During the last few decades, the raw dog food diet has gained strength in our society. Advocates of raw food diet say that like humans, dogs can benefit from the properties of raw food. But is it true?
What is a Raw Dog Food Diet?
The raw dog food diet, a.k.a Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF), draws from the concept that dogs should not eat food they had not evolved to eat. This diet has its roots in the evolutionary template of wolves since all dogs’ breeds have emerged from them. It states that before dogs were domesticated, their whole nutrition was based on raw food, so their digestive system is prepared to digest it.
Besides, they explain dogs have stomach acids humans don’t have, so they can break down foods we could never consume.
A raw diet consists of eating foods that have not been cooked before. But not any kind of food. The foundation of this diet is proteins and fat coming from:
- Meat
- Organ meats (kidneys and liver)
- Bones
- Eggs
- Poultry
- Some vegetables (like broccoli, celery, and spinach.)
The idea of not cooking these foods is to keep their natural germs alive since they are supposed to be good for dogs’ health.
According to this diet, feeding our dogs food they had not evolved to eat can cause GI distress and poor digestion. Besides, advocates of the raw diet state that including processed meals in your dog’s diet can cause him tumors and other degenerative diseases. On the other hand, they explain the benefits of this radical diet: shinier coat, better digestion, healthy weight, and recovery of some medical conditions.
Is it safe to feed my dog with this diet?
Since it contains germs and bacteria that are not eliminated through cooking, raw food can lead to serious bacterial infections. In fact, the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) opposes the unregulated dog consumption of raw food. This association discourages feeding dogs and cats with animal-sources protein that hadn’t gone through a safe process of germs and pathogens elimination. It is not only a health hazard for your pets but also your entire family.
Plus, although dogs have evolved from wolves, they have now been domesticated for hundreds of years. This means they have very different lives from the wolves they descend from.
Health supplies vs Raw food
Providing your dog with a complete nutritional diet is essential. However, you can have all the benefits of a raw diet while avoiding the risks. At Mokai’s, you can find our vegan Multi-Functional Vitamins which improve digestion and boost your dogs’ immune system; Algae Oil Omega-3 for a healthier and shiny coat; and Advanced Hemp Mobility which maintains healthy joints and provides anti-arthritis effects.
As dog owners, we want only the best for our best friends. However, every dog is unique and so are their needs. If you are considering feeding your dog with a raw food diet, please consult your vet first to make sure everyone will be safe.
