Time to Read: Approximately 12 minutes
Making Sense of Whether to Feed Your Dog a Raw Food Diet
In recent years, the raw food diet for dogs has gained popularity among pet owners. Seeking to provide their furry companions a more natural, raw food diets have increased in popularity. One the one hand, advocates of the raw food diet tout its potential benefits, including improved dental health, shinier coats, and increased energy levels. One the other hand, detractors raise concerns regarding the risk of bacterial contamination, nutritional imbalances, and potential health hazards associated with feeding a raw diet. In an attempt to address both the pros and cons of of this issue, we’ll delve into the benefits and possible concerns of the feeding a raw food diet for dogs. As German Shepherd Dog breeders raising working line German shepherd puppies, our active dogs require a balanced diet and plenty of calories. With so many large breed dogs facing shortened life spans, we have spent a lot of time on the research of nutrition as it relates to feeding a raw food diet.
Enhanced Nutritional Quality: Providing a Biologically Appropriate Diet
One of the primary arguments in favor of the raw food diet is its alignment with a dog’s natural evolutionary diet. When we examine nature, do we ever see a wolf grazing in the wheat field or the coyote nibbling on corn? The obvious answer is we do not. Proponents argue that dogs are carnivorous animals that have evolved to consume raw meat, bones, and organs. And they are not wrong! Advocates of the raw food diet rightly argue that feeding dogs a diet that closely mimics what their ancestors ate in the wild can provide superior nutrition, including higher levels of essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals. This belief makes sense of intending to make use of food as medicine— so to speak. Do not both humans and animals tend to absorb nutrition more easily through food than synthetic additives. Both science and the test of times would suggest food reasonably serves as the best source of health.
Improved Dental Health: Supporting Dental Hygiene
Another benefit of the raw food diet is its positive impact on dental health. Chewing on raw bones and meaty chunks can help scrape away plaque and tartar buildup, reducing the risk of dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. Additionally, the act of chewing on raw bones promotes healthy gums and strengthens jaw muscles, leading to better overall dental hygiene and oral health. With many large breeds naturally predisposed to chewing; hence, the market for chew toys, it makes sense to offer bones and natural food as a source of improving dental health.
Shinier Coat and Skin Health: Enhancing External Appearance
Many who feed the raw food diet report improvements in their dogs’ coat and skin health after transitioning to a raw diet. They attribute this to the higher levels of essential fatty acids found in raw meat, which are crucial for maintaining healthy skin and a glossy coat. Advocates claim that dogs fed a raw food diet often exhibit shinier, softer fur and experience fewer skin issues such as itching, dryness, and hot spots.
Increased Energy and Vitality: Boosting Overall Well-Being
Some dog owners who have switched to a raw food diet for their pets report noticeable improvements in energy levels and vitality. Proponents claim that feeding dogs a diet rich in high-quality proteins and natural fats can provide sustained energy throughout the day, leading to increased activity levels, improved muscle tone, and overall better well-being. Beginning an all natural diet also has the benefits of stimulating epigenetic factors that can affect a dog for the entirety of its life. Additionally, artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers commonly found in commercial pet foods can contribute to ill health and reduced life span.
Cons of Feeding Dogs a Raw Food Diet: Risk of Bacterial Food borne Illness
One of the most significant concerns associated with the raw food diet is the risk of bacterial contamination and foodborne illness. Raw meat, bones, and organs can potentially harbor harmful bacteria. These bacteria include the possibility of Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can pose serious health risks to both dogs and their owners. Critics argue that handling raw meat increases the likelihood of cross-contamination in the kitchen, potentially exposing humans to pathogens that can cause severe illness. This last concern seems overstated. Such a concern would suggest dog owners are incapable of practicing basic health safety practices. Wash your hands. Take appropriate precautions to clean your hands and kitchens and this concern of cross contamination should be not more than a passing concern!
Potential Nutritional Imbalances: Lack of Complete Nutrition
Another drawback of the raw food diet is the potential for nutritional imbalances or deficiencies. While care ought to be taken in providing a complete diet, this concern arguably fails to take into consideration the diet of foxes, coyotes and wolves. With dogs the domesticated version of their wild counterparts, it seems foolish to think that a proper wild diet would not/does not meet necessary health needs. Critics argue that feeding dogs a diet consisting solely of raw meat, bones, and organs may lack essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, fiber, and certain vitamins and minerals. Without careful formulation and supplementation, dogs fed a raw food diet may be at risk of nutritional deficiencies that can lead to health problems such as malnutrition, developmental issues, and weakened immune function. While this may be true if a dog is not fed a full orbed raw diet that includes bones, organ food and the full cross section of animal products, a raw diet can, no doubt, meet nutrition needs. Potential nutritional imbalances ought not to be read as necessarily nutritionally incomplete.
Risk of Obstruction or Injury: Hazards of Bone Consumption
While raw bones are often touted as a natural dental health aid, they can also pose risks to dogs if not fed appropriately. Critics warn that feeding dogs raw bones, especially weight-bearing bones such as femurs or marrow bones, can lead to dental fractures, gastrointestinal obstructions, or perforations of the digestive tract. Additionally, dogs that gulp or swallow bones whole may be at risk of choking or intestinal blockages, requiring emergency veterinary intervention. This risk bears consideration. Yet much can be done to ameliorate such risk. Smaller bones can be cooked till soft. Such action means the diet can no longer be considered raw. This is true. But compared to a kibble diet, minor compromises for the sake of safety seem a reasonable compromise.
Cost and Convenience: Practical Considerations
Feeding a raw food diet can be significantly more expensive than feeding kibble. Additionally, it can be time-consuming than feeding commercial dog food. Time to clean ups a wet food can take more time than feeding a dry kibble. This critique is true. It is more work! Critics argue that sourcing high-quality, human-grade raw ingredients can be costly, especially if purchasing organic or specialty meats. Additionally, preparing balanced raw meals at home requires careful planning, portioning, and storage to ensure nutritional adequacy and food safety. For busy pet owners or those on a tight budget, the raw food diet may be impractical or financially prohibitive.
Conclusion: Navigating the Raw Food Debate
In conclusion, the raw food diet for dogs presents both potential benefits and drawbacks, and pet owners must carefully weigh the evidence before deciding whether it’s the right choice for their furry companions. While proponents tout the diet’s potential to provide biologically appropriate nutrition, support dental health, and enhance overall well-being, critics raise concerns about the risk of bacterial contamination, nutritional imbalances, and practical challenges associated with feeding raw meat.
Ultimately, the decision to feed a raw food diet should be made in consultation with a veterinarian and based on the individual needs and circumstances of the dog. Pet owners considering transitioning to a raw food diet should thoroughly research the topic, seek guidance from knowledgeable professionals, and take steps to mitigate potential risks. By approaching the raw food debate with caution, education, and informed decision-making, pet owners can provide their dogs with a diet that supports optimal health and wellness. For owners of large breed dogs especially for active, dogs involved in Schutzhund, especially owners of German Shepherd dogs involved in active training a German Shepherd stud dog for IGP, a raw food diet may offer benefits not found in a dry kibble. If you are a dog owner and working to title your dogs in IGP, consider putting your dog on raw food. It can be a lot of work. If you are not able to spend the extra time, consider a more natural kibble without grain or other such fillers.
Sources:
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2. Sandri, Misa, et al. “Raw meat-based diets for dogs: survey of owners’ motivations, attitudes and practices.” BMC veterinary research 15.1 (2019): 1-8. [Link](https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-019-1979-9)
3. Dillitzer, Natalie, et al. “Evaluation of raw meat diets for dogs.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 233.6 (2008): 803-808. [Link](https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.233.6.803)
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