINNING RAW DOG FOOD & DOG SUPPLEMENTS
One of the most important aspects of caring for a dog is ensuring the food you provide is nutritious and delicious. Choosing the best food for your Dalmatian can seem complex. So many types of dog food are available, so how do you know the best diet to feed your Dalmatian for health and longevity?
In this guide, we'll take you through all you need to know about the best food to help your Dalmatian thrive:
The Dalmatian is probably one of the best-known dog breeds, mainly due to the distinctive white coat and black spotted markings. It’s unknown where this breed came from and exactly when. Recordings about this breed go back several hundreds of years. They are known to have travelled with the nomadic bands of Romanies, obtaining their name from Dalmatia, a province on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea (now known as Croatia).
Dalmatians are super high-energy dogs. They were employed in many different jobs over the centuries. In England, Dalmatians were trained as ‘coaching dogs’. They were used to run ahead of coach horses to clear the path or to run alongside the coach. They guarded the horses and coach when at rest.
As a result, this breed thrives on a lot of exercise; they are the perfect dog for active families. Fun, exuberant, playful, loving and natural guardians are all qualities that make these dogs such a popular choice for a family dog. The correct nutrition is essential in order to fuel these wonderful traits and help Dalmatians truly thrive.
The best dog food for your Dalmatian is raw food, ideally a low purine dog food option. Not only will a natural, whole food diet help to keep your dog healthy and happy, but it can also prevent a range of common health conditions such as obesity, joint, dental and digestive issues, and common allergy symptoms such as excessive itching and skin complaints. [1]
When deciding the best food for a dog, it’s essential to consider the canine anatomy and digestive system. Dogs’ digestive tracts have not significantly evolved from when they were undomesticated wolves and are best suited to fresh, high-protein-based diets consisting predominantly of meat, bones and offal. We call this ‘species-appropriate nutrition’, which a natural, raw diet seeks to replicate.
However, Dalmatians differ from other breeds when it comes to food, as such, offal is not Dalmatian friendly. This breed’s genetic disposition alters how they metabolise and pass purines. Purine is a chemical compound found in some foods. In humans, too much purine can lead to gout; Dalmatians on the other hand, can develop urate stones and kidney problems.
It’s a common myth that Dalmatians need a low-protein diet; this simply isn’t true. This assumption seems to arise from people confusing the fact that high purine is found in a number of different protein sources. The key is to choose low-purine proteins, which are also offal free.
The best diet for Dalmatians is balanced and appropriate for their life stage and energy needs whilst taking into account their unique genetic requirements. This typically includes a combination of high-quality protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fibre from vegetables and berries.
A dog’s stomach is not anatomically designed to digest and ferment carbohydrates (the main ingredient in kibble). Even grain-free kibble often contains high levels of starchy carbs, including rice, potato, legumes, & lentils. Feeding a dog kibble puts their digestive system under pressure, spikes insulin, glucagon and cortisol throughout the day, which taxes the pancreas.
These inappropriate ingredients, coupled with the intense heat processing used to manufacture kibble, denatures the nutrients leading to something called advanced glycation end-products. AGEs can cause inflammation and put strain on many vital organs, leading, in some cases, to a host of serious health conditions. [2]
There’s no doubt the canine species is resilient. Despite eating a diet which doesn’t provide the natural components they may need, as a scavenger, they will adapt and survive for some time. Still, there’s a world of difference between surviving and thriving.
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What exactly should the diet of a Dalmatian consist of for optimal health?
1. Protein from quality meat sources
2. Essential Fatty acids and omegas
3. Small amounts of carbohydrates from vegetables/herbs/ berries
4. Natural vitamins and minerals from bone and plant sources
5. Hydration – high moisture foods and drinking water
When selecting what to feed your Dalmatian, choose a diet with high-quality animal-based protein sources, such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, duck, eggs, and fish.
Protein is the most critical nutrient in your Dalmatian ‘s diet; it is an essential nutrient that contributes to the optimal efficiency of all body cells, systems and functions. As such, protein impacts canine health in many ways, including:
Fat is the second most important nutrient in a dog’s diet. Properly balanced fats are essential for optimal health, and also provide energy. Dietary fat we generally refer to as a triglyceride. There are two types of triglyceride, saturated and unsaturated fat. Both are important in a dog’s diet, but getting the balance right is key.
Saturated fats come from animal sources, improve the taste and texture of your dog’s food, and aid in the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
Essential fatty acids are unsaturated fats such as Omega-3, (EHA , DHA and ALA), Omega-6+9, (LA + AA) are vital for the development, structure, and function of the body’s cells. In balance, they promote a healthy coat, skin, eyes, nervous system, control hormones, fuel brain and learning, and reduce inflammation.
Discover more about healthy fats and oils for dogs.
Though not considered an essential nutrient for dogs, a small amount of carbohydrates from plant-based sources serve important functions in a dog’s body. Carbohydrates, such as vegetables and some fruits, provide fibre, prebiotics (food for beneficial bacteria), and antioxidants that are lacking in meat alone.
Dogs are carnivores, but they can benefit from some vegetation in their diets for optimal health.
A raw food diet aims to replicate what dogs evolved to eat in the wild. As such, meat, bone, offal and a small amount of plant ingredients are all important ingredients in the diet of a Dalmatian, each adding highly beneficial vitamins and minerals to meal times.
Incorporating ground bone in meals or providing recreational bones for enrichment add nutrients that will support digestion, skin and bone health, and mobility. Offal is known as a natural multivitamin for dogs due to the density of macronutrients (fat, carbs and protein) and micro-nutrients (vitamins and minerals), whilst veggies and some fruits offer a diversity of phytonutrients and other compounds that nourish the body’s cells, thereby supporting optimal health of the body’s vital systems and functions.
Water is essential for the proper functioning of a dog’s physiology. In fact, a dog’s body is made up of approximately 70% water. As such, water is a vital nutrient for all cells, systems and functions, including:
A raw diet contains, on average, 70% moisture/ water, which helps to keep your Dalmatian properly hydrated.
Discover more about a raw food diet for dogs in our complete.
With a few acceptions, these foods are generally considered safe for Dalamatians:
View ListAcceptable in diets for Dalmatians. If possible, all protein sources should come from this list:
View ListFoods on this list are to be avoided; they contain the highest levels of purines:
View ListWhilst you could create homemade raw food meals for your Dalmatian, dog owners new to raw feeding can often find making their own raw dog food meals complicated. Formulating meals with the appropriate ratios of key ingredients is essential to ensure your dog receives optimal nutrients, so going it alone can seem daunting.
The good news is there is a much simpler approach. By choosing a reputable supplier of pre-prepared raw dog food supplier, you can stock your freezer with quality raw food meals at the click of a button. By choosing FEDIAF* approved recipes, such as ProDog’s Complete range, without offal, you can rest assured that your dog is receiving nutritionally balanced meals daily.
*FEDIAF is the agency that sets nutritional standards for pet food across Europe.
If you choose to buy from our Complete food range for your Dalmatian, we offer offal-free meals.
Our offal-free bundle is highly popular with Dalmatian customers
Whether you choose ProDog Raw’s no-fuss, no-nonsense, ready-prepared raw dog food or decide to create your own DIY raw food recipes at home, you can be sure to move to a natural species-appropriate diet will fuel the well-being of your dog regardless of breed.
We’ll even help you work out how much to feed your Dalmatian.
| Breed | Feed Amount Per Day | AVG Price Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Dalmatian 22KG - 25KG |
440g - 500g | £1.89 - £2.15 |
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Perhaps you’d like to discuss your dog’s unique needs, explore the best bundle option for your Dalmatian or find the best value raw dog food bundle. Either way, the team are on hand to help.
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Maintaining an appropriate healthy weight is essential for your dog, regardless of breed. A diet that consists of biologically appropriate ingredients will naturally help a dog shed excess pounds or gain healthy weight.
Expertly balanced ratios of quality protein, healthy fats, ground bone and vegetables packed with vitamins and minerals are essential for optimum health and performance, but, as with any change in diet, it is essential to pay specific attention to your dog’s weight and physical appearance as they adapt to their diet.
How much you feed your dog every day depends on several factors, including:
Ensuring the correct ratios of ingredients when creating your raw feeding recipes is essential. If you choose to include the offal-free option from ProDog’s Economy Core, lower cost range and throw in additional ingredients, or opt for our offal free Complete Formula meals for ease, you can check the correct feeding quantities using our raw food calculator.
Meanwhile, assessing weight regularly could help you support the ideal weight for your Dalmatian.
Meanwhile, assessing weight regularly could help you support the ideal weight for your Dalmatian.
A diet made from species-appropriate ingredients is undoubtedly the best Dalmatian food and fuel for overall health and happiness. You’ll notice remarkably quickly once you switch to raw dog food that your four-legged friend will look, feel and even smell better.
When we say smell better, we’re talking about the odour your dog emits from both ends.
Firstly, let’s talk about toilet habits. Your dog’s toilet habits and flatulence levels are something to pay close attention to; they’re a great indicator of gut health and the effectiveness of their digestive system. A raw diet is much easier to ingest and digest, precisely what the dog’s digestive system is designed to process. Therefore, less rubbish in, less rubbish out!
You’ll notice a reduction in flatulence and the amount of waste excreted. Simply put, when feeding a good quality raw diet, the food has a higher nutritional content, so the body absorbs and utilises almost all of it.
Meanwhile, focusing on the other end of a dog’s anatomy. The two most common causes of bad breath in dogs are poor digestion and gum/ teeth decay. Feeding a raw food diet helps with both. As discussed, digestion is greatly improved by introducing a natural species-appropriate diet. Mouth and dental health are improved through a reduction in processed sugars and through the introduction of raw meaty bones, which help to keep teeth clean.
What happens on the inside shows on the outside. When gut health is poor, digestion ineffective, and stress and strain are placed on organs and systems of the body, there’s always an impact on your dog’s outward appearance.
Raw feeding is proven to improve skin and coat condition by reducing irritation, itchy, flaky skin, and hair loss while supporting increased shine of fur, all beautiful side-effects of a raw natural diet.
Your Dalmatian will be the envy of the neighbourhood in no time when switching to a raw dog food diet.
Our mission at ProDog Raw is to help as many dogs as possible thrive. The signs of a dog thriving will be plain to see by you as their human companion. Increased vitality, reduced anxiety, reduced bad behaviour, improved mobility, increased agility and a whole heap more doggo smiles and tail wagging.
Switching to a natural, good-quality raw food diet will be the best thing you can do for your Dalmatian’s well-being. Whether you DIY recipes at home or make life simpler by choosing one of ProDog’s food bundles, there is no disputing dog nutritional science; dogs’ are designed to predominantly eat meat and bone, with a little vegetation from time to time. So why use supplements?
Dietary supplementation will take your Dalmatians nutrition to the next level. Offal provides many vitamins and minerals, which unfortunately, due to purines, are not suitable for Dalmatians. By adding tailored supplements for extra nutraceutical and preventative support, Dalmatians can thrive on a raw diet. Supplements selected for related health conditions, or for your Dalmatian’s individual needs at any life stage, will complement any dog food—added support which will bolster, fuel and nourish your faithful friend and fine-tune their nutritional intake.
Although there are certain health conditions more prevalent in particular breeds, it doesn’t mean your dog will get all or any. It’s also important to acknowledge that the right diet, providing all essential vitamins and minerals, will go a long way to mitigating and minimising the severity of some breed-related conditions. [3]
The key is to select natural, whole food supplements with no chemicals, synthetics or non-species appropriate ingredients, such as ProDog’s range of natural nutritional supplements, perfect to bridge any nutritional gap!
All ProDog all-natural supplements are designed as meal-toppers for the most convenient way to enhance the nutrient density of your dog’s food, and give you peace of mind that all health and happiness bases are covered.
Not sure which raw dog food or supplement ranges would be best for your Dalmatian?
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Johanna Anturaniemi, Sara Zaldívar-López, Huub F. J. Savelkoul, Kari Elo, Anna Hielm-Björkman( 2020) The Effect of Atopic Dermatitis and Diet on the Skin Transcriptome in Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.552251
Ramasay R, Vannucci J, Yan D, Herold K, Yan F, Schmidt AM (2005) Advanced glycation end products and RAGE: a common thread in aging, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and inflammation. Glycobiology. 15:16-28R. DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwi053
Johanna Anturaniemi, Liisa Uusitalo, Anna Hielm-Björkman (2017). Environmental and phenotype-related risk factors for owner-reported allergic/atopic skin symptoms and for canine atopic dermatitis verified by veterinarian in a Finnish dog population. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178771
