Raw Dog Food

Raw Dog Food - Is it the Way to Go?


raw dog food Raw dog food has really become pretty popular in the last couple of years. It's a diet that is aimed at giving dogs the kind of food that they ate before they were domesticated by man. You can either buy the raw ingredients and make the food yourself or you can buy it in the store.

Some of the raw dog food options available in the store include Primal Pet Food, Steve's Real Food, and Billinghurst's BARF.  

Aside from those specific brands, raw dog food could be any of a number of different meals. The main idea is to give your dog what they need to be healthy, and there are quite a few people that believe raw food is the way to go. The reason that they think this is because the raw food doesn't contain any preservatives or chemicals that could be harmful to our dogs.

The thing you have to be careful about with raw dog food is that it can vary wildly from brand to brand and recipe to recipe. For example, some will contain vegetables and fruits and others will not. Some are formulated around big meat covered bones.

Either way, the end goal is to make the raw dog food as natural as possible.

People that swear by raw dog food will tell you that it keeps their dogs quite a bit healthier. They say that it makes immune systems stronger, keeps gums and teeth cleaner and healthier, and prevents diseases and allergies and even veterinary visits. They also say that dogs on a raw food diet are much stronger physically and have better bones and muscles. This could be attributed to all the enzymes, amino acids, and other nutrients present in raw foods.

With all those benefits, it's hard to imagine why anyone would not want to go with raw dog food. Why would anyone buy the natural or commercial types when they apparently aren't giving our dogs everything they need to be as healthy as possible?

One of the major downsides is the price. There is no denying the fact that you are going to have to pay quite a bit more money for the raw dog foods than you will for the types that you buy in a bag at the store. It's not always a matter of being cheap, either. Some people really cannot afford to buy that kind of food all the time.

Another downside to feeding your dog raw food is the risk of bacteria that could be present in it. While it may seem like your dog can put anything in their mouth without problems, they are still susceptible to things like E. coli and salmonella, and there is a higher risk of being exposed to those types of things when you are feeding them only raw food.

So for the average dog owner, raw food is just not a practical way to go.

For those that are really serious about sticking to the raw foods, it is recommended that you get advice from a breeder or veterinarian before you start. Breeders that currently only give their dogs raw food have a lot of experience and have likely got their routine down to a science. It's even better if the breeder works with the same type of dog that you own, but that's not a requirement.

Raw Dog Food vs. Commercial Dog Food

Commercial dog food gets a very bad rap because of how it used to be prepared. In the past, it was loaded with unnecessary fillers and chemicals that were actually harmful to dogs. That is no longer the case though, and the majority of brands like Pedigree, Wellness, and Iams are making pretty high quality stuff.

If you can't afford to stick to raw dog food and you don't have the time to get personal advice and recommendations from breeders and vets, you'll be find sticking with the natural stuff sold commercially.

 


Go Back to Dog Food

Go Back Home to Dog Training