The Benefits of Feeding Raw Dog Food (And How to Make an Easy Switch!)

If you’re like me, you care about what you put in your body and know that proper nutrition is the foundation of good health. 

I, myself, am a vegetarian, and always try to eat natural foods to nourish my body. 

But when it comes to our dogs, we don’t always think this way. We head to the supermarket and buy a processor cable far from normal. That may be convenient, but it’s actually not very good for your dog.

Even “premium” food brands aren’t the healthiest choice for your four-legged friend  .

I’ve been doing a lot of research lately on the raw dog food diet, and believe me, I was shocked by the things I learned about feeding dog food.

That’s when I discovered  all the benefits of feeding your dog a raw diet. 

And I was convinced. 

Because I have been feeding my dog ​​a mixture of raw dog food and dog food for some time. 

But knowing what I know now, I’m working on a diet full of raw foods for all of my dogs. 

Should you do the same?

Let me share a little of what I know with helpful resources so you can make the best decision for your dog. 

What’s wrong with the cable?

Kibble is often the default dog food, and I understand why. 

It’s easy, comfortable, and clean… and your dog definitely seems to love it. 

But the truth is that  kibble is highly processed and indigestible. 

Many of the nutrients you see on your dog’s food label are not natural nutrients. Most vitamins and minerals are manufactured synthetically. 

Furthermore, commercial foods are filled with mycotoxins, or toxic substances that can cause allergic reactions and even cancer. And he’s missing out on those valuable enzymes your dog needs for a healthy gut. 

And while your dog is definitely part of your family, they are still an animal, and they are carnivores! It is in their nature to eat real food and not man-made dog food. 

They are not built to thrive on fillers, nutrients, and other artificial flavors. 

But you might think…

“Doggy Dunn, the vet recommended my dog’s food. How bad could it be?”

Although a vet is great at providing emergency care, running tests, and performing surgery, surprisingly enough, he learned so little about nutrition in vet school. And most of the training they receive is (  GASP!  ) provided by pet food companies. 

So it’s no surprise that they recommend food made by pet food companies.

If your dog has allergies, weight issues, digestive issues, or any other common conditions, feeding them a kibble does them no favors. But a raw diet may be the answer to your dog’s problems. 

What are the benefits of a raw diet?

Before we talk about the benefits, I want to be very clear about what a raw dog diet means. 

A raw dog diet consists of organ meats, whole or ground muscle and bone meat, raw eggs, and dog-friendly fruits and vegetables. Some dairy products such as yogurt can also be included. 

Exactly what does that mean? This means things like raw chicken (inside or outside the bones), grass-fed beef, animal liver or kidneys, raw eggs, broccoli, spinach, or apples.

The key to a raw diet is to ensure that the food is fresh and uncooked. Make sure that you buy from a reputable source, so as not to get meat from a sick animal. 

There are even subscription services that can deliver raw dog food to your door constantly, which means less work for you!

Advocates of a raw dog food diet cite healthier skin, shinier coats, increased energy, and improved dental health as just a few benefits. 

Most importantly, many say that a raw dog diet can improve health ailments and digestive problems. Common issues such as allergies and digestive issues can benefit greatly by eating a diet of raw meat, organs and bones. 

That’s because raw food is easy to digest by dogs! 

Also, a raw diet removes many of the artificial allergens that may have been introduced into the kebabs you were feeding. 

When you continue to treat issues like allergies with medication, you are not addressing the root cause of your dog’s reaction. The raw food diet gets to the heart of the problem, eliminating the use of pills or other remedies. 

It can seem dangerous to eat raw meat outside until your family members come in contact with it. But if you take the proper precautions, wash your hands after handling raw meat, and keep your dog’s feeding area clean, you won’t see any problems. 

But, you might be thinking, how are bones safe to eat? Won’t my dog ​​suffocate them?

As long as the bones are raw and uncooked, they are not harmful to your dog and do not pose a choking hazard. Cooked bones can create bone fragments that can cause inflammation and damage throughout the digestive system. 

So it is important that you feed them raw meat, bones and organs.

Are you ready to start feeding your dog a raw diet? Here’s what to do next…

How to start a raw diet for your dog

Switching to raw dog food doesn’t have to be scary! Fortunately, there are many options to choose from if you decide to go raw! 

And most importantly to remember that a simple change can go a long way!

If you’re ready to take the leap, you can find 100% raw diets made by Holistic Veterinarians. Just follow the recipe and get the ingredients you need from your local butcher! 

If this route is intimidating to you, you can always buy prepackaged raw meals. You can find some options at your local pet store or, better option, find food delivery services online. 

Finally, freeze-dried raw foods can be found in many specialty pet food stores. This is a great option because freeze dried food is not messy, does not expire quickly, and is easy to feed. All you have to do is let the freeze-dried pieces soak in some warm water 10 minutes before feeding! 

Best of all, if you are not ready to fully commit to feeding your dog a 100% raw diet, you can add some raw food to your dog’s food to give him some natural nutrients. 

How easy is that? 

* If you are ready to switch to a whole raw diet, you should eliminate your dog’s food and fast for 12 hours before serving raw foods. *

Be Prepared – At first your dog may not react well to raw foods. This is because they do not yet have the digestive enzymes they need to break down raw food. If you want to wean your dog slowly, you can try serving cooked meat first (without bones!) so that his body has a chance to adjust.