Our Diet

The Alaskan Klee Kai of Aspen Veil are fed a pre-made balanced raw diet primarily through Lucie's Legacy and additional brands we source through Heartland Raw Resource. We prefer to avoid beef and chicken due to high incidents of food allergies, and would prefer to stick to more novel meats, such as lamb, duck, and rabbit. With a mix of both PVM (prey-based - 70% muscle meat, 15% bone, 15% organs) and HVM (variety mix - 70% muscle meat, 15% bone, 10% organs, 5% fruits and veggies), our Nordic breed can excel in a healthy, balanced, beneficial diet. They are fed approximately 3% of their body weight of the raw food, split up to be fed 2 to 3 times a day, then mixed with kefir and salmon oil and topped with dehydrated vegetable blend and occasionally additional flavor powder. Of course, with such a picky breed, each dog will have their preferences, down to the ratio of raw food and mixture, what temperature it is, how wet it is, how much is too much for toppers, etc. The dogs will also get little raw snacks every now and then, such as duck necks, chicken feet, and turkey hearts.

On the road, raw meals aren't the easiest to prepare and feed — refrigeration is limited, appetites drop, timing can be inconsistent, and whatever else can compromise their usual diets. Instead, the dogs can enjoy some kibble. Unless the dog has an appetite of a Rottweiler, usually a half cup of kibble in a bowl (or sprinkled into their crate because they can even prefer different surfaces to eat from) is provided so they can nibble on at their own leisure. While this breed is generally good at self-regulation, kibble can be high in useless fillers that can contribute to weight gain. However, we vouch to use kibble on the road as the carbohydrates will be burned off for the energy needed in the show ring, sports course, camping, or even a long hike. We are selective about our kibble brands as well. We feed all of our dogs Valu-Pak, Victor Premium Pet Food, and Next Level Super Premium Pet Food. Why the variety? Mostly due to supplies. Being in rural Oklahoma, preferred food brands can be a bit tricky to find. However, again (can't stress this enough), these dogs are picky and might like one brand on one trip, might like the other the next.
Note: We will use kibble in emergency situations (such as out of raw food, delayment in shipment, recalls, etc.), and we'll top it with the same sort of mixture used in the raw food (kefir, salmon oil, dehydrated greens).

Treats are just that — treats! However, just like our dogs, we're selective in what we will give. We will experiment with treats, finding that special high-quality treat each dog would love. We like to visit small mom-and-pop or local pet supply stores to find them. We want healthy, but they don't have to be as balanced as their normal food. After all, treats are junk food and, in moderation, they're fine. Since they are higher in calories, usually their meals may be adjusted to compensate; however, if the dog is already very active, there's usually no harm.

Your Diet

We do not want to confine you to feeding your puppy or dog to a certain diet. The money can add up (trust us, we know!) and maybe you already have other dogs on other foods and would rather want them on all the same for convenience. What we do want is to feed good food and you should want that for every critter! Here are some tips to follow to ensure your dog's best health:

Transitioning
This applies to whichever way you want to transfer, whether you want to try out our brands for all of your dogs or change your Klee Kai's diet to the existing one in your household. It can take just one week to make a healthy transition (maybe more for larger dogs or dogs with more sensitive digestive tracts). A quick change can be hard for a dog's body, increasing the likelihood of accidents and other digestive issues. Remember this is just a guideline, the minimum suggestion. You know your current dogs best and every one of our dogs is a little different. Monitor the behavior and waste of which dog(s) you're changing diets so you can know if you need to adjust their schedule.

Days 1-2 - Feed ¼ of the new food and ¾ of the old food
Days 3-4 - Feed ½ of the new food and ½ of the old food
Days 5-6 - Feed ¾ of the new food and ¼ of the old food
Day 7 and on - You can now feed your dog the new food!

Remember: if your dog seems to be having digestive issues, extend the feeding schedule a few days. If your dog's behavior is "off" and their issues are not improving, please return to their old food and visit the vet for further instructions!

How Much?
Do not follow a dog food's recommended amount verbatim. Every dog's metabolism is different and following the company's measurements usually lead to obesity as it does not take activity levels, age, breeds, potential health conditions, and more into account. While some brands will have additional formulas for active dogs and puppies, it can still be a game of roulette with the amount. It is not bad to take puppies off puppy formulas early (if they were on it) as those formulas tend to be very high in calories to compensate for a puppy's projected growth. This is when breed needs to be considered that most brands tend to overlook. A German Shepherd puppy weighing 15 pounds is going to need much more food than a 15 pound adult Dachshund, but recommended portions will say the same for both as they usually go by weight. This is when best judgment will come into play, finding that steady balance for your dog's activity levels, their physique, their nutrients, and so on.

Klee Kai will eat how much they feel like eating, but we still recommend watching how much they eat. At the start, have a bowl of food out, maybe a ½ cup of food, and see how much they'll eat in a day. If they eat it all, but it takes the entire day, then it may be a good amount to start with. If they eat it all in one sitting, you might need to consider you'll have a food gobbler (and prone to obesity if left to free feed). If they don't eat it by the end of the day, measure out what's left and then try feeding the amount they did eat. There will a lot of trial-and-error with finding their sweet spot, so don't be alarmed with they eat very little. They are a smart breed and if they realize they can get even better food the longer they hold out, they will. If the food you're giving them is the only option, they will eat. Most dogs cannot intentionally starve themselves, so don't let them train you!

Which Supplements Should I Give?

There are many supplements out there for your dog's health! Just like people, supplements can be very beneficial if they are lacking in a dog's typical diet. There are some supplements that may not be necessary for an otherwise healthy dog with a balanced diet, so keep that in mind when selecting what you want to give.

Fish or Krill Oils - This is a great supplement for any dog. Packed with essential omega oils, the health benefits are, in short, amazing! These benefits include promoting healthy joints, coats, and skin, acting as an anti-inflammatory for conditions such as arthritis and allergies, and aiding in cognitive development in puppies and function in adults.

Glucosamine - Glucosamine is a basic chemical that is used by the body to make other chemicals that aid in building tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, helping with maintaining healthy and mobile joints. While it can be served with meals as an oil, natural sources include chicken feet, green-lipped mussles, and tracheas, which can be served as raw snacks.

Goats Milk - While not necessarily a supplement, goats milk is a great addition! Raw, unpasteurized goats milk is healthy for all mammals to ingest and is very beneficial for puppies and adults alike. It is a good source for healthy fats (great for puppy growth, energy for active dogs, and weight for underweight dogs), protein, calcium, probiotics, B vitamins, and vitamin A. It's also a good topper if a dog is not feeling so well and is on a bland diet. Goats milk has become a popular product amongst companies, like The Honest Kitchen and Primal, but you can possibly find some local goat owners who milk and sell their surplus.

Multivitamins - Just like people, there are several daily multivitamins available for dogs. It is a good buffer that encompasses many of nutrients and vitamins a dog needs to be healthy! This can involve a bit more research though as not all multivitamins are made the same and some can have too high or too low content of certain vitamins. Compare with your dog's food and see what their food provides, then go from there. Everything is good in moderation and you don't want to accidentally be giving your dog five times the recommended dose of something!