When you welcome a puppy into the family, it can be tough to know exactly what to feed them, how much to feed them, and when you should feed them. This is particularly true for new-time puppy lovers that’ve welcomed their first-ever dog into the home.
Raw puppy food has a range of benefits that heavily processed meats and dog kibble don’t offer. In this article, we’ll explore how this can help your dog.
That being said, any dietary changes for your pooch – puppy or not – should always be run by a pet nutritionist before going ahead with it. Different dog breeds will need different kinds of foods, and certain dog breeds may need more or less raw food.
What Is Raw Puppy Food?
Raw food for puppies or adult dogs consists of the following:
- Organ meats
- Raw eggs
- Muscle meat
- Bone (either ground or whole)
- Certain dairy products (such as yoghurt)
While raw food is great for dogs, certain dogs may be unable to eat raw food. For instance, dogs with pancreatitis or other medical conditions may not stomach raw food and break it down effectively.
Overall, it is reported that sales of raw food for pets have increased 15% annually as more and more pet lovers catch on to learn about its benefits.
So, what gives?
#1: It Is Much Better For Your Dog’s Digestive Health
Most raw food has been designed to help your dog’s digestive tract and to keep their digestion healthy. This, of course, depends on your dog and its overall health.
Over-reliance on heavily processed foods can be dangerous to the long-term health of your pooch and can also be addictive to them. Just like too much-processed food can be bad for humans, it can be bad for animals too.
Good quality raw food for puppies or adult dogs will help them digest their food more efficiently and get more energy from less food. Processed foods can be more difficult to digest – due to preservatives and other lab-synthesised ingredients.
#2: Raw Food Can Be Cheaper Overall
While raw food may initially seem more expensive than its processed food counterparts, processed food may cost you more in the long run.
Raw food is packed with natural ingredients full of healthy vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. While processed foods may be fortified with these ingredients or contain them, processing the food will naturally reduce the content and potency of these healthy ingredients.
One mouthful of raw food will be much more nutritious and fill up your four-legged friend much better than a mouthful of processed food. This means that your dog may eat less per meal and get more from each meal with raw food.
#3: Raw Food Can Support The Development Of The Immune System
The immune system is hugely important for dogs, especially working dogs or dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.
When welcoming a pup into the family, helping them build a strong immune system is imperative to a long and happy life. Raw food (assuming your pup is allowed to eat it) is fantastic.
The immune system is responsible for keeping your dog healthy when faced with bacteria or pathogens that can make them sick.
Some great raw food ingredients that’ll boost your puppy’s immune system are:
- Meat (for all the proteins and vitamins found in it, such as vitamin B12)
- Fruits and vegetables (for providing antioxidants, enzymes, phytonutrients and vitamins like C and A). Such as wheatgrass, garlic, and kelp.
#4: Great For Bone Health
A strong and healthy bone structure is a hugely important factor for any growing puppy. Funnily enough, feeding your dog bones is a great way to get the calcium they need to promote healthy bone development.
Bone is also a great source of:
- Glucosamine
- Phosphorus
- Collagen
- Marrow
And plenty of other ingredients that are essential for bone growth. Bones in your dog’s raw diet are therefore considered very healthy for them – be sure to seek expert advice before changing their diet (especially for puppies).
#5: Does Wonders For Oral Health
A raw food diet is also superb at promoting a healthy mouth and keeping dental hygiene to a maximum. Some diets rich in ‘filler’ foods, such as carbohydrates, can sometimes cause poor oral health in your pup or dog.
Ingredients such as peppermint and celery are also great for ensuring your pup’s mouth stays healthy and fresh. Raw meat and bones can also assist with the removal of plaque build-up on teeth.
To Conclude
There are plenty of reasons to switch it up and opt for a raw diet for your pup. The sheer number of health advantages alone should convince you to switch.
That being said, consulting animal health experts is always recommended!
