Making the change to a raw dog food diet can seem like a daunting task, especially if you are not aware of the many benefits that come with it. The combination of these benefits should lead to a happier and healthier pet with an improved quality of life. In this blog, The Pet Retreat discusses the many advantages of incorporating raw food into your dog’s diet, and how it can impact dogs with allergies.
So what are the benefits of raw dog food? There are many health benefits to introducing a raw dog food diet including improved bone strength, easier digestion and a healthy coat. Raw dog food also can also improve a dog’s immune system, helping to fight off infections and reduce the symptoms of allergies.
Read on to find out how raw dog food can be beneficial for your dog.
How Can Raw Dog Food be Beneficial?
There are a myriad of benefits that raw dog food can provide for your pet including improving bone strength, the quality of their coat and reducing odours. Raw food is less processed than most of the products available to purchase as it is a natural option and provides a more balanced diet. It can even be homemade, meaning that you know exactly what your dog is eating.
Raw dog food diets usually consist of meats, bones and fresh fruits and vegetables. Before introducing any new foods into your dog’s diet, make sure they are safe for consumption and always consult your dog’s vet if you are unsure. Below, we have detailed the many benefits of incorporating raw dog food into their diet.
Dental Health
The food our dogs consume can have an impact on their dental health just like our own diets. Heavily processed foods, especially those that are full of carbohydrates can badly lead to poor dental health in dogs. This is where raw dog food diets can be beneficial, specifically raw meaty bones as they can aid in the removal of plaque.
They also serve as a natural way to get to the places in your dog’s mouth that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. If you are looking for a way to freshen up your dog’s breath, try introducing foods rich in natural ingredients such as celery or blueberries.
As part of your visit to The Pet Retreat, we will check your dog’s teeth for any health problems and provide advice on how to take care of them from home. Book your appointment today for the full dog grooming package.
Improved Digestion
Raw dog food can help with your dog’s digestion as it contains enzymes that supplement the ones naturally produced by the body. This is more beneficial than cooked food which makes the body work harder to break it down due to the lack of enzymes. Raw foods contain naturally occurring probiotics which can help to prevent infections, improve brain function and gut health by restoring the natural balance of bacteria.
Healthy Coat
Raw dog food diets include healthy acids which promote healthy skin and shiny, soft coats. The best raw dog foods which include omega-3 fatty acids include sprats, chia seeds and flax seeds.
For optimum skin and coat care for your dog, they should be regularly groomed by a professional as well as yourself at home. We have recently written a blog about the happiness that grooming provides for dogs where we discussed the many health benefits. Why not schedule your next grooming session with The Pet Retreat today to see the benefits for yourself.
Reduced Odours
The highly digestible ingredients in raw dog foods equals reduced stool and the odour that comes with it. Processed food that is full of carbohydrates is much harder to digest, has less nutrients and can result in stomach problems. It is also often reported that dogs will produce less body odour when eating a raw food diet.
Strengthened Immune System
The immune system is an essential part of the body to keep strong and protected so it can fight against infections. Nutrition is a key part of strengthening a dog’s immune system and raw dog food diets can provide this when it is properly balanced.
Meat includes high quality, easily digestible protein along with essential fats, vitamins and minerals. Examples of raw meats to feed your dog can be split into muscle meats such as chicken and organ meats including liver. Whole fish and meaty bones are other viable options. A raw dog food diet should include a variety of the different kinds to ensure your dog absorbs all of the essential nutrients.
There are some fruits and vegetables that are safe for dogs to consume, providing them with a balanced package of vitamins and minerals. Dog-friendly fruits and vegetables consist of apples, brussel sprouts and green beans amongst others.
Superfoods are another important part of a healthy raw dog food diet. This includes wheatgrass, kelp and garlic which are full of amino acids, enzymes and vitamins that rid the body of toxins from the body’s digestive system.
Reproductive Health
A raw dog food diet is not only beneficial to your dog, it can also impact on the health of any offspring they produce. Dogs have been shown to produce larger litters with better overall health.
Strong Bones and Joints
Feeding your dog raw bones is the ideal way to provide natural calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen and marrow. Introducing this to puppies is especially important as their bones are still growing and developing.
Increased Energy
Instead of short, hyperactive bursts of energy, your dog should have more prolonged energy. This makes it easier for them to play or walk for longer, also increasing their fitness levels. The healthier a dog is, the happier they should be, improving their quality of life.
Is Raw Food Good for Dogs with Allergies?
As raw dog food encourages proper digestion and an improved immune system, they absorb nutrients directly as they were designed to. This helps to relieve allergy symptoms and provides anti-inflammatory benefits, giving your dog a better chance of fighting off allergies and other infections without the need of medicine. As a lot of skin complications arise from food allergies, elimination diets such as raw dog food diets can alleviate allergic reactions. You have direct control over what your dog is ingesting.
All of the benefits listed above make for a happy healthy dog that has an increased quality of life and longer life span. When this diet is combined with regular professional dog grooming, you should be able to see the difference in your dog.
Raw Dog Food at The Pet Retreat
At The Pet Retreat, we understand the importance of a healthy and happy dog. That’s why we are now stocking raw dog food at our Bowdon salon. We are passionate about providing the full package with our luxury pet pampering experience.
Why not tick off two tasks in one go, book your appointment today for premier pet grooming and pick up some high quality raw dog food while you are there.