Animal Nutrition vs Animal Medicine?

Prevention is better than cure. How many times have we heard this phrase in our lifetime? Probably a lot. 

But if that's the case,

"Why Do Vets Not Like Raw Diets?" 

Most traditional veterinarians aren’t very keen on feeding dogs a raw diet. They’re afraid that a raw diet is unbalanced and could even be harmful to dogs. These vets spend thousands of hours learning and mastering diseases and how to diagnose and treat them. But one important subject is often missednutrition. 

Common Misconceptions Traditional Vets Have About Raw Feeding:

A Raw Diet Is Not Complete And Balanced. 

This one is definitely on the top of the list when it comes to misconceptions about raw feeding. Yes, home-made DIY raw dog food meals won’t necessarily have the proper amount of nutrients. However, there is more than one option when it comes to a raw diet and we should keep that in mind! 

Cali Raw Nutrition’s goal is to consistently provide a complete and balanced formula to satisfy your dog’s nutritional needs. Our formulas are AAFCO approved and our meat is USDA certified and is passed for human consumption. 

Check Out: Cali Raw’s Ingredients 

There Is A Risk Of Salmonella And Contamination. 

How many times have you seen your dog go through the trash or eat something off the floor that they’re not supposed to be eating? Probably a lot.

Dogs have natural digestive enzymes present in their stomach designed to withstand and process bacteria without getting sick. 

A Raw Diet Doesn’t Guarantee Good Health

No diet can guarantee perfect health for your dog. There are many factors that affect their health, such as genetic conditions and breed dispositions. But the one thing that can give dogs the highest chance of optimal health and longevity is a raw diet. 

Related: Natural Health Guide By Dog Breeds

Here at Cali Raw, we practiceLife Stage Nutrition which adapts the nutrient profile of the food to the specific requirements of the animal. What does that mean exactly? We optimize the nutritional plan, foods, and feeding methods for the individual physiological stages of an animal’s life namely:growth, reproduction, adulthood, and old age.

Here are the mainbenefits of a raw diet: 

• Stronger Immune System
• Improved Digestion
• Less Inflammation
• Weight Management
• Reduced Risk of Disease
• Shinier Coat and Healthier Skin
• Increased Energy

Now that we shed some light on all these common misconceptions traditional vets have, you might ask, where’s the disconnect then? Let’s dive deeper. 

The Inside Scoop:

Why Are Vets Against Raw Diet

Unfortunately, veterinary education is heavily influenced by big pet food companies. Most of what traditional vets are taught come from representatives working at these gigantic pet food companies. These food reps encourage traditional vets to feature and sell their food and make it appear to be “exclusive” so they can upsell their clients.

The practice of using traditional vets to sell has been around for ages. We’ve been conditioned to support what brands our vets have on display in their office. This explains why we stick to these big pet food brands as opposed to doing our own research and finding out if there are better options out there. 

Money Plays A Huge Role

This marketing strategy of exclusivity generates more profit to the practice as clients keep on coming back so it makes sense that they will inherently support these big pet food companies. Veterinary practices will continue to make tons of money the same way these commercial pet food brands will consistently thrive in business. It’s a cycle that has been going on for a long time and we’ve been accustomed to it without even knowing much about it. Sounds like a win-win situation for both parties right? The sad thing is the only ones not winning are you and your dog. 

The Elephant In The Room

Back in 2007, there was a massive pet food recall due to the chemicalsmelamine and cyanuric acid found in the products. The grains and fillers namely corn, rice, and wheat are just some of the unnecessary additives found in the food. This is definitely not following the standards of a “high quality” and “balanced” diet that they claim to have. 

How do they continue to endorse these products given this incident? Cost. 

Carbohydrates are cheap. Corn, potatoes, grains are included in the formulation of kibble, not because of any unique nutritional properties but simply because they are cheap. It is also necessary for “gelatinization” — a process that is needed for the kibbling process. Convenience and low cost are great, but is it really worth it if they are risking your dog’s health?

The Sad Truth:

Most of the commercial dog food companies care more about making money than your dog’s health. If they did, they wouldn’t be putting all these grains and fillers into the food that definitely cause more harm than good. The toxins present in these ingredients could potentially cause countless health issues and overall poor quality of life. 

If we start feeding our dogs a diet that is complete and balanced, all of these health issues could be prevented. Our vet bills would be lower and our dogs would be healthier and happier. 

Are All There Vets That Support Raw Feeding?

Things are gradually changing and we have seen a step in the right direction in recent years when it comes to traditional vets supporting raw feeding. The majority of them will still be apprehensive about the idea and might never switch sides, but we could be at a turning point.

Dog food consumers are driving this shift because of their own personal experiences with the health benefits and the life-changing effects of raw feeding. 

Having said that, it will always come down to you when deciding how to navigate your dog’s eating choices and habits. Our mission is to provide complete & balanced formulas and offer helpful information that will keep your dog healthy and thriving!

If you ever have any questions or concerns, call or text us at 949-482-DOGS.