Superior Canine Nutrition Exploring the Benefits of Raw Dog Food

The Truth About Grain-Free Dog Food: Insights from a Nutrition Expert

The phrase grain-free has become one of the most confusing and debated in the world of dog food in recent years. It was and is often seen as a positive many nutritionists warn against high levels of grains in dog food.

However, in recent years, a growing concern has emerged regarding the potential connection between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dogs diets with grain-free foods framed by some as the problem.

As a result, pet parents, believing they are offering their furry companions the best nutrition, find themselves troubled by the notion that their diet could be linked to such a serious disease.

While DCM has various causes, including genetics, medications, and infections, its crucial to note theres no scientific evidence definitively linking grain-free or grain-inclusive diets to DCM.

This, however, has not eased the concern or confusion among many pet parents. Not least because people confuse food advertised as grain-free which often has grain substitutes with food that simply has no grains in it, such as raw dog food.To address the uncertainties around foods labelled grain-free, we spoke Dr. Richard Patton, a seasoned Ph.D. animal nutritionist with over 40 years of experience and expertise in formulating canine diets, more than 25 scientific publications to his name, and who has authored a book on pet nutrition. Hes a nutritional consultant for the raw food community.

(Please note that these are Dr. Pattons expert opinions, not those of Dog Food Advisor.)

In the popular language of the pet food industry, grain-free trade signifies the absence of ingredients like corn, oats, wheat, soybeans, and the like. This labelling suggests the replacement of these perceived problematic grains with supposedly more benign options such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, or other non-grain alternatives.

However, the crux of the issue isnt the specific grains name but rather the quantity of soluble carbohydrates it contains essentially, starch and sugar. Potatoes, often deemed virtuous replacements for grains, can be just as carbohydrate-rich and, therefore, pose similar concerns as grains like corn. Similarly, a diet featuring lower levels of soluble carbohydrates can still be highly nutritious, even if it includes moderate amounts of grains.

How do I know if my dog should be grain-free?

Your dog should generally be fed a diet that is low in starch and sugar. Their diet should be low in soluble carbohydrates its usually easiest to feed your dog complete and balanced meat-based dog food.

Apart from honey, there are very few natural sources of food that are high in carbohydrates. If we were to survive in the wild, we would find many things to eat, but very few carbohydrates. Mankind made them easy to find, but a high-carb diet is ill-suited for our genetic machinery.

Should pet parents avoid grain-free food?

The thing to avoid is a high-carb diet. The pet food industry is dominated by brands that make crunchy kibble on a machine called an extruder. To properly run an extruder requires a fair measure of starch due to its inherent qualities. It expands when heated with water; it stays expanded when cooled and dried.

The pet food industry is a behemoth, with a dog or cat for every other person in the country. Big kibble has coerced the market into thinking kibble is the way to go. In fact, a pet parents buying decision is guided by three things: cost, convenience, and correct nutrition. Its hard to have all three. Big kibble trades on its strength in cost and convenience.

Are there different types of grain-free dog food?

There are different ingredients one can replace corn, oats, wheat, etc. with. However, if its a crunchy kibble, it will contain excess carbohydrates.

What are the benefits of grain-free dog food?

Given that both with grain and grain-free can be equally dubious due to high starch content, the benefits are confined to economics and convenience.

What are the disadvantages of grain-free dog food?

A grain-free kibble will be high in starch and deliver excess carbohydrates, the same as regular grain kibble. Everyone thinks fat causes obesity. This is incorrect. Excess carbohydrates cause obesity.

Does grain-free dog food cause heart disease (DCM, enlarged heart or dilated cardiomyopathy)?

There is no credible scientific evidence for this, let alone proof. If there is a link between diet and DCM in dogs, it is far more likely to be a matter of protein quality, amount and specific amino acid amount.

Is grain good for dogs?

Grain can be fed to dogs if fed in moderation. A primordial diet is 5-7% carbohydrate, and this is the dietary level mammals are genetically evolved to consume, and thrive on best.

Is grain-free food the same as gluten-free/wheat-free dog food?

If grain-free means the diet is free of wheat, rye, barley and oats, then the diet can be considered gluten-free. There are pet food kibbles in the market that snub these specific cereal grains.

If you or your pet has a gluten intolerance, you readily grasp the relevance of this issue. Gluten intolerance is a genetic inability to digest the gliadin fraction of the wheat protein gluten. Gluten is also found in the protein of rye and to a smaller extent in barley and oats. So no, grain-free does not speak to gluten-free specifically, but often a grain-free diet can be gluten-free as well.

Can puppies eat grain-free food?

Talking about grain-free dry kibble, yes, of course, they can eat it, and given that puppies chew on anything, they will appear to relish it. The excess carbohydrates in some foods are just as bad for puppies as adults. Puppy food should derive its calories from protein and fat, not from carbohydrates.

What is the best grain-free dog food?

The question should be what is the best type of food? Regarding grain-free kibble, one can assume the various competing products all comply with AAFCOs recommended guidelines for nutrient content.

In this regard, it is not easy to identify one superior brand among dry kibbles. However, pending AAFCO changes will call for labels to state not just total calories but what percentage of these total calories derives from protein, fat and carbs. This will greatly inform pet parents buying decisions and advance awareness that low-carb diets are best.

For example, a grain-free dry kibble with 30% carbohydrate calories is better than one that is 40 or 50%. Under current label rules, this way of evaluating and ranking is not possible. When it does become the norm, it will show that natural and natural raw diets at 5-10% calories from carbohydrates are the best.

Is grain-free food better for allergies?

If a pet is indeed allergic to one of the grains shunned in grain-free formulas (viz., corn, oats, wheat, soy, barley, rice) a grain-free kibble could lessen symptoms. There was an all-meat-type pet food producer who guaranteed his meat-based product would clear any skin problem or your money back. In 30 years he never refunded a cent. Often, a dogs food sensitivity is not to a specific ingredient but to a diets overall carbohydrate analysis. Lowering starch and sugar in a diet often lessens allergic symptoms.

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What Is Raw Feeding?

Raw feeding otherwise known as Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding (BARF) is an approach to animal nutrition which involves feeding dogs and cats according to how they would naturally eat. This means raw, natural and biologically appropriate ingredients, with not a grain or pellet in sight.

At Nutriment, we wholeheartedly believe that raw feeding is the absolute best way to support your dogs health. By feeding your dog what they are naturally designed to consume, you are optimising their bodily functions which has a great impact on their wellbeing and vitality.

The Benefits Of Raw Dog Food

As with humans, diet is a huge contributing factor to overall health. By providing your dogs with natural, complete raw dog food, you are contributing to their optimal health in a variety of ways.

Feeding your dog natural raw dog food:

• Supports oral health
• Supports digestive health
• Supports immunity
• Supports skin and coat health
• Contributes to weight management
• Reduces waste
• Supports mobility
• Reduces allergies and intolerances

As well as this, the tastes and textures of all our raw dog foods greatly appeal to dogs and their instinctive natures. They thoroughly enjoy the natural taste and texture of our raw dog food and the variety ensures your dog will never get bored of their food. Our versatile portfolio means you can carefully choose the appropriate raw food for your dog, no matter their age, breed, size or activity level.

Read more about the many benefits of raw feeding here.

Why Nutriments Raw Dog Food?

Carefully formulated by our in-house canine nutritionists, every Nutriment raw food product is packed with essential proteins, nutrients, vitamins and minerals to nutritionally support your dog for optimal health. We are committed to quality, and so we take great care to ensure that all of our ingredients are premium, well-balances and complementary of raw feeding.

We understand the versatile needs of modern dogs, and so ensure that we offer raw food products which can support specific dietary needs, including Low Fat Dog Food, Hypoallergenic Dog Food, Low Purine Dog Food, Working Dog Food and High Meat Content Dog Food. We also cater to young dogs and puppies with our complete, Raw Puppy Food offering, and nutritionally support smaller breed and less active dogs with our Dinner for Dogs range. Should organic food be your preference, our specialist Laverstoke Park Farm Organic portfolio of raw food is first choice for premium raw dog food. If you prefer to have a more hands-on approach to feeding your dog, then our Just range of single ingredient raw foods for at-home recipe formulation will appeal to you.

Is Raw Dog Food Better Than Kibble?

Fresh, real, whole raw ingredients are always going to be better than highly processed and preserved foods, this applies for humans and dogs alike so it does mean that raw food is better and more healthy than processed kibble.

Do Vets Recommend A Raw Diet For Dogs?

Some vets may be against a raw diet because they have very little training in nutrition and have not been provided with the resources to help them understand how to properly feed a raw diet. There are many vets who recommend raw diets as they can help control weight, tackle allergies, improve oral health, aid in digestive issue management and much more. The Raw Feeding Veterinary Society has many resources for vets and owners.

Raw Dog Food Ingredients

Meat

Our human-grade raw meat ingredients include chicken, duck, turkey, venison, beef, lamb and fish. We have an uncompromising approach to the meat that we use, taking into consideration ethical approaches to farming as well as ensuring that every piece of meat we source is of the highest quality.

Vegetables

Committed to a grain-free and low carbohydrate approach to recipe formulation, our supporting, non-meat ingredients focus on nutritional benefits and qualities. Butternut squash, broccoli and kale are all recognised as being naturally rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre, which contribute to optimal pet health.

Superfoods

Added superfoods enhance the nutritional profile of our recipes. Sea kelp powder, bilberry powder, salmon oil and spirulina to name a few - contain antioxidants which strengthen the immune system whilst contributing to healthy bodily functions and systems.

What are the benefits of raw dog food? A vet's view

The benefits of raw dog food are a common topic of discussion among dog owners, breeders, and pet retailers. In recent years, people have increasingly begun to consider paleo diets, gluten-free diets, and other dietary alternatives for their own consumption. Following these trends in human nutrition has led some dog owners to wonder whether there may also be a benefit to feeding their pets the best raw dog food instead of the best dry dog food or the best wet dog food.

Raw diets come in two forms: homemade or commercially-purchased. They typically include raw muscle meat (which may be fed on the bone), raw organ meat (including liver and kidneys), and vegetables. In some cases, raw diets also include eggs or dairy. Supporters of raw diets believe that these diets are more healthy than traditional commercial dog food, specifically because of the ingredients that are present in these diets and the fact that the ingredients are provided in an uncooked form.

Although there are many purported benefits of raw dog food, there is little evidence to support these claims. In contrast, studies of raw food diets have repeatedly found that raw diets predispose dogs to nutritional deficiencies and foodborne illness. Potentially serious bacteria and parasites are frequently found in raw food diets, posing a risk to both dogs and their human family members.

If you are considering a raw food diet for your dog, carefully consider both the pros and cons of these diets in order to make an educated decision. Evaluate the supposed benefits of these diets critically and carefully, while also remaining mindful of the risks that are inherent in this feeding practice.PL

The purported benefits of raw dog food

1. Homemade raw diets allow you to control the ingredients in your dogs food.

When preparing a homemade raw diet, you have a great degree of control over what ingredients are included in the food. This can be beneficial, especially for dogs that require a limited-ingredient diet due to food allergies or other dietary sensitivities. Home-prepared foods may also be reassuring to dog owners who are concerned about preservatives, animal byproducts, or other ingredients that may be found in commercial dog food. (Interestingly, many ingredients that are identified as byproducts on dog food food labels, such as liver and kidney tissue, are intentionally added to raw diets!)

Commercial raw food diets may also be purchased, in refrigerated or freeze-dried forms. In this case, it is important to carefully research the food manufacturer and read the pet food label carefully, in order to ensure that you understand exactly what you are purchasing. Raw food manufacturers are typically required to adhere to the same labeling requirements as producers of conventional dry or canned dog foods.

2. Raw foods are associated with improved, shiny coats

Many dog owners feed a raw diet in order to make their dogs coat appear more shiny. This shiny coat is typically caused by increased intake of essential fatty acids, which can occur in dogs being fed certain raw diets. (High levels of fatty acids are also found in high-quality commercial dog foods, although fatty acid concentrations may be lower in poor-quality foods.)

While fatty acids are beneficial for your dogs skin and coat health, there is no evidence to suggest that cooking decreases their benefits. The same coat improvements that are seen with raw dog foods can also be seen with a high-quality commercial or homemade cooked diet, as long as adequate quantities of fatty acids are included. Fatty acids do not need to be raw to boost the appearance of your dogs skin and coat.

3. Dogs eating a raw diet produce smaller bowel movements than dogs eating commercial diets

Raw food diets typically contain relatively low levels of fibre, compared to traditional commercial dog foods. Therefore, dogs that are fed a raw food diet often produce smaller, less bulky bowel movements than dogs eating a commercial diet. While this may or may not be advantageous for the dog, it certainly offers convenience for pet owners who must pick up their dogs waste in their garden or on walks!

Again, it is important to note that similar benefits could be observed with any low-fibre diet. Small bowel movements are not an inherent characteristic of raw food; they simply reflect the low fibre content of a diet

4. Raw food diets can improve the body condition of overweight dogs

Raw food diets are primarily meat-based, tending to be lower in carbohydrates than conventional commercial dog foods. This may help promote weight loss in some overweight dogs.

In reality, however, the greatest weight loss benefit from raw food is probably associated with portion control. Whether an owner is preparing their dogs food according to a precise recipe or feeding a small quantity of a fresh commercial raw diet, they are likely being more precise about their dogs meal size than an owner who is dipping a large scoop into a 40-pound bag of dry dog food. This degree of portion control is probably a greater contributor to weight loss than the precise composition of the diet itself.

The veterinarians case against raw dog food

1. Raw food diets can make your dog sick

A number of studies, conducted in a variety of locations, have highlighted the risks associated with feeding a raw food diet.

Approximately ten years ago, the US Food and Drug Administration conducted a survey of foodborne illness in pet food. In this study, they found that commercially-available raw dog food diets are far more likely to be contaminated with foodborne pathogens than conventional commercial diets. In fact, nearly 10% of raw dog foods tested were positive for Salmonella and over 15% of tested samples were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. These foodborne bacteria are associated with significant gastrointestinal disease, cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and other signs of illness.

A 2018 study conducted in the Netherlands found that 23% of commercial raw diets contained E. coli 0157:H7, which is the strain that has been associated with serious, and even fatal, human illness. Additionally, 80% of raw diets contained antibiotic-resistant E. coli and 20% contained Salmonella.

Additionally, studies have also demonstrated that raw food diets in the UK and European Union may contain Brucella suis. This foodborne illness can cause fever, pain, lethargy, and decreased appetite in infected dogs and can also cause abortion in pregnant females.

These are just a few examples of documented risks associated with feeding raw food diets. There are certainly other risks, but the body of available research all seems to point towards significant foodborne illness risk associated with raw pet food.

2. Raw food diets can cause illness in human family members

Even if your dog remains healthy while eating a raw food diet, you and other members of your household may be at risk.

First, there is the risk inherent in handling a raw diet. Just like when you handle raw chicken or other raw meats, bacteria found in raw food may spread to your hands, countertops, and kitchen utensils. If you fail to appropriately clean contaminated surfaces and accidentally ingest this bacteria, you could become seriously ill.

Additionally, there is the possibility that your pet may spread infection to you after eating their meal. When your dog eats raw food, bacteria present in the food can contaminate their mouth, muzzle, and coat. If your dog gives you a big kiss or some loving cuddles after eating, these bacteria have now been spread to your face and hands.

Finally, dogs that are asymptomatically infected with Salmonella or another food-borne illness will shed the infection in their faeces. This form of spread can contaminate your environment, potentially spreading the illness to you or your family members.

3. Homemade raw diets may not be properly nutritionally balanced to meet your dogs needs

Dogs require specific amounts of key nutrients in order to remain healthy. These nutrients include not only carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, but also micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals.

In many cases, homemade raw food diets are deficient in key micronutrients that are essential for normal, healthy development. Even if the correct nutrients are present, they are not always present in the correct quantities ratios. For example, calcium and phosphorus must not only be present in adequate amounts, they must also be present in a specific ratio that is determined by the dogs life stage. Achieving the correct balance of nutrients for optimal growth and development is challenging and it is easy to miss the mark when feeding a homemade diet. If you feed any homemade diet, it is important to work closely with a veterinary nutritionist to ensure that your dogs nutritional needs are being met appropriately.

4. Whole bones present in raw diets can cause internal damage

Many homemade diets include bones or other large ingredients that can damage your dogs tissues. Chewing on bones is a common source of dental fractures in dogs. These tooth fractures are painful, and must be addressed with extractions or advanced dental procedures, such as a root canal.

Large fragments of bone that are swallowed can become lodged in your dogs oesophagus, stomach, or intestines, leading to an obstruction that must be addressed through surgery. Smaller bone fragments, especially splintered bone fragments that may be caused by chewing on bones, can damage or even perforate the gastrointestinal tract as they pass through.

While bone material is a valuable source of calcium, feeding your dog whole bones presents a number of risks and should be avoided.

Raw dog food: Weigh the evidence carefully

While raw dog food is associated with a number of purported benefits, many of these benefits are unproven. Additionally, raw food diets are associated with a number of risks, which have been well-documented. Evaluate the pros and cons carefully before selecting a diet for your dog.

If you are looking to have more control over your dogs diet while minimizing risk, consider working with a veterinary nutritionist to formulate a homemade cooked diet that is appropriate for your dog. This will allow you to have greater control over your dogs diet, while minimizing the risk of foodborne illness and nutritional deficiencies or imbalances.

References

Schlesinger DP, Joffe DJ. Raw food diets in companion animals: a critical review. Can Vet J. 2011;52(1):50-54.

Food and Drug Administration. Get the Facts! Raw Pet Food Diets can be Dangerous to You and Your Pet.

van Bree FPJ, Bokken GCAM, Mineur R, et al. Zoonotic bacteria and parasites found in raw meat-based diets for cats and dogs. Vet Rec. 2018;182(2):50. doi:10.1136/vr.104535

Davies RH, Lawes JR, Wales AD. Raw diets for dogs and cats: a review, with particular reference to microbiological hazards. J Small Anim Pract. 2019;60(6):329-339. doi:10.1111/jsap.13000

Klle P, Schmidt M. BARF (Biologisch Artgerechte Rohftterung) als Ernhrungsform bei Hunden [Raw-meat-based diets (RMBD) as a feeding principle for dogs]. Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere. 2015;43(6):409-420. doi:10.15654/TPK-150782