Welcome!
Homemade recipe formulations, analysis, and support.
I value using nutrition science and feeding the dog in front of us- even if that means not following what may be popular. Unfortunately, much of canine nutrition is not tailored to the needs of the dog we are working with, or seek to follow popular trends- often mirroring the same fads found in human nutrition. Individualized nutrition is powerful and I seek to strictly feed thy dog and support the animal in front of us.
I also understand how time consuming home feeding can be. Upon intake, I strive to formulate in a way that also compliments the lifestyle of the owner.
I provide recipes for single & multidog households, as well as recipe analysis for those who are already feeding homemade, but would like feedback.
Cheers!
Savannah Welna, Cert. PCF, Cert. ACN, Cert. ACF
Puppy Formulation
$150
Commercial Formulation
Price Varies
dISCOVER pERSONALIZED nUTRITION
Homemade Recipes Utilizing High Quality Ingredients and Nutritional Excellency.
Homemade food allows for absolute control and precision nutrition. Commercial foods provide a broad and non-specific range of nutrients while Feed Thy Dog provides recipes that deliver optimal nutrient levels by considering nutrient and caloric density and numerous other details pertaining to your dog. Recipes are formulated with the dog and owner in mind.
Source ingredients from vendors you trust and know exactly what is going into the bowl.
dISCOVER pERSONALIZED nUTRITION
Homemade Recipes Utilizing High Quality Ingredients and Nutritional Excellency.
Homemade food allows for absolute control and precision nutrition. Commercial foods provide a broad and non-specific range of nutrients while Feed Thy Dog provides recipes that deliver optimal nutrient levels by considering nutrient and caloric density and numerous other details pertaining to your dog. Recipes are formulated with the dog and owner in mind.
Source ingredients from vendors you trust and know exactly what is going into the bowl.
Standards
All recipes adhere to NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. Almost always, recipes exceed nutrient requirements where appropriate from high quality ingredients. NRC requirements have formed the base of many other nutrient guidelines- including FEDIAF and AAFCO. FEDIAF and AAFCO have appropriately changed nutrient guidelines for the purpose of commercial formulation. It is important to note that NRC levels or the levels used in my formulations are not minimal levels, but rather are levels for optimal health.
Nutrient requirements are only part of the big picture. It is not enough to meet requirements, regardless of their origin, on paper. A nutritionist should be knowledgeable of the nutrient interactions, functions, digestion, absorption, sources, and levels unique to each dog. Each dog and owner is unique and I have never used the same recipe between different clients.
- VItamin A 100%
- Vitamin D 100%
- manganese 100%
- Vitamin E 100%
- Zinc 100%
- Copper 100%
- Selenium 100%
- EPA & DHA 100%
- Magnesium 100%
Fresh Meat
Cooked & Raw
Canines are designed to consume high quality protein. Recipes are animal protein based.* Protein sources are selected based on the dog’s profile and the owner’s sourcing abilities.
*Some health conditions require higher carbohydrate content.
Raw Meaty Bones
Raw Only
Raw meaty bones provide essential nutrients and numerous beneficial compounds. However, all recipes can be formulated without raw meaty bones.
Organs
Cooked & Raw
Organ meats are nutritionally dense. Like bones, they contain health promoting compounds outside of the wealth of essential nutrients.
Plant Matter
Cooked & Raw
Canines are evolved to digest and assimilate nutrients from plant matter. Plant matter provides many benefits, including antioxidants and fiber. Some dogs require extra support from carbohyrates- such as working dogs.
Fish + other
Cooked & Raw
Other nutrient rich ingredients such as oily fish and eggs according to all that is tolerated by the dog. All ingredient sources can be diversified according to the sourcing abilities of the owner.
*Raw diets, including raw meaty bones, do carry some risk and are not appropriate for every dog.
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Savannah Welna, Cert. PCF, Cert. ACN, Cert. ACF, Cert. ACN
Education
B.S. Integrative Nutrition, Student
Huntington University of Health Sciences
Certificate Professional Canine Formulation
Academy of Companion Animal Nutrition
Southern Illinois University Canine & Feline Nutrition
Certificate Canine and Feline Nutrition including hands-on clinical formulations.
Advanced Canine Nutrition (Cert. ACN)
Certificate Advanced Canine Nutrition- Companion Animal Sciences Institute (Includes Cert. CN)
Advanced Canine Fitness (Cert. ACF)
Certificate Advanced Canine Fitness- Companion Animal Sciences Institute (Includes Cert. CF)
Foundations in Herbal Medicine (on-going)
Foundations in Herbal Medicine- Medicine Lodge Ranch with Dr. Low Dog
Others:
- Organic Chemistry Helena College
- Biochemistry Helena College
- Associate of Arts Montana State University
- Canine Studies (Oxford Learning College)
- Canine Anatomy and Physiology (Etraining for Dogs)
- Canine Aanatomy and Physiology (Canine Principles)
I grew up with dogs and I simply could not imagine life without them. I became more involved with animal care beyond pet ownership by fostering for Wigglin’ Home Boxer Rescue.
Fast forward to college graduation, marriage, and the adoption of my sweet old man dog, Luca. Canine nutrition became my driving passion in canine care. It wasn’t enough that I was feeding Luca fresh food- I needed to know that optimal nutrition was provided. I feared of becoming “mindlessly healthy.” Fresh food is fantastic, but the components of food matter- nutrient needs matter. Do dogs really just need bones, meat, and organs?
I went on to study at The Companion Animal Sciences Institute, completing the CN program and the ACN program (Advanced Canine Nutrition). I also studied through Southern Illinois University.
In February 2018, I created the Facebook Group “Raw Fed and Nerdy.”
Expecting a maximum of a few hundred members, the group has grown to 30,000 members. Raw Fed & Nerdy provides education for pet owners wishing to take the DIY approach to homemade feeding. It has been a wild experience- filled with joy, gratitude, learning, creating, and the occasional days of tearing my hair out. Social media land is tough- Feed Thy Dog is my sanctuary. And thus, Feed Thy Dog was created shortly after.
Right now, I am all about learning everything I can about nutrition science. I will continue to take courses and update this site as I enroll. Improving the health of family fills my world.
There are so many different “diets” for dogs- “keto,” PMR, BARF, strict balance over time, cooked- it can become overwhelming finding what is best for everyone. My approach is to take the science, know thy dog, and create a plan that uses an approach specific to each dog.
My philosophy in nutrition is to feed the dog in front of you. I value using modern nutrition science while utilizing traditional whole foods and ancestral values where appropriate.
I will utilize components of various different approaches, taking what works and ditching what does not have a place in nutrition science. I recognize what has been proved by science, but also respect what is not known and the complex nature of food.
Nutrition science is rapidly evolving and advancing. I consider myself just as much a student as I do a nutrition professional.
Passion for health, nutrition, learning, and teaching is the foundation of Feed Thy Dog. Thank you for stopping by.
-Savannah
Savannah Welna, Cert. PCF, Cert. ACN, Cert. ACF
Education
B.S. Integrative Nutrition, Student
Huntington University of Health Sciences
Certificate Professional Canine Formulation
Academy of Companion Animal Nutrition
Southern Illinois University Canine & Feline Nutrition
Certificate Canine and Feline Nutrition including hands-on clinical formulations.
Advanced Canine Nutrition (Cert. ACN)
Certificate Advanced Canine Nutrition- Companion Animal Sciences Institute (Includes Cert. CN)
Advanced Canine Fitness (Cert. ACF)
Certificate Advanced Canine Fitness- Companion Animal Sciences Institute (Includes Cert. CF)
Foundations in Herbal Medicine (on-going)
Foundations in Herbal Medicine- Medicine Lodge Ranch with Dr. Low Dog
Others:
- Organic Chemistry Helena College
- Biochemistry Helena College
- Associate of Arts Montana State University
- Canine Studies (Oxford Learning College)
- Canine Anatomy and Physiology (Etraining for Dogs)
- Canine Aanatomy and Physiology (Canine Principles)
I grew up with dogs and I simply could not imagine life without them. I became more involved with animal care beyond pet ownership by fostering for Wigglin’ Home Boxer Rescue.
Fast forward to college graduation, marriage, and the adoption of my sweet old man dog, Luca. Canine nutrition became my driving passion in canine care. It wasn’t enough that I was feeding Luca fresh food- I needed to know that optimal nutrition was provided. I feared of becoming “mindlessly healthy.” Fresh food is fantastic, but the components of food matter- nutrient needs matter. Do dogs really just need bones, meat, and organs?
I went on to study at The Companion Animal Sciences Institute, completing the CN program and the ACN program (Advanced Canine Nutrition). I also studied through Southern Illinois University.
In February 2018, I created the Facebook Group “Raw Fed and Nerdy.”
Expecting a maximum of a few hundred members, the group has grown to 30,000 members. Raw Fed & Nerdy provides education for pet owners wishing to take the DIY approach to homemade feeding. It has been a wild experience- filled with joy, gratitude, learning, creating, and the occasional days of tearing my hair out. Social media land is tough- Feed Thy Dog is my sanctuary. And thus, Feed Thy Dog was created shortly after.
Right now, I am all about learning everything I can about nutrition science. I will continue to take courses and update this site as I enroll. Improving the health of family fills my world.
There are so many different “diets” for dogs- “keto,” PMR, BARF, strict balance over time, cooked- it can become overwhelming finding what is best for everyone. My approach is to take the science, know thy dog, and create a plan that uses an approach specific to each dog.
My philosophy in nutrition is to feed the dog in front of you. I value using modern nutrition science while utilizing traditional whole foods and ancestral values where appropriate.
I will utilize components of various different approaches, taking what works and ditching what does not have a place in nutrition science. I recognize what has been proved by science, but also respect what is not known and the complex nature of food.
Nutrition science is rapidly evolving and advancing. I consider myself just as much a student as I do a nutrition professional.
Passion for health, nutrition, learning, and teaching is the foundation of Feed Thy Dog. Thank you for stopping by.
-Savannah
Founded Academy of Companion Animal Nutrition
Founded ACAN, which provides professional nutrition courses. www.academyofcompanionanimalnutrition.com
Certificate Advanced Canine Fitness (Cert. ACF)
Companion Animal Sciences Institute.
The next program following the cert. CF program This course further addressed nutrient needs of canine athletes and therapies. This continued to support my knowledge of the many aspects of the training and well-being of these dogs.
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Certificate Canine Fitness (Cert. CF)
Companion Animal Sciences Institute.
This program is meant to instruct on the fundamentals of canine fitness. This compliments the nutritional understanding I have learned from the ACN program as well as other studies.
Helena College, University of Montana
In August 2019, I went back to school to begin formal education in nutrition science. I have picked up this journey by taking chemistry and biochemistry on campus. The education provided has been enormously valuable. At the end of Spring 2020, I will apply to continue my education in Washington State.
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Certificate Advanced Canine Nutrition (Cert. ACN)
Companion Animal Sciences Institute.
The next program following the cert. CN program This course was equally intense and covered advanced understanding of nutrients, nutritional effects on behavior and the brain, energy metabolism, elimination diets, skin reactions, risk factors associated with common disease states, canine athlete nutrient needs, allergies, weight loss programs, canine cancer, cardiovascular disorders, orthopedic disorders, kidney disorders, gastrointestinal and metabolism disorders, and endocrine disorders.
Canine Studies Diploma
Oxford learning College.
This course provides some nutrition and biology, but I am taking this course more for the broad information and topics provided. Nutrition, anatomy, physiology, health and veterinary care, history of canines, genetics, behavior, and working with canines are all covered. I completed this course in Fall 2019 and passed with distinction.
Canine Anatomy & Physiology
Canine Principles.
This course was taken through Canine Principles. It was written by a veterinarian and covered all parts of the dog. It is critical to understand all components of an animal so that we can properly nourish them. I highly recommend this course for professionals and regular pet owners.
Certificate Canine Nutrition (Cert. CN)
Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Another foundational and intense course in canine nutrition. This course covered energetics, nutrient classes, all essential nutrients, life stage nutrition, anatomy, physiology, digestion, hormones, toxins, preservatives, cooking, water, commercial pet foods, and much more. I am very pleased with the Cert. CN program.
