Proposed by Ian Billinghurst, an Australian veterinarian in 1993, raw dog food diets remain a popular topic for debate among dog owners and veterinarians alike. Basically, there are two schools of thought about whether or not dogs should be fed raw diets. One school says the animals always ate them in the wild and therefore they would thrive on such a diet. The other school documents the risks of raw diets and also proposes that since the animals do not live in the wild anymore and have been domesticated instead, raw diets may cause more potential harm than good.
But first, what constitutes a raw dog food diet? In essence, a raw diet for canines is just that - raw. It typically consists of things such as muscle meat, bones, organ meats such as liver, raw eggs, vegetables, fruits and some form of dairy product such as yoghurt. Proposed benefits of such a diet include arguments such as:
Raw protein and vegetables are healthier for canines
According to The Whole Dog Journal, cooking meat and vegetables denatures important enzymes needed for effective digestion and better nutrient absorption. On the other hand, the enzymes remain intact during the processes of freezing and subsequent defrosting.
Dry kibble is not ideal
If you feed your dog commercial dry foods, take a look at the list of ingredients on the packaging. The rule is: the most important ingredients in a canine’s diet should be 1) quality proteins and 2) quality vegetables and fruits. At the same time, the food should be devoid of grains, corn and their by products. Is this what you see? Probably not! Commercial dry dog food also typically contains significant amounts of things such as preservatives, dyes and also sweeteners.
A raw diet may help prevent many health problems
In dogs, a raw diet may help dog owners combat common health problems in their animal including obesity, heart diseases, diabetes, allergies and cancer. After all, dog food companies don’t care about your canine’s health. They are in it for the money and the foods they put on the market may include ingredients harmful to your dog such as corn and rice fillers as well as low-grade animal by-products.
A raw diet is generally more varied in terms of vitamins and minerals
Think about it, if you ate the same thing everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner and for 365 days a year, inevitably you will become deficient in certain important nutrients that your body needs for good health. The same is true with your pet.
Dogs on a raw diet look better
And finally, dogs on raw diets are often reported to have more attractive coats, less fat and healthier skin. They also generally have cleaner gums and teeth and the animals poop less too.
But there are also drawbacks and potential risks to feeding your dog a raw diet. For example:
Raw organic dog foods cost more than dry kibble
Unless you buy massive quantities of meat at cost price or you arrange something with your local farmer, feeding your dog a raw diet will cost more than dry kibble.
The animal may develop digestive issues
If you’ve been feeding your dog cooked food or dry dog food kibble, a switch in the animal’s dietary habits may cause some digestive issues including an upset stomach. It’s debatable whether it’s better to make the switch gradually or straightaway with no transition whatsoever.
Raw meat and vegetables are messier to handle than dry kibble
Raw dog foods such as raw meat and raw fruits and vegetables are messy - to store, handle and defrost and also to clean up once the animal is done eating. The food also takes up more storage space in the freezer.
Some dogs can’t have raw protein
Last but not least, some dogs including older animals with kidney issues and/or pancreatitis can’t have raw dog food. To be sure, consult your vet before making the switch.
To learn more about raw dog food diets and protection dogs for sale , call on 877.687.2259 or go to www.ccprotectiondogs.com. CCPD is a premier dog-training center that sells fully trained Protection Dogs.
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