Why should I feed raw to my dog?
Dogs are carnivores that evolved eating raw foods. Commercial foods are generally heat processed which alters or destroys nutrients and essential enzymes, so dog food companies try to add back what they destroyed. They don’t always know what’s missing and what proportion is best. It’s only in the last fifty years or so that people started feeding dogs commercial foods. It’s quite a coincidence that during this time dogs have developed more cancer, heart disease and allergies – just like people who also eat processed foods.
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Won’t raw make my dog sick?
Various well-publicized health scares over the last couple of decades have made consumers very wary of the threat of salmonella and other bacterial nasties. What’s ironic with these reports is that no one seems to make a big deal when commercial kibbles are recalled due to contamination.
Ideally your dog’s digestive system can handle bacteria in the gut without a problem. Dogs’ bodies are built to prevent harmful bacteria like salmonella from invading the body and upsetting the healthy balance of intestinal flora. Dogs have highly acidic stomachs as well as natural digestive enzymes and bile that help them process Salmonella and other bacteria without becoming ill.
It’s when dogs are fed kibble that things become an issue. Kibble doesn’t contain those live enzymes, so your dog’s digestive system can become overrun.
Bacteria is present almost everywhere. It only causes problems when the immune system is stressed. Dogs, and their wild ancestors, have survived eons by eating raw meat. Because they have survived by eating raw meat (sometimes rotting, dead things) it clearly shows that nature has adapted dogs to deal with the bacteria found on their food.
What is the best type of raw food?
The best food for your dog may vary depending on pet’s individual needs. The basic diet, however, should consist of mostly succulent, raw, meaty bones with the addition of some organ meat, plus a little muscle meat. Some people feel that the addition of vegetables can provide additional nutrition. However because of the design of the dog’s teeth and his digestive system they probably won’t be able to derive much nutrition from fruits and vegetables.
For more information on Why Raw, visit Mary Straus’s website http://dogaware.com/about.html
Can’t my dog choke on a bone?
Yes, dogs can (and have) choked on many things including bones, kibble, tennis balls, sticks, socks, etc. Dogs also break their teeth on bones, therefore, it is best to give them bones of a manageable size, which generally includes poultry, rabbits, and non-weight bearing bones of larger animals.
Wild dogs and wolves gnaw on raw bones to get essential calcium and to help to keep their teeth clean and strong. Providing that you choose dog-safe bones and prepare them correctly to match your dog’s size and life stage, they make up an essential, healthy, highly palatable addition to your dog’s diet.
Are there any foods that I should NOT feed my dog?
You should NEVER feed your dog cooked bones or chocolate. Cooking makes bones brittle and dangerous. Sugars, grains and dairy products should also be avoided.
