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Truths about raw meat for dogs
We all want what’s best for our dog. There are countless articles, studies, and debates about feeding dogs raw meat and it gets a little confusing when there are too many sources giving us all these data, percentages, and numbers. As dog owners, it is our responsibility to provide them with the best food option there is and make sure they get all the nutrients they need.
Important Biological Facts About Dogs
It is completely understandable to have doubts about raw feeding especially when your vet doesn’t necessarily support the idea. This has been changing slowly throughout the years but some traditional veterinarians will still stand by the possible harm of a raw diet.
One thing that we have to take into consideration is that traditional veterinarians are educated about nutrition from multi-million dollar kibble companies. Unfortunately, they aren’t really taught about the advantages of a raw diet.
Dogs are carnivorous in nature.
Let’s not forget, Dog DNA is 99.9% identical to wolves. In simpler terms, wolves and dogs both belong in the canine family.
Dogs’ teeth are the way they are for a very important reason. The teeth are designed to tear up meat and chomp on bones to get that marrow. They are equipped with tools that are essential for survival in the wild.
The dog food industry that we all know today has only been around for 100 years. What happened before that? People have been feeding their dog’s raw food or canned meat.
Dogs have a very acidic stomach.
A lot of people and some traditional veterinarians are concerned about raw feeding because of fear of bacteria in the food.
You probably hear about the risk of Salmonella and E.Coli on a daily basis when it comes to raw dog food. But did you also know that Salmonella can also be found in kibble? Regardless, the dog’s stomach acids have a PH level of 1.
Dogs can handle bacteria better than we can. A raw diet is not harmful or dangerous to a dog’s health. Biologically, raw protein is easier for dogs to break down and digest.
Let’s Debunk Some Myths About A Raw Meat Diet
Myth #1: A Raw Meat Diet Is Not Complete and Balanced
This is definitely one of the main misconceptions we encounter when it comes to raw feeding. Multimillion-dollar pet food companies propagate this myth, creating a fear that raw meat alone will not provide your dog with all the nutrients that they need to thrive. But this assumption is misleading and incomplete.
Serving a scrumptious store-bought rib-eye steak to your dog is not going to be enough and not necessarily what a proper raw meat diet is.They need a complete and balanced diet, meaning that the appropriate amounts of ingredients meet the nutritional needs of your dog.
Cali Raw Nutrition’s mission is all about this and formulated our products to meet the nutrition needed for a healthy dog. Our formulas meet the AAFCO guidelines and we use meat that is USDA certified passed for human consumption.
Myth #2: Raw Meat Diet Is Dangerous
We already touched on the history of dogs and how they belong to the canine family.They have natural digestive enzymes that are responsible for processing bacteria without becoming sick. Bacteria, on the other hand, could be present anywhere.
Dogs eat things off of the floor all the time or even go through the trash when we’re not looking. Bacteria could even be present in that bag of kibble especially if not stored properly. The danger lies more in the lack of nutrients in pet food. There is nothing more harmful than feeding your dog unnecessary preservatives and fillers, which sadly enough, is found in kibble.
Raw meat has protein and fats that dogs need as their main energy source. Suffice it to say, a raw meat diet is far from dangerous, rather, it is beneficial for dogs to achieve optimal health and nutrition.
Myth #3: A Raw Meat Diet Will Make Your Dog Aggressive
This one, by far, is one of the oldest and biggest myths out there about a raw meat diet. But the fact that there is no scientific evidence to back this up, means this assumption is purely based on fear. Now, will your dog love his dinner so much that he wouldn’t want to share? Possible!
Like us humans, we probably wouldn’t want to share the last slice of pizza if it’s our favorite kind. But this doesn’t mean that we turn into a scary monster and start acting out of character. The same is with dogs.
Some dogs might be defensive and territorial when it comes to their food. But it’s not to be blamed on the raw meat diet. A raw meat diet can’t single-handedly worsen any behavioral issues with dogs especially if good manners around food are encouraged.
Raw Meat For Dogs… Yay or Nay?
Short answer, yay. Raw meat is great for dogs especially if done properly. There will always be opposing views and different perspectives regarding this topic but it is undeniable that acomplete and balanced raw meat diet is highly beneficial to a dog’s health. We learned that meat provides the protein and fat source a dog needs to create energy and survive. A complete and balanced raw meat diet consists of meat, bones, organs, vegetables, vitamins & minerals that are essential for optimal health and nutrition.
With proper steps and a gradual transition, a raw meat diet will enhance a dog’s health and could be life-changing.
Main health benefits include:
- Stronger Immune System
- Improved Digestion
- Less Inflammation
- Weight Management
- Reduced Risk of Disease
- Shinier Coat and Healthier Skin
- Increased Energy
Read More: Benefits Of Feeding Raw
For people hearing about a raw meat diet and its benefits for the first time, they might feel uncertain. This especially true if they have been feeding kibble to their dog for years and have been getting medical advice from a traditional veterinarian that is completely against a raw diet. Here at Cali Raw, we put nutrition above everything. Not only do we produce raw dog food formulas that cater to your dog’s needs but we also aim to bring light to important topics surrounding health and nutrition.