Why Feed Your Dog's a Raw Diet?

With so many new dog food brands, recommendations and subscription services, you might feel like it’s time to re-evaluate how you’re feeding your furry friends.
Raw feeding for dogs has become one of the most prominent trends, but a lot of people don’t know what the real benefits are. For those considering making the change, it’s important to understand why the movement has grown, what it does for your dog, and what it requires an owner to do to ensure the pet is receiving a safe, well-rounded meal.

The Benefits

Raw dog food diets provide a range of health benefits that are often not found in commercially produced foods. For example, raw diets often contain higher levels of vitamins and minerals, which can help improve your pup's overall health and well-being. Including a variety of different raw meats, eggs, and animal parts can not only increase the health of your pet, but can serve as an additional form of enrichment to their daily routine. With multiple things to eat, different textures and flavours, the traditional bowl of kibble and canned food seems much duller in comparison. Like people, dogs have different preferences, dislikes and attitudes towards food. Feeding raw can help you connect to your dog and help liven what has traditionally been a cut and dry process.

In addition to the benefits, raw food diets lack a large amount of the downsides of traditional processed food. Raw feeding allows you to select options that are low in carbohydrates, which can help reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and other health issues in our furry friends. Plus, raw dog food diets contain higher levels of proteins, which helps maintain muscle mass and strength while promoting a healthy digestive system as your dog ages. Raw feeding is also believed to be better for your pup's dental health. If you’ve ever experienced a terrible smell coming from your pet, the cause could be dental decay, plaque, and tartar buildup. Feeding raw cuts out a lot of the ingredients that can promote these dental issues, and additionally can bolster your dog’s gum health over time.

How to Make the Switch
If you’ve decided you’d like to make the change, or even try experimenting with raw feeding to see how your dog reacts, there are a few tips you should follow to ensure your pup can make the most of it.
When it comes to preparing a raw food diet meal for your pup, there are a few things you'll want to
keep in mind. First, it's important to make sure the ingredients of your pup's meal are high-quality and free from any contaminants or additives. If the meat looks past its due date, has an abnormal smell, or discoloration, it’s probably a good bet that your pet shouldn’t eat it. Sticking to reputable brands and raw food providers like Tolleden Farms, ensures that the health and safety checks have already been done, and are ready for your pet to eat.

You should also look for foods that contain adequate amounts of essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and proteins. Make the most out of feeding your pet raw, by serving them a balanced and unique selection of foods. When preparing a raw meal for your pup, it's important to pay attention to portion sizes as well. Since every dog is different, there won’t be a one-size-fits-all solution to how big or small your meal should be. A good rule of thumb is to find out the calorie-intake of their usual meal, and try your best to match that.

It's also important to remember that raw food diets aren't for every pup – some may have allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients or types of food. If you’re unsure how your pet would react to it, start small. Put small amounts of raw food in with  our pets typical meals, and monitor their reaction.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking about making the switch to raw feeding, the change is much easier than you think. The benefits of raw food allow your pet to live their happiest life by improving their health, and their enrichment. For more information about how to make the switch, reach out to us so we can assist you in finding the best fit for your dog.