Importance of a raw food diet for your dog

Dogs have been eating raw food for centuries. Living in a pack, they used to hunt for survival and feed on raw meats and bones. Then dogs came across humans, they were domesticated and they began to eat what humans used to eat. Fast forwarding to modern times, dog food was created to make feeding fast and easy. With dog food companies becoming a multi million dollar business and owners feeding their dogs conveniently, not much thought is therefore given about questioning if such foods are the appropriate for our canine friends.

With the recent dog food recalls, and as people are more educated about the negative effects resulting from additives, grains and preservatives, many owners have looked for alternate feeding methods. When it comes to feeding your dog healthy as nature intended, therefore, nothing is better than bringing dogs back to what their bodies were made for.

Many owners have noticed remarkable improvements after feeding raw particularly in their dog’s over all health, their dog’s skin condition and their over all well being. Itchy, allergic dogs have miraculously been able to finally wean off allergy shots and anti-histamines. Dogs have been able to maintain bright, plaque free teeth from gnawing on bones. Coats have become glossy and healthy within weeks. Energy levels and stamina returned dogs to an almost puppy hood state. Even stools became less smelly and less bulkier as dogs absorb superior the nutrients found in raw meat. Stoolsalso seem to decompose easily as they become similar to a white ash like powder due to the presence of natural calcium.

While many owners have reverted their dogs to a raw diet, some owners may still be nervous about their dogs ingesting bones. The truth is that raw bones are much more safer than cooked bones. On the contrary of what people think, raw bones do not splinter as much as cooked bones do. However, it is never bad to be overcautious and only feed specific raw bones that are less prone to cause problems.

There are several guidelines to follow when providing a raw diet. An eye must be kept on providing the correct amount of minerals. Particular attention must be paid to calcium/phosphorus ratios. Also not all meats and bones are good for dogs. For instance, too much raw liver may cause vitamin A toxicity. Good research is key to a proper andbalanced raw meat diet.

Once upon a time there was a healthy dog. Now modern times have created a weak canine specimen chewing its paws raw and itching and scratching from food allergies. Also other diseases have greatly increased such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease andAddison’ disease, just to name a few. Vets offices are more and more full of sick, weakened dogs with dull coats. Modern times seem to have cast a spell even on man’s best friend.