We hear again and again that a raw dog food diet is far more superior to the best dry dog food on the pet store.
Why?
Take a look at this fact sheet about the eating habits of dogs.
1- Dogs have exactly the same digestive system as that of wolves and foxes – their counterparts that live the wild.
Therefore, you are making it difficult for domestic dogs to digest pelletized, grain-based, and factory-processed dog foods.
Dogs are equipped to subsist mainly on raw meat and bones. They even eat carcasses.
2-Domestic dogs are thought of as omnivores because they can eat plant-based foods, but those foods are not necessarily good for them.
Plant-based matter will tax the pancreas of dogs and eventually shorten their life spans.
3-Dogs like to eat sweets a lot more than your cats do.
Cats have 473 taste buds, while dogs have about 1,700!
Sweets will appeal more to dogs than to cats.
4-If a dog eats dirt, it may be because it is bored or it is lacking something in its diet.
This doesn’t happen for dogs on a raw dog food diet.
Take note, you don’t need to give artificial supplements to your dog.
Supplements are useless to them regardless of what you hear on dog food commercials.
Think of a wolf and how it thrives in the wild without supplements.
Dogs are essentially domestic versions of wolves.
5-If a dog eats pooh, it is possible that it currently experiences anxiety or it lacks essential minerals in its diet.
Many animals eat poop because poop has vitamins that are produced by the intestinal bacteria, and those vitamins cannot be absorbed through the intestinal wall.
6-Here are the top things that you must never give to dogs:
Chocolate and anything that’s caffeinated :
Chocolate and caffeine are powerful stimulants for a dog.
They will accelerate the dog’s heartbeat and can lead to seizures or cardiac arrest.
Chocolate and caffeine are also diuretics which will lead to frequent urination, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Raisins and grapes :
They create havoc with any dog’s digestive system and kidneys.
A dog fed with grapes or raisins will urinate frequently, vomit, and experience diarrhea.
Onions :
Onions break down the red blood cells of dogs and will deprive him of essential oxygen in the cells.
The effects are cumulative. The symptoms range from diarrhea to vomiting and from exhaustion to fever.
Macadamia nuts :
These nuts are very harmful to dogs, even in small amounts.
Macadamia nuts can cause palpitations, seizures, fever, and mild paralysis.
Alcoholic beverages :
Even small amounts of alcohol can lead to alcoholic poisoning in dogs. It can result to digestive problems or death.
Bread dough :
When bread dough rises inside the dog’s stomach, it creates alcohol as one of its byproducts and thus leads to alcohol poisoning.
Avocado :
Avocado is toxic to dogs and also for many animals.
This fruit contains a chemical that damages the heart, lungs, and other vital tissues in the bodies of animals.
Pitted fruits :
Pitted fruits like pears, peaches, cherries, and apricots have small amounts of cyanide in their pits.
They can be fatal, most especially to small dogs.
Raw fish :
Yes, raw fish, most especially salmon and trout, can harbor parasitic flukes that only affect dogs.
Raw fish parasite is fatal to dogs.
Take note of the dog food no-no’s stated above.
So, what are you waiting for?
Start on any of the easy-to-make raw dog food recipes on this site!
