The idea of feeding raw food divides us into two camps. Either it makes sense to you in terms of how evolution created animals, or it makes your stomach turn!
Regardless of your opinion, raw is the fastest growing segment of the pet food market. The first change you would notice if you fed your pet a raw diet would be improved stools due to its high digestibility. Another appealing aspect of feeding raw is that dogs love it!
The vast majority of pet food is cooked, with extrusion (a technique that makes it possible to create prepared foods within a very short period of time) being the most commonly used method. This extrusion produces kibble and is based on a food containing 25 to 45 percent starch, which dextrinizes (chemical reaction that occurs when starches are broken down into sugars called dextrin) during heating in the presence of water. Cookies have crumbs because of dextrinized starch, and pet food kibble is hard and crunchy because of dextrinized starch.
Though digestible, this starch has little nutritional value and promotes the wrong gut bacteria which affects your dogs health in subtle ways.
It is possible to make a dry pet food that is low in starch, but there is no way to make kibble without starch, and grains provide that starch. However, the term "grain-free" is merely a marketing ploy. The problem with any kibble is starch, and whether it's grain-free or not, starch is still a problem. What your pet really requires is low-starch food, not grain-free food.
Starch is starch, and too much of it is a problem regardless of the grain. A grain-free kibble made from pea protein, sweet potato, and quinoa is no more wholesome than one made from corn or wheat.
Cooking changes nutrients, and not always for the better. Although extreme heat destroys harmful bacteria, with the invention of refrigeration, it is now possible to use raw ingredients with a very low risk of pathogenic bacterial contamination.
Any type of heat (boiling, frying, roasting, baking) initiates a process known as protein denaturation and it cannot be reversed.
We all know that a fried egg provides good nutrition, but what many people don't realise is that a raw egg provides even more. The benefit of eating raw food goes beyond promoting better digestibility.There are some minor but important extra benefits. Raw pet foods contain natural enzymes and numerous beneficial bacteria that are unaffected by heat.
Without bacteria, our world would be unimaginable. Wine, beer, tequila, sauerkraut, kimchi, yoghurt, and cheese are just a few examples of how bacteria can benefit us. But these delights pale in comparison to the mysterious marvels revealed by our expanded understanding of bacteria.
There is no need for debate; kibble dog food is more cost effective and convenient on a daily basis. However, this can be a false economy over the course of a lifetime. Dry kibble pet food is not the healthiest option.
Your pet's health will not only benefit, your medical bills will be lower (gum health will improve dramatically), and both you and your pet will be happier.
My thoughts: Include raw food in your pet's diet as much as your budget allows.
Thanks for reading! We hope you found this post helpful. Don’t forget to throw your dog a treat from all of us!
Deb & the Busy Pawz Crew
P.S. If you’d like to work with me to better understand your dog and create a happier life together, click here—I’d love to help!
*Paraphrased for brevity and clarity from https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/why-feed-raw/
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