Feeding raw dog food is a growing trend.
Dogs, in the wild, are carnivorous by nature. Only in captivity do they consume cooked meat and grain in the form of commercially prepared kibble. Raw dog food advocates believe mainstream dog food contributes to canine diabetes, obesity, digestive disorders and immune dysfunction. Some believe that returning domesticated dogs to their natural diet eliminates these disorders; a growing number of individuals are choosing to feed their dogs a raw diet.
History
Sled dogs and racing greyhounds have been fed raw diets for many years. However, feeding your pet dog raw meat, bones and vegetables is a relatively new idea. This concept was originally embraced by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst in 1993. His feeding suggestions were coined BARF, short for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. Feeding your dog a raw food diet is controversial and many veterinarians disagree with Billinghurst's assessment. Regardless of the controversy, a growing number of companies are manufacturing raw dog food and many commercially prepared brands are available.
Benefits and Hazards
Proponents of a raw diet for dogs tout benefits such as healthier skin and coat, reduced degenerative diseases associated with old age and improved breath. Opponents site lack of evidence of health benefits and caution against an unbalanced diet, choking hazards increased by including bones and the possibility of food-born pathogens being in raw meat.
Ingredients
Commercially prepared raw dog foods contain just that, raw food: raw meat including bone, muscle tissue and organ meat, with the addition of vegetables. Advocates believe grains should not be included in a dog's diet because they lack nutritional benefit and depart from their diet in the wild.
Processing
Because raw meat and vegetables are perishable, raw dog food is usually preserved by freezing or freeze-drying. Commercial products are manufactured in USDA inspected facilities and often contain all organic meat, fish and poultry.
Cost
The cost of feeding your dog a commercially produced raw dog food is significantly higher than traditional kibble. However, if your dog has been diagnosed with an illness and prescribed a specialized diet the difference in cost becomes much less. On average it is estimated to cost between $2.50 and $5 per day to feed a medium size dog commercially prepared raw dog food, compared to about $1 per day for a good quality dry dog food kibble.
Where to Buy
Although raw dog food is gaining popularity, it is not available in your grocery store pet aisle. Select pet stores carry raw dog food, but it is advisable to call in advance to locate a store that does. Due to required refrigeration, many pet stores do not yet carry this product. Many companies offer free shipping for online orders and eliminate the need to travel to find their products.
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