Raw Feeding 101

There are numerous health benefits to feeding raw, so we picked our top three favorites to share with you if you are considering making the switch!



1. RAW IS WHAT NATURE INTENDED
From a biological standpoint, dogs and cats are carnivores meaning they thrive on a diet high in protein. Many dry pet foods are formulated largely with carbohydrates that contain little to no nutritional value for your furry family members. Starting in their mouths, our pet's jaws and teeth are specifically designed to rip and tear meat rather than chew and grind plant based materials. Also, their short gastrointestinal tracts are highly acidic and make for effective digestion of raw foods.



2. ALLERGY REDUCTION
The issue we help pet parents most with at Dee-O-Gee are food related allergies and sensitivities. Over time, pets can develop allergies to foods they've eaten regularly throughout their lives; this repeated exposure to the same ingredients can cause systemic inflammation. High quality raw diets do not contain unnecessary amounts of carbohydrates and fillers that many pets develop sensitivities to. Many raw diets are also formulated with a single protein which is beneficial when trying to determine what your pet is reacting to.



3. IMPROVEMENT OF OVERALL HEALTH
Feeding a raw diet is a simple way to improve your pet's overall health. Both dogs and cats lack amylase - a salivary enzyme that is responsible for beginning the breakdown of carbohydrates in the mouth. This means that when they are fed a kibble based diet, the residue from the dry food is left in their mouth along the teeth and gums and can contribute to the formation of plaque and tartar. This is not an issue when feeding raw foods meaning pets will experience less dental issues in their lifetime.

Raw food is also more bioavailable than kibble due to the reduced carbohydrate content and lack of fillers. Pets are better able to digest and utilize the nutrients in raw food. As a result, their bowel movements will become firmer, smaller, and less smelly.

Due to it's high protein, low carbohydrate formulation, raw food is beneficial for many disease states that plague our pets such as obesity and diabetes. Feeding a species-appropriate raw diet can prevent obesity and even help overweight pets slim down. Raw foods are also low glycemic by nature which helps to moderate and stabilize blood sugar levels in diabetic pets. Often times these two disease go hand-in-hand and can be managed with a dietary change. Cats often experience urinary tract issues that can be exacerbated from the lack of moisture in commercial dry diets. Raw diets are high in moisture which cats need to prevent urinary tract disease.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of feeding your pets raw. Please reach out to us with any questions about raw feeding - how to get started, which formula is right for your pet, or even managing health conditions - our Pet Health Ambassadors are here to help!