There are several reasons to switch to a raw dog food diet. Some owners do it because they believe that it more closely resembles what their pup’s ancestors were eating in the past. In other words, the food is more biologically appropriate. Others have noticed that kibble is negatively affecting their dog’s health, especially their coat and skin.
Raw diets are also purported to be richer in nutrients, thanks in part to the lack of cooking methods that eliminate the vitamins and minerals in processed foods. Regardless, it’s crucial that you make an informed decision when changing what your canine friend eats on a daily basis. Here are 5 considerations to keep in mind.
Quality Ingredients
Raw food can vary when it comes to the type of ingredients used in their preparation. The label will only tell you so much, so you may need to contact the supplier to learn more.
You can also follow recipes and prepare your meals at home using store-bought foods. Local grocers and farmer’s markets usually have suitable options. This way, you can control what you put in and have a better idea of the quality. However, maintaining the right balance of nutrients is important.
Balancing Nutrients
This is where the main concern of raw dog food comes in, as it can be difficult to ensure that you’re meeting all of your pup’s needs. Too much muscle meat, which is the main component of raw diets, can lead to deficiencies and other health issues. Remember that animals eat more than just the meat of their prey.
The best solution is to have a custom meal plan designed for your dog’s specific breed. Raw dog food company Bella & Duke can do this and deliver their custom meals at no additional cost. Their raw feeding guide has all the information you need to know what should be included in a raw diet. Check out their other posts for more useful tips.
Including Bones
As long as they can be safely chewed and digested, including bones in your dog’s diet will provide the necessary amounts of calcium and phosphorus. They also prevent tartar build-up and support overall dental health.
Avoiding Contamination
Just like with people, there are some risks when feeding raw meat. Whether it’s pork, beef, lamb or poultry, meat-based products can be contaminated with bacteria such as E-coli and Salmonella. The risk is greater with store-bought meats as processing plants are more prone to cross-contamination.
Products like sausages and minced meats carry additional risks due to the chopping methods used in their preparation. For this reason, you should stick to a supplier that delivers frozen raw food.
Adding Ingredients
Of course, there’s more to a raw dog food diet than just meat. Leading suppliers will include nutrient-rich superfoods such as kale, turmeric, and spirulina in your meal plan to ensure that your pup is getting everything they need. Don’t forget about organs, which should be provided in appropriate quantities.
Moving away from harmful desiccated kibble and processed canned foods is one of the best things anyone can do for their dog. Don’t hesitate to get started today.