The Debate About Whether To Feed Your Pet Raw Dog Food Continues

There are many conflicting views about whether we should feed dogs raw dog food. Proponents claim that it is the closest to their natural diet, therefore it must be the best type for them. Opponents believe that processed fare includes all of the nutrients for a well rounded, healthy diet. The official verdict is still out, but in the end, it is our decision, as caregivers for our pets, to feed them what we feel is best.

Processed products are made by combining meat, vegetables and other nutrients. They combined ingredients are thoroughly cooked and either dried to form pellets, or canned. They are adjusted to fill the age and breed requirements. A recent development has been that contaminated products were included in canned food, causing renal failure in some animals. An investigation uncovered wheat gluten that was tainted with melamine, a poisonous substance. The matter has been rectified and contaminated products removed from the shelves, but some people are still concerned about its safety.

The raw diet, in general, is based on what wolves prefer to eat. When their eating habits were studied, it was found that there were no animals, fish, bugs and few plants that they would not eat. The only four legged creatures they refused were toads.

Some people who prefer serving processed claim that raw can carry deadly pathogens and that the handling and feeding of it can be dangerous. Some research reveals that the raw products sold in pet stores is actually safer than the raw meat in grocery stores.

Regulations for products that are to be ingested in the raw state are stricter than for those that are to be cooked, even for dogs. It raises some questions about the safety of human products and makes one wonder if humans should be doing their grocery shopping in pet stores.

The first step is to decide which raw diet you will provide for your pet. The vote is split between whole prey diets and a diet with a combination of raw meat, vegetables and supplements. Some owners even raise their own animals organically to be sure their dogs are eating the purest diets.

Regardless of the type you choose, introduce it slowly so your dog has time to adjust to the different diet. Switching to any type of diet suddenly can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea. Your pet will become used to the new diet over time. It is a good idea to provide different types of meat, since dogs become bored. But introduce the different meats slowly, so the digestive system can catch up. Some dogs are fed both raw and kibble, with no adverse effects.

Of course, the decision to feed processed or raw dog food is in the hands of the pet owner. That is who bears the responsibility for a healthy, happy pet. Your dog will love you no matter what your decision is. They will never stop believing that you are the best person in the whole world and that whatever you feed them is perfect.

Jamie is a pet health expert who specializes in feeding dogs raw food. .