The Pros and Cons of Raw Dog Food Diets: Is It Right for Your Pet?

Regarding diet, we are always conscious about what we eat and how it will affect our bodies. Likewise, when we are parents to tiny furry babies, we are concerned about how a particular diet will affect their well-being too. In 2022, around 58.1 billion dollars worth of pet food and treats were sold in the US alone.

However, these pet owners are increasingly switching to homemade food due to the harmful effects that processed food has. But does that mean that you can add raw food to your pup's diet? Do the benefits of it outweigh the risks? Is it healthier than processed food? Let us examine the pros and cons of feeding your dog raw food.

What Do You Mean by A Raw Food Diet?

As the name states, a raw food diet lacks any cooked items. Traditional processed dog foods are usually in the form of kibbles, freeze-dried, or frozen options. However, raw food consists of fresh meat, sometimes with bone. A few owners also add vegetables, fruits, eggs or organ meats to the serving. Various recipes are available online, but not all of these are reliable.

Why Do People Prefer to Feed Their Dogs a Raw Diet?

Commercially processed food is readily available, convenient, and oftentimes affordable. Yet, the increasing popularity of raw food diet has a few reasons. According to a survey, 94% of the participants switched to a raw meat based diet because they thought it safer for their dogs. Moreover, they also noticed improvements in their dog's physical health. For instance, they had shinier coats, healthier teeth, and gained muscle mass.

In the same survey, 80% of the participants switched because they had lost trust in commercial food products. These respondents thought that the lack of information on the ingredients of these processed foods was the primary motive to switch. A healthier coat also means that your Goldendoodle colors will be more prominent.

Types of Raw Diets Available for Dogs

• A raw meat based diet that is prepared at home. It is often unbalanced and requires addition of nutrients
• Commercially available raw meat that is frozen, freeze-dried or dehydrated
• Commercially available raw frozen diets that are complete and balanced
• Commercially available freeze-dried diets that are complete and balanced
• Commercially available dehydrated meat that is complete and balanced
• Commercially available high-pressure pasteurized (HPP) which is complete and balanced diets

Generally, raw diets are of higher quality but more costly than commercially available processed dog food. Due to the additional processing steps, the most costly are freeze-dried, dehydrated, and HPP foods.

Pros of Raw Food Diet for Dogs

The following are the pros of the raw food diet for dogs:

• Healthier Body

Many owners perceive that commercially processed food is unhealthy for their fur babies. The reason is that they most often contain ingredients that need to be listed. Raw dog food, on the other hand, is natural and has minimal processing. Moreover, raw food also has ingredients that the owners are aware of.

Puppy owners who feed raw meat-based food claim that their pets are healthier and have higher energy levels. Not only this, but their coat is also shinier, and they have better dental health. They also believe that raw pet food leads to fewer dog health issues.

• A Higher Percentage of Nutrients

Cooked or processed meat is often ripped off from its nutrients. On the contrary, raw meat-based diets consist of biochemically complex compounds. Raw food also contains antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E, and Flavonoids.

When we heat any food, it often adds toxins to the meat. Therefore, the food you heat for your dog may eventually be carcinogenic. However, the actual effects of this study have not yet been studied on canines.

• Improvement of Immune Functions

70 to 80% of animals' immune systems are in their gut. Therefore, the food that they consume has a significant effect on their health and disease prevention. Keeping your dog on a healthy raw diet helps to strengthen their immune system

• Weight Management

Processed food is high in carbohydrates, which leads to obesity. However, a balanced raw diet has high protein content but low carbs. Therefore, these dogs often have a healthier weight. A few owners believe that it may also be due to twice-daily portion feeding. Dogs on a raw diet also consume fewer treats or dehydrated meat pieces.

Cons of Raw Food Diet for Dogs

The following are the pros of the raw food diet for dogs:

• Risk of Bones

When feeding raw food to your dog, there is a high chance that it may contain bone. Even a tiny bone fragment can potentially cause serious harm to your canine. It can create a choking hazard, break their teeth or internally puncture any part of the mouth. If you cook the bones, there is a higher chance of splintering. Therefore, it is advisable to feed your dog under supervision.

• Bacterial Infection

Some raw meat can potentially carry microbes such as bacteria and parasites that can cause infections in your dog. Infections are critical, especially if your dog already suffers from an underlying disease or cancer. Dogs with low immunity also have a higher chance of developing these infections.

• Unbalanced Diet

Some dog owners need to be made aware of the fact that raw meat itself is an unbalanced diet for their dogs. To make it a complete diet, add fruits and vegetables. If you constantly feed your dog just raw meat, then it may cause nutritional deficiencies. Moreover, in severe cases, it can even cause anemia, liver failure, or low bone density. Always consult your veterinarian so that he can make a balanced meal diet plan specifically for your pet friend.

• Cost and Time

Processed food requires no time and is ready to feed. Raw meat, on the other hand, takes time to prepare. Moreover, it is also more costly than kibble. If you are on a tight budget, you may want to think twice before making the final decision, as it may not be feasible for you or your family.

Conclusion

Switching your puppy friend to a raw diet may be a healthier alternative. However, it is only suitable for some pooches. Ultimately, it is best to discuss this with your vet to make an informed decision. Your vet will thoroughly examine all the factors and eventually decide what’s best for your pet. Regardless of which type of food you feed your dog, ensure it is balanced and you know its ingredients.

About The Author
M. Hassan Iqbal is an experienced digital marketing specialist with 3 years of SEO and content writing expertise. I provide these services to various companies, consistently achieving real results by improving their online rankings. If you're looking for excellent digital marketing services, I'm only a click away.

Editors Note -

Did You Know There is a Raw Feeding Veterinary Society?

The RFVS is a group of motivated vets, vet nurses and other paraprofessionals with a common interest in promoting the principles and practical aspects of species-appropriate nutrition, through support and education of veterinary, other professionals and the pet-owning public. Visit their website at https://rfvs.info