Why Feed A Raw Diet?
- Jess
- Aug 25, 2020
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 31, 2020
Problems That Grains Cause
Dog food, especially kibble contains high levels of carbohydrates which keeps the shape of the kibble and stops it from falling apart.
However, dogs are carnivores and they are not adapted to digest the high amounts of carbohydrates found in dog food. Dogs do have some enzymes to be able to break down little amounts of carbohydrates but not enough to be able to break down and absorb a grain-filled diet [1].
A diet that is high in carbohydrates that do not get fully broken down can cause health issues such as:
Inflammation which causes food intolerances and sensitivities which can occur over time. Inflammation occurs in the gut which then leads to further inflammation of areas such as skin and ears which creates itchy skin [1].
Gastric torsion (bloat) where the stomach distends and swells which is often fatal.
Leaky gut which allows unwanted things such as partially digested food and allergens to cross the gut wall. This can happen when the intestinal cells are damaged to the point where they can no longer act as a barrier to stop substances from entering the bloodstream that should not be there [2].
Bulkier and runnier stools because the digestive system is passing more waste as a result from not digesting all the nutrients in the food
Diabetes as a result from high blood sugar levels
A Raw Diet Cuts Out Grains
The adaptations of dogs suggest that they are carnivores. For example the size of their GI tract in comparison to other animals:
Dogs have a short GI tract. Meats are easy to digest so the GI tract of a carnivore is much shorter than an omnivores or herbivores [3].
Whereas plant based foods are more difficult to break down so the GI tract of an omnivore is slightly longer than a carnivore, and an herbivores GI tract is even longer still and more complex [3].
Herbivores can even have up to a 4 chambered stomach so that cellulose can ferment. These animals such as cattle and goats are known as ruminants.
When we feed raw we are providing our dogs with a high protein diet which they can break down and digest unlike a high grain diet.
This can have many health benefits including:
Highly digestible diet leading to smaller poops as there is less waste
Highly palatable diet
Less stinky breath
Cleaner teeth
Healthier size and weight
Shiny coat
Less flatulence
stools can be less foul smelling
Improved skin condition
Our Bella was constantly suffering with diarrhoea, constantly straining every time she went toilet and was always flatulent.
Every brand of dog food would eventually give her runny stools including sensitive diets and prescription diets from the vets, nothing worked!
After months of struggling we looked into raw feeding and decided that this would be the best change for her health and we never looked back!
Changing Bella to a raw diet instantly changed her stool; she went from having up to 7 runny stools a day to just two firm stools a day, which were not foul smelling. She no longer strains when she goes toilet and she is now less flatulent.
However, I would like to stress that a raw diet is not a cure-all diet and will not prevent all illnesses but it can have some health benefits.
Heating Destroys Nutrition In Pet Food
All pet food goes through a heating process; dry food also goes through an extrusion method where most of the moisture is removed by using steam, heat and pressure to form the kibble [4].
This heating process can destroy a lot of the nutrition in pet food before it gets to your furry friend.
Some of the effects include:
Essential amino acids being destroyed such as lysine being the most affected nutrient in the process [4].
All vitamins are affected in dry food by extrusion, with vitamins A, D, E, K and B vitamins being destroyed or heavily decreased [4].
Omega 3 and antioxidants dramatically decreased with heat
Heating can change the structure of protein. Once protein has been denatured there is no going back [5].
Raw food, especially commercial raw diets that are preserved by freeze drying have not gone through a heating process.
This means that vitamins are undamaged, amino acids are not affected, natural enzymes are preserved and friendly bacteria can grow in raw food [4].
Do Pet Food Companies Have Our Pet’s Best Interest At Heart?
Many pet owners decide to switch to a raw diet because they believe that the manufacturers who produce dog food do not have our pet’s best interest in mind.
There is evidence to back-up these owners’ concerns such as harmful and dangerous levels of ingredients in pet food leading to serious health risks and even death.
For example:
Hills Nutrition had recalled selected canned dog food due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D.
Excess levels of vitamin D are toxic to dogs and can lead to many health concerns from vomiting, weight loss, and increased urination to seizures [6].
Some owners have reported that their dogs were sick, while other dogs had died from consuming selected canned foods from Hills Nutrition [7].
Hills Nutrition has put this down to a supplier error yet they claim to:
“deeply care about all pets and are committed to providing pet parents with safe and high quality products [8].”
If Hills really cared about our dogs’ health then why would they allow this food to be sold putting so many pets’ lives in danger?
Some other harmful ingredients include:
Heterocyclic amines are a result from cooking meat and fish and are linked to cancer [9].
Acrylamides are a result from a lack of moisture after heat being applied to vegetable foods. These have been classified as a probably carcinogen [9].
Artificial Preservatives In Dog Food
Artificial preservatives are prevalent in dog food and they are added to preserve shelf life. However, some preservatives can be harmful to our furry friends:
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) have been found to produce tumors [10]. These two are currently allowed to be used in pet and human food both in the US and Europe.
Propyl Gallate has been linked to cause cancer yet the FDA considers this to be safe [11].
Potassium Sorbate can be a skin, eye and respiratory irritant and can also damage white blood cells [10].
By feeding a raw diet you will feel good knowing that you can avoid artificial additives and preservatives.
Addressing The Concerns Around Raw Feeding
Parasites and Bacteria (Salmonella, E.Coli etc.)
An argument against raw feeding is the risk of parasites and bacterial infections.
However, a dog has a very different digestive system to ours and a dog that has a healthy digestive system can cope with small amounts of salmonella that would be present in uncooked meats.
A raw diet can actually promote a healthy digestive system. A study in February 2017 investigated the differences in a dog’s faecal bacteria when fed a raw diet in comparison to a kibble fed diet:
Traces of Lactobacillus were found in raw fed dogs which is an indication of healthy gut function [12].
The study found that a raw based diet promoted a higher amount of friendly gut bacteria and healthier gut functions in comparison to a kibble fed diet [12].
Salmonella poisoning is a great risk to humans. However, as long as you practice safe meat handling and sanitation after meal prep and after cleaning dog poop, you will be fine!
Bones and Choking Hazards
Raw meaty bones are generally safe for your dogs to eat and they are good for their teeth.
Do not feed your dog cooked bones! These can splinter and can cause choking/obstructions.
Only feed raw meaty bones or uncooked bones such as turkey wings or necks as these are unlikely to splinter like cooked bones do.
But I would always recommend supervising your dog with any bone.
Raw Does Not Automatically Mean ‘Dangerous’
Many studies on raw diets focus on unbalanced diets and many vets may discourage owners from raw feeding by claiming that it is too difficult to get a balanced diet. This is because vets have seen homemade raw diets done wrong.
However, balancing a raw diet is now easier than ever! There are many resources on raw diets that are easily accessible to owners, either on the internet or in books.
For owners that do not have time to prepare balanced meals at home for their dogs there are now plenty of commercial raw diets from suppliers such as Nutriment and Natural instinct, which are already balanced. Owners can buy these commercial raw diets online or at pet shops.
Also, as pet food companies put harmful ingredients into their food that can give your dog health issues such as skin complaints, vets are more likely to recommend these pet food companies so that you visit them more frequently due to your dog being ill more often.
A Raw Diet Will Not Make My Dog Aggressive
Some people are concerned that feeding a raw diet will cause their dog to become ‘blood-thirsty’. This is not true; changing your dog’s diet will not make them aggressive.
Food aggression can be caused by many reasons but is usually a direct result of humans unknowingly reinforcing food aggression behaviour.
I hope that this blog has helped you to see the benefits of feeding a raw diet and how pet food can have a negative effect on our furry friends health.
Even though a raw diet is not cure-all diet there are still many benefits to raw feeding including helping with some health issues such as food sensitivities.
I believe that a raw diet is the safest and healthiest way to feed my dog compared to the potential issues lower quality dog food can cause.
References:
[1] Sanderson, Rowan, Chief Nutritional Officer. Bella and Duke.
[2] Kidd, Randy, DVM PhD. Dogs Naturally Magazine. May 5, 2020.
[3] Bessent, Chris, Doctor. Dogs Naturally Magazine. October 21, 2019.
[4] Thixton Susan. Dogs Naturally Magazine. October 30, 2019.
[5] Patton, S., Richard, PhD. Dogs Naturally Magazine. May 4, 2020.
[6] Negron, Vladimir. Vitamin D poisoning in Dogs, Petmd. February 9, 2011.
[7] Wall, Tim. Pet Food Industry. December 10, 2019.
[8] Hills Pet Nutrition. January 2019. https://www.hillspet.co.uk/productlist?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqu7uq7226wIV0e3tCh1naACDEAAYASAAEgLeQ_D_BwE
[9] Stone, Roxanne MSc. Dogs Naturally Magazine. April 30, 2020.
[10] All About Dog Food.
[11] Dog Food Advisor.
[12] Sandri, M., Dal Monego, S., Conte, G., Sgorlon, S., & Stefanon, B. Feburary 2017. Raw meat based diet influences faecal microbiome and end products of fermentation in healthy dogs. BMC Veterinary Research, 13, 65.
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