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Raw Diet For Dogs: Will It Improve Your Dogs Health?

Raw dog food diets are controversial. While some think this is the way dogs were meant to eat before dogs became pets, others think dry dog food is the correct diet for our four-legged fur balls. Is raw food good for dogs? Lets dig into raw dog food diets a bit more so you can draw your own conclusion about whether this diet lives up to the hype.

What Is A Raw Food Diet For Dogs?

Araw dog food diet emphasizes uncooked meat (often muscle and organ meat), whole or crushed bones, fruits, vegetables, raw eggs, and some dairy.

The raw dog food diet started with racing Greyhounds and sled dogs. In 1993, Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst proposed extending the diet to family dogs. He called this the BARF diet for dogs, which stands for Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

Billinghurst suggested dogs would flourishon BARF dog food since this is how they ate prior to being domesticated. He also argued that commercial pet foods were harmful to the health of dogs. However, many vets and the FDA disagree with Billinghursts views.

What Are The Claimed Benefits Of Raw Food Diets For Dogs?

Billinghurst and his supporters say the benefits include:

• Shinier coat
• Healthier skin
• Cleaner teeth
• More energy
• Smaller stool

Potential Risks Of Raw Diets

While there are potential upsides and some veterinarians may recommend it, theAmerican Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)is not on board with BARF. Citing a number of studies, the AVMA discourages feeding raw food or undercooked animal proteins because they can contain potentially deadly pathogens and harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. Coli that can sicken your pet and possibly be transmitted to humans. Yikes!

Other possible disadvantages of the raw diet for dogs include:

• Harmful bacteria in raw meat pose a threat to the dogs and human health.
• Giving whole meaty bones to dogs presents a risk of choking, broken teeth, or internal punctures (learn more aboutif dogs can eat bones).
• Nutritional deficiencies can occur from raw dog food diets if they are not properly balanced. Low calcium and phosphorus levels, as well as inadequate vitamins and low levels of EPA and DHA, are some nutritional deficiencies that can develop.

Transitioning Your Dog From Dry Food To Raw

Its important to remember thattransitioning your dog to a new dietis aslow process. Below is a rough schedule you can use for this dietary shift.

If you notice your dog isnt feeling well, you should go back a day in the transition plan and proceed at a slower pace. For example, if your dog struggles with 50% serving, shift back to 40% serving for another day or two before moving forward.

Another thing wed like to mention is that raw diets are only safe for dogs 12 weeks andolder.

• Day 1:Feed 75% of your current (old) food and mix in 25% of the raw food in each serving to start the adjustment period for clean digestion.
• Day 2:Adjust to feeding 60% of your old food and mix in 40% of the raw food in each serving.
• Day 3:Feed 50% of your old food, mixed with 50% of the raw food per serving.
• Day 4:Feed 40% of your old food, mixed with 60% of the raw food per serving.
• Day 5:Feed 25% of your old food, mixed with 75% of the raw food per serving.
• Day 6:Feed 90-100% of the raw food at this point, you should be very close to a clean digestive transition period.

Break the daily serving size into two meals per day: one in the morning and one in the evening.

As a general rule, dogs on a raw food diet need to eat 2 to 5% of their body weight in raw food. You must be careful to ensure they get enough to eat, as many dogs drop a good amount of weight on a raw food diet. Maintaining a healthy body weight is a priority because you do not want your pup to lose too much weight too quickly.

Raw Dog Food Recipes

Want to get your dog started on a raw dog food diet? Here is a recipe you can try out using ground meat. We should note that the nutritional balance varies based on the breed and size of your dog, so talk to your vet about the best option for your pet. Or better yet, get one of the commercial pet food brands we recommend to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lbsground beef
• 4 ozchicken livers
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 small apple, cored
• 1/2 cup baby spinach
• 2 whole eggs (including shell)
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tbspground flaxseed
• 1 tbspolive oil

Note: It is critical that you use high-quality grade ground meat and understand that there are risks associated with consuming uncooked meat. In addition, there are severalfoods your dog should never eat,so plan your recipe accordingly.

Directions

1. Put carrot, apple, and spinach in a food processor and process until finely chopped.
2. Add remaining ingredients except for beef and process until well combined.
3. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the beef until well mixed.
4. Form into patties the size of your palm and place on parchment lined baking sheet.
5. Freeze patties and transfer them to a storage container to keep them frozen.
6. The night before you wish to feed, remove the patties from the freezer and place them in the refrigerator to thaw.

Best Raw Dog Food Brands

Billinghursts book, Give Your Dog A Bone, has sparked commercially processed raw dog food diets to help pet parents who are short on time.

Shopping for ingredients, grinding, chopping, measuring, and mixing may not be something you have time for. Thats why these ready-made raw dog food delivery services can be so convenient for busy families who have an interest in feeding raw food to their pups.

Read our comparison of the best raw dog food delivery optionsand check out our rankings on the right. These food products are freeze-dried or frozen to maintain their nutrients and consist of meat, grains, vitamins, and vegetables.

Freeze-dried options can be convenient for traveling, but frozen is typically less processed than freeze-dried. So keep that in mind when youre purchasing raw food for your dog.

Some pet parents choose to serve these raw food packages on top of some kibble to help dogs adjust to a raw diet.

Video: How To Determine Serving Size

Wondering how much to feed your pup on a raw diet? Learn more in this video:

Myths About Raw Feeding Dogs

There are certainly risks and reservations with valid reasons behind them about raw feeding dogs. That said, there are also several myths and misconceptions that we can clear up.

• Raw feeding does not make dogs aggressive.
• Raw food will not automatically make your dog sick.
• The raw dog food diet is not only made up of raw meat.
• Dogs can eat both raw food and kibble. No rule says your dog must be exclusively on one diet.

Bottom Line: Every Pup Is Unique

Just because your furry friend gobbles up a raw meat diet, that doesnt mean its right for all dogs. Some animals might never be able to switch due to food sensitivities or other health issues. We strongly emphasize discussing your dogs specific needs with your vet before making any dietary changesand being patient in the process. Remember that any diet change can cause some stomach issues.

If your dog does get sick or needs medical attention, see a vet right away and consider getting pet insurance now so that if a need arises, your medical costs could be partially covered for any exams and medications for issues that exclude pre-existing conditions. Learn more about the benefits and if pet insurance may be a good fit for you. You might also check out these other homemade dog food recipes that contain cooked food as an alternative to raw.

Why Trust Canine Journal

At Canine Journal, we write about every type of diet to help pet parents decide whats best for their dogs. Raw diets can be controversial, which is why Kimberly consulted with many dog food experts to provide this content to our audience. She also has experience with various dog food brands and diet types, including raw.

Raw dog food the big questions

Raw dog food diets have been around as long as dogs and their ancestors have been around. Until the creation of dry dog food and canned dog food, dogs lived off raw meat, scraps and anything they could scavenge.

You may have heard of the old English expression as fit as a butchers dog, which implies that a dog living off meat, bones and offal is likely to be in fine fettle.

However, after the creation and growth of mass-market dog food, domestic dogs diets changed and the feeding of raw dog food became less common. That is until recent years

Raw food for dogs has increased in popularity in recent years; some of it homemade, some produced by cottage industries, but increasingly provided by medium to large companies for a national market.

What are the best raw dog foods?

Some work on the prey model, which is an 80% meat, 10% ground bone, 10% organ meat (offal) blend. Others use the recipes akin to the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) model, which includes a small percentage of vegetables.

Both kinds profess an authenticity based on dogs evolutionary diets.

It being something new (but also very old) it has generated a lot of doubt, cynicism and questions alongside its popularity.

We put some of the questions we most frequently get asked by readers to Amy Zalneraitis, the CBO at 5-star-rated We Feed Raw.

Is raw dog food safe for dogs?

AZ: Raw dog food is not only safe for dogs, its what is most biologically appropriate for them. Dogs have thrived on a raw, meat-based diet since the dawn of their existence. While weve domesticated dogs and bred them for their appearance, behavior, and temperament, in form and function, their digestive system is identical to their ancestors. With highly acidic stomachs, sharp, pointy teeth, and short, simple digestive tracts, a dogs biology tells us what they should be eating.

So any raw food will do?

Not all raw pet foods are created equal. We use only high-quality, USDA, human-grade meats. We produce our recipes in a USDA-certified facility and all ingredients must comply with rigid incoming quality assurance specifications. Most importantly, to ensure safe raw feeding in the home, we use HPP (high-pressure processing) a non-thermal pasteurization technology that uses extreme cold water pressure (up to 87,000 psi) to ensure our food is free of pathogens such as Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella.

While not all raw companies in the U.S. do this, we incur the extra cost because it ensures a safe product. Because the process uses pressure rather than heat, there is no change in product taste, texture, or nutritional value.

Is raw dog food safe for humans?

It depends if you mean to eat or handle. While our food is sourced from USDA, human-grade meats, our recipes are not intended for human consumption. Our formulas contain the correct ratio of muscle meat, organ meat, finely ground bone and a high-quality vitamin and mineral mix for full and proper canine nutrition, not full and proper human nutrition.

As for handling, dogs can cope with bacteria in ways that humans cant, but HPP offers extra peace of mind while feeding raw in the home. HPP is used by many reputable raw pet food companies because its a natural way to reduce harmful bacteria while preserving nutrients.

When youre purchasing raw pet food from a reputable company, its easy to feed raw food safely you use the same basic hygiene practices you use when preparing your own raw meats to cook, like washing hands, surfaces, and bowls.

Its more expensive than kibble why should I spend extra?

Because the quality of the food our dogs eat has a direct impact on how well they live. Eighty percent of immune capability is in the gut and low-carb raw diets help to promote healthy gut microflora. Raw food will always be more expensive because quality costs more. Hands down, raw costs more to source and make and its not packed with cheap fillers. While youll pay more upfront with raw, youll save money down the line because youll have a healthier, happier dog and far fewer vet visits.

Why wouldnt I just make raw food at home?

If youre a DIY raw feeder, amazing! Great job! But weve found that many pet parents dont have the time, energy, interest, or resources to make properly balanced raw food at home. Thats where we come in. We plan, portion, package, and deliver. All you have to do is thaw and feed. No concern that your dog is missing important nutrients, no trips to the pet food store, no guesswork.

Do dogs need vegetables?

Our recipes are based on the Prey Model Raw diet: approximately 80% muscle meat (with connective tissue and fat), 10% organ meat (all of which is secreting organ), 10% finely ground raw meaty bones plus a small amount of a high-quality vitamin and mineral mix.

Some of our customers will choose to add veggies to the meals, and thats great, as long as they dont overdo it. If your dog does well with a bit of extra fiber, our Ph.D. nutritionist suggests around a 5-8% veggie inclusion. With dogs, plant matter usually passes out as part of the stool, undigested because their bodies have to work much harder to break it down.

We usually recommend pureeing veggies: dogs do not have natural cellulase, an enzyme that helps to break down fiber, so pureeing them will help aid in digestion.

Do I need to add supplements?

Not with our food. Our food is complete and balanced as is. No need to add supplements. That said, its totally fine to add a small amount of your preferred probiotic, prebiotic, fish oil or omega-3 oil, etc. We just advise that pet parents dont add a multivitamin, as we already include a high-quality vitamin and mineral mix to our recipes.

When it comes to adding other whole foods, like canned pumpkin, phytoplankton, sardines, green-lipped mussels, etc, these can be wonderful, healthy additions and we totally support those as toppers to our meals.

Are there any proven benefits to a raw diet?

A dogs digestive system is identical to its ancestors. They didnt lose the ability to digest their evolutionary diet just because kibble was invented mere seconds ago in geologic time. Therefore, isnt it prudent to imitate what nature provided as a guideline?

As for specific studies, were excited about the work being done at the University of Helsinki on the benefits of a raw dog food diet. Led by veterinary scientist Dr. Anna-Hielm Bjrkman (DVM and PhD), The Dog Risk Study is a university-led, cruelty-free study using 16,000 dogs of all breeds and ages.

The program has already proven that puppies fed raw (vs kibble) have fewer environmental allergies as adults and a reduced risk of developing IBD later in life. Some of the other specific studies its exploring include hip dysplasia, GI issues, chronic ear infections, cancer and tumors.

How do I transition my dog to raw food?

Our intro plan helps to gradually introduce dogs to raw food over a 10-day period. The detailed directions instruct pet parents on how to mix their pups current food with We Feed Raw and increase the percentage of We Feed Raw over the course of 9 days until theyre feeding 100% raw.

What are the best raw dog foods?

Will there be side effects?

While some dogs transition to raw with no issues, other dogs with sensitive stomachs may require a bit more TLC and time. Its all normal. The long-term effects of a healthy, species-appropriate diet make it all worth it: smaller, less smelly stools, shiny skin and coat, cleaner teeth, improved digestion, stronger immune system, better weight control the list goes on.

Can I mix raw food with cooked food?

Yes, absolutely. We encourage pet parents to feed what works for their budget and lifestyle. Adding even 25% raw food to your dogs diet can have life-changing health benefits. Raw feeding isnt an all-or-nothing approach. Using it as a base, mixer, or topper with cooked food or kibble can still have amazing overall health benefits.

Why are some vets anti-raw food?

Were seeing a real shift with conventional vets becoming more raw-friendly. In fact, we work with many conventional vets who not only recommend raw to their clients but feed it to their own pets.

So while the tide is changing, here are some reasons that conventional vets may not be pro-raw: 1) Theyre not taught about raw diets in vet school; 2) Theyve seen homemade raw diets go wrong (imbalanced, missing important nutrients, incorrect ratios); 3) They think its a danger to the humans feeding it. However, serious and reputable raw brands in the U.S., like our company, use HPP to neutralize pathogens for safe feeding in the home.

Is raw dog food human-grade?

Raw dog food is meant to be fed raw and usually contains bone, and therefore cannot technically be labeled human-grade as a whole. So while our food is sourced from high-quality human-grade meats and produced in a USDA-certified facility, we do not make the human-grade claim on our labels.

Are bones and offal actually good for dogs?

Not only are they good for dogs, theyre essential to a complete and balanced raw diet. Organ meats, particularly liver, are packed with vitamins and minerals. Bones are an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus.