Brand & Protein Blindness

As the cost of living continues to rise, many pet owners look for affordable options when feeding their dogs. However, relying on just one or two brands of raw food—commonly referred to as "brand blindness"—can unintentionally limit nutritional diversity.

While some dogs may appear to do well on a single brand, the reality is that long-term health and longevity can be impacted by lack of variety.

Why Does Brand Variety Matter?

Different brands formulate their 80/10/10 beef blends (80% meat, 10% bone, 10% organ) with different body parts, leading to slight variations in nutrient profiles.

📌 Example:✔️ Brand A’s 80/10/10 Beef – Heart, chunks, lung, liver, kidney

✔️ Brand B’s 80/10/10 Beef – Lung, chunks, liver, spleen

Neither option is bad, but rotating between brands ensures your dog receives a broader range of micronutrients essential for long-term health.

💡 Budgeting Tip: Variety doesn’t have to be expensive! Use our Brands List to plan cost-effective, diverse meals.

The Impact of Farming Practices on Raw Food

Another overlooked factor in raw feeding is how animals are raised before being used as food sources.

🐾 Farmed animals (often the most affordable protein sources) tend to have higher fat levels, which can contribute to:

• Weight gain

• Excess internal fat around organs, only visible during surgery or post-mortems

🚨 Why This Matters: Overfeeding only farmed meats may lead to unhealthy fat accumulation, even if outward weight appears normal.

How to Introduce Balance & Variety

To optimise your dog’s diet, aim for a mix of:

✔️ Commercial brands with different formulations

✔️ Organic meats

✔️ Wild proteins

🦴 Check Our Fat Content Protein Chart! To avoid excessive fat intake, explore low, moderate, and high-fat meats to achieve a healthy balance. A well-rounded raw diet includes all three fat groups.

Avoiding Protein Blindness in Raw Feeding

One of the biggest mistakes pet owners make when feeding a species-appropriate diet is falling into protein blindness—the habit of heavily restricting a dog’s diet to just one or two proteins day after day.

While it may seem easier to stick with a single protein source, this approach limits essential nutrients, leading to:

🚨 Boredom – Dogs thrive on variety in taste and texture.

🚨 Nutrient Deficiencies – A lack of diverse proteins can result in imbalances over time.

🚨 Potential Illness – Without nutritional variety, your dog’s health may suffer.

If you have been suffering from Protein Blindness, we recommend you look to introduce new proteins urgently. You can do this by ensuring you have Dorwest Tree Barks or Proflax Tummy Tastic in ready, then use the same process we use in weeks 2 & 3 of our Transition Guide to introduce new proteins.

Why Protein Variety Matters

Different proteins offer unique nutrient profiles, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that contribute to:

✔️ Optimal muscle development

✔️ Balanced gut health

✔️ Strong immune function

🔬 Science-backed guidance recommends feeding 4-5 different proteins per week on average. The way you introduce variety can depend on your dog’s preferences and your feeding style:

📌 Weekly Rotation – Stick to one protein per week and rotate through different options.

📌 Daily Variation – Offer different proteins each day to maximise diversity.

Recommended Protein Sources for Raw Feeding

To ensure your dog receives a well-balanced mix of nutrients, aim to include proteins from the following categories:

Common Proteins:

✔️ Beef, Pork, Duck, Goose, Pigeon, Lamb

Game & Novel Proteins:

✔️ Pheasant, Venison, Elk, Ostrich, Veal, Chicken, Turkey, Zebra, Rabbit, Hare, Buffalo

Exotic Proteins:

✔️ Horse, Quail, Squirrel, Goat, Partridge, Camel, Kangaroo, Guinea Fowl

💡 Each protein contains different micronutrients—by offering a wide variety, you ensure your dog gets a complete nutrient profile essential for long-term health.

Beyond Protein Selection: Farming Practices Matter

Another reason mixing brands is beneficial relates to how animals are raised before they become food.

🐾 Grain-fed livestock (common in farmed animals) may lead to digestive intolerance in some dogs.

🐾 Grass-fed proteins tend to be leaner and more nutrient-rich, offering a healthier alternative.

If your dog struggles with farmed proteins, switching to grass-fed versions may improve digestion and nutritional intake—allowing for greater variety without digestive upset.

Final Thoughts

Protein blindness is a common yet preventable mistake in raw feeding. By incorporating a wide range of protein sources and mixing brands, you:

✔️ Enhance meal diversity

✔️ Reduce the risk of deficiencies

✔️ Ensure long-term health & vitality

Feeding a variety of proteins isn’t just about preventing boredom—it’s about optimising your dog’s nutrition for lifelong wellness! 🐾✨

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