Pros and Cons of Raw Diet for Dogs: Raw Dog Food Or Not?

Many dog owners are preparing home-cooked meals for their dogs instead of kibbles. However, is feeding your dog raw food really the way? Learn more about the pros and cons of raw diet for dogs in this article. Keep your dog healthy by following these tips on how to source good dog food for your pet.

Pros and Cons of Raw Diet for Dogs: Why Should I Worry

You likely have many questions if you are considering a raw diet for your dog. As a responsible pet owner, you want to ensure that whatever diet you choose is best for your furry friend. Raw diets offer many benefits, but they also have some potential drawbacks to keep in mind.

Preparing DIY frozen dog treats for your pet is easy enough, but what about some homemade raw dog food for your pets? Plenty of fur parents have started the switch between commercialized kibbles these raw dog food. 

To decide whether or not raw feeding is a good option for your pup, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of raw food diets. The primary pros of this diet are improved coat condition and skin health, increased energy and vitality, better digestion, and reduced allergies.

On the other hand, some potential cons include the possibility of food-borne illnesses due to bacteria in uncooked meat or eggs, the higher cost compared to commercial dry kibble diets, and the more time-consuming preparation process.

Ultimately, it’s a personal decision whether or not to switch your pup’s diet to raw food. If you decide to make the switch, then it’s essential to research the best ways to prepare meals for your pup and discuss them with your veterinarian to ensure that it suits their specific needs.

The Science of Raw Food Diets

You've probably heard about the alleged benefits of a raw diet for dogs, especially in comparison to commercial food, but is there any science backing up such claims?

Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer due to a lack of research and data. However, some researchers suggest that a raw diet could benefit dogs in numerous ways.

Raw diets are thought to be closer to what dogs would eat in the wild and provide much-needed nutrients. It is also believed that raw food diets can help improve digestion and even reduce allergies due to avoiding artificial preservatives and flavorings.

On the flip side, some experts believe that feeding a dog only raw food can be dangerous since it can be difficult to know exactly how much nutrition a dog needs from its diet. In addition, if not properly prepared or stored, a raw diet could introduce bacteria into your pup's system leading to health risks.

At the end of the day, it’s important for every pet owner to do their own research and consider all the pros and cons before making such an important decision for their pup’s health and well-being.

Benefits Of Raw Dog Food

One of the biggest pros to feeding your pup raw is that it's believed to be closer to their ancestral diet. Dogs have lived with humans for thousands of years, and eating raw was only part of their natural lifestyle. That means it's nutrient-packed and provides many benefits for today's dogs.

Here are just a few of the major benefits of feeding your pooch a raw diet:

High Nutritional Content

Raw dog food contains essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids that give your pup the nutrition they need to thrive. Unlike kibble, which can be high in processed ingredients like grains and preservatives, raw food has more natural ingredients like meat or fish. This means more nutrition and better digestion for your pup.

More Variety

When you feed your pup raw food, you're providing them with different proteins than they get in kibble. This increases the variety in their diet, making it more interesting and enjoyable for them—just like you would enjoy eating different types of food!

Better Digestion

Kibble is made from processed ingredients like grains that are difficult for dogs to digest. Much of the processing has been eliminated with raw dog food, making it easier on their digestive system. This not only helps them absorb nutrients better but can also reduce indigestion and other digestive issues they may have.

Drawbacks Of Raw Feeding

The cons of feeding your dog raw aren't to be overlooked either. Because of the nature of raw meat, there's a potential for bacteria and parasites that could make your pet ill—so it's crucial to ensure you source your meat with care. Additionally, there's a risk of choking or intestinal blockages since bones can splinter and obstruct the digestive system.

Moreover, adequately balancing the diet for your dog is vital for their canine lifetime health, and this can be tricky with raw food. You have to feed your pup the right amounts of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Additionally, if you don't have enough information on hand or you're not careful, it's possible that your pet could become malnourished. This is because it's easy to miss the nutrients needed for their growth without being informed about it.

Lastly, if you have multiple pets in the house, it may not be safe to feed them all raw food from the same bowl without proper hygiene measures—we all know how competitive our furry friends can be at meal times!

BARF Diet: The Good And The Bad

Raw feeding, namely the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet, has been gaining popularity in recent years. While BARF diets are balanced and can provide a wide range of nutrients for your pooch, there are some pros and cons you should know about before making a decision.

The Pros

Proponents of raw diets tout the fact that it is closest to what dogs would eat in the wild and is high in protein and fat. Feeding your dog raw food can also help the digestive system because it contains enzymes that improve digestion.

It may also help with allergies and provide more nutritional value than processed dry foods. Additionally, it’s easier to control ingredients when feeding raw, so you know exactly what’s going into your pup's body.

The Cons

On the downside, if not done correctly, there is a high risk of foodborne illnesses due to bacteria such as Salmonella or E.Coli living in raw meat or fish. Additionally, bones can splinter during digestion and cause internal damage, such as intestinal blockage or perforations, which can be fatal without proper medical care.

Raw diets also tend to be more expensive due to the cost of buying all different types of meats plus supplements needed to ensure nutritional balance. Additionally, they take more work and preparation since fresh fruits & veggies need to be chopped & ground up into small pieces for easy digestion.

Ultimately, whether you decide to feed your dog a BARF diet or not depends on what works best for them—and for you—as well as taking into account their overall health conditions and lifestyle needs.

How To Find Good Dog Food

If you're considering switching your pup to a raw diet, you must be careful where you find the food. You don't want to buy from the wrong source!

Know Your Sources

Make sure the food comes from a reputable source. It's always better to go with a vendor specializing in producing raw dog food diets and with experience in doing so. Ask for documentation and certificates that prove they comply with safety standards.

Research Ingredients

You should also do your research on the ingredients they offer. Check for any additions like vitamins or minerals and protein content. All of these should be listed on the label, so make sure they meet your pup's nutritional requirements.

Buy in Bulk

Buying in bulk is always a great idea, as it will save you money in the long run and keep your furry friend's diet stabilized and consistent throughout their life—saving you time and effort too! If possible, buy multiple packages at once and rotate them to ensure freshness.

Remember: feeding your dog a raw diet requires research and commitment! You must do your due diligence to make sure you're getting the best food for them—safely sourced from reliable sources with balanced ingredients.

With that said, get your best dog shirt and start planning the ultimate diet plan for your precious pooch now!

FAQ

Is the raw food diet healthy for dogs?

Depending on how it is prepared, raw food can be just as healthy as commercial kibbles. However, given the effort required to make nutritionally sufficient raw food, pet owners may find it better to just opt for the latter.

What types of food are in raw dog food?

It may contain crushed bones and other raw food, mostly uncooked ingredients from livestock animals such as chickens or cows.

Can dogs eat raw chicken?

Yes, dogs can eat chicken raw as long as they are clear of bacteria such as salmonella.