Nutrition for the Ancient Elkhound: Restoring the Ancestral Diet of the Norwegian & Swedish Elkhound

Introduction: Feeding the Ancient Nordic Dog

The Norrland, Full Blood Elkhound, Norwegian Elkhound and the Swedish Elkhound (Jämthund) are among the oldest working dogs on earth—mountain hunters, guardians, trackers, and partners to northern families for thousands of years. Their bodies were shaped by a harsh climate, a demanding workload, and a diet built entirely on fresh, raw, wild animal foods.

At Kamia Kennels, we raise Full Blood Elkhounds, Norwegian and Swedish Elkhounds with the same respect for their origins. Nutrition is not an afterthought—it is a pillar of preservation. A raw diet supports:

• Dense, weatherproof coats
• Strong joints and connective tissue
• Lean, powerful musculature
• Stable energy and endurance
• Healthy digestion and immune resilience
• Long‑term structural soundness

This guide outlines the complete Kamia approach to feeding raw—simple, natural, biologically appropriate, and proven across generations of our dogs. * NOTE* We have entire generations of our Elkhounds that have NEVER been fed anything but raw since they began, thousands of years ago. Seriously, raw is superior.

1. The Foundation of the Kamia Raw Diet

The Ancestral Ratio: 80 / 10 / 10

A balanced raw diet mirrors the composition of natural prey:

• 80% Muscle Meat
• 10% Raw Edible Bone
• 10% Organ Meat (5% liver, 5% other secreting organs)

This ratio provides the full spectrum of amino acids, minerals, fats, enzymes, and micronutrients required by a working Nordic dog.

Why Raw Works for Elkhounds

Elkhounds are metabolically efficient. They thrive on:

• High protein
• Moderate fat
• Low carbohydrate
• High moisture content
• Natural calcium/phosphorus from bone
• Micronutrients from organs and whole prey

Their digestive system is optimized for raw animal foods—not processed kibble, fillers, or starch. Vets hate this diet as the dogs stay healthy, do NOT listen to Vets on food for your Elkhound.

2. The Core Components

A. Muscle Meat (80%)

This is the engine of the diet—fuel for muscle, stamina, and coat. Wild game is the BEST! You have a hunting dog! Use it.

Recommended proteins:

• Beef (heart, trim, lean cuts)
• Venison, elk, moose
• Lamb, goat
• Turkey, duck, chicken
• Pork (lean cuts)
• Fish (whole or fillets: salmon, mackerel, smelt, sardines) Feed fish frozen.

Why it matters:
Muscle meat provides essential amino acids, iron, B‑vitamins, and the dense protein Elkhounds require for their athletic build.

Again, you don’t need to be TOO Fancy, sometimes I get sales on Turkey, they simply get Turkey, sliced and that is all.

B. Raw Edible Bone (10%)

Bones supply natural calcium, phosphorus, and dental benefits. You can grind bone or dice for the young pups, but as they grow past that 4 to 5 months age they can eat most bone. A Typical Full Blood Six Month Old Female is 44 lbs.

Examples:

• Chicken necks, wings, frames
• Turkey necks
• Lamb ribs
• Pork ribs (lean ends)

Guidelines:

• Bones must be raw, never cooked
• Size must match the dog—no choking hazards
• Puppies require ground or bones to clean off, not eat, grind bone for your little guys.
• Throw away bones after they are cleaned off. I give larger bones to pups so that they can’t eat them.

C. Organ Meat (10%)

Organs are the vitamin and mineral powerhouse of the diet.

5% Liver:

• Beef, lamb, chicken, pork

5% Other Organs:

• Kidney
• Spleen
• Pancreas
• Brain
• Testicles

Why organs matter:
They supply vitamin A, D, E, K, B‑complex, copper, zinc, and essential enzymes.

3. Optional Plant Matter (5–10%)

While not required, small amounts of plant matter can support digestion and antioxidant intake. Some bought food that is Raw like Pets Go Raw, which are excellent have some of this below. I am not a fan of roughage in pup rations just so you know.

Recommended:

• Blueberries
• Spinach
• Pumpkin
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Zucchini

Avoid: Really be careful around gum. Total dog killer.

• Grapes/raisins
• Onions, garlic, chives
• Xylitol
• Chocolate
• High‑salt or high‑fat human foods

4. Essential Fats & Oils

Elkhounds benefit from omega‑rich fats for coat, skin, and joint health.

Recommended additions:

• Salmon oil or Frozen Salmon
• Sardines (whole) or Smelts,
• Flaxseed oil (secondary option)
• Camelina Oil is pretty good option if you can not get fish.

Why:
Omega‑3s reduce inflammation, support joints, and maintain the dense double coat characteristic of the breed. I talk about how the double coat needs the oil free flowing in the coat in this video with Hada.

5. Supplements for Working & Breeding Elkhounds

While a balanced raw diet covers most needs, Kamia dogs benefit from:

• Glucosamine & chondroitin (joint support) older dogs can benefit.
• Omega‑3 fatty acids (coat & inflammation control)
• Probiotics (gut stability)
• Vitamin E (balances omega‑3 intake)
• Kelp (trace minerals)

Breeding females may require additional support—see the Breeding Section when I get it finished.

6. Feeding Amounts by Life Stage

Puppies (2–12 months)

6–10% of body weight daily, divided into 3–4 meals ideal, but can be two.

• High protein
• High fat
• Soft bone
• Careful organ introduction

Puppies grow fast—steady, not excessive, growth is the goal. Feed them if you think they are hungry, they can’t get fat on this. Don’t be shy. I normally feed lots.

Adolescents (12–24 months)

4–6% of body weight daily

• Maintain lean muscle
• Adjust for activity
• Continue bone and organ balance

Adults (2–7 years)

2–3% of body weight daily
Increase to 3.5–4% for:

• Winter
• Mountain work
• Long hikes
• High‑output dogs

Seniors (7+ years)

2% of body weight daily

• Keep lean
• Add joint support
• Maintain hydration

7. Seasonal Adjustments for Northern Dogs

Winter

• Increase fat
• Add bone broth
• Include more red meat
• Support joints

Summer

• Increase hydration
• Add water‑rich foods (fish, organs)
• Reduce fat slightly
• Avoid heavy bone meals in extreme heat

8. Sample Weekly Kamia Raw Rotation

Day 1 – Beef & Bone

• Beef heart
• Beef trim
• Lamb ribs
• Liver + kidney

Day 2 – Poultry

• Turkey necks
• Chicken quarters
• Spleen

Day 3 – Fish Day

• Whole mackerel or salmon / You may find they get too loose so incorporate with day 2 if so.
• Eggs
• Blueberries + spinach

Day 4 – Red Meat

• Venison or elk
• Beef liver
• Bone‑in lamb

Day 5 – Mixed Proteins

• Pork shoulder (lean)
• Chicken wings
• Kidney

Day 6 – Light Day

• Sardines
• Green vegetables
• Bone broth

Day 7 – Feast Day

• Whole prey (rabbit, duck, or equivalent)
• Organ mix

The above is a guide, for optimal, I literally don’t have quite that fancy a schedule. They might eat deer if I have for a few days, fish for a few days, etc. You don’t have to “Follow” the days schedule, they will do just fine throwing out some mixed patties with almost all days in one type of ration.

9. Breeding Females & Litters

Pregnant Females

• Increase calories gradually
• Add DHA (fish)
• Add folate‑rich organs
• Maintain bone for calcium balance
• Avoid calcium supplements

Nursing Females

• Highest caloric demand of their life
• Feed 4–6% of body weight or more
• Add:

• Salmon
• Eggs
• Bone broth
• High‑fat red meats
• Extra organs

Weaning Puppies

Start at 3–4 weeks with:

• Goat milk or puppy milk replacer
• Finely ground meat
• Soft bone slurry
• Gradual introduction of organs

By 8 weeks, puppies can eat full raw meals.

When you get your pup home he will be eating a full meat ration from about 4 weeks on. So is well started on it. Travel empty, meaning don’t feed the morning of travel, feed at night when stopped.

10. Foods to Avoid

Critical for Elkhounds: Watch you don’t leave a pack of gum around, total dog killer.

• Grapes/raisins
• Onions, garlic, chives
• Xylitol
• Chocolate
• Cooked bones
• High‑fat table scraps
• Excessive liver
• Highly processed foods

11. Hydration & Working Dog Care

Elkhounds are heat‑sensitive and double‑coated.

• Fresh water always available
• Bone broth for hydration
• Extra water in summer
• Extra fat in winter

12. The Kamia Philosophy: Feeding for Generations

A raw diet is not a trend—it is a return to what the Elkhound was built for. At Kamia Kennels, we feed raw because:

• It produces healthier, stronger, more resilient dogs
• It supports long‑term structural integrity
• It enhances coat quality and thermoregulation
• It aligns with the breed’s ancient origins
• It honors the stewardship of full‑blood lines

Our dogs thrive because we feed them as nature intended.

With proper diet, coat quality, shedding, all of it will occur correctly and naturally. This is MANE, I showcase a totally superior Elkhound in every aspect getting his coat brushed. I discuss how diet plays a role in coat care.