Are you becoming increasingly conscious of your furry best friends’ food choices? You’re not alone and over recent years, the debate over the ideal canine diet has heated up. Should dogs be fed a raw diet (like BARF or PMR (Prey Model Raw))?
Advocates of K9 raw diets praise its potential benefits and improved health, while skeptics express concerns about potential risks. In this blog, we’ll explore five pros and cons of feeding your dog a raw diet after we look at what a raw diet is.
Feeding Raw 101
Fetch by WebMD defines a raw diet as:
- Muscle meat, often still on the bone.
- Bones (ground or whole).
- Organ meats like livers and kidneys.
- Raw eggs.
- Yogurt or kefir in small amounts.
- Vegetables and fruits.
(Source: WebMD.com/pets/dogs)
The popular BARF diet (translated as “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet” and/or “Bones and Raw Food”) is designed to provide a complete and balanced diet of essential nutrients for the adult canine.
The BARF Model consists of:
- 70% muscle meat.
- 10% raw, edible bone.
- 7% vegetables.
- 5% liver.
- 5% other secreting organ.
- 2% seeds or nuts and
- 1% fruit as illustrated below.
Click here to learn more about different raw-feeding diets.
If you’re wondering whether puppies can eat a raw diet, advocates say they can begin eating a raw dog diet as early as four weeks, but don’t expect a skeptic to agree! (Source: RawPerformanceDogFood.com)
Now we’ve looked at what a raw diet is, let’s explore the five pros and cons when it comes to feeding your dog a raw diet.
Feeding Raw: The Pros
- Nutritional Superiority
Advocates of raw diets believe this better aligns with the dog’s ancestral diet. Raw meat, bones, and organs contain essential nutrients, enzymes, and amino acids in their natural form, promoting optimal canine health, healthier skin and coat, improved digestion, enhanced energy levels, and a longer life.
Brown Dog Chewing on a Raw Bone (Image Courtesy of: Pixabay.com/Shannon Smith) - Dental Health
Chewing on raw bones offers positive effects. First, the act of gnawing helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup, preventing dental issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. Also, raw bones provide mental stimulation, keeping dogs engaged and reducing the risk of boredom-related behaviors. - Potential Allergen Reduction
Commercial dog foods often contain additives, fillers, and allergens that may trigger K9 sensitivities. Proponents suggest eliminating these potential allergens may alleviate issues such as skin irritations, itching, and gastrointestinal problems. - Improved Digestion
Raw diets promote better digestion in dogs due to the absence of processed ingredients. Enzymes naturally present in raw foods aid in the effective breakdown and absorption of nutrients. Some dog owners report less flatulence, firmer stools, and reduced digestive discomfort from a raw diet. (Source: HealthyActivePet.com) - Weight Management
Raw diet advocates also believe it can be easier to manage a dog’s weight on a raw feeding regimen. With the elimination of high-carbohydrate fillers, a raw diet can be beneficial for dogs prone to weight issues.
Feeding Raw: The Cons
- Nutritional Imbalance
Crafting a well-balanced raw diet requires knowledge or there is a risk of nutritional imbalances, deficiencies, or excesses. This can have serious health implications, such as skeletal issues, organ dysfunction, or compromised immune function. - Foodborne Pathogens
Raw meat, especially when sourced from less reputable suppliers, can be a source of food-borne pathogens such as Salmonella or E. coli. Dogs can be carriers of these bacteria without showing symptoms, posing a potential risk to both their owners and other pets in the household. (Source: FDA.gov) - Potential for Obstruction or Injury
Feeding dogs bones, even raw ones, carries the risk of choking, gastrointestinal obstruction, or dental fractures. Not all bones are safe for consumption, and the size and type must be carefully chosen to minimize these risks. Dogs should always be supervised when chewing any bones. - Expense and Inconvenience
Maintaining a raw diet for dogs can be more expensive and time-consuming. Sourcing high-quality ingredients, preparing balanced meals, and storing raw foods safely may not be feasible for every dog parent. - Lack of Scientific Consensus
While anecdotal evidence supports the benefits of raw diets, the scientific community has not reached a consensus on their long-term effects. The lack of standardized guidelines and studies on the subject makes it challenging to fully assess the risks and benefits associated with this feeding approach.
The Final Word
Before feeding your dog a raw diet, do your research, reach out to raw diet experts, and carefully weigh the overall pros and cons. While proponents tout its potential benefits for canine health, skeptics emphasize the risks and challenges. Also, consult with your veterinarian to ensure any potential raw diet fulfills your dog’s specific needs and health requirements. If you do decide to feed raw, always follow safe handling, cleaning, and storing practices to keep all pets and humans safe.
We Hope You’ve Enjoyed this 1st Blog Post in our Raw Feeding Series!
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