Raw meat has become a topic of debate lately in the world of pet food and pet nutrition. Proponents of raw meat argue that by balancing your dog’s nutrition yourself will ensure that you proved a proper and healthy diet for your dog. Furthermore they suggest that commercial dog food is over processed and contain toxins from the preservatives used to elongate the shelf life of the product and the ingredients that create the taste and cent of the product. Opponents of raw meat argue that there is no hard evidence (clinical trials) that prove raw meat is better or even healthy for your dog. In fact they believe feeding your dog raw meat can be very dangerous.
The folks that believe raw meat is a better diet for dogs base their argument on the belief that commercial dog food is full of toxins. They claim that sodium nitrate, artificial flavorings and other chemicals can impair the health of your dog. The benefits from eating a raw food diet can include healthier coats, fewer dental problems, fresher breath and less body odor.
The other important idea for raw meat proponents is that dogs are natural predators. Their bodies were built to live on raw meat they hunted and consumed. This has been the way these animals have survived for years. Raw meat proponents question why they should now feed their dogs food that is being constructed in a lab when their pets have been eating the real thing for centuries. Due to this dietary evolution dogs are not as susceptible to bacteria like E. coli and salmonella; two bacteria that can seriously affect other animals like humans.
There are three types of raw meat diets. The first is commercially purchased raw food diets. These are sold as frozen food items that you thaw out and feed to your dog. The next is the homemade raw food diet. This diet consists of 60 percent raw meat bones, and the other 40% a mixture of green vegetables, eggs, milk and some organs such as liver or kidneys. This is the most difficult because it relies on a lot of planning on your side. The third is the combination diet which consists of a blend of commercially available grain and supplements and raw meat.
Opponents of the raw food diet lean on the fact that there has never been a clinical study to suggest that raw food is actually better than commercial dog food. Furthermore they argue that dog owners/parents are not experts and their attempts at creating the right balance of nutrition for their dog can end in disaster. Commercial dog food is balanced for your dog based on the breed, size, and age of your dog by veterinarians and scientists working in dog nutrition. The number of ailments your dog could suffer from as a result of eating dog food is pretty substantial: diarrhea, choking from bones, splinters from bones in the throat, bacterial diseases, etc. They suggest the threat of these ailments alone is enough to stop them from serving their dogs a raw food diet.
If you’re considering the raw food diet check with your veterinarian to see what your dog will need in their diet. Have your veterinarian with you each step of the way to ensure your dog’s safety.
