The Benefits Of Raw Food Diet For Dogs

Dogs love raw meat and evolved to eat it. The benefits of raw food diet for dogs are many. But the one thing that a dog owner has to keep in mind when they decide on a raw food diet for their dog is where the raw food comes from. Most of the raw food that will be fed to the dog will be in the form of meat. It's the owner's responsibility to make sure that the meat and other raw foods are free of bacteria, parasites or other toxins that might make the dog sick.

In the wild dogs and other canids eat their food raw. But the secret is even they can't just live on the meat and fat of their prey. They eat the contents of the stomachs and the intestines, they eat the fur, they gnaw on the bones. This gives the wild dogs enough fiber, calcium and other nutrients to keep them healthy. It's up to the dog owner to make sure that the raw food diet is just as balanced for their dog. An all meat diet isn't good for a dog, for it lacks essential nutrients, especially calcium and phosphorous. A dog who eats only meat will eventually develop problems with their skeleton and their heart.

Before feeding a raw diet, the owner should also calculate the dog's energy needs and how many kilocalories it needs just for maintenance. A Chihuahua might need only 200 kcals per day to maintain its health, while a lactating Great Dane might need more than 6,000. The dog's needs also change according to whether they're inactive or active, whether they're a working dog, an older dog, or a pregnant or lactating female.

The best sort of meat to feed a dog, especially a dog that's active, is duck. Ideally, the whole duck should be fed to the dog so it can eat the skeleton and the internal organs. One hundred grams of duck with the skin on has 430 kcals of energy, 11.3 grams of protein and 42.7 grams of fat. Another high energy food is raw herring, which has 234 kcal, 17 grams of protein and 18.5 grams of fat per 100 grams. Green leafy vegetables can supply the dog's iron needs, as well as its need for essential fatty acids. Brewer's yeast will give it its daily dose of B vitamins. Kelp, which is a form of seaweed, also has useful minerals, including iodine, which supports the thyroid gland, but should be given sparingly. Beet pulp and chicory are also good sources of fiber. Fiber's useful in preventing constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and excess fat in the blood.

Dogs can do well on a raw food diet, but once again, the owner has to be careful about the ingredients.

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