Is Raw Feeding Right For Your Dog?
19/11/23 12:11
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
Pros of Raw Food Diet for Dogs
The following are the pros of the raw food diet for dogs:
- Healthier Body
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
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
- Weight Management
Cons of Raw Food Diet for Dogs
The following are the pros of the raw food diet for dogs:
- Risk of Bones
- Bacterial Infection
- Unbalanced Diet
- Cost and Time
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