WHAT IS A RAW DIET FOR DOGS AND ITS BENEFITS?

What is a raw food diet for dogs?

Dogs evolved from wolves, which means they are predators by nature. They have lived in the wild for thousands of years, eating what they have hunted, found, or dug up. Their main food sources are meat, bones, offal, vegetables, seeds, and roots. No wolf or wild dog has ever had the opportunity to eat the cooked, grain-based food that we now feed our dogs.

Therefore, their digestive tract and body are not yet able to fully break down grain products, tolerate various preservatives, dyes or other chemicals. As a result, there have been increasing cases of various diseases, allergies and obesity in dogs recently.

This is where RAW comes in. It is a diet of fresh, uncooked animal proteins and fats, i.e. meat, bones and various offal. This diet is the most natural and closest model to the diet of natural predators. It provides all the necessary nutrients to the dog's body without any unnecessary additives, such as starch, synthetic fats and so on.

The RAW diet is divided into two types: BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) and the Prey model.

In addition to animal products, the BARF diet contains vegetables, fruits, seeds, and various oils. Such additional ingredients supplement the diet with various vitamins and minerals. This dietary pattern can help treat certain diseases and strengthen your dog's immunity.

Meanwhile, the Prey model uses entirely animal products, which should be the main and most common ingredient in the daily portion.

However, if you decide to feed your pet the Prey diet, it is crucial to know that it should consist of “whole animals,” such as whole chickens (with feathers, legs, internal organs, etc.).

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF THE RAW DIET

Most pet owners choose the raw diet when their pets are experiencing various health problems and veterinary treatment is not helping the pet.

Only then do people start to delve deeper into their pet's health, looking for the root causes of their dog's problems. Fortunately, they find owners and like-minded people who have had similar health problems but have overcome them by introducing the RAW (raw) diet for pets.

Improved skin condition and shiny coat

The most significant and clearly noticeable result of introducing the RAW diet to your pet is improved skin and a shiny, manageable coat. The fresh proteins and natural fats in the RAW diet improve skin condition, prevent various skin diseases and revive the shine of a healthy coat.

Restored digestive system (or gut health) and good nutrient absorption

Usually, when owners start feeding their pets a raw diet, they are surprised to find that their dog starts to defecate less frequently and in smaller quantities. Their dog also consumes less drinking water.

This is because all the nutrients obtained with RAW food are natural, recognizable and well-absorbed. The body intuitively knows how to absorb nutrients and which “shelf” to put them in. Unlike feeding a dog dry food, the body does not need to eliminate unnecessary substances, such as starch or synthetic additives.

Along with the meat in raw dishes, the dog's body also acquires a large amount of water, which is enriched with various elements, thus reducing the need to drink additional water. Such a change in their behavior should not worry you. On the contrary, it shows that you are on the right track.

Clean teeth, reduced plaque and tear-free eyes

Bad breath, plaque-covered teeth, and watery eyes are all signs of excess starch in the body. Once you eliminate unnecessary carbohydrates from your diet, the bacteria that cause all these problems no longer have the right conditions to thrive, and these problems begin to disappear.

As we have noticed, after starting a raw diet, these problems may be exacerbated at first because the antioxidant process kicks in. It begins to promote faster cleansing of the body. Keep in mind that additional preventative cleaning of the ears, eyes, or teeth may be necessary to remove plaque more quickly.

Normalized weight and higher energy levels

A round and fluffy dog ​​may look cute and cuddly, but being overweight is a dangerous and serious condition. Over time, excess weight promotes not only joint and muscle diseases, but also various inflammations, which significantly increase the risk of developing diabetes.

All this is because dry food contains an unnecessary amount (40-60%) of carbohydrates that the dog's body is not able to break down. Therefore, carbohydrates accumulate in the form of fat in the dog's body. Also, when fed a personalized and balanced diet, the dog feels more energetic. And these lost extra pounds eliminate the feeling of heaviness.

Strengthened immune system

Studies show that pets fed BARF are significantly less likely to get sick. They have reduced skin diseases, inflammation, digestive problems or obesity. Pet owners notice that visits to the veterinary clinic are less frequent, which in turn reduces vet bills.

Where to start?

Before changing your pet’s diet, it is essential to have reliable meat suppliers who can supply fresh, organic, healthy animal meat. Or choose a custom-made nutritional raw food like RAW HABITS (Pet Kartel Bulgaria). Then all you need to do is choose the right way to introduce a new diet and be patient to embark on a healthier lifestyle and a happier dog.

Of course, it may seem complicated and confusing at first, but the principle of the raw diet itself is quite simple. The most important thing is to adapt it individually to your dog and not expect the results to be noticeable in the first few days. Wonderful changes usually begin to appear 2-4 weeks after introducing the BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) diet.

Trust the process!

Nature leads us!