Every pet lover not only loves their dog, but is also very concerned about their health and nutrition. These days, two different schools of thought are becoming increasingly popular when it comes to dog diets—cooked dog food, and raw dog food. Both have their own supporters, and different logic behind them.
So the question is, is raw food better for your dog or cooked? In this article, we will compare the two diets and find out which type of diet may be better for your furry friend.
Raw Dog Food: Back to Natural Diet
Raw dog food otherwise known as the BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) is mainly made of raw meat, bones, organ meats, fruits and vegetables. This diet holds the view that dogs should not eat cooked food but rather, they should consume raw food which was their ancestor the wolves.
Benefits of Raw Food:
- Better Teeth and Gums: Chewing on bones helps remove tartar from the teeth.
- Increased Energy: Many dog owners find that raw food increases their dog’s activity.
- Better Digestion: Dogs’ stomachs digest food without chemicals and processing quickly.
- Glorious Coat and Shiny Hair: High-quality protein and fat make the coat soft and shiny.
Challenges of Raw Food:
Bacterial Risk: Raw meat may contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli.
Nutritional Imbalance: Raw diets given without the advice of a veterinary nutritionist may lack essential vitamins or minerals.
Danger for Young Children and the Elderly: Raw food can spread infections if there are people with weak immunity in the house.
Cooked Dog Food: Balance and Safety Guaranteed
Cooked dog food contains meat, vegetables, grains and fruits prepared by cooking them. This diet is usually made at home or purchased as a prepared dog food. The cooking process kills bacteria, making this diet safe.
Benefits of cooked food:
Less risk of infection: Cooking kills harmful bacteria.
Easy to digest: Boiled meat and vegetables are easier to digest in the stomach.
Easy to prepare a balanced diet: You can add or subtract nutrients according to your dog’s needs.
Safe for the rest of the household: Safe for children and the elderly due to the low spread of bacteria.
Challenges of cooked food:
Overcooking can destroy nutrients: Essential nutrients such as vitamins B and C can be reduced if food is overcooked.
Time and preparation required: Making homemade meals every day can be a challenging task.
Protein content is important to note: Some cooked recipes don’t contain enough protein, which is vital for dogs.
Which diet to choose? It depends on your dog
Every dog is different—his breed, age, health status, and lifestyle. One dog thrives on raw food, while another may have allergies or stomach problems. Some dogs love cooked food and can easily digest it.
A few tips:
Cooked food can also help your dog, provided he or she experiences problems with their gastrointestinal tract.
An athletic and active dog can much benefit on a raw diet to provide him with his energy which must be properly balanced.
In addition to that, consult your veterinarian before feeding a raw diet to puppies, older dogs, or dogs with conditions.
Professional opinion counts
It is not about finding one-size-fits-all solution in terms of dog food. It is your decision that you need to make according to the needs of your pet. In case you choose to eat a raw diet, it would be better to quote a veterinary nutritionist or vet so that your plan of diet has all the required nutrients.
Conclusion
No matter if you either give raw or cooked food to your dog the primary thing is that the food should be balanced, safe, and in accordance with the health indicators of your dog. To have a pet does not only imply having to feed him, but to take on his health, his vitality, his well being.
Raw diet is natural but there are dangers to it. Though we have food that is cooked, which is safe, we should consider nutrition. After all, it is in your dog that you have to make a choice, which will help him live long, healthy, and happy.