Have you ever wondered what's on the menu at a Canine Nutritionist’s house?
We asked Katie Coach to give us a peek inside her pups’ bowls and share what a typical week of meals looks like at home.
"When it comes to feeding my own dogs, I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I look at each dog individually and make adjustments based on their age, lifestyle, sensitivities, and overall needs.
My goal is to provide variety, quality ingredients, appropriate nutritional balance, and additional support where it makes sense for that individual dog.
Bane: 6-Year-Old Male Olde English Bulldogge
Bane is a 6-year-old unaltered male, and his diet consists primarily of Top Dog Beef HVM, Chicken HVM, and Turkey HVM.
I rotate his proteins throughout the week and also add salmon and green tripe for variety.
Right now, I’m giving Bane some additional herbs and supplements to support his joint health. He also receives a high-quality omega-3 supplement, organic greens, and eggs.
I like incorporating a variety of nutrient-dense foods into his diet, including kelp and oysters. He also gets raw meaty bones as part of his routine, which I use for appropriate chewing and dental support.
(Picture shows Beef HVM, salmon, organic leafy greens, green-lipped mussel oil, four leaf rover hip & joint, and beam minerals humic and fulvic acid.)
Kahlua: 9-Year-Old Female American Pitbull Terrier
Kahlua is a 9-year-old spayed female with food sensitivities, so her diet is more individualized. She currently eats Top Dog Beef HVM, rabbit, and salmon, with beef being one of the primary proteins she tolerates well. I also incorporate green tripe for additional variety.
Her current supportive supplements include lion’s mane mushroom, MCT oil, green-lipped mussel oil, and herbs selected to support her liver and digestive health.
Kahlua also receives skullcap in the evening as part of her nighttime routine to support her nervous system.
Because of her sensitivities, I pay close attention to how she responds to individual ingredients and adjust as needed. Her diet is a good example of why I don’t believe there is one “perfect” diet for every dog.
What Both Dogs Get
Both Bane and Kahlua receive humic and fulvic acid, and I add filtered water to their meals. I feed them both twice a day. For treats, I keep things simple and focus on single-ingredient options. Their favorites are salmon, lamb, and beef. They also enjoy beef hide rolls as chews.
(Picture shows meal prep with Beef w/ tripe PMR, salmon, beef heart & kidney, with Turkey HVM included on the left)
Protein Rotation and Balance
One of the biggest things I focus on with my dogs is variety. I don’t want them eating exactly the same ingredients day after day when I can provide appropriate variety.
I rotate different proteins and incorporate a range of whole-food ingredients while keeping the foundation of their diets nutritionally appropriate. I also look at the individual dog rather than simply following a generic feeding plan.
For me, feeding fresh or raw isn’t simply about feeding raw meat. It’s about looking at the diet as a whole, understanding the dog’s nutritional needs, and considering how individual ingredients and additions fit into the bigger picture.
Hydration
Both of my dogs have filtered water added directly to their meals; adding water to meals is one of the easiest ways I like to increase moisture intake. Fresh foods can also naturally add moisture to the diet, which is one reason I pay attention to hydration when thinking about overall canine nutrition.
My Raw Feeding Philosophy
My biggest philosophy in canine nutrition is: feed the dog in front of you.
There isn’t one diet, protein, supplement, or feeding strategy that is going to be perfect for every dog. Age, activity level, lifestyle, sensitivities, health history, and individual tolerance all matter.
I focus on fresh, whole-food ingredients, variety, nutritional balance, and individualized support.
I also believe supplements should have a purpose, not just add a long list of products to a dog’s bowl because they’re popular.
Ultimately, I want my dogs’ diets to be nourishing, enjoyable, and sustainable, and I want pet parents to feel empowered to understand why they’re feeding what they’re feeding rather than simply following a trend.
For me, good nutrition starts with paying attention to the individual dog, looking at the whole diet, and making thoughtful adjustments based on what that dog actually needs to thrive."
Katie Coach is our Certified, Professional Canine Nutritionist and has seen firsthand the life-changing impact of a natural, raw diet, both professionally with her clients and closer to home with her four-legged friends.
Got questions for Katie or need raw feeding advice? You can ask her here.
For more information on Katie and her work, check out her website The Primal Companion or find her on Instagram @theprimalcompanion
