The Power of Fresh Nutrition: Suri's Transformation Story

The impact of proper nutrition on a dog's health and wellbeing cannot be overstated, particularly for rescue dogs. Through Wunderdog's sponsorship programme, one remarkable transformation story emerged: that of Suri, a rescue dog from Ras Al Khaimah, whose life changed dramatically after receiving fresh, nutritious meals. 

When Suri was first discovered in Ras Al Khaimah, she was malnourished at just 13 kilograms. At four years old, her condition and behaviour suggested she had likely been abandoned by her previous owners. Sadly, a common fate for many dogs. Despite this heartbreaking start, fate led her to the dedicated team at RAKAWC shelter, where her journey towards recovery began. 

Initially, Suri was placed on a standard dry food diet, which is common practice in many shelters. While this provided basic sustenance, her progress remained limited during the first month of care. Recognising the potential for better outcomes through improved nutrition, Wunderdog stepped in to sponsor Suri, providing her with fresh, nutritious meals as part of their commitment to supporting local rescue animals. 

As with all dogs new to fresh food, we implemented a careful transitioning process for Suri. Abrupt dietary changes can cause digestive upset, so we gradually introduced fresh food while slowly reducing her dry food intake over a one-week period. Many of our clients initially opt for a 50% dry and 50% fresh food combination, which already delivers noticeable benefits. However, we ultimately recommend transitioning to 100% fresh food for optimal health results, as we did with Suri.

This gradual approach allows the digestive system to adapt to the higher moisture content and more bioavailable nutrients found in fresh food, which is particularly important for rescue dogs who may have experienced nutritional deficiencies.

Several factors guided our nutritional plan for Suri. We carefully considered her breed characteristics, current condition, and health goals when selecting her personalised meal plan. As a Saluki, Suri belongs to a naturally lean breed with high energy requirements. Her malnourished condition meant her primary health goal was healthy weight gain, requiring a calorie-dense recipe that would help her build muscle efficiently. After potential periods of food scarcity, encouraging consistent eating habits was essential, so we selected highly palatable combinations to stimulate her appetite.

Based on these factors, we selected our Chicken with Banana recipe as Suri's primary meal. This recipe provides an excellent balance of lean protein from chicken breast, healthy fats, and easily digestible carbohydrates to support her weight gain journey. After starting her Wunderdog meals, Suri's weight increased significantly, reaching a healthy 21 kilograms. This weight gain reflected a complete transformation in her overall health and vitality. Her coat developed a healthier shine, her energy levels increased substantially, and she began showing greater interest in her surroundings and interactions with both humans and other dogs.

Even after Suri reached her weight management goal, we maintained her on the same nutritionally balanced recipe. This consistency offered several benefits: preventing potential digestive upset, supporting her naturally high metabolism, maintaining lean muscle mass, and streamlining care routines for shelter staff. Rather than changing her recipe, we simply adjusted portion sizes to maintain her ideal weight while keeping the nutritional profile consistent.

Suri's remarkable recovery can be attributed to the key nutrients in her fresh food diet. High-quality proteins from chicken breast, neck, liver, and eggs provided essential amino acids for muscle development. Balanced carbohydrates from sweet potato, rice, and pumpkin delivered easily digestible energy sources while supporting digestive health with natural fibre. Healthy fats, particularly salmon oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids, supported skin, coat, and joint health. 

Essential vitamins and minerals came from natural sources, including bananas (potassium, vitamin B6), apples (antioxidants, vitamins C and A), carrots (beta-carotene), and leafy greens (vitamins K, C, and iron). This nutrient-dense approach delivered far more than the basic minimum requirements found in standard dry foods, with superior bioavailability making it particularly valuable for rescue dogs recovering from malnourishment.

Suri's journey from a malnourished street dog to a healthy, vibrant companion highlights the incredible benefits of fresh, natural nutrition. Through Wunderdog's commitment to providing nutritious meals, she has experienced a complete revival in her health and quality of life, demonstrating how proper nutrition can help rescue dogs overcome the challenges of their past. 

This beautiful soul is still waiting for her forever home. Now at her healthiest and happiest, Suri is ready to share her newfound joy and energy with a loving family. Visit RAKAWC shelter to meet this transformed sweetheart and perhaps discover your new best friend.

Give the gift of health and happiness! Support rescue dogs like Suri by gifting a nutritious meal through Wunderdog. Every bowl makes a difference.