Raw food diets for dogs and pets have become very popular. Most people love raw food diets as they are less processed and much more natural, and people also prefer feeding their pets a nutritious, healthy, and balanced diet.
Some dogs also prefer raw food to kibble, and luckily this diet is jam-packed with fantastic benefits!
What is raw dog food?
Raw dog food diets generally include fresh vegetables and dog-safe fruits, organ meats, raw eggs, ground or whole bone, muscle meat, and various dairy products. The food can either be dehydrated, homemade, freeze-dried or store-bought.
Some online stores sell ready-made meals. Please take a look at bellaandduke.com; they have some fantastic meal options!
The benefits:
Strengthens their immune system
A dog’s immune system needs to be in top shape as they need it to fight off any infections. A nutritious and well-balanced diet will make a dog’s immune system thrive, and natural ingredients are highly digestible.
Let’s look at some immune-boosting and natural ingredients:
Fruit and veg
Raw fruit and veg contain loads of phytonutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants as they have not been damaged through cooking and heating. Fruits and vegetables are rich in minerals and vitamins that are super beneficial to pets’ health. For an alternative source of essential nutrients, you may also consider exploring vitamins for dogs, ensuring a well-rounded approach to your pet’s overall health.
Meat
Meat is a crucial part of a dog’s diet, and raw muscle meats are easy to digest and are high in protein – which dogs need for immunity and good health.
Raw meat proteins are packed with minerals, essential fats, and vitamins – and they give dogs access to micronutrients that are crucial for overall health.
Superfoods
Superfoods are full of enzymes, amino acids, and vitamins that improve dogs’ immunity and detox them. Examples are garlic, kelp, and wheatgrass.
Superior bone and joint health
Crushed real bone is an excellent source of glucosamine, collagen, phosphorus, calcium, marrow, and chondroitin. These promote healthy growth for puppies and maintain a dog’s joint and bone health throughout their whole life.
Dental health
In most cases, poor dental hygiene is due to foods loaded with carbohydrates that have been heavily processed. Raw and meaty bones have been found to act as nature’s toothbrush for dogs and pups as bones can get into tricky places and help remove plaque.
A great tip: fresh and natural ingredients can also freshen up their breath, specifically peppermint and celery!
Shinier and softer coat and improved skin
Raw food diets are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that promote great coat and skin health. Besides supporting a soft coat and healthy skin, omega fats also have anti-inflammatory benefits. Flax seeds, chia seeds, and salmon are exceptionally high in omega-3 fatty acids!
Raw food also contains enzymes that play a role in consuming and breaking down nutrients, dogs struggle to absorb fats, proteins, and starches without these nutrients, and they are vital for healthy skin and coats.
Better reproductive health
A study was done in Australia to see how raw diets affect dogs’ breeding and reproductive health. It was found that there was a significant increase in the number of pups per litter.
Reduces stool odour and volume
All ingredients in a raw food diet are highly digestible, so the food is better utilised and absorbed. A dog’s digestive system is made to absorb all of the good nutrients it possibly can.
Certain ingredients act as fillers and take much longer to digest, resulting in large and smelly stools. Since raw diets are low in carbohydrates and don’t contain fillers, the dog’s stool will be smaller and have less odour.
More energy and better behaviour
Raw food diets have been found to give dogs a lot more energy and make other dogs a lot calmer. All in all, a raw food diet can balance a dog’s energy levels.
This is because diets that are high in carbohydrates cause a spike in a dog’s blood sugar to help them process the food, while raw foods do not spike their blood sugar. The dog also does not need to use as much energy to digest sugars and carbs.
Some dogs have become more sociable, interactive, and friendlier after eating a raw food diet.
Better weight management
Raw diets are the best way to manage a dog’s weight, and this is because raw food does not contain sugars or carbohydrates, which are generally much harder for dogs to burn off.
The mix of more mobility, higher activity levels, and nutrient-rich foods play a significant role in maintaining a dog’s healthy weight.
Final Thoughts
A raw food diet is not for everyone and their furry friend, but it certainly has multiple benefits that cannot be overlooked. A healthy pup is a happy pup, and feeding them raw foods rich in minerals and vitamins is the best way to maintain optimum health!
