Spice of Life: Why Variety Matters
Hey there! Picture this: it’s a sunny June day in Chicago, and your dog’s tail is wagging like crazy as you head to Montrose Dog Beach. As a fellow dog lover running The Crudo Diet here in the city, I know how much you want your pup to thrive during these summer adventures. Growing up in Chicago, I watched my family’s dogs light up at the lakefront, and I learned that what they eat makes all the difference. Inspired by how wild dogs eat a variety of foods with the seasons, I’ve seen how a raw diet can bring that same vitality to our pets. Let me share why variety in your dog’s diet matters, how wild dogs’ seasonal habits guide us, and which Chicago summer foods can keep your pup healthy and happy. Grab a coffee from a Wicker Park café, and let’s dive in!
What Wild Dogs Teach Us About Feeding Our Pups
When I think about dog nutrition, I imagine wolves roaming through forests, their meals changing with the seasons. In summer, they might feast on a deer’s liver, rich in vitamin A, or a fish from a stream, packed with omega-3s. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), dogs need protein for energy, fats for a shiny coat, carbohydrates from veggies for digestion, and micronutrients like vitamins and minerals for immunity. Wild dogs get this balance naturally by eating varied foods:
Summer: Fresh prey like rabbits provides lean meat and organs (heart, kidneys) for vitamins B and iron, plus berries for antioxidants.
Fall: Fattier prey like elk offers energy, while organs like spleen add vitamin K.
Winter: Scarce food leads to small game or roots, supplying zinc or fiber.
This variety keeps them strong. In Chicago’s humid summer, your dog needs that same diversity to handle heat, park playtime, or a dip in Lake Michigan. Feeding the same kibble daily can miss key nutrients, but a raw diet with variety—like the one I craft at The Crudo Diet—helps your dog shine, just like their wild cousins.
Why Variety Keeps Your Dog Thriving
I’ve learned that feeding your dog a variety of foods isn’t just about keeping things interesting—it’s about their health. With 68% of pet owners in 2025 choosing natural diets (per industry trends), more of us are embracing raw feeding to mimic what wild dogs eat. Here’s why variety in a raw diet matters for your pup:
Complete Nutrition: No single food has it all. Meat gives protein, but organs like liver add vitamin A for coat health, and heart brings taurine for a strong heart. Mixing foods ensures your dog gets everything they need.
Happy Tummy: Rotating proteins (like beef or fish) prevents food sensitivities and keeps their gut healthy, per PetMD. It’s like how you’d feel eating the same sandwich every day—not great!
Mental Spark: New flavors and textures excite your dog, like a wolf sniffing out prey. It keeps them engaged, especially during Chicago summer outings.
Summer Boost: Chicago’s heat means your dog needs hydration and energy. A varied raw diet with water-rich veggies or nutrient-dense organs supports them through every romp at Grant Park.
I started The Crudo Diet to make this variety easy with our freeze-dried liver, heart, and kidney treats. They’re like the wild’s best bits, packed into a convenient snack for your pup.
Chicago’s Summer Foods for a Raw Diet
Living in Chicago, I love hitting up farmers’ markets like Green City Market or Logan Square in June. They’re bursting with fresh, raw-diet-friendly foods that pair perfectly with a varied diet, just like wild dogs eating what’s in season. Here are the top in-season foods for your dog’s raw diet in Chicago’s summer of 2025, safe and vet-approved:
Beef and Chicken (Year-Round, Peak Quality in Summer): Local farms like Slagel Family Farm offer raw beef or chicken, perfect for protein. Pair with our liver treats for vitamin A to keep your dog’s coat glossy for lakefront walks.
Great Lakes Whitefish (June Peak): Sourced from Dirk’s Fish at local markets, raw whitefish provides omega-3s for skin health, mimicking wild dogs’ summer fish feasts.
Zucchini and Summer Squash (June–August): Found at Nichols Farm, these veggies add hydration and fiber. Finely chop them to complement a raw meal, supporting digestion on hot days.
Blueberries (Late June Peak): Mick Klug Farm’s blueberries offer antioxidants, like wild dogs’ foraged berries. Use a few as a sweet treat topper.
Spinach (June–July): Available at Green City Market, spinach provides vitamin K for immunity. Feed sparingly to avoid oxalates, per AAFCO guidelines.
Mix these with our freeze-dried organ treats for a balanced raw diet. For example, combine raw chicken, pureed zucchini, and a crumbled kidney treat for a meal that fuels your dog for a day at Soldier Field’s dog-friendly events.
Easy Ways to Add Variety to Your Dog’s Raw Diet
I started The Crudo Diet to make raw feeding simple, using our freeze-dried organ treats sourced from a small Wisconsin farm, just a short drive from Chicago. Here’s how you can bring variety to your dog’s diet this summer:
Switch Up Organs: Try our liver treats one day for coat health, heart the next for heart support, and kidney for detoxification. It’s like a wolf eating different prey parts.
Mix with Local Foods: Add our treats to raw beef or whitefish from Chicago markets, or sprinkle over chopped spinach for a nutrient boost.
Train with Treats: Use their bold flavor for summer training at Montrose Dog Beach. They’re portable (2-year shelf life) and perfect for teaching “stay” by the lake.
Hydrate Smart: Rehydrate our treats with water for a moist snack, great for Chicago’s humid days, like wild dogs seeking watery foods.
Keep It Balanced: Stick to less than 10% of daily calories from treats (e.g., 1–2 small pieces for a 20-pound dog, per AAFCO). Check with your vet for a custom raw plan.
My own dog’s energy soared after I added variety with these treats, and I bet your pup will love them too, whether they’re chasing waves or napping in Wicker Park.
Let’s Make Your Dog’s Summer Wildly Healthy
As a Chicago gal who loves seeing dogs thrive, I created The Crudo Diet to bring the wild’s variety to your pup’s diet. Our USDA-certified freeze-dried liver, heart, and kidney treats make it easy to give your dog the nutrients they need for a vibrant summer. This June, during National Pet Appreciation Week (June 1–7, 2025), let’s celebrate your pup with a raw diet that sparks joy.
Want to see your dog light up Chicago’s summer? Try our freeze-dried organ treats and watch them thrive! Use code VARIETY25 for 10% off your first order!
