Raw dog food diet is a notable rising trend for many dog owners these days, and if you’re curious as to what their pros and cons are, you’ve found the right page. It’s paramount that you keep your fur baby in their healthiest state, and you want nothing but the best for them. However, this all-natural meat diet still receives constant debate in the dog feeding industry.
Raw dog food is a popular alternative to commercial dog foods. While some dog-keepers claim it to be the best for their best friend, some think otherwise. By keeping informed of their advantages and disadvantages, you can better decide whether shifting to this diet is a good change for your dog.
Consider the following pros and cons of raw dog food.
Pros:
- Health Benefits
Raw food has several health benefits. Your dog’s coat will be shinier, the teeth will be cleaner, the stools will be smaller, and the energy level will be higher. It’s often claimed that your dog can get their ideal weight and stay physically fit while having stronger muscles and lesser fat. Aside from that, they can build stronger bones too. Nevertheless, the health benefits of a raw food diet impact the overall physical attributes of your dog.
Another scientific claim which falls under the health category is the benefit of protecting your pet from health diseases. According to some studies, a raw food diet may prevent diabetes and reduce the likelihood of arthritis for your dog. There are even cases that study how it can prevent cancer. Over time, your dog will remain healthy, and you won’t have to worry about frequent veterinary visits and treatments.
- Natural And Safe
Dog food is a must-have item for any new dog owner, but with so many varieties and types to choose from, it can be confusing what to opt for. Some new pet owners think of going for raw dog food because of the argument that their canine ancestors ate raw meat and bones. For this reason alone, some dog owners try switching to a raw diet for their dogs.
After all, since raw meat doesn’t undergo any process and food methods, they’re all-natural and assure safety. Many dog parents believe that since they’re more natural than processed dog food, they are more suitable for domesticated breeds.
- Allow Them To Maximize Chewing
In the event your dog chews on everything and anything, a raw food diet might help. This gives them ultimate opportunities to curb their chewing tendencies. As raw diets require more chewing and more time to eat, your dog will need to spend a lot of time chewing the meat, which will mean they won’t have to chew on anything else. Accordingly, raw food diet can make their teeth and jaw stronger while allowing you to keep your belongings and things safe from getting destroyed and chewed.
Cons
- Risks On Bacteria
When working with raw meat, the risk of cross-contamination increases to the point where there could be risks for you and your dog. There’s a chance that the meat they’ll eat will be contaminated with bacteria and other elements. So, it’s always best to ensure the meat’s freshness when you buy it. In addition, store and handle them appropriately to reduce the chances of contamination.
One reason why raw feeding is not popular among some dog owners is that they worry that their dog will get ill from bacteria. Thankfully, compared to humans, dogs are more susceptible to different conditions. While it may impact human health, some dogs don’t feel sick even when the meat is not fresh.
- Limited Nutrients
One good thing about using kibble feeds is that you can be sure that your dog is getting the most nutrients at once. All you have to do is measure it out into their feeding bowl. This won’t be the case for raw meat, though.
You will need to provide a well-rounded diet for your dog while using the raw food diet to get all the minerals, vitamins, proteins, and fats he needs to stay healthy. You need to exert more effort and research to ensure that your dog can be adequately nourished with enough vitamins and nutrients they need. As their parent, you need to develop the most nutritional diet for your dog.
- Cost
Buying a bag of dog food will cost less than feeding your dog a raw diet. The high cost of raw food diet makes it less appealing for many dog parents. Switching to raw dog food will likely be a steep price hike in comparison to buying commercial dog food.
Conclusion
Consider the pros and cons of a raw food diet for your dog and also what’s best for them. Remember that what works for one dog may not work for another, so it’s imperative to carefully assess and evaluate what diet is more suitable for your fur baby. It’s worth noting that while some dogs can have excellent results when shifting to raw dog food, some can’t tolerate them. It’s best to seek expert advice from your veterinarian and get your dog’s health checked before shifting to raw food diet.
