Feeding raw dog food, is it for you?
Keith Fallon | Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Raw Dog Food is it for you?(and your dog)
Feeding raw dog food has suddenly become the latest thing in the dog world. Concerns over commercial dog food safety and feeding a processed diet has all contrubuted to people looking again at feeding a raw diet to the their dogs.
But is it easy to switch to raw food and is it suitable for everyone?
I have personally experimented with raw feeding over the last 8 years and more recently have anecdotal evidence from various clients of the pros and cons.
My experiences and clients anecdotal evidence:-
Pros
Reduced stool size and quantity
Health benefits including healthy glossy coat, more energy, generally more settled behaviour. Curing of fussy eating problems, weight loss.
Can be cheaper than commercial food
Cons
Handling of raw food is not for everyone.
Lack of storage for frozen dog meat
Awkward when travelling or staying away with the dog
Confusion over whether you are feeding the correct quantities and the right variety of raw foods
Try the half and half approach
Myself and several clients have settled on a half and half approach for now which seems to suit both dogs and owners. I feed a mixture of raw and dry commercial food. My dogs get a portion of raw dog meat (from my own Fallon's meat pouches) mixed with one of my dried kibble recipes.
The results have been:
Still get reduced stools than when just on commercial
Drinking a lot less water than when purely on dry food
More energy
Elimination of grass eating (always when on processed foods)
More settled behaviour
No fussy eating problems
Becoming used to both foods I can switch them easily between one or the other
I am reassured that they are getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals from the commercial food and their teeth are still being cleaned by eating the kibble
Keith Fallon - Cotswold Pet Services