The Pros and Cons of Raw Dog Food Diets: Is It Right for Your Pet?

Regarding diet, we are always conscious about what we eat and how it will affect our bodies. Likewise, when we are parents to tiny furry babies, we are concerned about how a particular diet will affect their well-being too. In 2022, around 58.1 billion dollars worth of pet food and treats were sold in the US alone.

However, these pet owners are increasingly switching to homemade food due to the harmful effects that processed food has. But does that mean that you can add raw food to your pup's diet? Do the benefits of it outweigh the risks? Is it healthier than processed food? Let us examine the pros and cons of feeding your dog raw food.

What Do You Mean by A Raw Food Diet?

As the name states, a raw food diet lacks any cooked items. Traditional processed dog foods are usually in the form of kibbles, freeze-dried, or frozen options. However, raw food consists of fresh meat, sometimes with bone. A few owners also add vegetables, fruits, eggs or organ meats to the serving. Various recipes are available online, but not all of these are reliable.

Why Do People Prefer to Feed Their Dogs a Raw Diet?

Commercially processed food is readily available, convenient, and oftentimes affordable. Yet, the increasing popularity of raw food diet has a few reasons. According to a survey, 94% of the participants switched to a raw meat based diet because they thought it safer for their dogs. Moreover, they also noticed improvements in their dog's physical health. For instance, they had shinier coats, healthier teeth, and gained muscle mass.

In the same survey, 80% of the participants switched because they had lost trust in commercial food products. These respondents thought that the lack of information on the ingredients of these processed foods was the primary motive to switch. A healthier coat also means that your Goldendoodle colors will be more prominent.

Types of Raw Diets Available for Dogs

• A raw meat based diet that is prepared at home. It is often unbalanced and requires addition of nutrients
• Commercially available raw meat that is frozen, freeze-dried or dehydrated
• Commercially available raw frozen diets that are complete and balanced
• Commercially available freeze-dried diets that are complete and balanced
• Commercially available dehydrated meat that is complete and balanced
• Commercially available high-pressure pasteurized (HPP) which is complete and balanced diets

Generally, raw diets are of higher quality but more costly than commercially available processed dog food. Due to the additional processing steps, the most costly are freeze-dried, dehydrated, and HPP foods.

Pros of Raw Food Diet for Dogs

The following are the pros of the raw food diet for dogs:

• Healthier Body

Many owners perceive that commercially processed food is unhealthy for their fur babies. The reason is that they most often contain ingredients that need to be listed. Raw dog food, on the other hand, is natural and has minimal processing. Moreover, raw food also has ingredients that the owners are aware of.

Puppy owners who feed raw meat-based food claim that their pets are healthier and have higher energy levels. Not only this, but their coat is also shinier, and they have better dental health. They also believe that raw pet food leads to fewer dog health issues.

• A Higher Percentage of Nutrients

Cooked or processed meat is often ripped off from its nutrients. On the contrary, raw meat-based diets consist of biochemically complex compounds. Raw food also contains antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E, and Flavonoids.

When we heat any food, it often adds toxins to the meat. Therefore, the food you heat for your dog may eventually be carcinogenic. However, the actual effects of this study have not yet been studied on canines.

• Improvement of Immune Functions

70 to 80% of animals' immune systems are in their gut. Therefore, the food that they consume has a significant effect on their health and disease prevention. Keeping your dog on a healthy raw diet helps to strengthen their immune system

• Weight Management

Processed food is high in carbohydrates, which leads to obesity. However, a balanced raw diet has high protein content but low carbs. Therefore, these dogs often have a healthier weight. A few owners believe that it may also be due to twice-daily portion feeding. Dogs on a raw diet also consume fewer treats or dehydrated meat pieces.

Cons of Raw Food Diet for Dogs

The following are the pros of the raw food diet for dogs:

• Risk of Bones

When feeding raw food to your dog, there is a high chance that it may contain bone. Even a tiny bone fragment can potentially cause serious harm to your canine. It can create a choking hazard, break their teeth or internally puncture any part of the mouth. If you cook the bones, there is a higher chance of splintering. Therefore, it is advisable to feed your dog under supervision.

• Bacterial Infection

Some raw meat can potentially carry microbes such as bacteria and parasites that can cause infections in your dog. Infections are critical, especially if your dog already suffers from an underlying disease or cancer. Dogs with low immunity also have a higher chance of developing these infections.

• Unbalanced Diet

Some dog owners need to be made aware of the fact that raw meat itself is an unbalanced diet for their dogs. To make it a complete diet, add fruits and vegetables. If you constantly feed your dog just raw meat, then it may cause nutritional deficiencies. Moreover, in severe cases, it can even cause anemia, liver failure, or low bone density. Always consult your veterinarian so that he can make a balanced meal diet plan specifically for your pet friend.

• Cost and Time

Processed food requires no time and is ready to feed. Raw meat, on the other hand, takes time to prepare. Moreover, it is also more costly than kibble. If you are on a tight budget, you may want to think twice before making the final decision, as it may not be feasible for you or your family.

Conclusion

Switching your puppy friend to a raw diet may be a healthier alternative. However, it is only suitable for some pooches. Ultimately, it is best to discuss this with your vet to make an informed decision. Your vet will thoroughly examine all the factors and eventually decide what’s best for your pet. Regardless of which type of food you feed your dog, ensure it is balanced and you know its ingredients.

About The Author
M. Hassan Iqbal is an experienced digital marketing specialist with 3 years of SEO and content writing expertise. I provide these services to various companies, consistently achieving real results by improving their online rankings. If you're looking for excellent digital marketing services, I'm only a click away.

Editors Note -

Did You Know There is a Raw Feeding Veterinary Society?

The RFVS is a group of motivated vets, vet nurses and other paraprofessionals with a common interest in promoting the principles and practical aspects of species-appropriate nutrition, through support and education of veterinary, other professionals and the pet-owning public. Visit their website at https://rfvs.info

So does homeopathy work for your animal’s health? This is a question you may be wondering. There is scepticism around many therapies, whether that’s homeopathy, herbal medicine or other such as acupuncture and magnetic therapy and many others.

There can be the belief that there is no research proving its benefits. But that is not the case. As I mention on my research page here there are many reasons for there not being huge amounts of research, not least money! Conducting clinical research trials is often very expensive.

Are there guarantees with your pet's treatment?

A good question to ponder is whether there is a guaranteed result from any medicine or treatment for everyone? Even those which have been through extensive clinical trials don’t always have 100% success rates. Or they can have undesirable side effects, such as drowsiness, loss of appetite, or weight gain, etc. This isn’t always the case obviously. But the point is that there is no guarantee with any medicine. Whether that’s for our animals or ourselves.

Is veterinary homeopathy expensive?

There can also be the view that veterinary homeopathy is expensive. However, for anyone who’s been prescribed ‘conventional’ veterinary medicine for their pet recently is unlikely to have found it to be cheap! This obviously depends on where you are located, and what the problem is, prices will vary on lots of factors. The same is true for veterinary homeopathy medicine.

How can you be sure whether it’s worth considering veterinary homeopathy for your pet or other animal?

First of all speak to your veterinary surgeon for advice. Many veterinary surgeons’ do recommend homeopathic remedies for different ailments, even if they’re not specialist homeopaths. It depends on what is wrong with your animal. And using an integrative approach - so combining different methods for improving the health of your animal, can be really helpful.

There are many veterinary surgeon’s who have completed specialist homeopathy training. So you can ask for a second opinion if this is something you would like to explore.

The key point is to use homeopaths who are also trained and qualified professional veterinary surgeons’. Veterinary medicine is specialist so whatever is wrong with your animal, getting professional veterinary advice is essential, rather than relying on people who don’t have this. Despite being well meaning, your animal’s health is too important to chance with the advice of people who’re not properly trained veterinary surgeons.

And as I’ve mentioned above, if you would like to explore complementary medicine including homeopathy, and your veterinary surgeon is unclear or even unsupportive, then you can get a second opinion, including from specialist veterinarians.

What can veterinary homeopathy help your animal with?

Basically, everything is a possibility! As I mention above, using in combination with other treatments maybe useful. But it can be considered for many ailments. Speak to your veterinarian to discuss.

All animals can possibly benefit too. Whether it's your pet, livestock or a wild animal, veterinary homeopathy maybe of benefit.

Find more links to veterinary research online here


Finally….Please remember that if your horse, dog or other animal is unwell. Or on any kind of medication or other supplement. Then always speak to your Veterinary Surgeon first before using any supplement or therapy. Even natural ones. To avoid any possible issues.

And do you know someone who'd find this helpful? Please share, the more we can spread awareness of the benefits of natural therapies the better! :)

Find out more about other natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

Exciting News About This Natural Pet HealthCare Blog
It's been selected by Feedspot as one of the Top 10 UK Animal Blogs on the web. Check out this here

About the Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.

Proven Herbal Ways To Help Your Cat's Skin Health

Has your cat had a skin condition? Itchiness, loss of fur, sore skin, flaky skin and other symptoms of skin irritations and ill health can be found with our feline friends from time to time.

There can be many reasons why your cat has a skin ailment, so always get your veterinary surgeon to examine your cat to determine the root cause and advise on the appropriate treatment options. However, as well as conventional medicine, there’s a whole range of complementary therapies that you can use to help with your cat’s skin ailments. In this blog post i’m looking at a few of the herbal ways to help.

So what are the herbal ways you can help your cat’s skin health?

1. Evening Primrose Oil - veterinary research has found that this can be helpful. ‘The Veterinary Record’ has published a couple of research papers looking at different types of dermatitis:

• papulocrustous dermatitis, this found that when comparing evening primrose oil with sunflower oil, that “Six weeks after the supplement was withdrawn the cats fed evening primrose oil had deteriorated less than those fed sunflower oil.”

• miliary dermatitis, this found that the cats “were supplemented with various combinations of evening primrose oil and fish oil. The cutaneous signs improved when the cats were supplemented with either evening primrose oil alone or with a combination of evening primrose oil and fish oil. Fish oil alone was unable to maintain the remission and the cutaneous signs deteriorated. The subsequent administration of a combination of the two oils resulted in a resolution of the dermatosis.”

2. Olive Leaf Extract and Coconut Oil - veterinary research was conducted looking at the use of these in combination. This found that: “In cats administered rectal enema olive leaf extract and coconut oil for 10 days, all had significantly decreased Feline Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index from 121,5 ± 44,4 to 14,0 ± 6,0 (p=0.028).”

3. Aloe Vera is a popular herb for both animals and people to help with skin ailments. Published research found that aloe vera combined with virgin coconut oil helped accelerate healing following scabies. The results of the three groups of cream formulas B, C, D caused a significant cure in cats suffering from scabies compared to control group A.

Find the links to the veterinary research further down the page

How to know what herbal remedy to help?

Do speak to your veterinary surgeon for professional advice. Many ‘conventional vets’ are more than happy to recommend using herbal medicine. So do speak to your vet. But if you’d like a veterinarian who specialises in herbal medicine then there are many in the UK and around the world.

What about choosing herbal medicine products for your cat that you can find online or in a shop?

It is important that you know exactly what the cause of your cat’s skin ailment is. There can be many reasons, including some which are very serious and indicative of an underlying disease that means other treatment would be better. So do speak to your vet for advice.

Conclusion

It is possible to find that veterinary research has taken place to determine if herbs can help your animal's health. Please see links mentioned in this post below:

Research for Herbal Approaches to Feline Dermatology

• Harvey RG. A comparison of evening primrose oil and sunflower oil for the management of papulocrustous dermatitis in cats. The Veterinary Record. 1993 Dec;133(23):571-573. PMID: 8303807. https://europepmc.org/article/med/8303807

• Harvey RG. Effect of varying proportions of evening primrose oil and fish oil on cats with crusting dermatosis ('miliary dermatitis') The Veterinary Record. 1993 Aug;133(9):208-211. DOI: 10.1136/vr.133.9.208. PMID: 8280288. https://europepmc.org/article/med/8280288

• Ural, K., Yağcı, B. B., Erdogan, H., & ERDOGAN, S. (2022). Olive leaf extract and coconut oil rectal enema: a new ayurverdic therapeutical strategy for feline atopic skin syndrome. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 1(1), 10–19. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7473057 (Original work published December 21, 2022) http://dergi.veterinerichastaliklari.org/index.php/vihder/article/view/10

• Aloe vera and Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) accelerate healing process in domestic cat (Felis domesticus) suffering from scabies. Tridiganita Intan Solikhah, Gahastanira Permata Solikhah2 and Raden Joko Kuncoroningrat. Susilo Division of Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cahaya Petshop, Veterinarian, Mojokerto, Indonesia. Doctoral Program in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, College of Science and Technology, University Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia (2021) https://www.iasj.net/iasj/download/2ae9962d48668d42

Find more links to veterinary research online here


Finally….Please remember that if your horse, dog or other animal is unwell. Or on any kind of medication or other supplement. Then always speak to your Veterinary Surgeon first before using any supplement or therapy. Even natural ones. To avoid any possible issues.

And do you know someone who'd find this helpful? Please share, the more we can spread awareness of the benefits of natural therapies the better! :)

Find out more about other natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

Exciting News About This Natural Pet HealthCare Blog
It's been selected by Feedspot as one of the Top 10 UK Animal Blogs on the web. Check out this here

About the Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.

3 Ways To Help Relieve Your Dog's Separation Anxiety With Holistic Approaches

Dogs can get anxious being separated from their owners or other members of their family - for instance other pets or animals you may keep.

Being anxious isn't only something that affects dogs, as other animals can also experience similar emotions. But for this blog post, i'll focus on dogs and how to alleviate their anxiety through being separated.

How do you know if your dog is anxious through being separated?

You may notice several signs, and they can vary according to the dog and circumstances. Some dogs may be fine in some situations and not others. So what can be the signs?

1. Shaking - Dogs may shake and tremble with anxiety.
2. Howling or barking - Dogs may use their voice to make a noise expressing their distress.
3. "Destructive behaviour" - Dogs may chew items, whatever they can find, including things you'd rather they don't chew!
4. Pacing - some dogs will pace up and down or run up and down, whereas normally they'd lay quietly.
5. Jumping up - dogs may jump up at other people or jump onto places in their home, to express their anxiety.
6. Not eating - dogs may not eat or drink, including not having treats, as they're too anxious.

There maybe other signs too, with behaviours that aren't normally what you'd see in your dog.

It's important that you treat separation anxiety seriously. Not only can the behaviour manifest in destruction of property and possessions, but also your dog could get seriously ill or injured, even if it's only an occasional problem.

What holistic ways are there to help your dog not be affected by separation anxiety?

There's many holistic approaches you can use, including:

Tellington Ttouch

This is a training approach developed by animal expert, Linda Tellington-Jones Phd (Hon). It's based on the principles of cooperation and respect for animals and their people.

Tellington Ttouch is known as an approach to help improve behaviour and develop learning skills for your dog. Find out more in this Natural Pet Health Blog post

You can find many Tellington Ttouch practitioners around the world. It's also possible for you as a dog owner to attend workshops so you can also learn more about this approach yourself.

Bach Flower Remedies

There are 38 different remedies in the Bach Flower system. Using either one or a very small selection in combination can make a remarkable difference to emotions. They're both helpful for people and animals, including your dog. Learn more about this approach here at this Taranet advice page.

In an 'emergency' you can use Rescue Remedy, which is a combination of Bach Flower Remedies, as an immediate help.

Reiki

This is an energy therapy that can be used to help promote relaxation and calm. This maybe helpful if your dog gets anxious often. Read more at Reiki for animals here

Conclusion and final top tip to help your dog cope better with separation.

These are just 3 ways to help your dog with separation anxiety. If your dog is hurting him or herself or is getting severely stressed, do speak to your veterinary surgeon or a professionally qualified dog trainer for advice. There are many professional dog trainers who have trained in holistic therapies like these listed here, so choose one who you feel comfortable with and that you and your dog are going to get the best possible results from.

Get more information at this useful Blue Cross charity advice

Help your dog have a varied lifestyle too. For instance, not doing the same thing at the same time in the same place, can help your dog cope better with change. Routine is great, but it's possible to have too strict a routine.

Final tip - Be calm yourself! It's possible to increase your dogs anxiety through you being stressed. Reiki and Bach Flower Remedies above can be used with people too, so if you find yourself getting anxious, then these could also be worth a try by you.

Like help finding a veterinary surgeon or therapist for your animal?
Please email me at info at taranet . co. uk

Please remember that if your horse, dog or other animal is unwell. Or on any kind of medication or other supplement. Then always speak to your Veterinary Surgeon first before using any supplement or therapy. Even natural ones. To avoid any possible issues.

And do you know someone who'd find this helpful? Please share, the more we can spread awareness of the benefits of natural therapies the better! :)

Find out more about other natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

Exciting News About This Natural Pet HealthCare Blog
It's been selected by Feedspot as one of the Top 10 UK Animal Blogs on the web. Check out this here

About the Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.

The Link Between Hormonal Imbalance and Canine Behavioral Changes

Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate many bodily functions, including canine behavior and body language. When there is an imbalance, it can lead to a variety of behavioral changes in dogs. Hormonal imbalances in dogs have several types, but so are their treatment options. Some supplements, like lignans for dogs, are crafted to help dog parents manage these behavioral changes.

Decoding the Behavioral Shifts

Dogs are generally known for their unique personalities and expressive behaviors. However, the onset of a hormonal imbalance can result in subtle changes and even unexpected shifts. Here are several behavioral changes in dogs that might catch the discerning eye of any owner:

Heightened Aggression

A typically friendly dog might suddenly display heightened aggressive behavior, directing it toward another dog, people, or even inanimate objects. This sudden behavior change and shift in temperament can be a cause for concern and prompt further investigation.

Destructive Behavior

Chewing, digging, growling, and scratching—behaviors that suggest destruction—can indicate anxiety or stress due to hormonal imbalance as the underlying cause. A once well-behaved pup could transform into a seemingly unrecognizable whirlwind of activity.

Separation-Induced Anxiety

Canine companions thrive on companionship, and the onset of a hormonal imbalance might trigger separation anxiety. Dogs that were once calm and collected might now show visible signs of distress when parted from their human family members.

Excessive Hyperactivity

While boundless energy is a good trait, excessive hyperactivity may signal an underlying hormonal irregularity. If your furry friend's energy levels skyrocket beyond their usual demeanor, hormones could be at the root of the transformation.

Unexplained Licking or Chewing

Unusual, excessive licking or chewing can indicate your dog's attempt to manage the anxiety or boredom that hormonal imbalances can bring about.

Disrupted Appetite and Sleep

Aside from dog behavior, hormonal imbalances can take a toll on appetite and sleep patterns. Some dogs may lose interest in their food, while others might struggle to find restful sleep – both potential indicators of an internal imbalance.

Heightened Vocalization

An uptick in whining or barking might be your dog's way of expressing their inner turmoil caused by hormonal changes, effectively communicating their discomfort or anxiety.

Inappropriate Elimination

The frustrating occurrence of house soiling, especially potty-trained older dogs, can link to hormonal imbalances, reflecting anxiety, territorial marking, or even underlying medical issues.

Hormones at Play

To address these behavior changes in dogs effectively, understanding the hormones involved is key. Veterinary experts can provide you with more in-depth insights on this, but here are the most common hormones that can play a role:

Estrogen and Progesterone

Most notably associated with females, imbalances in estrogen and progesterone can arise during significant life stages such as the estrous cycle, pregnancy, or menopause, exerting a significant influence on behavior.

Thyroid Hormones

These hormones are responsible for metabolism and growth regulation. Imbalances in thyroid hormones can affect energy levels and overall demeanor in dogs.

Adrenal Hormones

Stress responses and blood sugar regulation are under the domain of adrenal hormones. Hormonal imbalances, as seen in conditions like Cushing's or Addison's disease, can cause behavior changes.

Testosterone

While commonly associated with males, imbalances in testosterone can occur in neutered dogs or those facing prostate issues, potentially driving shifts in behavior.

Seeking Equilibrium: Solutions and Strategies

Thankfully, many treatments have been developed to address hormonal imbalances and the subsequent changes in behavior they trigger:

Medicinal Interventions

Medications, administered orally, through injections, or topically, can effectively regulate hormonal imbalances, helping your canine companion's equilibrium.

Tailored Nutrition

Adapting your dog's diet to suit their age, breed, and activity level contributes to hormonal balance. Contact your veterinarians for advice on the most suitable dietary adjustments.

Harnessing the Power of Supplements

Enter lignans—potent plant compounds found in flaxseed, soybeans, and fruits. You can add these to your dog's diet through various means:

• Incorporating flaxseed meal or flaxseed oil supplements.
• Opting for foods naturally rich in lignans, such as select fruits and vegetables.

Empowering Positive Behavior

Unraveling the common dog behavior problems resulting from hormonal imbalances requires a multifaceted approach. You may also seek help from a behavior specialist to help you determine the most suitable reinforcement when training your dog.

• Exercise and Stimulation: Keep your dog physically and mentally engaged to alleviate stress and anxiety.
• Consistency is Key: A stable routine fosters security and minimizes anxiety in your furry friend.
• Mitigate Loneliness: Prolonged periods of solitude can lead to anxiety-driven behaviors; strive for balanced companionship.
• Embrace Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding good behavior and ignoring undesirable actions aids in fostering appropriate conduct and effective behavior modification.
• Professional Support: Certified animal behaviorists can offer invaluable insights and guidance for managing challenging behavior.

Conclusion

If your fur pet is exhibiting any of the dog behavior issues discussed above, make it a priority to see a veterinarian. Hormonal imbalance is just one of the many reasons a dog can change. That's why a professional's insight matters.

But if your dog is indeed diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance, treating them with patience and understanding goes a long way. Their behavioral changes might not improve overnight. However, with an expert’s help and suitable medication, your dog can overcome these imbalances and live a happy and healthy life.

About The Author

Aubri Bell is a talented marketing director with a passion for pets. With years of experience in the industry, she has honed her skills in creating effective marketing strategies that drive growth and engagement.
Currently connected at Lignans For Life, Aubri is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of pets while also helping pet owners find the best products and services for their furry friends. Her love for animals and her expertise in marketing make her a valuable asset to the company.