The Truth about Raw Diets

Hey guys, this is Nikki, Lead Veterinary technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces.  So, today I would like to talk about feeding raw diets, pros cons and why it has been clinically proven.  First off, studies show that puppies that are raw fed starting at 8 weeks old have a significant decrease in their chances of Atopic dermatitis, and much less chance of developing obesity and cholesterol/glucose issues later on, such as diabetes.  They also have an increased resistance to roundworms, which is great news.  There is also shinier coats, healthy skin, cleaner teeth, more energy, smaller stools, and most important is healthy weight. 

It has been shown to be a great support for joint health, so dogs with CCL tears!  Crushed bone provides calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, and marrow.  This also helps immune systems! 

About 30% of dogs world wide are raw diet fed, more in the US.  Australia is more like 60%.

The biggest questions we hearis, Is it safe to feed or dog a raw diet feed?  Well, this is a great question.  It depends on how you are raw feeding.  Some meat may have chemical contaminants, microbial pathogens such as salmonella or e. colli, or there is the issue of feeding whole bones, or unbalanced diet.  Bones if not ground properly, or supervised, can cause impactions, or gastric tears, fractures on teeth, etc.  So, it is very important if you choose to Raw feed, please do your homework.

What is raw diet food?  Typically, this includes muscle meat (not by products), bones whole or ground (I prefer ground), organ meat, raw egg, vegetables, fruit, some probiotics.  This can be either via homemade diet, or via pre-made packages.  The nice thing about purchasing packaged raw food is that they must provide cleansing methods to prevent contaminations, and grind down any bone material, so it is a bit safer. 

There are many companies that can provide frozen raw diets for your pup, just make sure to look at ingredients to ensure they include things that your dog should be eating.  One good thing about feeding frozen raw already prepared, is most will have supplements your dog needs already as a part of the diet. 

So, whether you feed kibble currently or raw, your dog’s diet is a big decision.  We all know that dogs were not meant to eat things like wheat, corn, and soy.  Some carbohydrates are required for energy, so there needs to be a good balance.  Raw feeding is a huge life change, and can sometimes not be as budget friendly as commercial diets, so that is another thing to consider before making the change.  I am not trying to sway you either way, just giving you all the facts on both sides.  Let us know if you have any questions, send us a message through our contact form or visit our Facebook page.