Raw Dog Food Diet for the Loyal Dog

Hesitancy in switching your dog to natural raw dog food would be understandable if you have been giving him commercially-made dog food and kibble all his life. And you do mean well, I know. My single brother has Addie, a cocker spaniel that’s suffering from dental tartar, for a companion. When he switched to raw dog food, it seemed really strange to him, as if he feels that he’s not giving Addie justice. But in about a month’s time, he noticed that her teeth were looking better. He became a believer.

Choosing food for your pet is important. Some pet owners believe that giving their dog raw food may only compromise the functionality of the digestive system. What we should remember is that dogs are designed to be both carnivore and omnivore. A dog’s dental set has fang-like teeth which are actually designed to rip, shred and tear whatever they are eating – they are not designed to have molars like us humans; therefore, there is no point in making them chew kibble. The teeth are the same then and now, when a dog’s ancestors’ hunted for food and yep, you guessed it, ate the meat by ripping, shredding and tearing it to a sizeable amount before swallowing – no chewing involved.

Still not convinced? Well, the acidity in a dog’s stomach is lower compared to humans, but then again, his intestines are only half the length as ours. This digestive acid breaks down the food so that the nutrients can be absorbed. What helps in the digestion are the digestive enzymes found in raw dog food. See the scenario? Cook the food, you kill the enzyme.

And like my brother said, it made sense. In his case, Addie’s new natural diet did not only lessen dental plaque, but it endowed her with a lot of other benefits too, such as the following:

  • Increased energy.
  • Improved skin and coat appearance.
  • Betterment of pre-existing medical conditions like allergies, skin problems and arthritis.
  • Better teeth and breath. (Note: It may be because of a bone that has been lodged between his/her teeth, but if it persists, you should know that bad breath is a very possible sign of kidney malfunctions or heart disease. Have a blood test for your pet to rule out any underlying medical conditions. And teeth are naturally cleaned by eating raw meaty bones.)
  • Dog poop will have very little or a barely discernible smell. (Dos stools are usually smaller. Be forewarned that some dogs, when started on a new raw diet, will have gas problems. Also, his/her stool may also be less firm than before or he/she may seem to suffer from diarrhea or loose bowel movement. Have no fear though; this is just due to your dog’s digestive system adjusting to the changes in the diet. It will eventually – and definitely – go away.)
  • Better digestive functions.
  • A reduced risk of heart ailments and other diseases.
  • Weight loss and prevents bloating. (Yes, a natural diet prevents obesity in a lot of dogs.)
  • Veterinarian bills are greatly reduced. (Since your dog doesn’t get sick often with a raw food diet, then what’s the use of going to the vet aside from a regular checkup?)

The raw food diet for dogs is something that should be considered, but never feared. This is for a better, healthier dog and a contented, happier you.