Well it depends! Every dog is an individual. Raw food is an emotive subject which tends to evoke a lot of passion and enthusiasm as well as scepticism. Ask a group of dog owners is raw food good for dogs and you will no doubt have very divided opinions!
What Do Vets Think?
Many vets will not advocate Raw Food Diets for the following reasons:
- There’s a lack of scientific evidence to back up claims that raw food is for dogs and better than prepared foods.
- One of the concerns is that raw food does not offer a balanced diet, especially if owners are preparing their own and may not be aware of exactly what a dog needs;
- Raw food can introduce bacteria into the household. Sure we buy raw food (meat, poultry and fish), but we cook it and don’t generally serve it raw;
- Bacteria can infect either dogs or people. If there are children or anyone suffering from anything which compromises their immune system extra care is needed:
My Personal Thoughts
When you google is Raw Food Good for Dogs and wade through the manufacturers’ websites, you will eventually come across some unbiased advice.
If you have the budget to feed your dog raw food (as it’s significantly more expensive than even high-quality kibble). Your dog thrives on a raw food diet and is getting a nutritionally balanced diet then it’s a great choice.
Equally if you choose to feed your dog a complete food (kibble or moist) and it contains the right levels of nutrients, and your dog enjoys its food then it’s right for you and your dog.
Do also spare a thought for convenience. Most raw food if bought from manufacturers is frozen and will at least need refrigeration. If you are travelling with your dog to ensure you have the facilities to keep it in peak condition. Or if you are leaving your dog with a home boarder, do they have the freezer space required for your dog’s food while you’re away!
I debated going ‘raw’ with our own dogs, but 14 years ago there was less choice, they suffered from various animal protein allergies and as a rookie dog owner, I was concerned that switching to a higher protein, meat-based diet might make things worse. But what has always been important to me, has been to ensure that my dogs get a healthy and balanced diet with the right nutrients.
How Do I Choose?
While it’s good to know that the rules and regulations around pet food labelling and standards is strict, not all dog food is made equally and as for deciphering the labels… you don’t have all day!
But you may be interested in what your dog actually needs. A good publication is Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs by the National Academies. This is aimed at pet owners and explains what your dog needs by way of nutrients.
If you wish to go into more detail then FEDIAF’s nutritional guidelines may help. Be warned it’s 98 pages long, but the glossary and guidance is really useful and will help with reading labels.
If by now, you’re losing the will to live, then at least hop over to All About Dog Food. Founded by David Jackson, who had worked for years in the pet food industry, as a nutritionist. This site is truly independent and does offer some great insights into dog food, raw, complete, complementary (which means it’s not complete!) and treats. You can put in your dog’s basic details and it will make recommendations or you can browse.
Finally
If you’re interested in finding out more about how I can help you CONTACT ME (LINK). Please note that I am not a qualified canine nutritionist and cannot offer specific opinions about your dog I’m more than happy to answer general questions about is Raw Food Good for Dogs and what you might need to consider if you choosing a raw food diet.
