Raw Food Diet versus Commercial Food Diet – in Dogs

Raw Food Diets versus Commercial Food Diets – In Dogs

For decades well-meaning dog owners have been buying bags of commercially manufactured dog foods to feed to their family pet. Perhaps you still do that today? How much thought do you give to what actually goes into the production of commercial dog foods? Let’s take a look at the benefits of feeding a raw diet to your dog versus offering him the dried manufactured kibble that claims to offer him immense health benefits. Commercial Dog Food – The Negatives

• The majority of commercial dog foods take their primary ingredients from grain sources. With many dogs suffering from allergies to grains and corn, this can leave your dog an itchy miserable mess. There are certainly dog foods on the market that exclude these food allergens; however, they are not only incredibly expensive but they also bring with them their own set of concerns.
• Foods that are mass-produced commercials are stuffed full of preservatives and other artificial ingredients that are designed to keep the food from going bad and also to encourage your dog to eat the food.
• With an incredibly large number of commercially products dog foods containing high numbers of carbohydrates, a world of health problems can develop in dogs; including obesity, diabetes, and liver problems. Dogs that are overweight can have a much reduced lifespan due to the complications related to their obesity.
• Commercially produced dog kibble can often stick to the teeth and gums which makes the likelihood of dental problems much higher. Dental problems can also lead towards infection and heart concerns.
• While a dog food’s label may claim to have three different types of meat in it, there is simply no way to tell just how much of each ingredient is actually in the dog food.
• The production standards for dog food differs greatly than those required for human food; in recent years this has seen massive commercial pet food recalls as a result of dogs falling ill or losing their lives because of contaminated dog food.

Dogs that are fed dry kibble tend to almost inhale their food; this can make it a lot more likely that they will overeat because their stomach doesn’t have an opportunity to feel full before their bowl is empty. Raw Dog Food – The Positives

• A raw diet excludes grains and other food allergens; this can result in a much happier and healthier dog.
• Raw diets include feeding your dog meaty bones that encourage him to chew. This chewing works his teeth, cleans his teeth, and also gives his digestive track time to keep up with his eating – which, in turn, will help to keep him from overeating.
• Commercially available dog foods are very expensive, especially if your dog has developed an allergy or sensitivity to a particular ingredient. Raw dog food is much more economical.
• By feeding a raw diet you have complete control over what your dog eats; no more guessing at how much beef he is getting or what preservatives and other chemicals he is exposed to.

So why do so many veterinarians recommend one particular type of commercial dog food? This is a two-part answer.

1. It could very well just be that your vet was never sufficiently educated on the benefits of a raw food diet for dogs.
2. Most vets receive financially compensation from major dog food companies when they sell the food in their offices and encourage their clients to purchase it.

Making an informed decision to feed a raw diet to your dog could just be the key to ensuring a healthier, happier dog.