Is A Raw Dog Food Diet Right For My Dog?

Animal lovers have been known to give their best to their furry friends. For some dog owners it’s about swapping processed meals for meals made of raw, whole foods. Raw diets are ideal for some pets, but it’s certainly not suitable for all dogs and you should consult with your vet before making an informed choice.

Before we get in to the cons and pros of a raw dog food diet, we’ll discuss what exactly raw diets are.

Raw diets for dogs aren’t new. They were originally meant for sled dogs and greyhounds racing. The idea of bringing this diet into the home was first suggested in 1993 by veterinary doctor Ian Billinghurst. It was called by the BARF diet, also known as the “Bones and raw food” food plan, Billinghurst believed that dog could appreciate a lifestyle that was based on the habits of eating that were prevalent among their ancestors from the past. He suggested that raw fleshy bones and vegetables are the primary food sources for dogs, whereas commercial grain-based food products were not sufficient and detrimental.

Raw food diets have its supporters as well as its critics. Some advocates say it can dramatically improve your dog’s health However, critics say that if you don’t provide the proper guidance, eating raw food can be harmful.

Since the first time that the raw food diet was introduced various other variations have been created. The exact details can differ however, the recipes for raw food diets typically include the same elements:

Organ meats (liver and kidneys)

Muscle meats are sometimes placed on the bone

Bones, either whole or ground

Vegetables (broccoli , spinach, celery)

Uncooked eggs

Apples, berries, and other fruits

Dairy products

There are many recipes available online that incorporate one or more of the above ingredients. Similar to every “human” food but you must consult your veterinarian prior to including them in your pet’s diet.

Raw food is also becoming popular with cats as well as their owners. Similar to dogs, the wild cats’ ancestors lived by eating raw, whole foods (with more emphasis on meat since cats are meat eaters by nature. Switching to raw foods offers many of the same possible health benefits for cats, just as they do for dogs. Also, it has several of the same dangers. Both should be balanced to meet your pet’s particular nutritional needs and preferences, so consult your veterinarian before including raw food in your cat’s diet.

Consuming a diet that is comprised of all raw food ingredients can bring many possible health benefits. Some of the most well-known ones that are attributed to those who follow raw food diets are:

If your dog is prone to gain weight quickly If your dog is prone to gain weight, a raw diet could aid in keeping its weight under control. It’s also possible to alter your dog’s diet to control precisely what your dog is eating to reduce weight or weight gain whatever is recommended by your vet.

Raw diets will help your dog get greater energy levels, healthier skin and better-looking teeth. The bone meat diet will reduce the smell of bad breath as well as improve the hygiene of teeth for dogs . The protein-rich content of raw food can aid in making your dog’s muscles stronger.

Your dog’s coat will become shiny and healthy when you follow the raw diet. The high fat content of many raw food diets encourages healthy skin and fur. Therefore, by following the diet of raw that is rich in fat-rich meat it is possible to see improvement in the appearance of the coat of your dog.

The idea of replacing processed foods with natural ingredients seems like a healthy alternative, but a raw food diet is not without certain risks, along with advantages.

If you feed your dog a raw diet there is a chance that your dog could suffer injury from bone fragments that are in the meat. Bones could pose an choking risk, fracture your dog’s teeth or trigger punctures in the internal organs. Bones that have been cooked are particularly prone to splintering. They should be fed only to your pet under the supervision of a vet.

Raw meat may contain parasites and bacteria that could cause infections in your pet. This is particularly dangerous for dogs with cancer or other health problems as they’re more likely to be affected by the bacteria.

Even if your dog appears healthy, bacteria could bring a health issue to the surface aggravating it. These kinds of bacteria are not safe for humans too.

Giving your dog a raw diet is taking the nutritional needs of your pet into your hands. While this may be one of the primary benefits for the dog’s diet, it could cause serious health problems if the diet isn’t properly balanced. The essential nutrients and vitamins essential to the health of your dog may not be found in raw foods so that a raw food diet may cause your dog to be lacking. In contrast excess fat, protein or other nutrients can result in issues such as anemia, bone loss and liver failure.

Making a natural diet for you pet will take a significant amount of time. It’s costly than buying dog food from the supermarket. Dry dog food is priced about $1 per day, for a day’s supply of raw chicken could be anywhere between $2.50 up to 5. If your family members are trying to stay within budget or has little time to cook raw food, then a raw diet may not be the most suitable option.

A raw diet has the potential to boost your dog’s health, however, it’s unlikely to be suitable for every dog. The final decision on whether a raw diet is suitable for you dog’s needs is an issue that you and your veterinarian need to talk about and discuss.