Increasingly, raw food diets are popular with pet owners. In fact, many people choose to feed their dogs raw foods since these are more natural and less processed than most commercial diets. This type of diet has many benefits, but it is still important to be careful with these ingredients since they can also present certain risks.
In this article, we present some benefits of raw food for pets.
Demystifying raw food
You could imagine that choosing raw food for your animal could be more expensive and more complicated than simple kibble, but this is not necessarily the case! There are a few basic rules to follow with this type of feed and its storage.
First, you can thaw the portions in the refrigerator the day before and then keep them for a maximum of 3 days in the fridge. Plus, if your pet doesn't eat its entire portion the first time, it's possible to refrigerate it and save it for a second meal. As for the transition for your dog, you can do it in just 2 days by incorporating 50% of its portion in raw meat.
There are also different home delivery services that offer several raw products for animals. Nourricru is a good example in Quebec and distributes eight different brands of complet raw food formulas in addition to delivering them directly to you every week. It's so simple and it saves you time! If you are more reluctant in terms of price, be aware that raw food can be cheaper than buying regular kibble. So this is not an aspect that should stop you from trying it!
Benefits of raw food
Better joint and bone health
Giving real ground bone to your dog will allow him to have his natural intake of calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, collagen and marrow. These nutrients help in the healthy growth of puppies as well as the maintenance of good joint health throughout their life.
A strengthened immune system
Complete and balanced nutrition is essential to help the development of the immune system and the natural ingredients have the advantage of being easily digestible for your dog. For example, raw meats provide quality proteins, essential fats, vitamins and minerals that will not be diminished by the cooking process. Superfoods, such as moringa, also have a very positive effect on a dog’s diet by helping to improve overall immunity.
Healthy coat and skin
Raw diets often contain omega-3 fatty acids which play an important role in maintaining healthy skin and a soft coat in addition to acting as an anti-inflammatory. Some ingredients that contain these acids are salmon, chia seeds or flax seeds.
Better dental health
To keep your dog's breath fresh, a diet rich in natural foods such as celery or peppermint is recommended. Raw bones are also known as a natural toothbrush for dogs as they get into the toughest places and remove plaque.
On the other hand, as mentioned above, it is important to know the risks associated with this type of diet. Indeed, one must be vigilant to the levels of potentially pathogenic bacteria that can develop in their saliva. These bacteria can also be transmitted to humans through direct contact with dog drool. He must also ensure that your dog is still receiving a balanced diet with all the nutrients needed to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Being aware of the possible risks, raw food remains an excellent option for your dog if you offer him something more natural afterwards. Our Green Paws go very well with this type of meal since they will provide the missing superfoods on your dog’s plate!
