Raw Meat, Really?
It is a trend that is gaining popularity. Rather than opting for processed food or dry food, why not simply follow your dog’s instincts and feed him raw meat?
Unthinkable a few years ago, the raw food diet, which offers to give raw meat to your dog, is now very widespread.
Cooking meat helps get rid of germs, viruses, and other parasites. It is also relatively nutritious and convenient if we prefer to provide homemade food for our doggie. However, another myth exists to explain how cooked meat has taken hold.
Giving raw meat to your dog would develop his hunting instinct, at the risk of making him aggressive. In reality, it is nothing.
New Competitors In The Pet Food Market
In recent years, a new form of food has emerged in the form of the raw food diet – in other words, a raw meat diet. Indeed, dogs originally ate raw meat, and companies worldwide have emerged with raw food for dogs, such as Bella & Duke in the United Kingdom, who are dedicated to the raw food diet.
Protein should make up at least 75% of their meals. Bringing this food up to date would thus provide a source of excellent quality protein to its companion.
Therefore, the objective of the raw food diet is to offer pieces of fresh meat to your dog while supplementing its meals with vegetables to correspond to what a dog would eat in the “wild” state.
Why Opt For A Raw Food Diet?
Raw meat is quite different from cooked meat, and it is much more digestible and protects the dog’s digestive system. His stomach is better prepared to digest raw meat than cooked meat.
Once in the small intestine, the meat does not decay. Moreover, it is said to be excellent for dental hygiene! The teeth tear the meat apart and chewing is encouraged.
Raw meat is also said to encourage growth by making ligaments and tendons stronger and preventing the risk of arthritis. The coat is also said to be shinier.
A raw meat diet can also be interesting from a nutritional point of view, as it provides your dog with quality proteins and helps to respect his metabolism.
However, before converting to the raw food diet, it is best to consult a vet to ensure that such a diet is suitable for your dog. Before adopting this new form of nutrition, it is essential to understand your furry friend’s anatomy, physiology, and metabolism.
It is also necessary to find out what type of meat to feed your dog to meet its nutritional needs.
Precautions Matter
In addition to consulting a veterinarian, there are several steps you should take to ensure that all your dog’s nutritional needs are met.
The first important point is to vary your dog’s diet. Don’t just give him muscle food. Offal, for example, has different nutritional values. However, make sure that the meat is suitable for your dog. As with offal, some offal is only suitable in small doses.
Also, it is important not to choose a 100% protein diet. If your dog is a carnivore, protein should only make up 75% of its nutritional intake. This means that your dog’s diet should contain some plant foods.
Some vegetables, such as green beans, are excellent accompaniments to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Supplements can also be considered.
Another important point is to measure the nutritional content of your dog’s meals.
Make sure that the portions are not too large, which could cause them to be overweight or too small.
No Bones About It
Before giving your dog any meat, cut it into pieces and check that no bone fragments are left. Your dog could choke on a large piece. To avoid bacterial disease, the meat you choose should always be fresh.
Raw meat may contain more bacteria or even parasites, which is one of the major risks of the raw food diet. Therefore, it is essential to keep raw meat cool and ensure that it is eaten quickly.
Finally, if you are making a dietary transition, it is important to introduce the new diet gradually over several days. Start by giving your dog a little meat and observe his reaction.
Finally, tripe, rich in protein and fatty acids, is ideal for your dog. Not only does it provide your dog with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, but its composition and the bacteria stimulate the digestive system.
Just remember to offer your dog other cuts of meat as well, to give him variety.
