Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
- Gum disease epidemic in pets fed store pet food
- the form of the food we feed our pets is crucial
- degenerative disease rampant in conventionally fed pets
- #1: stronger, healthier gums
- #2: clean white teeth
- #3: improved nutrient assimilation
- #4: weight control
- #5: less stinky stools
- #6: fresher breath
- #7: reduction in yeasty ear gunk/infections
- #8: softer, shinier coats
- #9: friendlier, more affectionate demeanor
- #10: healthy mental, psychological and physical stimulation
- Raw Fed Puppies
Is the concept of raw pet food a little too out of the box for you? How about homemade dog food or cat chow in general?
Have you been incorporating raw unprocessed foods into your own diet and that of your children to improve health, vitality, and immunity but are still buying store pet food for your furry friends?
If so, consider that Dr. Weston A. Price’s groundbreaking research on diet and its connection to human health has profound implications not just for our own health but for our pets’ oral and systemic health as well!
Gum disease epidemic in pets fed store pet food
Just as with human beings, one of the biggest health issues today in pets is that of poor oral health. The sad truth is that the majority of domestic cats and dogs fed a diet of commercial pet food these days develop either gingivitis or full-blown periodontal disease by the age of 3.
This is due in large part to the fact that all commercially available pet food is highly processed, and as such is extremely unnatural for our beloved animal companions to eat. This is because the pet food industry is all about profits, not our pets’ health!
Cans and bags of pet food usually contain large amounts of cheap GMO soy, grains and/or other starchy plant-based foods that are neither nutrient-dense nor are they natural fare for carnivores. So whatever nourishment these products may contain is not well assimilated by the animals consuming them.
the form of the food we feed our pets is crucial
Another factor is that the form of the food our carnivorous pets eat is critical to their oral health. And unfortunately, neither extruded, cereal-like kibble, nor mushy, ground, cooked canned pet food are the natural form of food for a carnivorous canine or feline to consume.
Here are some graphic photos demonstrating the difference between the oral health of conventionally fed pets as compared to that of properly raw fed pets:
http://rawfed.com/dental/dental.html
http://rawfeddogs.net/Term/Meat-Grinder/Photos/
degenerative disease rampant in conventionally fed pets
Once we begin to understand how inferior and downright damaging these highly processed diets of commercial pet food can be, their potential connection to the dramatic rise of chronic ailments in pets we’re seeing today becomes abundantly evident.
Such health issues include things like obesity, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, respiratory infections, ear infections, skin rashes, digestive issues like IBD, IBS, food allergies, constipation, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, urinary issues including cystitis, struvite crystals (common in cats) and CRF (chronic renal failure), among others.
In contrast, many people who feed their pets a diet of whole raw foods, which includes raw meaty bones, hunks of raw meat, and raw organs, often notice a variety of benefits and improvements to their pets’ health.
** It’s important to note here that although I wholeheartedly support and promote raw feeding for dogs and cats, in no way am I suggesting here that raw diets for pets are a panacea, or that feeding your pet raw will assuage or resolve any or all maladies. **
Here are just a few of the many great benefits reported by people who feed their pets a diet of whole raw foods:
#1: stronger, healthier gums
When carnivores eat hunks of raw muscle meat and raw meaty bones, including attached sinew, tendons, cartilage, and other connective tissues, the ripping, tearing and gnawing they’re compelled to do with their teeth and jaws provides these animals’ mouths with a naturally beneficial scrubbing and flossing action.
The consumption of the proper, natural form of food for carnivores, along with all its scrubbing benefits, as well as the bioavailable nutrients such minimally processed foods contain all help to promote both superior gum health as well as excellent overall oral health.
#2: clean white teeth
The plaque and tartar that develop on the teeth of most conventionally fed domestic pets is due largely to the starchy, carb-rich ingredients found in almost all kibble, and/or the unnatural (for carnivores) mushy texture of canned pet food. Conversely, the consumption of whole, minimally processed raw foods does wonders to keep a carnivore’s teeth clean, healthy and white.
No more expensive pet teeth cleaning bills at the vet!
#3: improved nutrient assimilation
Since the digestive systems of carnivores like cats and dogs are specifically designed to digest and derive their nourishment from the raw meat, bones, and organs of other animals, it’s this food that supplies them with the most ideal, bioavailable, and easily assimilated nutrients.
#4: weight control
Overweight and even obesity in pets, especially those that eat mostly kibble, is an increasing problem. But most all pets that are started on raw very early in life as puppies or kittens have no problems with their weight, and many overweight animals that are transitioned to raw tend to lose excess ounces and pounds with time.
#5: less stinky stools
The stools of cats and dogs fed commercial pet food are usually unnaturally large and extremely foul-smelling. They also seem to take forever to break down. By comparison, a raw fed pet’s poop is much smaller, has very little odor, and rapidly crumbles to ash, quickly and easily biodegrading back into the earth – just like the natural scat of a wild carnivore.
#6: fresher breath
Most dogs and cats that eat nothing but junk pet food day after day have notoriously and often seriously nasty “doggy/kitty breath.” However just about anyone who has a totally raw fed dog or cat will tell you that their pet’s breath is MUCH less offensive than that of pets that eat nothing but conventional pet food.
#7: reduction in yeasty ear gunk/infections
When carnivorous canines and felines eat starch-filled kibble day after day, this can often trigger the accumulation of dark, rank-smelling gunk in the ears, or perhaps even contribute to chronic ear infections. Starting pets on raw early in life as puppies or kittens can often prevent such conditions outright, and switching adult pets to raw has been known to help mitigate or even heal them.
#8: softer, shinier coats
Many people whose pets are conventionally fed are unaware that their animals’ coats actually have a slightly greasy feel to them, and may even be somewhat dull in appearance. By contrast, most everyone who switches their pets to raw is amazed at how much softer and cleaner feeling and glossier their pets’ fur becomes.
#9: friendlier, more affectionate demeanor
Many folks who switch their pets are pleasantly surprised to discover that their animals suddenly seem to get friendlier and more interactive, and some even become more sociable and affectionate!
#10: healthy mental, psychological and physical stimulation
When a dog or cat eats some whole raw food, they’re compelled to use their minds, psyches, and bodies in ways they never would just mindlessly lapping up a bowl of kibble or canned food. Feeding our pets raw puts them in touch with their natural, innate, dynamic instincts in a way that feeding them junk pet food simply never can.
If you’ve only ever watched cats and dogs eat kibble or canned pet food, and have never seen one dive into and enthusiastically tackle a meal of whole raw foods, please check out the videos and photos below.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well once you’ve seen these pictures, I think you’ll agree that witnessing these animals eat first hand the way nature intended them to, truly does say it all – infinitely better than any words ever could!
Raw Fed Puppies
Raw Fed Kittens
Reference
http://rawfeddogs.net/Recipes/
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it.
I have you saved as a favorite to look at new things you post…
I know the value of whole foods nutrition for humans and animals…. My daughter will be welcoming a small Juliana pig into her home as a pet soon and I have been searching ALL over to find out how we can make the food ‘from scratch’ for better health and nutrition. I haven’t been able to find out what to put into the feed to make for her. Any/all help would be greatly appreciated!!
With Grateful Appreciation,
Marie
Great article! I’m a fan of raw feeding and have seen its results on my cat and I was amazed. Unfortunately, my family couldn’t give me the money needed to continue feeding my cat a raw diet. Here in Albania, meat is really expensive and there is no other form of getting it cheaper or when it is close to being out-of-date. I will feed him raw again as soon as I get a job of my own and can have the money to do so. Even my cousin’s Golden Retriever seriously needs to get on a raw diet, but unfortunately, they can’t pay that much either :/
I strongly reccomend K9 Kravings dog food for anyone considering raw, it is what we feed both of our dogs and people are always commenting about how great their teeth and coat are. This is the ONLY raw diet approved by the FDA
My daughters have fostered dogs a few times and when we get them they always have rough feeling coats, are somewhat overweight, and lack energy. Shortly after switching them to a higher quality grain free kibble those conditions reversed pretty quickly. They were like a whole different dog when they went to their new home. Bright eyed, lots of energy, soft coats, and thinner. I’m sure raw would be even better if you can afford it but just switching to a higher quality kibble made a world of difference.
When vets receive their training pet food companies come to the schools and indoctrinate them into believing the foods they sell are good for the pets. So that’s why vets sell unhealthy food. Just like most people doctors vets don’t know much about nutrition.
Thank you, Linda for this very timely post and fir bringing awareness to raw food for pets! We just adopted two lab mix puppies from a rescue and I am picking up my first raw food bulk order from a local co-op. I’m very happy to be able to feed them the way nature intended.
How exciting! TWO puppies at once! Wow, you’re a braver woman than I, Sarah. 🙂
Congratulations on your adoption, and on making the decision to feed your new furry friends raw. Enjoy those those young pups!
I started supplementing the premium kibble that I feed my chocolate lab with ground bison meat about 3 years ago and although it is more expensive my rugs have been the better for it. Pete always had a very tender stomach and he routinely vomited on a diet of kibble alone. Since then he has not had any more vomiting episodes and we are happy as can be. His coat is beautiful. Unfortunately, bones do not really agree with him but if they did he would get those on a routine basis as well. I concur with the comments that the vets make — I avoid the topic. My vet was not in favor of feeding raw. Sorry….but I think I know what is best and when you think about the fact that dogs are kin to wolves and wolves feed wild–why wouldn’t raw simply make more sense?
Thank you very much for sharing your experience.
I would like to point out here however, that ALL KIBBLE – no matter how “premium quality” – it may be marketed as being – is in fact a highly processed, factory produced product of manufacturing. In other words kibble is not REAL FOOD.
Because dogs are carnivores whose bodies are specifically made to consume, digest and thrive on a diet of *real food* consisting of whole, unground hunks of raw meat, raw meaty bones and raw organs, feeding them a steady diet of dried, extruded kibble products is extremely unnatural for them.
Also, raw food is digested very quickly by a carnivore’s body while kibble, being cooked, is digested at a different rate than raw. Therefore for this reason, among others, it is not at all advisable to combine raw food and kibble in the same meal and feed it to a dog.
One of the major health issues that arises in the vast majority of kibble fed pets by around the age of 3 is gum disease. On the other hand, dogs and cats that are exclusively fed a diet of whole raw foods (including hunks of raw meat and raw meaty bones, complete with sinew, cartilage and other tough connective tissues) are much more likely to be spared the pain as well as the other more serious systemic health implications that often result from poor oral health. This is due to the natural scrubbing, flossing, stimulative and cleaning action that occurs in the mouth when these animals rip, tear, gnaw and crunch apart their whole, unground raw food.
The improvements you’ve seen in your dog’s health notwithstanding, and with all due respect to you, I would humbly submit that your dog would do MUCH better healthwise – particularly in the long term over the course of his entire life – if you were to ditch the kibble entirely once and for all, and switch him asap to a diet consisting of 100% whole raw foods.
There’s some excellent information on how and why to go about doing so at this link:
preymodelraw.com/how-to-get-started/
I’d be more than happy to provide you with other resources on this subject if you or others are interested in learning more.
Great article. I got my now-1-year-old dog as a puppy from a rescue; they were feeding him a very popular grocery store kibble at the time. His stools were always runny and he went A LOT so I decided to change up his diet a bit while he was young. After much trial and error I discovered grain and chicken were the cause of his gastric issues. I put him on a premium grain-free non-poultry kibble and his gastric issues disappeared after only 2 days. After much reading on raw diets, I decided to add in a pre-packaged frozen raw food; he now gets mostly kibble with about 3oz frozen raw on top and he LOVES it. Since adding the raw he has only improved; his coat and eyes have never been more vibrant, his energy level has increased and his GI tract is running perfectly. I’m so glad I made the choice to do the work to find the best diet for my dog. Health benefits aside, going with frozen raw hasn’t been a hassle at all; the only additional work I do is make sure I thoroughly clean the dog dishes every day. Even that isn’t so bad. After all, I eat off a clean dish every time, why shouldn’t my dog?
Can you feed dogs raw ground beef from a grassfed source? I want to start my dogs on some raw but was curious to know if it is safe for the ground since they grind the fat into it.