Understanding Raw Diets

Raw diets for pets consist of ground animals including bones, organ meat, and muscle meat. Some raw diet formulas may include fruit/vegetables and other whole foods.

There are many types of raw diets available from full feed that include fruits and veggies, and even oils, to those that include meat, bone, and organ meat and many other variations.

Why Consider a Raw Diet?

Domestic dogs are descended from Canis lupus, the wolf. Even through evolution, our dogs have a digestive system that makes them carnivores. Their digestive system and nutritional needs have not changed even though their outward appearance and temperament have.

Can I Feed My Cat Raw Diet?

Cats are true carnivores and need a meat-based diet.
Cat benefit from the same benefits from raw diet that dogs do.
Raw food is the best source of essential amino acids like taurine.

Advantages of Feeding Raw Diet

Cleaner teeth and a healthy, odourless mouth
Low stool volume
Healthy skin
Shining coat
Fewer arthritic symptoms
Improved urine acidification
Improved circulation
Consistent quality of food compared to kibble

What Diseases Have Responded Well to Raw Diet?

Cancer cells feed on carbohydrates which are little or not present in raw diet.
The organs used in raw diet are high in Vitamin A. Vitamin A is thought to prevent the growth of cancer cells.
Most kibble-fed pets have a tendency toward developing oral disease. Raw diets minimize the potential for oral disease.
Dogs do not produce the enzyme amylase. Amylase helps to break down carbohydrates. Plaque and tartar are likely to build up in a dog’s mouth because of this.
Some diseases that respond well to raw diet are diabetes, obesity, epilepsy, allergies, and bowel disease.

How Do I Know How Much Raw to Feed?

Dogs

Generally, 2-2.5% of their body weight, active dogs 3%, and puppies 5% per day.
Overweight or seniors are around 1.5-2% of their body weight per day.
Dogs are all different so also gauge by activity level, appetite, and let body condition be your guide.

Cats

Adult cats require about 5-8% of their body weight per day-divided into 2 or 3 meals.
Kittens require about 8-10% of their body weigh per day (Weigh the kitten each week) divided into 3 or 4 small meals.
As kittens approach adulthood at about 10-12 months of age, you can taper off to 2 or 3 meals per day and begin feeding 5-8% of their body weight.

What About Salmonella?

I have heard feeding my pet raw diet can infect humans with salmonella.

Studies show that dogs being fed raw diet are not a source of salmonella infection in humans.
Salmonella does not colonize in dogs and even if it did, salmonella shedding is rare.
It would be difficult for a pet to be the source of salmonella infection since there is likely no mode of transmission.
The salmonella organism is fragile and disappears quickly from the environment after shedding.
The infectious salmonella dose for a human is about 1 million organisms. This number would be very hard to reach through casual contact with your pet.
It’s well known in human and veterinary pathology that casual contact with the salmonella organism will not cause a salmonella infection.

I Have Heard That My Dog May Become Aggressive if I Feed Raw Diet

Raw diet will not change your dog’s personality.
Raw diet will not turn a laid-back dog to become “blood thirsty”.
If a dog is naturally possessive he will be possessive no matter what diet is fed. If the dog is possessive of their food, it’s recommended to focus on training your pet to correct this unwanted behaviour.

What Treats are Appropriate for My Dog That is Fed a Raw Diet?

Grain free biscuits and treats
Fruits and veggies
Low fat plain yogurt
Low fat cottage cheese
Raw bones
Chicken or turkey necks
Body parts like bully sticks, tendons, etc.