Nutritional Benefits of a Raw Food Diet For Dogs

The benefits of a raw food diet for dogs include nutritional elements that are not available in cooked food. An exact clue to the type of food that is naturally chosen by dogs is found in their mouth. Canine teeth are sharp and pointed, and not even one has a broad, flat surface like those in a human's mouth. Humans use teeth with flat surfaces for grinding grains and leafy material, but dogs use sharp surfaces to puncture and tear meat effectively. More and more dog owners are finding that a diet that is those consumed by dogs' ancestors, including wolves and jackals, is preferable to commercial dog foods.

Owners who feed dogs bones that have muscle meat supplemented with organ meat and vegetable scraps like broccoli and spinach find that their dogs have healthier skin and cleaner teeth. A shinier coat usually results from a raw diet, and the stools are smaller. Overall, the energy level increases as well. The digestive system of a dog is likely very similar to the way it was thousands of years ago. It is rare to find a dog that refuses a raw diet, and it is common to find one that accepts it without hesitation.

Some experts recommend against using raw meats found in the grocery store, as they may have bacteria levels that are sufficiently high to need cooking. Safe handling rules are important for foods in a raw diet for dogs. A proper balance of nutritional supplements is essential, either in a meal that an owner makes or in a commercially prepared one. In either case, it may take a few weeks for a dog to adapt to a raw diet if it is a new approach to feeding.

An owner who feeds dogs raw meat gives them a chance to return to the way they historically chose the kind of food that they preferred. Dogs killed prey and consumed them entirely, including the meat, the bones and the organs. They had a diet that was nutritionally balanced, and the dogs that ate it benefitted from it as dogs do today.

Chewing on bones helps to keep a dog's teeth clean and free of tartar that causes decay. It follows a natural tendency to chew, and it is a healthful activity. It also provides excellent stimulation for the gums, and the jaw muscles grow in strength with the exercise that it provides.

The benefits of a raw food diet for dogs include an increased activity level, smaller stools, healthier skin and teeth, and an overall positive appearance. Dogs have adapted to commercial dog foods that some owners choose, but a diet that includes raw food is the one that they like the best.

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