You only have to read the ingredients list on a packet of dog food to realize how full of unnecessary ingredients it is. There are additives, fillers and meat with a questionable origin. With this in mind, should we be thinking about switching our pets diet to a raw one? The raw dog food diet is very controversial, with many ardent supporters and an equal number of critics. So what is it about raw dog food diet that people see and disapprove of?

Argument FOR

The belief that dogs should be fed an all-raw diet comes from looking at a dog’s natural diet before they were domesticated. Wild dogs would naturally catch prey and eat them raw. This is what dogs were physically meant to eat so surely it is right way to feed them as pets. This is always apparent when you feed a dog raw meat, they get far more excited about it than supermarket pet food.

Many people also believe that a raw diet has a positive effect on a dog’s health. This is because most shop bought dog food contains additives, preservatives or ingredients that your dog was never intended to eat. This can play havoc with your dog’s digestive system and potentially result in allergies. Another health issue that may be made worse by generic dog food is shedding. The wrong food can increase shedding, dandruff and itchy skin in your pet.

Argument AGAINST

The people against a raw diet claim that domesticated dogs may not have the ability to digest raw food like wild animals do. This would be because they would not have the correct enzymes to break down raw food. Likewise raw meat often contains bones that if the dog swallowed could get caught in the digestive tract and cause health problems.

Also, raw food diet seems to be discouraged among those who prefer giving kibble due to the fact that raw food such as bones can be harmful in the digestive tract.

At the end of the day homemade food will always be better than shop-bought dog food, even if it is cooked and not served raw. Raw meat is certainly fine for a dog to eat providing bones have been removed and you avoid feeding your pet pork. If you do not want to go as far as feeding your dog raw meat, then instead buy the highest quality dog food on the market.

Emma Nutter is a freelance writer who writes on a variety of topics: Pet Lover Gifts, Placemat for Dog Bowls

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