Dogs Raw Meat Diet
A raw meat diet, mimicking the diet of dogs for centuries, is a longtime practice that is becoming increasingly common, with the movement toward a more organic diet for master and pet alike. It received additional scrutiny after widespread dog food recalls. A decade ago, this diet was referred to as BARF, which stands for Bones And Raw Food. The term has been since abandoned and the practice is known as raw feeding.
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Benefits
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Veterinarians often suggest this diet as a treatment for problems in some dogs. Many pet owners see that feeding their dogs raw meat on a regular basis in advance of any problems is a proactive approach to feeding. Raw meat can offer pet owners a food choice that is fresh and well-hydrated, with enzymes and amino acids that have not been altered by cooking. Raw meat can help eliminate digestive problems for your dog, controlling obesity. It also will help to relieve allergic reactions.
Concerns
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Veterinarians are concerned about the risk that raw meat poses to dogs. One of the great concerns about raw meat is the risk of bacterial contamination. A diet of raw meat also puts your dog at risk for dietary imbalance. It is suggested that you check with your vet before switching to a raw food diet because this diet is not appropriate for every dog. An immune-compromised dog, for example, would not be an ideal candidate for a raw food diet because its immune system would be less able to combat bacteria that could potentially be found in the raw food.
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Nutritional Balance
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Nutritional balance is a concern for pet owners and vets. Not receiving enough calcium, for example, can put your dog at risk for orthopedic problems. Even in the wild, dogs consume vegetables, fruits and grains within the stomachs of their prey, meeting carbohydrate requirements. Corn, wheat and soy are not good sources for carbohydrates and can create hot spots, itching, shedding, digestive problems and many other problems. There are grains, however, such as pearl millet, that can be fed to your dog to ensure they receive the correct nutritional balance.
Drawbacks
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The cost of raw feeding is one of the greatest drawbacks. Purchasing frozen raw meat and using appropriate methods for thawing is a more cost-effective approach to raw feeding than fresh meat.
Safety
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Dogs are resistant to salmonella infection, one of the primary concerns of most pet owners who have fed their dogs raw meat. In spite of this, however, it is important to handle raw meat safely, cleaning preparation and feeding areas after handling the meat. If owners choose to feed their dogs a raw dehydrated diet, the salmonella bacteria does not pose a risk and no special handling or cleaning is necessary.
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References
- Photo Credit dog image by Andrew Oleinik from Fotolia.com
