🧬 Nourish for Longevity: What Science Says About Fresh & Raw Diets (Inspired by The Forever Dog)

Written By Manuel Hernandez

We’re obsessed with keeping our Bichons spry, shiny, and around for as long as possible. This post digs into the research behind fresh and raw feeding, how we apply it to our own Bichons’ bowls, and easy ways you can level-up nutrition—even if you can’t go 100% fresh or raw.

🐾Why this matters🐾

Longevity starts with maintaining an ideal body weight and feeding nutrient-dense food. In a landmark, lifelong study, Labrador Retrievers fed fewer calories lived significantly longer and stayed healthier than their littermates—proof that how much and how well we feed truly matters.

📘The Forever Dog mindset—more fresh, minimally processed foods; smart supplements; and metabolic health—aligns with this evidence-first approach.

What the science says about fresh & raw

1) Fresh/human-grade diets: digestibility & gut health

Controlled trials show that mildly cooked, human-grade (HG) diets are highly digestible, often yield smaller stools, and shift the gut microbiome (a potential health lever) compared with extruded kibble. In Beagles fed HG vs. kibble for 12 weeks, the HG diet significantly altered fecal microbiota; stool quality remained good in both groups.
A separate crossover study found HG diets had greater apparent digestibility and reduced fecal output versus extruded diets.

2) Raw diets: measurable differences—plus safety homework

Raw meat–based diets also change the fecal microbiome and fermentation end-products compared with extruded diets (in a randomized, crossover trial with Boxers). What you feed clearly shapes the gut ecosystem.
But leading medical groups warn about pathogen risk (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria) to both pets and people when feeding raw/undercooked animal products. If you choose raw, strict hygiene and sourcing are non-negotiable.

3) Whole-food add-ins with evidence

  • Omega-3s (🐟 fish / fish oil): In dogs, DHA/EPA supplementation improves omega-3 status and has documented dermatologic/anti-inflammatory benefits in clinical research.

  • Berries (🫐 polyphenols): Sled dogs fed blueberries showed higher antioxidant status post-exercise—evidence that colorful plants can be functional for dogs, too.

Safety, balance & “complete and balanced” ✅

Whatever you feed, keep two guardrails:

  1. Complete & Balanced: Look for AAFCO/“complete and balanced” on labels and use WSAVA’s checklist when evaluating brands and recipes.

  2. If home-prepping (raw or cooked): Work from board-certified veterinary nutritionist recipes (DACVIM-Nutrition/ECVCN). Tufts and UC Davis emphasize that DIY diets must be properly formulated (especially calcium/phosphorus and essential micronutrients).

⚠️ Food safety for raw feeders: Wash hands/surfaces, separate pet foods from human foods, freeze/thaw properly, and be extra cautious in households with young kids, seniors, or immunocompromised people.

Can’t go 100% raw or fresh? Do this instead (what we do for our Bichons 🐾)

We focus on small, consistent upgrades that respect balance. The 10% rule is your friend: keep all toppers/treats to ≤10% of daily calories so you don’t unbalance the main diet.

Here are high-impact add-ins we rotate into our Bichons’ bowls:

  • 🐟 Sardine topper (in water, no salt, bone-in): Adds DHA/EPA for skin, coat, brain, and joint support. We like Wild Planet sardines. (Buy on Amazon). Start with a small portion that fits within the 10% rule.

  • 🥚 Lightly cooked egg: Highly bioavailable protein and choline; easy whole-food upgrade.

  • 🫐 Blueberries or mixed berries: Handful of antioxidant-rich berries a few times per week.

  • 🥦 Lightly steamed greens (broccoli, kale stems, green beans): Fiber + phytonutrients; chop finely.

  • 🧴 Fish oil (Bichon-approved): When fresh fish isn’t convenient, we rotate Dr. Harvey’s Health & Shine Fish Oil and Dr. Harvey’s Salmon & Krill Oil for variety and balance. (Amazon links → Dr. Harvey’s Health & Shine Fish Oil & Dr. Harvey’s Salmon & Krill Oil)

  • 🦴 Bone broth (low/no sodium): Hydration + palatability boost for picky eaters.

  • 🥕 Pumpkin/puréed veg: Gentle fiber to support stool quality.

Tip: If toppers start to exceed 10% regularly, consider switching the base to a vetted fresh/human-grade or gently cooked formula so the whole bowl stays balanced.

How we incorporate this with our Bichons

  • Daily: complete & balanced base that meets AAFCO + WSAVA criteria.

  • Most days: a fresh topper (sardines 🐟, egg, or berries) within the 10% calorie budget.

  • Weekly: a gently cooked “fresh day” using a nutritionist-formulated recipe, prepped in batches and portioned/frozen.

  • Always: body-condition checks and calorie awareness (longevity loves leanness!).

Where The Forever Dog fits in 📘

We love The Forever Dog for its longevity lens—prioritizing fresh, diverse, minimally processed foods and smart lifestyle choices. We treat it as inspiration, then cross-check with veterinary nutrition guidelines and peer-reviewed data like the studies above. (Amazon → link The Forever Dog)

Quick buying notes 🛒

References 🔬

  • Calorie restriction & lifespan in dogs.

  • Human-grade vs. kibble (digestibility, fecal output, microbiome).

  • Raw diet alters microbiome (crossover RCT).

  • Raw feeding safety (CDC); general caution (AVMA).

  • Omega-3 evidence in dogs (EPA/DHA).

  • Blueberries & canine antioxidant status.

  • WSAVA selection checklist; 10% treat rule.

  • Home-prepared diet guidance (Tufts/UC Davis).

Manuel Hernandez
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