What is the Raw Diet?
The raw diet is the practice of feeding dogs raw meat and bones. It is also known as the B.A.R.F. diet, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. This diet is controversial and it is up to the individual pet owner to decide what is best for their furry friend. The raw diet is built around the idea that raw foods are healthier because they lack preservatives. Also, that the first dogs only ever ate raw food. It is important to note that The American Veterinary Medical Association has come out against feeding a raw diet. They oppose it because, “the feeding to cats and dogs of any animal-source protein that has not first been subjected to a process to eliminate pathogens because of the risk of illness to cats and dogs as well as humans”.
What is in the Raw Diet?
If you intend to feed raw, hopefully you have access to a good butcher. A raw diet includes muscle meat, organ meat, bones and raw eggs. Some fruits and vegetables are allowed in moderation.
Drawbacks and Dangers of Feeding Raw
Feeding raw meat can be dangerous. When meat is not properly cooked, any pathogens within the animal protein will stay alive. The raw diet is also time-consuming and can be expensive. It requires you to source all the meat you need, research nutrition facts about what you’re feeding and in some cases even butcher the meat. Like with anything, a lot of the information available about feeding raw is false or incomplete. Following the directions of the wrong person could endanger your pet’s health.
Alternatives
Caring about what your pet eats is a great place to start. That does not mean, however, that drastic action is necessary. With some research, it is possible to find a healthy dried dog food. Enlisting the help of your veterinarian is always a good idea. Together you can come up with the best plan of action. You can always supplement your dog’s food with the occasional green beans or carrots as a treat.
Rover’s Recess hopes that this answers any questions you had about feeding raw. Please always consult your veterinarian before making any big changes to your pet’s diet. You’ll find just the right food and routine that works best for your family. Please continue to follow our blog for more pet tips.
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