You've probably heard other dog owners rave about the wonders of raw diets but you're concerned about bacteria and disease. Choosing whether or not to feed your dog a raw diet can be disconcerting to say the least. There is a lot of conflicting information and opinions among dog owners about raw food diets for dogs and it can all become very confusing. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider feeding your dog a raw diet:
Dogs Love It
Dogs love raw food, it's only natural! Their ancestors didn't eat cooked and processed foods and modern day dogs have the same digestive systems as their predecessors so it's only logical that they would do well on the same diet. You've probably spent a small fortune on your dog's diet only to find him losing interest in his food after a few days of eating it. Dogs are carnivores; they are built to eat raw meat, just like wolves, lions and tigers. From the shape of their teeth to the way their digestive tracts are designed, they were built to consume meat.
Improved Dental Health
Speaking of teeth, dogs seem to do much better on a raw diet when it comes to their dental health. Meat contains many fibers that function as natural dental floss and when dogs rip and chew raw meat, their teeth are being cleaned naturally. Large meat bones also contribute to keeping your dog's gums and teeth in prime condition.
Less Doggie Odor
Feeding a dog a raw diet also results in decreased body odor. If you try feeding your dog a raw diet for a month you will quickly notice the difference. A dog kept on a raw food diet won't require bathing as much as a dog on a commercial diet.
Less Allergies
Dogs with sensitive digestive systems and skin fare better on a raw diet. Allergies are reduced when a dog is kept on a raw food diet due to the fact that many unnatural substances in commercial pet food are eliminated from the animal's diet. Commercial pet food is heavily processed and contains many unhealthy ingredients that can harm your dog's health.
Better Elimination
Your dog's bowel movements will improve with a raw food diet. Stools production will be less and the odor of your dog's waste will be less unpleasant as well. This is a sure sign that your dog is digesting his food properly and making use of all the healthy nutrients contained in raw foods.
There are many benefits and advantages to feeding your dog a raw food diet and you should try to research it a bit more. Try putting your dog on a raw food diet for a while to see how much his health will improve. Not only does a raw food diet make more sense, it is also more cost effective on the long run as your dog will become healthier and your vet bills will decrease too!