We all worry about the health of our dogs, and when we talk about their health, diet plays an important role. A healthy diet assures a healthy life and fewer diseases. But the question which concerns all the pet owners is what should be given as a healthy diet food for dogs and how beneficial is feeding meat for their growth?
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Raw Food Diet
The raw dog food diet (commonly known as BARF which stands for Bones and Raw Feeding (or) Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding) is very healthy for dogs.
When it comes to healthy and nutritional diet food, raw meat proves to be the best and not the processed dog food. Packaged dog food is claimed to be highly nutritional, but the reality of these foods is far from their claims.
We have come a long way in advertising things and making them look more approachable and convincing. Thus, we tend to believe them to be healthy for our dogs. Plain processed dog food does not provide them with all the nutrition they require.
Giving your dog meat will help in its growth. Processed dog food is cooked, and cooking food disintegrates some of the essential enzymes found in raw meat and vegetables. These processed foods often contain products such as rice, wheat and corn with carbohydrates to hold the food together.
Dogs are carnivorous animals and are engineered by nature to consume raw meat. They have sharp teeth to rip flesh and strong jaws to hold the prey in their mouth. They also have small intestines just like their wild ancestors which helps them digest meat. Pancreas in their body helps in easy digestion of the natural amount of carbohydrates which they get through the meat.
Dogs cannot easily digest the unnatural amount of carbohydrates found in processed foods. Meat provides all the proteins and nutrition needed for a healthy and strong body.
Chicken is a good source of meat and is also readily available at an affordable price. Try feeding your dog chicken for good health.
Myths About Meat
There are many myths about giving meat to dogs. In this article, we want to bust some of these myths about raw food or meat.
Myth: Meat Causes Bacterial Infections
A myth about raw dog food or meat is that it can cause bacterial infections, and some people are concerned that dogs’ saliva could pass on these bacteria to humans.
Although this is not entirely true, you can surely boing the meat for a while before feeding your dog or pup if you are concerned. Of course, you should take the usual precautions by cleaning the counter, using a clean knife and washing your hands. But giving raw meat is generally not at all problematic for the dogs. It is what they are made to eat!
Their saliva has strong antibacterial properties, and their short digestive tract combined with efficacious digestive juices are designed to eliminate bacteria quickly.
Myth: Dogs are Omnivorous
Many falsely assume that dogs are omnivorous and that they can eat vegetables and can digest them easily. Well, in this case, we only need to have a look at their anatomy and physiology. The way dogs are made, they are simply carnivorous. Although they do have omnivorous abilities, they actually belong to the carnivorous lineage.
Myth: Raw Bones are not Good for Dogs
Raw bones are very vital for a dog’s good health.
Cooking bones makes them delicate and therefore easier to break into pieces, and this is why cooked bones are an issue. Do not feed your dog cooked bones.
You can see by their teeth that they are purpose-built to eat bones. Chewing on a bone is a very stimulating activity for a dog which also releases endorphins and promotes a feeling of happiness. It prevents tartar build-up; bones act as a natural toothbrush for a dog.
So, you need not worry much about their dental health. It also decreases the chances of death by dental health problems.
Benefits of Raw Food Diet
Some of the benefits of a raw dog food diet or meat are:
- Good dental health
- Better weight control
- Improved digestion
- Shinier, healthier skin and fur coat
- Reduced allergy symptoms
- More energy and stamina
- Strengthened immune system
- Improved liver, pancreatic and bowel health
- Fewer veterinary visits
Poor Diet Causes Behavioral Issues
A poor diet can also be the reason for aggression and behavioural issues in your dog. So, switching your dog to a BARF diet could substantially improve mental health as well. Some common behavioural problems due to poor diet are as follows:
Chewing
Your dog might start eating and chewing things very often. Although this can also be a characteristic of your dog which is normal. But if it happens a lot, then your dog might be instinctively looking for nutrients.
Excessive Digging
Your dog might look for food or things to chew on. This simply suggests that your dog is actually looking for sources of nutrients.
Stealing from Food
Has your dog been stealing away from food? Does he eat very less or does he eat anything except food? In this case, it can be a sign of improper nourishment.
Hyperactivity
Processed diet food is full of chemicals, flavourings, additives and food colourings that can make the dog restless and irritated.
Conclusion
Giving raw meat to your dogs will help them recover from ailments and severe health conditions. The nutrients found in raw meat can help them rejuvenate and boost their immune systems to fight against diseases.
These were a few reasons why you should give meat to your dog. Hope you found this post useful.
Contact iAdopt if you want more suggestions for your dog’s diet. We are always happy to help :).
