EVERY DOG AND CAT SHOULD EAT RAW!

We see websites, Facebook pages, Tweets and even magazine articles every week which say that the only safe and healthy way to feed your pet dog or cat is with a raw diet (also called raw meaty bones, BARF and probably some other things too). But is this really true?

RAW IS WHAT DOGS AND CATS EVOLVED TO EAT!

For cats this is very true. Cats are not fully domesticated and have shared their lives with humans for a much shorter time than dogs. They are obligate carnivores which means they must eat meat to stay healthy. They have a lower tolerance for carbohydrates than dogs and some authors suggest high grain diets could contribute to obesity and diabetes in cats.

Dogs on the other hand…. Although dogs and wolves share most of their DNA dogs are very different from today’s wolves. Over countless generations they have subtly changed to allow themselves to take advantage of living with humans. The ancient wolves who became dogs were the ones who were least fearful of humans, best at communicating with humans, and the best at living off human food scraps. Dogs thrive on a high meat diet, but most can also utilise carbohydrates.

Until very recent times dogs and cats would have been fed mostly leftovers which may have been raw or cooked. First cereal biscuits for adding to meat were developed, then canning allowed the industrial supply of leftovers to dogs and cats. Early pet foods did not take into account the needs of cats and dogs, but modern pet foods claim to be scientifically designed for optimal nutrition. And they probably are…

PROCESSED PET FOODS ARE UNHEALTHY!

We don’t like this sort of sweeping statement because there are so many different commercial wet and dry foods out there. There are concerns that over-processing and superheating could lead to carcinogens being present in the end products. Others have raised concerns about the quality of ingredients or contamination, and others about the safety of food additives. But it is possible to buy foods which are mixed and baked rather than extruded and to buy lightly cooked trays and pouches of food as well as highly processed ones. Some foods contain only ingredients you could find at home and can offer a convenient alternative to DIY raw feeding.

There are no studies comparing health and longevity of raw and commercial kibble fed dogs. Anecdotally many owners report their dogs are healthier and fitter after changing to raw, but some see no change or a worsening in health and many very healthy dogs are fed commercial diets.

Raw diets are not without their risks; bones can get stuck in the mouth or the gut (but raw bones are safer than cooked) and poorly planned diets can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

ALL PETS CAN EAT RAW!

Not all pets can tolerate a raw diet. Old, frail animals will find cooked foods easier to digest and will benefit from warm meals. Animals with weakened immune systems may not be able to cope with any bacteria on raw meat. Some are sick if they eat raw bones and a few won’t even tolerate ground raw bones. For these pets a lightly cooked wet food or a high quality biscuit may be a better choice.

Not all owners can feed raw either. Making raw feeding cost effective takes time, space for a freezer and planning. Pre-prepared raw meals can be bought, but they are quite expensive if you’re feeding a large dog. Owners who may be immunosuppressed should take extra precautions when handling raw meat and ensure their pet is fed in an area that can easily be cleaned but good hygiene is important for any raw feeder.

A few health problems can be controlled with ‘prescription diets’. The same effects can often be obtained from a raw or home cooked diet, but veterinary advice should always be sought before taking a pet off a prescription diet.

SHOULD YOU FEED RAW?

We aren’t going to take a side on that one! Ideally owners wanting to switch to raw feeding should discuss it with a raw friendly vet who will also be able to help them source ingredients and avoid pitfalls. A sympathetic vet will also be able to advice on alternatives for those who can’t raw feed but want to give the best diet they can to their pet.