With all the confusion and noise around the raw feeding movement, it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s hearsay.
We all want our dogs to be the healthiest, happiest pooches they can be, but sometimes it’s hard to know what’s right.
We’ve done some digging into the science behind the claims, and created our raw dog diet pros and cons list. So you can be clued up to the best option for you & your pooch.
1. Should Dogs Be Fed Like Wolves?
Our modern-day dogs all originated from wolves.
Therefore, much of the raw feeding movement is centered around the idea that the most natural diet for a dog is what their ancestors ate.
Research shows that the dietary composition of wild wolves is made up of around 54% protein, 45% fat, and 1% carbohydrate. Therefore, a raw diet is seen as more in line with this ratio than modern carbohydrate-based kibble.
2. Is Self-led Feeding Good For Dogs?
Research has shown that when allowed to self select their diet, lots of species actually live longer.
One study found that when given the option, dogs do not select carbohydrates to be a significant portion of the diet. Instead, like their wolf cousins, they choose protein and fat as larger components.
3. Is A Raw Diet More Digestible For Dogs?
You might want to put your snack down for this one.
Raw meat diets have been shown to be highly digestible for dogs. Meaning that on a raw diet, your pooch might have healthier consistency poop and actually poop less.
(Sorry for ruining your snacks…)
4. Is A Raw Diet Safer For Dogs?
A raw diet generally means you know exactly what’s going into your dog. This can be useful for dogs who have allergies or sensitivities.
Plus, there have been a number of pet food recalls over the years. A raw diet means limited manipulation of your dog’s food.
1. Should Dogs Be Fed Like Wolves?
Our modern-day dogs all originated from wolves.
Therefore, much of the raw feeding movement is centered around the idea that the most natural diet for a dog is what their ancestors ate.
Research shows that the dietary composition of wild wolves is made up of around 54% protein, 45% fat, and 1% carbohydrate. Therefore, a raw diet is seen as more in line with this ratio than modern carbohydrate-based kibble.
2. Is Self-led Feeding Good For Dogs?
Research has shown that when allowed to self select their diet, lots of species actually live longer.
One study found that when given the option, dogs do not select carbohydrates to be a significant portion of the diet. Instead, like their wolf cousins, they choose protein and fat as larger components.
3. Is A Raw Diet More Digestible For Dogs?
You might want to put your snack down for this one.
Raw meat diets have been shown to be highly digestible for dogs. Meaning that on a raw diet, your pooch might have healthier consistency poop and actually poop less.
(Sorry for ruining your snacks…)
4. Is A Raw Diet Safer For Dogs?
A raw diet generally means you know exactly what’s going into your dog. This can be useful for dogs who have allergies or sensitivities.
Plus, there have been a number of pet food recalls over the years. A raw diet means limited manipulation of your dog’s food.
1. Are Dogs Still Carnivores?
Research points to dogs in fact being more omnivores than carnivores. Scientists now believe that due to their adaptation to life with us humans, they have developed an increased starch‐digesting capacity.
2. Is There Any Evidence That Raw Feeding Is Healthier?
A 2019 review of current raw diet research found that there is just not enough robust evidence to back up the health claims made by raw feeders. Information on the nutritional benefits is often from low-quality studies that focus on opinion led sources, like testimonials.
Therefore, apart from the evidence for better digestibility, most of the health claims made for raw feeding remain mostly opinion or anecdotes, not backed by enough strong and independent data to be considered fact. Of course, this may change one day!
3. Is A Raw Diet Safe For Dogs?
The same 2019 review of raw diet research found that raw pet foods have levels of harmful bacteria that would not pass human food laws. The presence of these pathogens could pose a risk of disease for owners and pets alike!
It’s also worth noting that several studies found package warnings about these bacteria were often missing, and the packaging can be defective and leaky. Yikes! Be careful, folks.
4. Is A Raw Dog Diet Nutritionally Balanced?
The recent review also found that both home and commercially prepared raw diets can be nutritionally unbalanced.
Some vitamin deficiencies were found, as well as a number of excessive intakes of some nutrients. Evidence, therefore, points to the potential for raw diets to be less balanced than that of specifically prepared and balanced pet food.
5. Is Raw Dog Food More Expensive?
Generally speaking, a raw diet is likely to be more expensive than canned food or kibble.
The cheapest option for a raw food doggy diet will be a homemade one. When you purchase premade raw food, you’re paying for the sourcing and balancing of ingredients, as well as packaging and delivery too.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that a raw food diet could mean more hours in the kitchen, especially if it’s home prepared. And even pre-prepared raw food needs to be refrigerated or frozen, leaving you a little less storage space!
1. Are Dogs Still Carnivores?
Research points to dogs in fact being more omnivores than carnivores. Scientists now believe that due to their adaptation to life with us humans, they have developed an increased starch‐digesting capacity.
2. Is There Any Evidence That Raw Feeding Is Healthier?
A 2019 review of current raw diet research found that there is just not enough robust evidence to back up the health claims made by raw feeders. Information on the nutritional benefits is often from low-quality studies that focus on opinion led sources, like testimonials.
Therefore, apart from the evidence for better digestibility, most of the health claims made for raw feeding remain mostly opinion or anecdotes, not backed by enough strong and independent data to be considered fact. Of course, this may change one day!
3. Is A Raw Diet Safe For Dogs?
The same 2019 review of raw diet research found that raw pet foods have levels of harmful bacteria that would not pass human food laws. The presence of these pathogens could pose a risk of disease for owners and pets alike!
It’s also worth noting that several studies found package warnings about these bacteria were often missing, and the packaging can be defective and leaky. Yikes! Be careful, folks.
4. Is A Raw Dog Diet Nutritionally Balanced?
The recent review also found that both home and commercially prepared raw diets can be nutritionally unbalanced.
Some vitamin deficiencies were found, as well as a number of excessive intakes of some nutrients. Evidence, therefore, points to the potential for raw diets to be less balanced than that of specifically prepared and balanced pet food.
5. Is Raw Dog Food More Expensive?
Generally speaking, a raw diet is likely to be more expensive than canned food or kibble.
The cheapest option for a raw food doggy diet will be a homemade one. When you purchase premade raw food, you’re paying for the sourcing and balancing of ingredients, as well as packaging and delivery too.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that a raw food diet could mean more hours in the kitchen, especially if it’s home prepared. And even pre-prepared raw food needs to be refrigerated or frozen, leaving you a little less storage space!
With all this to consider, choosing what to feed your dog can be tricky.
While there has been a lot of positive anecdotal evidence about the benefits of raw feeding, is it yet to be backed up by enough strong scientific research.
Your best bet?
Have a chat with your vet, and keep a close eye on your dog’s condition. Whether they are raw or not, if your pup is happy, energetic, and shiny - you are on the right track!