Is Raw Food Diet Safe For Dogs

Bioavailability Of Raw Ingredients

An ingredients bioavailability is how digestible and usable the nutrients in food are for your dogs body. When ingredients are exposed to high temperatures, like those involved in dog food manufacturing, nutrients are denatured, making them less biologically available. This means that they may yield less nutrition than before it was processed.

The heat from processing can also change the composition of fatty acids, amino acids, and enzymes used to support your dog’s body.

Your dogs digestive system is intended to break down raw or minimally processed material, regardless of the commercial foods that they have adapted to eating over the last century. As scavenging carnivores, dogs can survive off dead food, but a biologically available raw diet will ensure that they thrive.

When all ingredients are appropriately utilized, and your dog receives optimal nutrition, an increase in muscle mass and fat reduction can be seen, supporting a leaner and healthier physique. And this is just to start. Raw-fed dogs are often healthier overall, seeing fewer instances of common health issues and fewer vet bills – like digestive problems, skin and coat issues, and poor dental health.

Transitioning Your Dog From Dry Food To Raw

Its important to remember that transitioning your dog to a new diet is a slow process. Below is a rough schedule you can use for this dietary shift.

If you notice your dog isnt feeling well, you should go back a day in the transition plan and proceed at a slower pace. For example, if your dog struggles with 50% serving, shift back to 40% serving for another day or two before moving forward.

Another thing wed like to mention is that raw diets are only safe for dogs 12 weeks and older.

• Day 1: Feed 75% of your current food and mix in 25% of the raw food in each serving to start the adjustment period for clean digestion.
• Day 2: Adjust to feeding 60% of your old food and mix in 40% of the raw food in each serving.
• Day 3: Feed 50% of your old food, mixed with 50% of the raw food per serving.
• Day 4: Feed 40% of your old food, mixed with 60% of the raw food per serving.
• Day 5: Feed 25% of your old food, mixed with 75% of the raw food per serving.
• Day 6: Feed 90-100% of the raw food at this point you should be very close to a clean digestive transition period.

Break the daily serving size into two meals per day: one in the morning and one in the evening.

The Benefits Of A Raw Diet For Puppies

Below are some health benefits for your dogs, which includes:

• Chewing enjoyment
• Improves dental health and cleaner teeth
• Increased energy level
• Greater muscle mass
• Smaller stools

These benefits could not be permanent depending on what raw food they are eating. But, every food has its potential risks on your canine. So, we’ll be sharing those risks for you to be aware of.

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What About Delivery Options

You may not have the time to shop for special ingredients or do all the grinding, chopping, measuring, mixing, and freezing that come with food prep. That’s where raw dog food delivery services come into play. Companies such as The Farmer’s Dog, Ollie, and Nom Nom package meals made of fresh meat, produce, vitamins and minerals, and other ingredients that are freeze-dried or frozen to maintain their nutrients.

But here’s the thing: You’d be taking a chance with these well-meaning delivery services because they aren’t regulated. “There isn’t a protocol dictated by the FDA,” Romine says. “And there’s no quality control board overseeing their manufacturing processes.”

Possible Benefits Of Feeding Dogs Raw Meat

According to proponents, raw meat diets benefit dogs in the following ways:

Healthier coat and skin. Researchers at the University of California, Davis found that a raw meat diet is not only easier for dogs to digest, but also produces a softer, shinier coat than cereal-based dry food. This could be explained by the fact that raw dog food contains little to no carbohydrate filler, but plenty of fresh fat, readily available protein, plus high levels of vitamin E and zinc, all of which are vital to coat health. However, its important to note that most dog kibble adds vitamin E and zinc to the formula to achieve the same result.

Improved breath and oral health. A study by Brown and Park confirmed the theory that dental problems in dogs were a result of feeding soft diets with insufficient dental activity. In the experiment, canned dog food rations were replaced with beef oxtail in 30 dogs with tooth loss and dental calculus. More than 30% of the calculus was removed within 24 hours, and about 95% of the dogs calculus was removed by the end of the second week.

The important distinction here is that this study compared raw meat with bone fragments to canned food. Most raw diets do not contain hard bones and therefore do not help clean a dog’s teeth as much as hard kibble does.

Maintenance of lean mass and healthy weight. According to some, a raw diet balances dogs systems, helping them lose or gain weight as needed.

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Myth #: Most Dog Owners Cant Afford To Feed Raw

If youre transitioning your dog from a low cost, generic store-bought dog food brand to a raw meat diet, chances are its going to cost you more to provide each of your dogs meals.

However, feeding a raw diet may be less costly than you think. Good quality but cheaper cuts of meat, bones and organs dont have to cost a lot.

Source out a local butcher or farm to save and look for cheaper cuts of meat that will provide just as much nutrition.

If youre concerned about your dogs nutrition and want to feed a good quality diet, youre probably already paying a premium for good quality kibble or commercial food.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken

Considering how many dog foods contain chicken as an ingredient, its a safe bet that you can feed your dog chicken. Most sources recommend against raw chicken, due to the risk of salmonella or bacterial infections, although the movement toward raw food, including raw chicken and raw chicken bones, is growing.

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Dogs Are Scavenging Carnivores

Even though dogs are technically classified as omnivores, meaning they can survive on both meat and/or plants, their history and bodies tell us a different story. We argue that dogs are scavenging carnivores.

Unlike an obligate carnivore that must eat meat to survive, like cats, scavenging carnivores can adapt to the nutrients around them. They roam for food and eat what is available. Dogs can survive on plant materials and minimal animal protein if they have to, but they will thrive on a meat-rich diet.

Sticking closer to their carnivorous roots can prevent common problems like diabetes, obesity, and other life-threatening diseases linked to inappropriate diets and poor quality ingredients.

Bring Back Your Dog’s Natural Luster

Everything in your dog’s body is connected in some way or another. Your dog’s skin and coat are affected by how all the rest of its systems function. Poor digestion or absorption of nutrients can affect cell cycles, how the body uses nutrients, and, eventually, their skin and coat health.

Dry skin, excessive shedding, itchiness, and inflammation can all be caused by a lack of or improper balance of nutrients in your dog’s diet. A raw diet provides the most natural sources of these essential nutrients in a form that is easy for your dog’s body to recognize and use.

Another important factor in skin and coat health is hydration. Dogs that do not eat a moisture-rich diet will end up losing that moisture through bowel movements. Dehydration negatively affects your dog’s skin by limiting natural oil production that supports the life cycle and quality of your dog’s skin cells and fur.

Feeding a high moisture diet will not deter your dog from its natural drinking habits. However, it will help improve digestion, keep them better hydrated, and flush toxins and bacteria out of their system.

For many pet owners, shedding is a constant issue. A reduction in shedding is one of the first benefits you will see when switching to raw feeding. In combination with a regular brushing routine, you can significantly cut down on shedding and dander in your home.

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Is Raw Food Good For Dogs

Although Purina doesnt recommend feeding dogs raw meat, other raw foods, like certain fruits and vegetables, are safe and even healthy.

Your dog may enjoy any number of fresh fruits and vegetables, like bananas, carrots, apples and more. We recommend washing any fresh produce first to remove any dirt or other residues.

Although these foods may be safe and healthy, its important to keep the 90/10 rule in mind. This means 90 percent of your dogs daily calories should come from a complete and balanced dog food. The other 10 percent can come from treats, which includes fruits and vegetables, in addition to standard dog treats. This helps minimize the risk for stomach upset and also obesity, says Dr. Lobos.

What Health Risks Are Attributed To A Raw Food Diet

Pointing to a number of studies, the AVMA discourages raw or undercooked meat for dogs because it may contain potentially deadly pathogens that can sicken your pet and may even be transmitted to you and your family. The AVMA also says raw food diets may not be nutritionally balanced the diets’ high protein levels may lead to liver or kidney disease. And giving whole bones to dogs comes with a risk of choking, broken teeth, or internal punctures.

The AVMA suggests that you shouldn’t feed dogs raw foods that aren’t cooked, pasteurized, or irradiated to kill bacteria. Avoiding foods like that means your dog’s diet will be safer and minimize the public health risk.

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Best Raw Dog Food Brands

Billinghursts book, Give Your Dog A Bone, has sparked commercially processed raw dog food diets to help pet parents who are short on time.

Shopping for ingredients, grinding, chopping, measuring and mixing may not be something you have time for. Thats why these already made raw dog food delivery services can be so convenient for busy families.

Read our comparison of the best raw dog food delivery options and check out our rankings on the right. These food products are freeze-dried or frozen to maintain their nutrients and consist of meat, grains, vitamins and vegetables.

Freeze-dried options can be convenient for traveling, but frozen is typically less processed than freeze-dried. So keep that in mind when youre purchasing raw food for your dog.

Some pet parents choose to serve these raw food packages on top of some kibble to help the dog adjust to a raw diet.

Raw Food Diet For Dogs: Good Or Bad

Raw food dog diets are becoming far more common as pet owners struggle to keep their dogs healthy and afford them a long, fulfilling life. Most veterinarians agree that diet is one of the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle and a long life. Feeding canines natural food choices is believed by many to provide benefits, but there are also drawbacks. This article will explore what you need to know about a raw food diet for your dog.

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Can You Bring Dog Food From Canada To Us

Did you find a Canadian option that might work for you? Are you wondering, can I bring dog food into the US from Canada? Luckily, the answer is yes as long as it is in quantities of 50lbs. or less! What about the question, can I bring dog food into Canada? Again, yes you can, but the limit is 20kg or a personal reserve.

Helpful Resource:

• Types of Dog Food: A Helpful Breakdown

Whats The Deal With The Barf Diet

Why are an increasing number of people switching from regular dog food–think of the big bag of dry kibble that you buy at the grocery or pet store–to a raw diet for their dogs, whether the food is purchased or homemade? Whats the point? Well, well get there, and well see that, while some celebrate BARF as a return to nature, not everyone thinks BARF is the best of ideas. But lets not get ahead of ourselves. First, lets find out what the BARF diet actually looks like.

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Why Raw Dog Food

The idea of a raw diet for dogs took off after Australian veterinarian Dr. Ian Billinghurst published a book about how dogs would thrive on an evolutionary diet that sustained them before they were domesticated, consisting primarily of raw meat, organs, bones and vegetables.

Torres is empathetic toward pet owners who are considering the raw food diet, because she sees their perspective as a want to do the best for their pet.

“It’s somewhat of a sensitive topic, because I think there’s a lot of passion around nutrition in general from a pet owner’s perspective, and really a strong desire to want to feed the best,” Torres says.

Raw Dog Food For Beginners Recipe

As with all raw diets for dog recipes, this is extremely simple to make. Because it requires no cooking, you must prep all the ingredients and then combine them in a large bowl.

Raw Dog Food Diet Recipe Process

So, here’s a quick guide in making an easy recipe that you should follow.

• 1 tbsp. cod liver oil

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Metabolism And Weight Gain

Small breeds have a higher metabolic rate. This means that even when sitting still, their bodies burn more calories than a large breed dog. They use calories more efficiently and gain weight more gradually during their puppy stages. This puts less pressure and strain on the hips and joints.

Large breeds have a lot more growing to do, and that extra weight can damage the connective tissues that support their joints. This is why large breed dogs should monitor their calories to prevent gaining too much weight too fast. When calculating feeding guidelines for small and medium breed puppies vs a large breed puppies, the smaller breeds will require a higher percentage of food based on their body weight.

Stick to more conservative feeding guidelines for your large breed to slow growth and prevent early onset joint issues. Dont underfeed but try not to offer more than is needed. This will reduce wear and tear on your dogs connective tissues and bones.

Keep in mind that both large and small breeds can quickly gain too much weight if they are eating too much and not spending enough energy. Make sure that your feeding guidelines suit their activity levels.

Raw Dog Food Diet 2 Homemade Recipes

Dog owners who are looking for a solution to allergies, digestive problems, skin and coat problems, degenerative diseases have turned to a raw dog food diet . Many people think that to provide their dogs with a balanced diet, they should feed them raw, healthy food. If properly fed, animal health advocates say that this diet will optimize the health and lifespan of your pet.

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How To Get Your Dog Started On A Raw Diet

Now that youre well-informed about the advantages of feeding raw, its time to get started! Here are some steps to transition your dog to the B.A.R.F. diet:

If your dog is new to raw food, transition slowly. The complete transition can often be accomplished within a week however, the key is to go slowly, as you would with any dietary change. Puppies can generally transition over the course of a few days, as they typically have healthier digestive systems than older dogs. The older the dog, the longer you should take to transition to the new raw diet.

To start, we recommend fasting your dog for a half day to a full day prior to the first meal to ensure a good appetite, and then feed a little bit to see how he or she handles the fresh food. If all is well, continue replacing a little bit of the original diet with the new raw diet.

Monitor your pet. If your pet experiences loose stools, wait until the stool is firm to continue the transition.

What Is A Raw Dog Food Diet

According to many people, this diet can provide your dog with everything it needs in a much more natural way. Users claim that their pets allergies start to disappear quickly, their coat improves and that recurrent ear infections stop. Get more information about dog food allergies here.The idea behind raw food is to provide dogs with their natural diet, or the things they would eat by nature. Its not just about giving your dog large pieces of raw meat other elements are necessary for a diet to be truly healthy and balanced.

Before you even consider giving your dog a raw food diet, you will need to spend a lot of time researching, reading the different opinions on this feeding method and learning about the pros and cons of it. Developing an appropriate and balanced raw food diet can also be difficult, as it involves a variety of foods, including raw meat, bones, vegetables, and supplements.

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