.png)
It seems to slip some people's mindset pet nutrition is just as important as ours. Without proper nutrition, pets can become ill, obese and live shorter lives. One thing that has caught on recently as being the best way to ensure your dog or cat is getting all the nutrients they need is moving away from kibble and switching over to a raw diet. Just know, there is nothing wrong with a healthy kibble. Raw diets can often get quite expensive and not realistic for every lifestyle. Racing greyhounds and working sled dogs have been on a raw diet for years but it's just recently been making its way into everyday households. Benefits include:
Shinier coats
Healthier skin
Cleaner teeth
Higher energy levels
Smaller stools
There are also known risks including:
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
But these known risks are often due to human error from not being educated enough on feeding a raw diet and how to ensure safety for everyone involved. So what exactly is a raw diet? PetMD lists it as:
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
Many pet food companies have caught onto this trend and offer ready to go raw meals to make it easier and more convenient, it's just not always within everyone's budgets. Some of the best ready made raw diets come from Primal Pet Foods, BARF World and Porters Pride. Not sure if a raw diet is right for your four legged loved one? Consult with your vet and work with them to make sure you create a well balanced diet.