When it comes to feeding our fur babies, there are a lot of options to choose from. One type of food that has been gaining popularity in recent years, and rightly so, is a raw diet. But what exactly is a raw diet, and is it the best option for our dogs? Before we take a closer look at the pros and cons of feeding a raw diet, we should consider what science says about dogs’ nutritional needs.
We all know that minimally processed foods are better, but why so? It comes down to nutrient bioavailability. Raw meat, bones, and organs are all part of a dog’s ancestral diet, and this type of food can provide them with a wealth of nutrients readily available for dogs to absorb. With that said, we need to remember that digestibility and nutrient availability depends on food quality. This is regardless of the processing or lack thereof. We need to remember: garbage in, garbage out.
In the raw feeding world, there are two popular models of feeding:
PREY MODEL
Prey model is a way of feeding where the animal consumes whole prey items such as raw meat, bones, and organs. This model is based on the idea that the natural diet of carnivores is composed of whole prey items without any added plant ingredients. If you are considering this way of feeding and are looking into feeding 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, and 10% organs (better known as 80/10/10) it’s important to note that feeding this way alone will cause your dog to be deficient in vitamins and minerals such as zinc, manganese, iodine, vitamin E, D, and Omega-3s.
BARF MODEL
The other way of raw feeding is referred to as BARF- which stands for Bones And Raw Feeding or Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding. Founded by veterinarian and nutritionist Dr. Ian Billinghurst, this feeding principle calls for feeding dogs what they have evolved to eat: muscle meat, raw meaty bones, organ meat, vegetables and fruits, and supplements.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FEEDING RAW OVER KIBBLE?
There are three main benefits to feeding a raw or a mildly cooked diet over kibble:
The first is nutrient digestibility. Currently, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) regulations do not require that pet food manufacturers determine the digestibility of their foods. Yet research tells us that mildly cooked and raw diets are more palatable, have greater nutrient digestibility, result in reduced blood triglyceride concentrations, and shift fecal microbiota populations and metabolite concentrations when compared to kibble.
The second and third are nutrient requirements & bioavailability. We now know that nutrients in most raw or lightly cooked proteins are more bioavailable than those found in kibble due to kibble’s high-heat cooking process. This high-heat, high-pressure process destroys not only the nutrients in the food but also the palatability. Manufactures compensate for this by adding:
- Synthetic vitamins to replace those lost in the cooking process,
- food coloring for consumer appeal,
- fats to meet dietary needs,
- additives such as nitrates, bisulfites, and ascorbate to prevent discoloration;
- flavor, in the form of digest for palatability; and
- preservatives to keep fat from oxidizing. Some of these have been used in the rubber industry! However, because they are used at low levels, they have been approved for use by the FDA.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A COOKED DIET?
And by cooked, I don’t mean kibble! Just like humans, not all dogs are the same. There are dogs that have a sensitive digestive system or are immune compromised and are at a higher risk of illness derived from pathogens. Science tells us that cooking causes changes in foods, but this is not always bad. While some modifications can lead to nutrient losses, others can help improve digestibility.
WE NOW KNOW THAT RAW OR LIGHTLY COOKED IS BEST, BUT HOW MUCH STARCH IS TOO MUCH?
Research tells us that although dogs descended from wolves, they have been domesticated for about 12,000 to 15,000 years. One of the widely accepted theories of domestication first proposed by Dr. Ray Coppinger suggests that the initial stages of domestication were unintentional, “with dogs evolving as camp scavengers who consumed the waste of the early agriculturalists.” While some scientists debate this theory, a paper published in March 2013 in Nature identified 36 regions in the dog’s genome that are associated with changes that came about during domestication resulting in early ancestors of the modern dogs thriving on a diet rich in starch.
But how much is too much? To answer this question, we need to start by noting that dogs have no dietary requirement for carbohydrates. With that said, some carbohydrates are beneficial by providing readily available energy in the form of glucose. If adequate carbs are present in the body, protein will be spared from being used for energy allowing it to be used for tissue repair and growth, thus lowering the total protein requirement. Carbs also help to form non-essential amino acids.
[Please note that I’m using the words carbohydrates and starch interchangeably here. When discussing starches, I’m referring to cooked starches as dogs can’t utilize raw starch.]
Nevertheless, just as with humans, excess amounts of carbohydrates can cause obesity and metabolic diseases in dogs. This is another way kibble falters. Dextrinized starch, which is what gives kibble its crunchy consistency, is achieved by the food containing a minimum of 25-45 percent starch. Most dry dog foods today contain anywhere from 30-60% carbohydrate which has a huge impact on our dog’s glycemic load. The controversy lies on how much carbs and from what source are actually beneficial.
Unfortunately, there has not been a lot of research on this yet, however, a study conducted in 2017 demonstrated over a ten-day experiment that dogs selected a diet dominated by consumption of energy derived primarily from fat and protein, with carbohydrate playing a minimal role with an average macronutrient P:F:C ratio of 38:59:3%.That is 3% carbohydrate!
ARE THERE ANY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FEEDING A RAW DIET?
As with everything in life, there are potential risks with raw feeding. These include:
- Threats to human and dog health from the pathogens in raw meat.
- Feeding an unbalanced diet, which when fed over a long period of time can lead to health issues.
- Intestinal obstruction or perforation potentially caused by raw bones.
These risks can be minimized with certain considerations.
Pathogens – To reduce pathogen exposure, make sure to refrigerate raw food, clean and sanitize prep spaces, and wash your hands and food containers after contact with raw food.
Nutrient Balance – Dogs have a minimum nutrient requirement and Pet food manufacturers are required to follow AAFCO’s Nutrient Profiles. We need to keep this in mind when formulating our own meals at home. Luckily for us, there are many great pet nutritionists providing well-balanced recipes for pet parents as well as amazing well-balanced pre-made raw dog food brands on the market.
Bones – What types of bones you feed will be highly dependent on the type of chewer your dog is. Never feed cooked bones as these tend to splinter causing damage to a dog’s mouth, throat, and intestines. So it’s important to evaluate the dog when offering different types of bones. Easy bones for dogs to handle are duck or turkey necks and frames. Keep in mind that not all bones are meant to be eaten. Some are fed to assist in dental hygiene, and these are typically harder meaty bones.
If you decide that feeding bone is not right for you or your dog, you need to make up for that calcium loss by supplementing their food.
I have been feeding my dogs a raw diet for several years now. I have made these meals myself and have also fed them pre-made raw meals. I have seen firsthand the many benefits a raw diet provides. It has improved their digestion, increased their energy levels, helped them maintain a healthy weight, and kept their skin and coat looking shiny and healthy and these are just some of the things we can observe externally.
My plea to all dog owners is simple: educate yourselves on your dog’s nutritional requirements and ask the hard questions from pet food manufacturers. Remember, they are in business because we continue purchasing their products. We vote with our dollars. Let’s continue to demand better nutrition for our pups and more transparency with food sourcing. Together, we can make a difference.
