Some pet owners have recently embraced getting the best ingredients for their dog’s pet food. As a result, the high-end prepared dog food industry has seen a boom.
But some owners are looking at nother new option: raw dog food.
The trend has particularly taken off in New York City. It consists of specially prepared foods like uncooked lamb livers, bison, alfalfa sprouts, and kale. Yet, raw food diets are not a new initiative; many dogs were fed uncooked meat before kibble was introduced in the 1950’s.
The advocates of the raw food diet give multiple anecdotes as evidence of raw food diet benefits. Below is a list of the pros and cons of the raw food diet.
Be an informed pet owner and make a decision on whether the raw food diet is right for your pet.
Pros:
- Raw food acts a natural tooth brush.
- The time it takes a dog to chew a raw meaty bone gives their stomach adequate time to get the acids moving. This is meant to help proper digestion.
- Advocates argue that sluggish dogs become completely new dogs once they have begun the new raw food diet.
- Raw bones are safer than cooked bones because they don’t splinter.
- Your dog will have better breath.
- Raw food diets are ideal for dogs that need to lose weight – they contain fewer calories and more energy than regular kibble – or for dogs with other diet related diseases like diabetes
- No chemicals, preservatives, sweeteners, fillers and additives.
Cons:
- Sanitary concerns: raw food carries microbes that could harm the pet and the household.
- Modern dogs have been domesticated for centuries, or even thousands of years. They may not be able to properly digest raw food.
- Some dogs with allergies can’t stomach raw food diets.
- The benefits aren’t proven; they’re anecdotal.
- Raw meat can contain harmful bacteria like E. coli and salmonella.
- They are time-intensive: as an owner, you will have to take the time to figure out what raw meat is the best for your dog, and this will take time. Additionally, you need to be present when the dog is eating they’re bone – you don’t want them to swallow a bone whole!
- Raw food diets are more expensive.
Warning to all: before starting a raw food diet, you should consult with your vet. He or she will know what to watch for in future visits.
If a raw food diet isn’t right for your dog, but you are looking to increase the nutritional value of your dog’s meals, consider a nutritional supplement
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