The Raw Dog Food Controversary
The idea of feeding pet dogs a raw diet actually began in 1993 by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst. He called his feeding suggestions the BARF diet, an acronym that stands for Bones and Raw Food, or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. (I’m not sure I would have used that particular acronym, it doesn’t sound like a diet I’d want to feed my dog.)
According to Billinghurst adult dogs would thrive on a diet based on what he considered an evolutionary. One that he said dogs ancestors in the wild ate before man domesticated them — I don’t believe I completely buy that, read on to see why I say that —. He claimed that commercial pet foods were actually harmful to a dog’s health. (That, I agree with, but I don’t judge others for what they feed their dogs!)
Today, feeding your dog a raw diet has become a huge trend and some people swear by it. One of my favorite holistic veterinarians is one of those. She insists on her website that it is the very best way to feed your dog.
The fact is that the number of pet parents changing to a natural human grade dog food of some kind has more than tripled in the US in the past 5 years!
Do other veterinarians agree? I can tell you that the FDA disagrees. As for other veterinarians? Even veterinarians and veterinarian nutritionists disagree among themselves whether a raw food diet is good for your dog or if it is actually bad or even harmful to your dog.
Therein lays the controversy. So, let’s break it down into easily understood terms so you can decide for yourself armed with all the correct knowledge.
There are definite benefits and there are risks involved with feeding your pet dog a raw dog food diet. There are different ideas about what exactly is a raw diet.
What is a Raw Food Diet?
According to WebMD, a raw dog food diet typically consists of:
- Muscle meat, often still on the bone
- Bones, either whole or ground
- Organ meats such as livers and kidneys
- Raw eggs
- Vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and celery
- Apples or other fruit
- Some dairy, such as yogurt
Risks and Benefits of Feeding a Raw Dog Food Diet
Potential benefits of the raw dog food diet that supporters tout include:
- Shinier coats
- Healthier skin
- Cleaner teeth
- Higher energy levels
- Smaller stools
Potential risks include:
- Threats to human and dog health from bacteria in raw meat
- An unbalanced diet that may damage the health of dogs if given for an extended period
- Potential for whole bones to choke an animal, break teeth or cause an internal puncture
You will find anywhere you look arguments both for and against.
For most animals, it’s more beneficial than processed foods, ~ Doug Knueven, DVM, of the Beaver Animal Clinic in Beaver, Pa.
Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, Ph.D., headed an evaluation of raw dog food diets published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Association in 2001. She cautions pet owners against them, saying that many dog owners are choosing raw diets based on online myths and scare tactics about commercial pet food.
For pet owners who want to avoid commercial food, Freeman advises a cooked homemade diet designed by a nutritionist certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.
Are The Risks of Feeding A Raw Diet Blown Out of Proportion?
The fact is that veterinarians, veterinarian nutritionists, and even scientific studies disagree on exactly what nutrients and in what proportion dogs need to be healthy and to thrive.
So, it is probable that any diet you feed your dog will be deficient in some way or another. Just like most of the diets that we humans eat are generally deficient in one way or another.
The Bottom Line
So, in conclusion, guess what? It’s all up to you as a caring doggie parent to decide for your four-legged best friend what is best for your dog, budget, and lifestyle.
It is my opinion that for my dogs, I don’t want to take a chance on whether the pet food industry has my dog’s best interest in mind. The pet food industry is, after all a business and their bottom line is how much money they can make, not my dog’s health.
I believe that a fresh, homemade, human-grade diet is best (most veterinarians agree). I have done a lot of research on this subject and have interviewed veterinarians, consulted veterinarians, and scientific journals. I have written a book on the subject of the importance of natural, fresh ingredient dog good.
To be sure your Chichihuahau is getting the best nutrients and in the right proportions that are as accurate as is humanly possible ChiChis And Me now offers nutrition consulting services. If you are interested, ChiChis And Me is offering a canine nutrition consulting service. You will find one that fits both your lifestyle and your budget.
