Is a Raw Diet for Dogs Really Better?
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April 30th, 2010 at 3:39 am
Is a raw diet really better for a dog?
E.g. Meat that isn’t cooked? If so can I start a raw diet for my 6month Lab?
Do you feed it a raw diet for the rest of its life? Or just once/twice a week?
April 30th, 2010 at 8:41 am
I feed raw. It’s the best thing ever. Do proper research.
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April 30th, 2010 at 8:43 am
For sure, 100%, absolutely, definitely, raw is best, everyday is even better, but for some reason people sometimes just feed raw every now and then
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April 30th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Raw truly is better then most dry kibble. If you are thinking of feeding raw then you need to switch from kibble to raw gradually. You can feed raw a few times out of the week or all the time but don’t mix the kibble with the meat.
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Rescuer, Groomer and Show Exhibitor of Dobermans for 9 years
April 30th, 2010 at 8:47 am
You don’t want to mix raw with kibble or cooked, they all digest differently.
It is much better for them if you do it right.
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April 30th, 2010 at 8:49 am
For 90% of dogs, it’s great. The other 10% can’t digest it properly though.
You feed raw for the rest of it’s life. Your dog will have a dramatic improvement in health, trust me. But before you do it, research it. Just Google, "raw feeding".
Good luck!
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April 30th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Yes a raw diet is much better for a dog. Think about all the processed stuff in commercial dog food! Dogs aren’t naturally grain eaters and it is never too late to start feeding your dog a raw diet.
This might help
What is raw feeding?
When raw feeding, what you see is what you get. There are no hidden ingredients, no fillers. All the mystery is taken out of your dog’s meals. A raw diet is composed of the same food you eat, but as it suggests, nothing is cooked. Well, I don’t know many people who eat bones, but for the most part, raw food is human food.
Why feed raw?
Dogs in the wild did not have little cooked pellets that contained cooked vegetables and grains (or cooked meat, for that matter), thus their systems are not made for digesting these ingredients. A raw diet is a direct evolution of what dogs ate before they became our pets.
Some pet owners who have made the switch have noticed drastic changes in their pets, including:
* Shinier, healthier skin
* Fresher breath/cleaner teeth
* Improved digestion
* Improvement with allergy symptoms
* Decreased shedding
* Increased stamina
* Firmer, smaller stools
* A general increase in overall health
What can I feed?
When discussing raw feeding you’ll often hear people talking about RMB’s, which stands for Raw Meaty Bones. A raw meaty bone is a bone with a *lot* of meat on it that is consumable. Yes, a dog can eat (and will enjoy eating) the entire bone. No, the bone is not going to splinter; those canines will be put to good use grinding bones up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Cooked bones run the risk of splintering- NEVER feed cooked bones!
A dog on a raw diet will need a variety of different meats in order to reap the benefits that each protein provides; for example one type of meat may be higher in iron, while another may be higher in vitamin A. This is why a rotating diet is recommended in order to maintain a healthy raw diet.
Here is a list of some items your dog can try:
* Chicken - whole or any parts! (backs, necks, wings, etc.)
* Turkey - whole or any parts (wings, necks, etc.)
* Cornish game hens (whole)
* Beef (any cuts)
* Oxtail
* Pork (necks, ribs, any cuts)
* Rabbit
* Fish (canned sardines in WATER, not oil, or Jack mackerel)
* Quail
* Buffalo, kangaroo- almost anything you can think of!
Also, your dog does need organ meat, for its high nutrient content- feed liver or kidney as 10% of their diet.
When you first start your dog on raw, introduce one protein source at a time. Feed chicken for a week, then beef for a week, and so on, to introduce these foods to your pet’s system. This way you can easily detect a protein allergy. Once the food is introduced you should have no problem varying meat daily during normal weeks.
A note on bacteria: This was one of my concerns when we starting looking into the raw option. Raw meat is not safe for humans because of bacteria like e-coli and Salmonella. But, canine digestive systems are have some natural immunity to bacteria, and can handle the bacteria in meat without issue, when in good overall health.
In addition to meat, include vegetables, eggs, fruit, yogurt, etc. Eggs, like bones, are a good source of calcium, so are good to use when you don’t have bones. Pumpkin is a good system regulator, so we keep that on hand for most meals. There are countless good foods to give your dog, once you start looking! Grains, however, are completely unnecessary- since commercial pet foods are always grain-based diets, many people are used to the idea that their dogs need grain. It’s just not true. Some of the positive effects of feeding raw are related to eliminating grain from your dog’s diet.
How much does my dog need to eat?
The general rule is to feed a healthy adult dog between 2-4% of its weight daily, and then adjust as needed. If you have an overweight dog, start on the lower end of the spectrum, if you have a dog who needs to gain a little bit of weight, start closer to 4%. You will also be able to judge by looking at your dog- if he is looking a little thin, bump up his meat intake. Puppies may require up to 10% of their weight daily during growth. Raw diets are ideal for growing puppies, too, but they can’t eat all the same bones an adult dog can. Give puppies non-weight-bearing bones, as their young teeth can’t handle thicker bones.
Where do I find raw food?
Raw diets are catching on as a viable and healthy alternative to commercial pet food, and so there are some brands of packaged raw food. While those are a step up from kibble, they are very expensive and you still don’t have the advantage of knowing exactly what your dog eats at each meal. We recommend finding a good butcher or local farmer for your meat source. If you have some extra freezer space, you’ll probably be able to work out good deals buying in larger quantities. As far as cost goes, raw is less expensive than kibble
References :
http://www.dogguide.net/raw-diet-basics.php
April 30th, 2010 at 8:53 am
yes, in the wild dogs dont cook their food do they?
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April 30th, 2010 at 8:55 am
I’ve been raw feeding daily for 6 years. You need to do your research to be sure you know what’s involved and the correct nutritional requirements for canines.
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