Your dog is a fundamental part of the family. Always there for you through thick and thin, they brighten up your day by a simple wag of the tail. When it comes to their nutrition, it is undeniable that at times they may be treated to the odd human food such as biscuits, cheese or other unhealthy indulgences. Finding the right balance however is essential, and pet owners want to ensure that you are feeding them correctly – so that they remain healthy and happy throughout their life on Earth and any health risks are minimized.
With raw dog food, many may think that there isn’t a harm in feeding their dogs it, either on the odd occasion or regularly. Dogs may have evolved from wolves, but they should not follow the same diet as them. Since evolving alongside humans over 1000’s of years, their diets have changed drastically, so it is essential that as part of their care, you recognize that for domestic dogs there are dangers of feeding my Lab a raw diet.
What is a raw food diet?
A raw meat based diet includes meat (often muscle meat) that’s still on the bone, ground up or whole bones, livers and kidneys (as well as other organs), raw eggs, vegetables, dairy products (such as yogurt) and fruit. Many believe that because wolves survive on such a diet, dogs will also be alright to follow it. However, feeding your dog a strictly raw food diet has many risks, that can affect both you and your pup.
The potential risks of the raw food diet
Firstly, raw foods carry many bacterial pathogens which can cause serious danger to both you and your dog. A common bacterial infection (that can also be life-threatening) caused by the raw food diet is salmonella, which causes you or your pet to get diarrhea, a horrendous fever, vomiting and loss of appetite. Dogs can also become carriers of such bacteria and parasites, without them actually getting any symptoms – spreading them to other dogs through their feces or by physical contact to humans. Many vegetables and fruits that are included in the diet are difficult for the dogs to digest due to the nutrients inside of them, causing your dog discomfort when it comes to the inevitable bathroom break.
Certain infections such as salmonella can’t always be cured. If your dog is severely dehydrated or has contracted sepsis (among other infections that the raw food diet results in), it may need to be taken to the vet. Treated by IV fluid therapy or a blood transfusion, they can either fully recover or, unfortunately, have to be put down. For the latter, having your beloved pet treated for such conditions is not only heartbreaking but in a practical frame of mind, extremely expensive. Vets are not cheap and the treatments may not be covered by your pet insurance.
There is also the danger of contracting gastrointestinal obstruction, which completely or partially blocks the food and fluid flow through the small intestines (a risk of your dog eating bone). Another hazard of feeding your dog bones is that if the bone shards or splits it can get caught in their throat – causing them to choke, or could puncture an organ or cause tooth wear. No matter what the age of your dog, whether you are thinking of using the raw food diet for puppies or for a more mature dog, these risks are something to consider.
Without a balanced diet, your dog will not receive the correct levels of vitamin D, calcium and other vitamins or minerals that are essential to a dog’s growth. This can, in the long term, affect their bone density resulting in them developing horrific skeletal issues. Ensure that in order to protect your pup from these diet-related issues, you are feeding them a diet consisting of plenty of water, healthy fats, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and protein.
Having said that, it’s also important not to feed your pets on a strictly processed food diet, making sure that you are mixing it up with kibble and food such as Old Dawg 100% Natural Treats that will ensure that they thrive and develop. This will also help to protect them from getting degenerative diseases such as arthritis and diabetes that can be attributed to eating fully processed food.
It goes without saying that different dogs (whether it be because of their age or breed) have their own specific nutritional requirements. Whether your furry friend is a labrador retriever puppy, an elderly greyhound or a chocolate lab, health is a key thing to keep on top of and it is essential that you tailor their diet to their needs. With their diet, you can also minimize the chance of them developing food intolerance by rotating and changing up what you are feeding them. The Old Dawg Treat Co. has a six pack of all natural made from human grade dog treats designed especially for this nutrient rotation. The process of intestinal permeability (defined as the term used for describing when material flows through the intestinal tract into the gut wall) decreases drastically when your dog is exposed to the same food regularly.
Not only is the raw food diet potentially dangerous for you and your dog, but in the long term, it can also be costly. Preparing the fresh meat and other ingredients of the diet can be time consuming and expensive, as you have to buy fresh produce in bulk. Yes, you can freeze some of the food, but the preparation needed to serve it to your dog twice or three times a day is not beneficial to you.
Across the internet there are many studies published both for and against a raw pet food diet. It is clear that there are mixed reviews over whether or not the eating raw meat diet is beneficial. With the 1000’s of options of dog food available, from dry food to canned, home cooked and semi-moist meats, dog owners should not restrict what they are eating and as mentioned above, should give them a balanced diet rather than the same food every day to retain their health. When it comes to the health of your dog, it is important that you research before you feed them certain items or put them on a restrictive diet.
They mean the world to you and your family, so show them how much you love them by treating them correctly. Whether you are a breeder (a Labrador retriever breeder for example) or simply have them as your pet, it is important to keep them healthy so that they live their best life.
