Raw Diet

There are many questions surrounding feeding a raw food diet to your canine family members.  This article will examine some common questions about feeding a raw diet and provide clarity to this commonly misunderstood topic.

Q: Are there specific advantages to feeding dogs a raw diet?

A: Those who advocate raw food diets suggest that this diet is much closer to what dogs have evolved eating, as well as a close representation to the diets of wild dogs. There is evidence that raw food is more digestible than some cooked foods, however, depending on the way the food is cooked, there is also evidence of the opposite.

There is, however, recent scientific evidence proving possible risks to feeding raw bones and meat to dogs.  Among these risks are intestinal injury or obstruction due to the ingestion of the bones, infection from common parasites and/or bacteria that is known to dwell in uncooked meats and even the possibility of transmission of these common bacteria such as Salmonella to humans living in the household where the raw diet was fed.

However, if the  raw diet is prepared properly-it is a great way to feed your dog.  There are also specifically raw foods sold by major pet stores, which is properly prepared and very high quality.

There are ways also to prepare raw food properly at home. I mean by “prepare” is to disinfect it and take the bones out. I take raw chicken or turkey and pour hot water on it and let it sit in it for  the couple of minutes. Water has to boil and pretty much almost boiling put on the meat and keep it there for 2-3 minutes. That way, the meat will not be boiled, and that hot scolding water will kill parasites- if there are any in that meat.

Also raw vegetables, such as:  lettuce, carrots, potatoes are very good for your dog.  I also add plain yoghurt to their diet. Also, very good way to make the dry food more attractive for the dogs, I soak it just in the water to make it mushy. And then add can food in it, or yoghurt. They love it.

I feed my dogs always wheat free and grain free dry food.  Can food is also important, but it is also necessary at look at the ingredients of the can foods as well.

This is  the discussions about one of the brands which is grain-free and wheat free dry food, which is widely available in major pet stores.

Q: The new Purina Pro Plan Select Grain-Free Formula consists of cassava-root flour. I am not familiar with this ingredient.  What is cassava-root flour and what nutritional benefits come from including it in dog food?

A: The Pro Plan Select Grain-Free Formula contains cassava-root flour and pea starch, which are alternative carbohydrate sources for dogs. The benefit of using this ingredient specifically is that it provides glucose and many other essential nutrients that provide energy to the individual cells of the body. Cassava root is very similar to a potato.  It originates from the starchy tuberous root of the cassava plant that grows in tropical climates.  One very common product that is made from the Cassava root is tapioca. When this root is properly processed and included as part of a complete diet it will provide an easily digestible and nutrition source of dietary carbohydrates for your dog.

I personally use Royal Canin for puppies. We start with the Royal Canin Starter and then later switch to the puppy food. I ahve couple of dogs who do not do well on just dry food. So, I use raw, then Royal Canin sensitive formula for those two. It works really well, because I see less tearing, better coat, good weight.

I use Purina Focus on my show dogs and also raw as well. I have recently heard that raw food is very high in protein, and by keeping the frenchie on raw food only, will eventually lead to the kidney problems. That was discussed at the recent french bulldog  nationals show . That is why I believe in combining the  raw, dry and cooked food.