Detailed Explanation of Feed Sources and Scientific Feeding Methods for Raccoon Dogs

1 Feed Sources

1.1 Legumes

Except for poisonous fish such as pufferfish, most marine and freshwater fish can be used as feed for raccoon dogs. In addition to high protein content, fish also contain fat, vitamin A, vitamin D, and inorganic salts. Their digestibility is almost the same as that of meat, and the energy content varies greatly depending on the fish species.

Fresh fish fed raw has higher nutritional value than cooked, but some marine fish and most freshwater fish contain thiaminase, which can destroy vitamin B1. Long-term raw feeding can easily cause vitamin B2 deficiency, so it should be fed cooked. When feeding fish, make sure the quality is fresh, because fish bodies contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids. Improper storage can easily lead to oxidative rancidity and the production of peroxides, which decompose into toxins. Feeding them can cause poisoning, leading to steatitis, hemorrhagic enteritis, abscess disease, and vitamin deficiency.

1.2 Meat

Raccoon dogs can eat the meat of almost all animals. Fresh meat can be fed raw, has good palatability, and high digestibility. Meat of unknown origin or not fresh should be thoroughly cooked before feeding. Fresh crushed bones along with the residual meat on the bones are also part of the meat feed for raccoon dogs. When feeding fresh crushed bones or small bone frames to raccoon dogs, grind them together with the residual meat and feed. The amount of fresh crushed bones can account for 10%-15% of animal feed. Measly pork (pork with cysticerci) fed after high-temperature cooking can account for about 20% of animal feed, and should not exceed this amount.

1.3 Fish and Livestock and Poultry Offal

Fish offal includes fish heads, fish skeletons, internal organs, and other scraps. Fresh skeletons can be fed raw, but during pregnancy the amount must not exceed 20% of animal feed; during the growing period of young raccoon dogs and the winter fur growth period, it can be increased to 40%. Less fresh ones should be fed cooked.

Livestock and poultry offal: mainly animal heads, lower limbs, and internal organs. (1) Liver contains about 20% protein, 5% fat, and various vitamins and inorganic salts. It is an essential feed during the lactation period of raccoon dogs and the rearing period of young raccoon dogs. Fresh liver can be fed raw. Because liver has a mild laxative effect, the feeding amount can account for 15%-20% of animal feed. It should be increased gradually from small amounts to avoid causing diarrhea. (2) Heart and kidneys are very rich in protein and vitamins, have good palatability, and are easy to digest and absorb. They are generally fed during pregnancy, and fresh heart and kidneys can be fed raw. (3) Lungs contain a certain amount of protein, iron, and vitamins, but have a lot of connective tissue and low digestibility. They must be fed cooked, and the feeding amount can account for 10%-15% of animal feed, not too much. (4) Stomach and intestines can also be fed to raccoon dogs, but their nutritional value is not high. Stomach and intestines must be thoroughly cooked at high temperature before use, and can account for 20%-30% of animal feed. If stomach and intestines are added to the daily ration, the feeding amount should be increased. (5) Brain contains a large amount of lecithin and various essential amino acids, has very high nutritional value, and especially promotes the development of the reproductive organs of raccoon dogs, so it is called an estrus-promoting feed. It is generally fed appropriately during the pre-breeding period and breeding period. Brain also has certain benefits for the fur growth of raccoon dogs and improving fur quality. (6) Blood has very high nutritional value. Fresh blood is best fed raw, old blood should be fed cooked, and blood meal and blood tofu can be directly mixed into the feed. The amount used can account for 10%-15% of animal feed. (7) Rabbit head is a by-product of rabbit meat processing and can be ground and fed to raccoon dogs. It has relatively high nutritional value and can be given at 30% of animal feed. However, during pregnancy the amount should not be too much, to avoid adverse effects caused by protein deficiency. (9) Poultry by-products mainly include necks, skin, and internal organs, which can be cooked and ground to feed raccoon dogs. The general amount used is 20% of animal feed.

or so.

When feeding fish and meat offal, special attention should be paid to avoiding the use of livestock and poultry internal organs containing androgens during the pregnancy of female raccoon dogs, such as uterus, placenta, fetus, and livestock and poultry meat treated with estrogen. In particular, aborted placenta or fetus cannot be used, as it can cause reproductive dysfunction, decreased conception rate, fewer births, or infertility in the entire group.

1.4 Milk and Eggs

Mainly cow and sheep milk and dairy products such as sour curd, skim milk, and milk powder. Eggs refer to chicken, duck, and goose eggs as well as unfertilized eggs during incubation. They are generally fed during the reproduction period of raccoon dogs. They can promote lactation and the growth of young raccoon dogs, and should not exceed 20% of the total feed in the daily ration. Too much can easily cause diarrhea. It is forbidden to feed rancid or spoiled milk and eggs to raccoon dogs. Fresh milk needs to be heated to 70-80 degrees, sterilized for 15 minutes, and then fed to raccoon dogs.

1.5 Dry Animal Feed

Mainly fish meal, meat meal, bone and meat meal, liver residue, feather meal, silkworm pupa meal, and dried fish meal. They have relatively high protein content and can be used to feed raccoon dogs. The general amount used can account for 20%-25% of animal feed. Most dry feed contains more salt, and the salt must be thoroughly soaked and washed out before use.

2 Feeding

2.1 Correcting Poor Feeding Methods

Farms and households add fresh fish, chicken offal, beef liver, eggs, milk, etc. during the preparation of raccoon dog feed, believing it to be very nutritious, but due to unbalanced nutrition, the growth rate of young raccoon dogs is not fast. The results are, first, increased costs and great waste; second, energy is too high, causing female raccoon dogs to become excessively obese, resulting in empty pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, mastitis, and other problems.

2.2 Developing Good Eating Habits

Feeding should be timed and quantitative, and when changing the daily ration it should be done gradually. The number and amount of daily feedings for raccoon dogs should be relatively fixed, so that they develop good eating habits and regularly secrete digestive juices, which is beneficial for feed digestion and absorption. The amount of newly replaced feed should be gradually increased, and the amount of the replaced feed should be gradually reduced, so that the digestive system of raccoon dogs gradually adapts to the new feed.

2.3 Drinking Water

The water supply should be determined according to the physiological state of raccoon dogs, the season, and the characteristics of the feed. In high-temperature seasons, the demand is large, and drinking water should not be interrupted; young raccoon dogs need more water than adult raccoon dogs, and pregnant female raccoon dogs also need much more water than usual; female raccoon dogs are prone to thirst before and after giving birth, and insufficient drinking water can easily lead to the phenomenon of carrying or eating pups, so sufficient drinking water must be ensured.