This article is written in partnership with ProDog Raw, one of the leading retailers of Raw Dog Food in the UK.
Dogs are famous and well known for being fluffy four legged dustbins that will eat practically anything from takeaways, leftovers and even faeces at times but this shouldn’t mean that dog owners should be more relaxed about their dogs’ diets. We’ve previously covered what food dogs shouldn’t eat so we’ve created this handy article on how to introduce something more beneficial to level the playing field.
Despite significant superficial differences – the domesticated dog has evolved very little from their canine ancestors and are actually remarkably similar to them! In the wild, wolves hunt, kill and often eat raw prey whole, including bones and other organic materials.
This therefore has seen both dogs and wolves naturally evolve to gain the maximum benefits from this type of diet. Unfortunately however, domestic dogs are rarely fed with this natural diet.
For modern dogs, kibble (dry dog biscuits) is often what is on the menu but kibble is in fact woefully inadequate for their health, development and natural needs. Developed during the Second World War due to rationing, kibble has been recognised for its commercial value and not for the value that it has to the dogs who are eating it. The major kibble manufacturers have also influenced veterinary opinion over the years through sponsorship and marketing campaigns, with little consideration for the dogs that eat the food.
How is Raw Dog Food the Solution to Kibble Based Diets?
Although processed dog foods and kibble are readily available, there is a much better alternative available to dog owners who want to feed their dog a healthy and appropriate diet. Species appropriate raw dog food diets allow carnivorous canines to eat biologically appropriate food that is unprocessed and uncooked foods, scientifically formulated to offer the maximum in terms of nutritional benefit. A natural diet for dogs consists of:
- NO processed foods
- NO fillers
- NO poor meat derivatives
- NO hidden ingredients
- NO additives
- NOTHING artificial
Raw dog food products also introduce additional minerals and compounds that would be ingested in the wild naturally through the organs and carcass of hunted prey. This may include offal and bones which are integrated into the meal and fibre that is found in fur introduced through vegetable ingredients. Raw dog food may be intimidating to some owners but high-quality raw dog food is frozen in specific conditions to eliminate the risk of bacteria and then is thawed at home ready for use.
So What Are the Benefits of Natural Raw Dog Food?
This type of diet is fantastic for a dog’s health, behaviour and overall happiness. A more stable temperament is noted usually in a few days if not within a few weeks. Bloodlust when feeding raw is a complete myth that is associated with dog aggression at dinner time, dogs will not get more aggressive once they make the switch to a raw diet. You can expect benefits such as improved digestion, an improved and shinier coat, manageable weight, smaller stools, less allergies and itching as well as increased vitality and energy. Dogs that make the switch to a raw diet also enjoy a boosted immune system.
You may also be wondering after reading this article how to make the transition. There are two ways to change a dog’s diet – by simply stopping feeding one food and starting another or by making a gradual switch from one food to the other. For a slower transition, feed one meal per day of kibble (or what they have usually been eating) and one of raw dog food. Gradually reduce the other food source until they are only eating raw.