Have you ever encountered issues when you try to buy food for your dogs from the regular pet store? Some common issues faced might be:
- My dog doesn’t like this brand
- I can’t find the correct type of dog food
- Nothing here contains the right amount of nutrients and minerals that my do needs
If the above resonates with you, fret not as this is a problem that most dog owners face, and more often than not, when they are faced with such a dilemma, they tend to choose alternative brands that they might regret. To solve this, you can actually opt to provide your dog raw food instead as it allows you to have full control over the types of minerals and food sources that you provide to them.
Raw Food For Dogs? Are You Sure?
Indeed, this may come as a shock to many, since we humans do not need raw food at all. But one should not forget that our digestive systems are very different from dogs! After reading the concerns from Quora or Reddit, here are some of the top concerns that most people might have.
Is Raw Food Safe For Dogs?
When asked on Quora, a reader was asking about the experience of giving raw food to dogs instead of kibbles from shops.
To first answer this, we will need to understand that dogs belong to the wild before they are being domesticated as our companion. So, nature has its way to ensure that dogs are able to survive out in the wild by themselves since they do not have the means to start a fire to cook stuff in the wild. And if dogs can survive up to their current generation, then it does mean that nature has its way to ensure that the dogs can survive on raw food, right?
Indeed, when we dig deeper, literally or figuratively, we will know that the dog’s digestive traits are vastly different from ours. This is primarily because of the acid levels as well as the amount of acid that is in the dog’s stomach. During the digestive process, the pH level of the acid in the stomach can go below pH1.0. That is almost the level of the car battery acid! In comparison, we humans have a pH level of 1.5 to 3.5 at max. Hence, the dog’s system is able to breakdown things that our stomach cannot possibly break down. Also, do you know that in terms of volume, the amount of acid in the dog’s stomach can reach up to 100 times the level of humans? That sheer amount of volume means that they are able to break down bones and other things that humans can’t.
Can The High Levels Of Acid Break Down Pathogens Such As E.coli And Salmonella?
We understand that pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella will exist in raw food, and that is why we humans should not consume raw food since our stomach cannot break the pathogens down easily. While E. coli and salmonella can also possibly affect dogs, the high level of acid in the dog’s stomach is about to break down pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella easily, and hence it poses a low risk to them.
Is Raw Food Or Kibbles Better For Dogs
This is another question asked on Quora.
This is a classic question that most dog owners may ask simply because it does take some effort for the owners to conjure up the raw food, so it is normal that they would ask this question since if the benefits do not greatly outweigh the time needed, then it might not make sense to switch the dog’s diet to a raw food one.
Luckily, the amount of benefits does outweigh the rest of the concerns.
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Best Source Of Nutrients And Minerals
We all need essential minerals and nutrients in our life, and this goes the same for dogs too. Some of the essential minerals and vitamins include:
- Vitamin A, D, E, K
- B-complex vitamins
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
Most of the time, such vitamins might exist in kibbles and hence some owners will resort to giving the dog supplements, or not at all. This might not be optimal since it does not provide benefits to the dog. Whereas for the case of raw food, we have the ability to choose the type of food to give to our dogs based on the levels of minerals and nutrients in the food itself. For example, if you are looking to provide Vitamin B for dogs, you can give them fish, poultry or eggs. Phosphorus and Calcium are also present in eggs too!
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Nutrients And Minerals In Its Purest Form
Kibbes are made from different sources, broken down and processed into their current form. Hence, as part of being a processed form of food, the nutrients and minerals are not in their purest form and hence the effect on the dog’s body might not be as significant as when they are being fed as it is. It is always advisable to consume the nutrients and minerals as a whole to the dog!
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Giving Your Dog’s Immune System A Much Needed Boost
What happens when you have the choice of food to give to your dog? Of course, with the ability to customize the dog’s meals, you are able to provide minerals and nutrients, that are otherwise not present in most kibbles, to your dog. And what does this mean? It means that all parts of the dog’s system is covered. From the dog’s coat to the dog’s immune system, all of these are covered!
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Best Components While Not Having Harmful Ingredients
Most bags of kibbles that you see in the market might contain high levels of sodium, and this is bad for the dog’s health. A high level of sodium can cause multiple problems in the dog’s body, and it has a lasting effect on the dog’s health as it grows older. This includes a higher risk of liver problems and other diseases.
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Stronger Jaw
This is something that is probably subtle. As the raw food is less crunchy and solid like the kibbles, the dog is required for a longer chewing action. And that helps to clean the dog’s teeth and keep the teeth and jaw stronger. Do you know that the cleaning action also helps to prevent the dog from having bad breath?
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Improved Digestion
One of the biggest benefits of raw feeding is improved digestion. Kibble is often difficult for dogs to digest, as it is made with processed ingredients that are not easily broken down. Raw food, on the other hand, is easy for dogs to digest, allowing them to absorb more nutrients and leading to fewer digestive issues such as bloating and diarrhea.
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Better Coat and Skin Health
A raw food diet can also improve your dog’s coat and skin health. Raw food is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that are necessary for a healthy coat and skin. This means that your dog will have a shiny coat and less skin irritations.
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Increased Energy and Vitality
Another benefit of raw feeding is increased energy and vitality. Dogs fed a raw food diet tend to have more energy and a better overall disposition. This is because raw food provides all the nutrients that dogs need to thrive, allowing them to live longer, healthier lives.
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Better Weight Management
Finally, raw feeding can also help with weight management. Kibble is often high in carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain. Raw food, on the other hand, is low in carbohydrates and high in protein, making it an ideal choice for dogs who are trying to lose weight.
Switching To A Raw Food Diet: Should I do It Now?
This hugely depends on your level of commitment as well as the needs of your dog. Also, if you wish to switch to a raw food diet for your dog, you might want to consult your regular vet too as they can give you sound advice if your dog is suitable for a raw food diet.
If you are going ahead with giving your dog a raw food diet, you do recommend that you do this in cadence as opposed to a sudden change in diet for your dog. To start off, mix a little bit of the raw food with the kibbles that they are currently eating. This will get the dog to be slowly acquainted with the idea of having raw food as well as monitoring if the dog is actually rejecting the raw food itself. Once the dog is familiarized or accepting the raw food without any signs of rejection, you can slowly start to wean the dog off kibbles and switching to a purely raw food diet for them! You can also experiment with different types of meats. My dog loves beef, so we enjoy giving her raw beef!
A point to note though: if the food has been left outside for long periods of time, we will recommend you to replace the food as the raw food might start to attract all sorts of pathogens in the air.
Conclusion
In conclusion, giving raw food to your dog is the best thing ever. From improved digestion to better coat and skin health, there are numerous benefits to switching to a raw food diet. If you are looking for a way to improve your dog’s overall health and well-being, consider making the switch to raw food today.
