PAUTAS

For Raising a Healthy Cane Corso

It is your responsibility to raise your dog in the best and healthiest way possible.

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 If your dog gets biologically appropriate raw foods, they are less likely to have a nutritional health problem. In fact, your dogs will likely have more energy and improved health on their raw diet! The dog, Canis familiaris, is a direct descendant of the gray wolf, Canis lupus. In other words, dogs as we know them are domesticated wolves. Not only has their behavior changed; domestic dogs are also different in form from wolves, mainly smaller and with shorter muzzles and smaller teeth. Wolves and dogs share 99.9% of their DNA.

Technically, they are still the same species and can also produce healthy offspring. But, having said that, there’s no denying the physical difference between wolves and dog breeds such as Chihuahuas and Dachshunds – they are carnivores!

You may hear people or even vets warning you about salmonella and other things, making you scared to feed raw. Let me put things right in your head with facts! Dogs’ stomach acidity is strong enough to kill pathogens in raw flesh. No bacteria can survive in that acidic environment! Food poisoning is caused by toxins produced by the bacteria, not the actual bacteria itself.  Even dry dog foods/kibbles have been reported to cause cases of salmonellosis! To avoid food poisoning, you must feed meat from a trusted supplier and always feed it fresh (also deep freeze it fresh then feed it after defrosting). Vets recommend dog food processed food instead of their scientifically proven diet needs because many veterinary clinics are profit-oriented businesses. Big dog food brands sponsor a lot of veterinary universities and scientific research, similar to the Big Pharma in human medicine.  Dogs are carnivores, and while some people believe adding veggies and fruits to their diet is beneficial, it’s not necessary as carnivores get their energy and nutrients by eating herbivores, omnivores, and other carnivores.

I am not a real fan of vegetables, but as a snack, it’s okay to give them, although not necessary, as carnivores get their energy and nutrients by eating herbivores, omnivores, and other carnivores. The animals that eat secondary consumers, like owls that eat rodents, are known as tertiary consumers.

Carnivores that have no natural predators are known as apex predators; they occupy the top of the food chain. Carnivores, by definition, are animals that primarily eat other animals. They do not need to eat plants to get their nutrients, as they obtain the necessary nutrients from their animal-based diet. Carnivorous animals have evolved to be able to efficiently extract the necessary nutrients from their animal-based diet. They have a high protein and fat requirement and a lower carbohydrate requirement, which is more efficiently found in the animal-based diet. However, some carnivores do consume small amounts of plant material, either accidentally or intentionally, as a source of fiber or other non-essential nutrients. For example, some big cats such as lions and tigers have been observed eating fruits and grasses, which may help them digest their food more easily. It’s worth noting that some carnivores can survive on a diet that lacks certain nutrients, like vitamin A and C, for example, by obtaining it through other ways, such as by eating the liver or other organs of their prey.

In summary, carnivores do not need to eat plants to get their nutrients, but they may consume small amounts of plant material as a source of fiber or other non-essential nutrients. Vegetables rich in fibers may only make a ballast in stool; however, most vegetables edible for them won’t harm them, but they don’t contain what a dog needs for a nutritious and balanced diet.

If you are about to change your dog’s diet from kibbles to raw, you will see four things in a few weeks of time:

1. 60% less amount of stool than before.

2. The dog will be much more energized and happier.

3. Their appearance and structure will change along with a sparkling shiny coat.

4. No or very small amount of tartar building up on their teeth.

 

Feeding My Puppies – The Raw Way (BARF)

 

 

Bones are not the main component.

Their job is to provide the right amount of calcium – nothing more. Puppies should receive 10–15% of their total daily food as raw, edible bone. These bones come in the form of raw meaty bones (RMBs), like chicken necks, backs, or breastbones.

 

These RMBs naturally contain a balanced mix of meat, soft bone, and cartilage – this internal ratio may be close to 1:1 within the piece itself, but that doesn’t mean half of your dog’s food should be bone!

Remember: only a small portion of the daily meal (10–15%) should be actual bone. The rest should be meat, skin, fat, and a small amount of organ meat.

 

For large breeds, the phosphorus from meat (mainly muscle tissue) should make up around 28–30% of the total meal, while calcium comes from edible bone or appropriate supplementation.

Organ meats: Small but essential

Liver contains high levels of Vitamin A and copper. Both deficiencies and excesses can be dangerous, especially in puppies.

A good rule: feed liver 2–3 times a week, and keep total organs at 5–10% of the total food.

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What do my puppies eat?

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Their current base is poultry – mainly chicken, because it has soft, digestible bones perfect for puppies.

 

The parts I recommend (ideally minced to avoid choking):

 

• Chicken necks

• Chicken backs

• Chicken breastbone (great for puppies – excellent balance of bone, meat, and cartilage)

Eggs: One every 2–3 days

A raw egg – with or without the shell – is a great natural supplement. Crushed eggshell is also a useful natural calcium source, especially when feeding boneless meat like beef or lamb.

 

How much to feed your puppy?

• From weaning to 4 months: 4–5% of body weight per day, split into 3 meals

• From 4–12 months: reduce to 2 meals per day if preferred

• From 12 months onward: 3% of body weight daily, usually in 1–2 meals

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Note: Some dogs, especially adults, do well with just one meal a day. If they maintain healthy weight, energy, and appetite – that’s fine!

 

Working breeds may even benefit from staying a little hungry – it helps keep them alert and mentally focused.

 

Example Amounts:

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Let’s say your puppy weighs 10 kg (22 lbs) at 10 weeks old – a common weight.

 

• 10 kg = 400–500 g (0.88–1.1 lbs) food daily
  → Divided into 3 meals of ~130–170 g each

• 20 kg = 800–1000 g (1.7–2.2 lbs) per day
  → Split into 2 or 3 meals

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Of this, roughly:

 

• 80–85% muscle meat, fat, skin

• 10–15% raw bone (from RMBs)

• 5–10% organs (mainly liver)

 

Feeding boneless meat like beef or lamb? Supplement calcium!

If your puppy’s meal contains no bones (e.g. 100% beef), you must add calcium to maintain the correct ratio (Ca:P ≈ 1.2:1).

 

Use one of the following:

 

• Eggshell powder: 0.5–0.8 g per 100 g of meat

• Calcium carbonate: 0.8–1 g per 100 g of meat

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Without proper calcium, puppies are at risk of:

• Deformed or bowed legs

• Joint pain, early arthritis

• Panosteitis, growth plate issues

 

Supplements? Not required – but you can boost joint health- I do still recommend it!

A raw diet naturally provides vitamins and minerals. Still, large breed puppies may benefit from extra joint support.

 

Easy DIY tip:

Boil chicken feet or beef tendons until it becomes gelatinous (aspic). Discard bones, feed the jelly – it’s full of natural glucosamine and collagen to support joints and tendons.

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NEVER feed cooked bones.

 

 

This is non-negotiable.

Cooked bones splinter easily, especially long tubular bones like chicken drumsticks or beef legs. These can puncture your dog’s digestive system and be fatal.

 

Raw bones are soft and flexible – only feed raw. Always supervise.

 

 

 

 

What about treats?

 

 

Unless they’re 100% natural and single-ingredient, I don’t recommend treats.

Why? Because most commercial treats are full of:

 

• Artificial flavorings

• Preservatives

• Soy, grains, colorants

 

 

These are common causes of allergies, loose stool, and chronic skin problems.

 

 

 

 

Final thought: Keep it simple, but pay attention

 

 

Raw feeding isn’t a religion.

You don’t need a lab coat and a scale.

Just follow the core principles and watch your dog:

 

• Is your puppy in good condition?

• Coat shiny?

• Stool firm?

• Growing evenly?

 

 

Then you’re on the right path.

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If your dog won’t eat its meal like it is at a race, it means one thing: it is likely overfed. Especially for a dog that is still developing, leaving the food or not eating it completely, like a hungry wolf, could mean two things: either the food is too much or the dog is sick (but that will show other signs too). So measure again and give the appropriate amount of food!

 

Special Diet in case of diarrhea: Puppies and dogs sometimes can have runny poos, and you don't necessarily need to think of anything serious. Sometimes the food they ate was too rich or they ate too much, or they picked up something from the kitchen floor they shouldn't have. Sometimes they just catch a bug or parasites (that can be transmitted even on your shoes or during dog walking, etc.).

These things can be treated easily. Just stop feeding for half a day to reduce the workload on the digestive system. Once you give food, try to give foods that also lower the stomach acidity level when dealing with an error. Boiled rice with a teaspoon of salt can help in this situation.

By adding a small amount of salt to the water you cook the rice in (the consistency should be like a watery pudding), you can help replenish lost electrolytes, promote better water absorption, and prevent dehydration until you see their stool returning to normal.

Parasites are often the root cause of diarrhea. If the pups produce poop that is a bit jelly-like and has some drops of blood at the end, it is most likely due to parasites, most commonly Giardia, which is very common. The good news is that you can get rid of it with antibiotics such as Metronidazole or fenbendazole (most dewormers contain it). Please see a Vet for exact treatments, more advice, and prescriptions.

VERY IMPORTANT: Start giving PROBIOTICS with every meal from the first time you notice runny poo or start antibiotics.

It is crucial to replace the "good bacteria" in the guts to help the recovery as fast as possible. "Important Note: Large-breed puppies have delicate joints, and creating the right environmental conditions lies in the hands of the owner. It is crucial to avoid excessive physical activity, as they have similar physical demands as a 2-year-old child and can easily tire out.

Adequate playtime in the backyard and spontaneous running for their own pleasure is sufficient. Ensuring proper ground conditions is of utmost importance, as slippery and hard surfaces can affect their orthopedic development.

 

If you have the opportunity and inclination, swimming is an excellent option for additional exercise. In water, the properties of buoyancy can have a positive impact on early prevention, post-surgery therapy, or addressing existing issues, as the weightlessness in water allows the dog to build muscle without unnecessary stress on their joints.

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