The raw dog food craze has reached fever pitch in the last few years, and for good reason. Raw meat is good for dogs and can provide the same benefits as kibble if properly prepared.
Such is the popularity of this diet that April 1st-7th has been designated a National Raw Feeding week. Established in 2018 by Kimberly Gauthier, this week is a chance to raise awareness of the benefits of a raw diet for dogs and debunk the myths associated with this fare.
Why Should I Feed My Dog A Raw Diet?
A well-formulated and well-prepared raw diet delivers the maximum amount of nutrients available in a food source. Since the food is not subjected to heat, there is very little chemical change that occurs. This preserves the nutritional value, allowing your dog to ingest and absorb the full nutritional benefits of their meal.
Benefits of feeding raw dog food include fresh breath, healthy skin and coat, a healthy and hardy gut, strong immunity, decreased allergies, and a lowered change of obesity.
Raw Dog Food Myths
Despite the many benefits of a raw diet for dogs, it has received a bad rep due to certain misconceptions. This stems from people who start feeding their dog a raw diet without proper knowledge and professional guidance. The best raw diet for dogs involves consulting a veterinarian or animal nutritionist. Without proper guidance on the raw food diet, one can easily end up giving a dog metabolic conditions and other diseases.
Here are some common myths about feeding your dog a raw diet:
Raw dog food is not nutritionally balanced People think that a raw diet is about sticking a bloody steak or a whole chicken into a dog bowl and leaving it at that--but the truth is far from it. Fur parents who have consulted a vet about a raw dog food diet know the importance of a balanced meal. A lot of thought goes into planning what mix of foods will provide the appropriate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals that our dogs need. This includes not just meat, but vegetables, plant oils, fruits, and herbs.
Raw dog food contains harmful bacteria This is only true if you are not meticulous about proper ingredient sourcing. The raw food that you give your dog, particularly the protein component, should be free of worms and bacteria. Proper storage, handling, and serving should be observed to prevent spoilage or contamination. This not only protects the dog eating a raw diet, but the human preparing it as well.
Raw dog food is not sustainable Transitioning to a raw diet may be difficult because of the added effort of sourcing, storage, and preparing. But once you get the hang of it, it’ll be like second nature. There are also ready made raw dog food options available for busy fur parents.
What is the best raw dog food?
The best raw dog food is Open Farm Freeze Dry Raw food. Our line of products contains 85% raw animal protein mixed with organic fruits and vegetables. Have your pick of flavors ranging from beef, turkey, pork, chicken, and more.
Open Farm has formulated a balanced diet with the help of animal nutrition experts, packaged it conveniently and securely, and given simple storage instructions all so that you can give your dog the full benefits of a raw food diet. This means feeding raw without the worry and hassle of doing it yourself. Give our Freeze Dried Raw Recipes a try today and notice the difference that an Open Farm diet can make.
