The Raw Diet
What are the benefits?
Dogs are natural hunters and are designed to eat a meat-based diet. We can see this in the shape of their teeth and jaws, the short length of their intestines and also just a natural preference for meat.
We have domesticated dogs over the years and have chosen to feed them on an unnatural diet but if we want to see our pets really thrive and live long, happy healthy lives a diet that is natural to them will always be best. Raw dog food can be homemade, store-bought, freeze-dried, or dehydrated.
A raw diet usually includes organ meats, muscle meat, whole or ground bone, raw eggs, dog-safe fresh fruits and vegetables, and probiotic such as yogurt.
Advocates of raw food diets site these benefits:
- Shinier coats
- Healthier skin
- Improved dental health
- Increased energy
- Smaller and less pungent stools
Raw vs. Kibble
Dry food or kibble has ingredients that vary by brand, but all are required to be balanced and meet the nutritional needs of a dog.
The ingredients in kibble are processed together and cooked.
Required ingredients include: protein sources such as beef, poultry, fish, and eggs; grains; cereals; and vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
All dry dog foods need preservatives to prevent the fat from becoming rancid. Some brands are heavy on carbohydrates or have low-quality ingredients and added sugar.
By contrast, raw food appears as a high-protein, all-natural source of nutrients that aligns with your pup’s biology.
While it may take slightly longer to prepare, its freshness and crude protein make it worth the effort for your pooch.
Also, isn’t this how our dogs evolved to consume their nutrients?
“You don’t need a lab to create what nature already provides.” Raw food advocates say.
“Dogs have eaten this way for thousands of years, and it’s what their bodies require. And if you doubt us, just watch your dog eating both food types. Afterwards, you’ll have no doubt that they enjoy their raw food more.”