Raw Food Diet for Dogs

With the advent of commercial dog foods in the market, many pet owners started feeding these foods to their pet dogs. However, recently there has been an argument which says that commercial foods are not good for the health of the dogs, rather they should be fed raw food, which is what dogs have been eating since centuries. Raw food diet for dogs, commonly known as BARF, i.e. Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food diet (for dogs), are those dog foods that are given to the dogs without cooking. There are many people who feed cooked food to their dogs, however, it is said that cooking reduces the nutritional value of dog food. People who support the BARF are of the opinion that feeding raw or natural food to the dogs have various health benefits. It is said that giving them cooked or processed foods can actually cause them harm. Though many people have started adopting the raw food diet for dogs, there are still many dog owners who continue to stay away from raw food because of various reasons. This happens because many people do not have the correct information about the health benefits of raw food diet for dogs.

Bad Effects of Commercial Foods for Dogs

One of the reasons for people not opting for a raw food diet for their dogs is because they think that as meat contains various bacteria, and consuming it may lead to certain problems to their pets. However, this is not actually true at all. The digestive system of dogs is stronger than that of human beings, due to which they are able to fight the food borne bacteria, and will not get sick by eating raw food. Rather, it has been observed that dogs eating commercial foods are more prone to various types of illnesses. Commercial foods contain high level of carbohydrates, more than what dogs actually need, due to which they develop the tendency of overeating which can cause several dog health problems like diabetes, dog obesity, etc. The main reason for this is commercial foods are made of cereals which is the major cause of allergies in dogs. Moreover, these processed foods also contain added preservatives, salt, colors, etc., which may have a bad effect on the dog's health.

Best Raw Food Diet for Dogs

The main food in raw meat diet for dogs is meat itself. It is very important to provide your pet dog with meat every day. Normally, it is best to start with raw chicken, then slowly move to other types of meat including turkey, lamb, fish, pork, quail, rabbit, etc. You not only have to include the meat and bones of the animal, but also its other organs like kidney, liver, heart, etc. Many people believe that dogs are carnivorous animals and so should not be fed with fruits and vegetables. However, dogs are omnivorous just like human beings, and there is nothing wrong in feeding them these foods. You can give your pet dog fruits like oranges, apples, pears, etc. The list of vegetables that can be given to a dog includes peppers, celery, carrots, broccoli, parsley and spinach. You should also feed your pet dog with raw eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc., occasionally.

Many food manufacturing companies have started manufacturing raw foods for dogs that are readily available in the market. However, it is better to avoid these packed raw foods because the methods used to pack these foods may be totally unhygienic. These packed foods may contain additional supplements which may harm the canine. Therefore, it is always better to buy meat from your local butcher. These are not only more healthier, but also much less expensive than the packed ones.

Health Benefits of Raw Food Diet for Dogs

Dog owners who have opted for raw food diet for pets have reported several positive changes in their dogs. Raw food diet is not only a balanced one, but also provides all the necessary nutrients for the health of the dog. This diet offers a variety of benefits which are as follows:

• As bones of animals are one of the main food in raw food diet for dogs, it helps in cleaning the dog's teeth in a natural way, and also makes its teeth and gums stronger. It is also said that consuming raw foods helps better digestion in dogs, leading to firm stools.
• Pet owners have also observed that raw foods help in making their dogs more energetic and lively. As the raw food diet contains a variety of food stuffs, canines actually enjoy eating them, thus making a huge difference in their appetite.
• Raw food diet for dogs is a good way of controlling weight gain as well as weight loss in dogs. It also affects the physical appearance of the dogs, as dogs who eat raw foods are observed to have healthy skin as well as a healthy coat.
• Not only are raw foods good for adult dogs, but are also great for puppies. Raw food diet for puppies help in their normal growth and development. Apart from puppies, it is not only safe but also healthy to feed pregnant bitches with raw food.
• The best part about feeding raw foods to your pet is that it makes the immune system of the dog stronger, thus keeping it away from different types of diseases. Due to this, you will not have to take your pet to the vet very often, thus saving you a lot of money. Also, it has been seen that dogs which eat raw foods live a longer and healthier life than those which eat commercial foods.

You may like to learn more on:

• Natural Dog Food Recipes
• Dog Care
• Dog Illnesses

I hope you have got a fair idea about raw food diet for dogs and its benefits. Pet owners who have adopted this diet for their dogs will surely vouch that there is noting better than this for the dog's health. So, people who are still feeding their dogs commercial foods, do not get fooled by the advertisements that talk about the goodness of these foods. Instead opt for a raw food diet and watch the positive difference it brings in your pet.