Raw Food Diets – the Right Choice?

While many experts insist that any dog can and should thrive on a diet comprised of meaty bones and some vegetables – the basic premise of a raw food diet – others are more reserved in their thinking and insist on providing a wider range of raw ingredients including vegetables and grains.

Thousands of years ago, before dogs were domesticated, they had no choice but to survive on whatever they could capture and eat in the wild.  Their digestive and immune systems handled this diet perfectly. However, as time went on and dogs became domesticated, evolutionary changes made it more difficult for many breeds to tolerate and thrive on the diets their ancestors enjoyed.

As commercial dog foods came to market in the early 20th century, most pet owners took advantage of these and stopped feeding Fido high fat table scraps.  These dogs adapted quite well to these new pet foods, and thrived. Dogs were living longer, healthier lives than ever before.

 If you aren’t into preparing raw meals from scratch every night, there are excellent commercial choices available.  Some dog food companies have created a wide range of “raw” foods including kibble that contains freeze dried meats, to packaged meals combining meats, grains and vegetables, and the appropriate vitamins and minerals.

    Make certain the diet you choose is nutritionally complete by reviewing it with your vet beforehand.  Dogs need a specific number of vitamins and nutrients on a daily basis, and eating only human food can put them at risk for some serious health issues.