Is Raw Food Healthy For Dogs

Chicken And Turkey With A Fish Twist

A healthy diet for dogs – raw diet is great.

12% 15% Ground chicken and turkey bones
35% 50% Herring a marine fish, the herring is an exceptional source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids, and essential oils
10% 30% Chicken and turkey hearts and liver
5% lightly boiled chicken eggs
5% 10% Organic spinach
5% 10% Chickpeas highly rich in natural fiber

Simply mix and freeze or serve. The eggs should be lightly boiled as protection against Salmonella.

How Much Raw Food Should Adult Dogs Get

As a starting point for raw foods, feed your dog about 2% to 3% of his ideal adult weight.

If your dog is very active, you may need to feed a little more. And if your dog is more of a couch potato, you may need to feed a little less.

The best way to tell if youre feeding the right amount is to run your hands over your dogs ribs. If you can feel the ribs, but not see them, your dog is at a good weight.

Feed adult dogs 2% to 3% of their ideal body weight daily. Unless your dog is very active, here is a rough guide to get started:

25 pound dog: 1/2 pound daily50 pound dog: 1 pound daily100 pound dog: 2 pounds daily

Disinfect The Natural Way

Bowls should be cleaned after every meal, counters and utensils should be sanitized, and any surface or container that touches the food should be disinfected. Disinfecting makes us think of chemicals, but there are natural, pet-safe solutions to eliminate bacteria.

Vinegar is nature’s secret disinfectant. Use vinegar to clean surfaces, floors, bowls, and anything else used in raw feeding. Don’t use full-strength vinegar, as that would be overpowering. Instead, use a vinegar and water dilution. 10-15% vinegar to water is suitable for cleaning, and the smell will dissipate quickly.

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Staying Objective On The Best Raw Dog Food Feeding

There’s a lot of talk about raw feeding and how this diet is based on the way ancestors of dogs survived in the wild.

However, contrary to veterinarians’ opposition to raw feeding, recent studies found a number of benefits this diet provides to dogs. But it’s important not to romanticize easy raw dog food diets.

With all the advantages, like any other type of food, raw feeding still has its negatives.

It’s no secret that it takes more time to make homemade meals, whether it’s raw food or cooked recipes.

They can also be more costly, especially if shopping for fresh meat at your local butcher’s shop.

Finally, because we’re dealing with raw meat, bacterial contamination is a big concern if it’s not done correctly.

For the uninitiated, raw feeding is exactly what it sounds like: a diet that consists of uncooked and unprocessed ingredients. Because the foods are raw and haven’t been tampered with, that means they are natural and wholesome, containing no by-products, artificial preservatives, or food colors, and no filler.

Moreover, ingredients in the best raw dog food recipes most commonly include meat of different types and eggs.

Furthermore, other recipes will also include seeds, nuts, grains, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, beans, dried fruits , and some other foods.

Before you delve into trying these best raw dog food recipes for your pet, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of preparing easy raw dog food meals.

Help From The Experts

Recipe: Healthy Raw Diet for Dogs â Top Dog Tips

The food we give our dogs makes a huge difference in their health and well-being. So it makes sense to let the experts help us determine what is best.

Ollies veterinary nutritionists use the latest advancements in research to develop the best recipes for your dog recipes that include fresh ingredients to keep your pups brain function healthy, address allergies and gastrointestinal sensitivities, are proportioned for ideal weight, and use Omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation. All that delivered right to your door, for free.

Ollie has received rave reviews from both customers and industry leaders. Ollies customers have reported better weight management, shinier coats, and more. Ollie has received a 5-star rating from Dog Food Advisor and has named one of the best dog food brands by Forbes, and Readers Digest.

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AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.

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Raw Meat Poses A Health Risk To Dogs And People

Regardless of the benefits that raw meat diet advocates believe in, an important issue that hounds experts is whether placing dogs on raw diets can pose a risk to dogs and their owners. Raw meat is an important source of bacterial pathogens, such as Salmonella, which can cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs and humans. Some vets warn that raw diets are not appropriate for dogs who share their homes with young children or people with compromised immune systems.

Consuming raw meat that is contaminated with bacteria can cause subclinical infections in dogs. This means that even if the dog is harboring these pathogens, no symptoms develop. But the dog sheds the pathogens in their feces. This can act as a source of infection to other pets and humans, particularly where proper hygiene protocols are not practiced.

Moisture And Renal Function

We all know that water is essential, but you may not realize that kibble and other dry diets can leave your dog dehydrated. Dehydration can decrease digestive function, slow the process of waste removal, and lead to recurring urinary tract problems like infection and crystals.

The high moisture content in raw animal protein helps the kidneys flush these toxins through the urinary tract. This support can also reduce unnecessary strain on the kidneys and prevent possible kidney diseases in their senior years.

A moisture-rich diet will encourage more frequent and healthy urination, which will dilute urine and flush out bacteria. Canned diets provide additional moisture and aid in digestion but lack the nutritional equivalency of raw, unprocessed ingredients.

Helpful Resource:How Long Can Dogs Hold Their Pee

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Types Of Commercial Raw Dog Food

Raw dog food may not be cooked, but some commercial products undergo certain processes to preserve the quality for longer. These are the different types of raw dog foods youll find in the market:

Frozen Raw Food: As the name suggests, frozen raw dog food is preserved by storing it in a refrigerator to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Since it involves the least amount of processing, its typically cheaper, but it also has to be stored carefully to prevent cross-contamination.

Freeze-Dried Raw Food: Freeze-drying is a heat-less process that eliminates water from the dog food to kill most bacteria. It also increases the shelf-life of the food, as well as the cost as freeze-drying can be an expensive process.

Air-Dried Raw Food: Like freeze-drying, air-drying also removes the water content of the dog food to increase its shelf life. Because air-drying uses heat, it doesnt impact the cost as much but can affect the nutritional content of the food.

More Advantages Of A Raw Food Diet For Dogs

Healthy Raw Diet for Dogs

A raw meat diet is what nature intended for dogs and most closely mimics the diet of all species of wild dogs, including their closest relative, the Gray Wolf. Wild dogs feed on the whole carcass of an animal including various raw organs, including the stomach, and even bones. Further, a raw meat diet provides nutrients in an unaltered form. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes are preserved whereas cooking meat destroys these naturally occurring nutrients. When you cook meat for dogs or use kibble, these important ingredients have to be added back after the cooking process . After switching to a raw food diet for your dog, you should notice the following benefits within the first month:

Reduction in problems associated with dry skin
Reduction or elimination of excessive itchiness and/or skin allergies
Smaller and less stinky poop
Increased pep and energy
Better dental hygiene and whiter teeth

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How I Got To Raw

Late last year, Wiley developed a sore next to his mouth. Convinced it was ringworm , I paid the vet $500 for a battery of tests for both Wiley and our other dog, Bowie , bought two different types of antifungal dog shampoo that I started bathing Wiley in daily, boiled my bed sheets, and scrubbed our entire house with Lysol. My girlfriend and I started showering with antifungal soap, too. We considered canceling our Christmas travel plansa road trip to northern Montana, visiting family and friends along the way. We feared infecting someone elses house. Turns out it was just irritated skin.

Wileys always been sensitive to whats in his diet. When he was a puppy, I started him off on Solid Gold. But that contains grain, and I think the ingredient was to blame for a spate of skin problems he had early on in puppyhood. So, we went grain-free, with Taste of the Wild. That was a lot betterhed develop only occasional hot spots at the base of his tail. I figured those were just due to flea bites, and Id treat them with coconut oil as they appeared.

That seemed to do the trick. Wileys sore disappeared, his stomach eventually went back to its normal color, and his ears were again smooth and clean. Solid result, but he and Bowie didnt particularly like this new food. To get them to eat it, we had to incentivize them by boiling chicken breasts, then chopping those up and mixing them into the kibble. Even then theyd still never finish a complete bowl.

Whats Included In A Complete And Balanced Raw Food For Dogs

The key concern for dog owners who adopt raw meat-based food for their pawsome babies is to ensure they provide a complete and balanced diet, including all the necessary nutrients in the correct ratios based on the life stage of the dog..

To ensure your dog can maintain good health, its diet needs to include the following essential nutrients:

water for hydration
proteins to build and repair body tissue
fats to provide energy and keep your dogs skin and hair healthy
carbohydrates to power the tissues in your dog’s body and keep their intestines healthy, and
vitamins and minerals which are required for various reasons, including building their bones and keeping them strong.

The ideal raw food diet for dogs will avoid starch or simple carbohydrates. While dogs may be able to tolerate these ingredients in minimal quantities, they trigger the production of the insulin hormone, which can cause them to gain weight and lead to insulin resistance and diabetes.

To help you develop a healthy feeding plan, heres a general guide you can use to ensure your dog will receive enough of these nutrients in the right proportions:

Store It Properly For Risk Prevention

The fact that they can handle bacteria that we can’t doesnt mean that they are invincible. Improperly stored or prepared raw diets can still pose a risk to our pets. Like the raw meat you prepare for your own meals, it shouldnt be left out for long periods. Exposure to room temperature will allow the bacteria to multiply quickly.

Even though they can kill and pass these pathogens, if they are present in abundant enough amounts, they can still cause digestive issues.

Uneaten or future portions of raw dog diets can be stored in the fridge for three days. If you are defrosting multiple meals at once, make sure you only take out what can be consumed within three days.

The materials that you use to store and feed raw should also be considered. Plastic cracks and scratches easily. Sometimes, these tiny, invisible marks on a bowl or container can host harmful bacteria transferred from the meat. Opt for glass, ceramic, or metal dishes and containers for feeding and storing.

Raw food should be kept frozen until you are ready to use it. Only defrost what you will be able to store in the fridge and feed in the next two days.

How Do I Start My Dog On Raw Diet

You cant abruptly switch your dogs diet from processed to raw. Prepare for a slow and steady transition. Start with easy to digest meat such as chicken or duck. Switch one of their days meal with raw and see how they respond. If they refuse to eat that meal, try serving them raw mixed with their kibble the next time. Change the quantity of meat with every meal and experiment with a different type of meat every week.

Chicken And Beef Delight

20% 25% Chicken thighs or breasts
20% 25% Beef ground, cheek, or stewing
10% 30% Beef hearts and liver
12% 15% Ground chicken bone
5% 10% Yams or sweet potatoes a decent source of complex carbohydrates fiber, beta carotene, and other healthy nutrients
5% 10% Organic broccoli
5% Linseed meal an amazing source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber
5% Sunflower meal very high on protein

Simply mix and freeze or serve.

Do All Raw Meats Contain Bacteria And Are They All Bad

If the meat is uncooked, it has bacteria. It is only a matter of the type of meat. While the big ways are taken away while cutting back on bacterial contamination by cooking, whether beef or chicken, its in the food. So it doesnt matter if you are getting it from the grocery store or if its natural, organic, or labeled bacteria are present.

There might not be a lot of sick dogs out there as their immune system is strong and works well against bacteria, but it can be dangerous when they dont.

This is the flip side. Yes, many dogs might feel OK, but if they are not, there are chances of them getting sick. For example, Salmonella can enter the intestinal lining and lead to an inflammatory reaction. Puppies and dogs with weak immune systems and older dogs are primarily at risk.

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Health Benefits Of Raw Feeding

Raw food diets for pets are becoming increasingly popular. Many people choose to feed a raw diet because itâs more natural and less processed than most commercial pet diets currently available. Others feed their pets a raw food diet because it makes sense that if they feed themselves and their family a healthy balanced diet, then itâs logical to feed their pets in the same way. Others simply feed raw because their dogs love it! There are many health benefits that come with feeding pets a raw food diet, including:

Superior joint and bone health

There is no better way to support bones than with bones! Crushed real bone is a natural source of calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen and marrow. All of these components result in healthy growth in puppies as well as maintaining great joint and bone health for your dog throughout their life.

Strengthened immune system

The immune system is the first defence for fighting off infection, which is why itâs so important to keep it in tip-top shape. Providing complete and balanced nutrition is essential to help our dogsâ immune systems thrive and the nutrition in all-natural ingredients have the added benefit of being highly digestible for your dog. Some examples of natural immune boosting ingredients can include:

Improved skin and softer, shinier coat

Ingredients that provide essential omega-3 fatty acids can include salmon , chia seeds and flax seeds .

Superior dental health

Reduced stool volume and odour

Lower Animal Fats In Your Dogs Diet

What is raw diet for dogs? Is it healthy or safe?

Here are some steps you can take to keep the animal fats in your dogs diet low:

Feed lean cuts of meat
Cut off all visible fat
When you buy ground meat, look for 90-95% lean meats
Remove skin from poultry and fish
Feed wild game when you can get it

Then youll be able to add some healthy fats to your dogs diet without giving him too much total fat.

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Imbalance Of Nutrients In Raw Meat Diets

Another issue with raw meat diets is the significant difference in the nutrients that are present and their specific quantities. Nutritional analysis of raw food diets – both commercially produced and homemade diets – found that these diets could be low in calcium and phosphorus, while some contain high vitamin D levels. Some raw meat diets were deficient in magnesium, potassium, and zinc. This is contrary to the claim of raw diet supporters that it will lessen the risk of nutritional imbalance.

Raw Feeding Can Be Time

Firstly, whichever the best raw dog food recipes you decide to use, it will never match the convenience of dry dog kibble.

Dry food is simply easier to use. Thats why people love it you buy it and you pour it into your dogs food bowl.

For a lot of busy dog owners, preparing homemade meals is just too much hassle.

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Ethics As An ‘animal Lover’

At v-dog, we love all animals. Dogs, cows, pigs, chickensyou name it! Because dogs can obtain all of their nutrition through a complete and balanced plant-based dog food , there is no need to kill one animal to feed another. As animal lovers, its important for us to consider the ethical inconsistency of labelling some species as food and others as loved ones.

“In their capacity to feel pain and fear, a pig is a dog is a bear is a boy.” – Phillip Wollen

Learn more: Im vegan, but I would never force that on my dog