The pet parents are always willing to do anything for their furry friends. For certain dog owners, it’s about swapping processed meals to meals that are made from raw, whole foods. Raw diets can be an excellent choice for certain pets, but it’s certainly not suitable for all dogs So, consult your veterinarian to make an informed choice.
Before we go in to the cons and pros of a raw diet, we’ll discuss what exactly is a raw dog food diet.
Raw diets for dogs are not new. They were originally restricted to sled dogs as well as greyhounds racing. The idea of bringing Raw food eating to home was first suggested in 1993 by veterinary doctor Ian Billinghurst. It was called as the BARF diet, also known as the “Bones and raw food” food plan, Billinghurst believed that dog could appreciate a lifestyle that was based on the diet of their ancestral ancestors. He said that raw, fleshy bones and vegetables are the primary food sources for canines, whereas grain-based commercial foods were inadequate and damaging.
Raw food diets have its advocates and detractors. The advocates claim that it can dramatically improve your dog’s health However, critics say that without proper guidance the raw food diet can quickly turn into a risk.
Since the first time the raw food diet was introduced numerous other versions have been created. The details may differ however most recipes that are raw have the same ingredients:
Organ meats (liver and kidneys)
Muscle meats, which are often kept on the bone
Bones, either whole or ground
Vegetables (broccoli , spinach, celery)
Uncooked eggs
Apples, berries, and other fruits
Dairy products
There are many recipes available online that incorporate one or more the ingredients listed above. Like all “human” food it is important to consult your veterinarian prior to including them in your pet’s diet.
Raw food is also becoming popular with cats as well as their owners. As with dogs, wild cats’ ancestors lived with raw, whole food (with more emphasis on meat as cats are meat eaters by nature. Switching to raw foods offers many of the same advantages for health for cats just like they do for dogs. Also, it has several of the same dangers. Both need to be balanced according to the specific nutritional requirements of your pet So, consult with your veterinarian prior to including raw food in your cat’s diet.
Consuming a diet that is comprised of all raw food ingredients can bring many benefits for health. The most popular ones cited by those who advocate raw food diets are:
If your dog is prone to gain weight Raw diets can help to keep their weight under control. It’s also possible to alter the diet of your dog and monitor precisely what your dog is eating to help with weight loss or weight gain whatever is recommended by your veterinarian.
A diet that is raw will help your dog get greater energy levels, healthier skin and better-looking teeth. Bone meat will reduce the smell of bad breath as well as improve the hygiene of teeth for dogs . The high protein content in raw food can aid in making your dog’s muscles stronger.
Your dog’s coat will become shiny and healthy after following an organic diet. The high fat content of many raw food diets encourages healthy skin and fur. Therefore, by following an eat-raw diet rich in fat-rich meat it is possible to see improvement in the condition of the coat of your dog.
Removing processed food and replacing it with fresh ingredients is a good alternative, but a raw food diet has some dangers and also advantages.
When you feed your dog raw food it is possible that your pet could suffer injury from bone fragments that are in the meat. Bones could pose an choking risk, fracture the teeth of your dog, or even cause internal wounds. Bones that have been cooked are particularly prone to splintering, and should be fed only to your pet under the supervision of a vet.
Certain raw meats contain bugs and parasites that can cause infections in your pet. This is particularly dangerous for dogs suffering from cancer or other health problems as they’re more likely to be affected by the bacteria.
Although your dog may appear healthy, bacteria could bring a health issue to the surface creating a worse situation. These kinds of bacteria aren’t suitable for humans, either.
Giving your dog with a raw diet means that you are taking the nutritional needs of your pet into your hands. While this may be one of the primary benefits to the food, it could cause serious health problems if it is not balanced. The particular minerals and vitamins that are essential for dog nutrition might not be found in raw foods so that a raw food diet may make your dog in need of nutrients. However excessive amounts of fat, protein or other nutrients may result in issues such as anemia, bone loss and liver failure.
Preparing a completely homemade raw food diet with your pet could take a lot of time. It’s much more expensive than purchasing food at the grocery store. Dry dog food is priced approximately $1 per day and a single day’s supply of raw chicken could be anywhere between $2.50 or $5. If your family members are trying to stay within the budget or has little time to cook raw food, then a raw diet may not be the most suitable option.
Raw food diets have the potential to boost the health of your dog, but it’s unlikely to be an ideal fit for every dog. The final decision on the decision of whether a raw-food diet is suitable to your pet is a matter that you and your veterinarian need to debate and decide together.