The Many Benefits of Raw Food
Dee-O-Gee BZNPublished On: 01-06-2020, 12:00 AM
There is a lot of information in the human food industry about eating a diet low in processed foods to increase our health. Things such as the Slow Food Movement, encouraging people to slow down and take the time to prepare their food instead of relying on pre packaged foods. Most would agree that eating more whole foods is better for people, so why wouldn’t it be the same for our pets? Kibble was created around 60 years ago as a convenience for pet owners, it also gave manufacturers of human processed foods a place to use their by -products. Luckily, kibble has come a long way and there are many good choices available, but they all have one thing in common, they are still highly processed. To form kibble the food needs a starch component and the product needs to be “extruded” in most cases. This process exposes the food to high temperatures to kill pathogens and bacteria. During this process some key vitamins and minerals are lost such as, the fat soluble vitamins: E, D, A and K. They are then added back in as a top coating to meet nutritional requirements set by AAFCO, the governing body that ensures dog food meet certain minimum criteria.
Luckily, you as a pet owner have a choice, there are many raw options that allow you to feed your pet a less processed meal. At Dee-O-Gee Bozeman, we carry several brands and types of raw food to meet your and your pet’s needs.
There are many ways that raw food is better for your dog. Feeding raw will decrease the build -up of plaque and tartar on their teeth. The high sugar content in the starches which are used in kibble, allows bacteria to thrive in the mouth which promotes the build -up of tartar and plaque on their teeth. Raw food does not contain starches, therefore their teeth should develop less tartar over time when fed a raw diet. In addition, raw food allows the pH of the stomach to remain more acidic. The starchy foods found in kibble, lower the stomach pH which will slow down the digestion/ break down of meats. Therefore, by feeding raw food you speed up digestion in the stomach and in turn each part of the digestive tract is allowed to do it’s part in entirety leading to more efficient digestion, better utilization of nutrients and less stool volume. This low pH in the stomach of animals is also why feeding a raw diet can be safe for your pet. The low pH helps destroy bacteria specifically E. Coli, so it does not present an issue to your pet. However, if you have an animal that is immunosuppressed or on medications that alter the immune system this can be an issue, so please consult your veterinarian before switching to raw food.
While it is ok to feed both raw and kibble to your dog. It is best to avoid doing so at the same meal if possible. The starch in the kibble will increase the pH of the stomach, therefore negating the positive effects on stomach acid from the raw food. If you need to feed both for convenience or due to cost, it is best to do it at separate meals.
If you feed mostly kibble and want to add some raw, using freeze dried or dehydrated raw is a great way to do this. You are still getting many benefits from the raw by utilizing these toppers since it is giving your pet whole foods. Again if you can separate the raw from the kibble you will get more bang for your buck but adding any raw in to your pet's diet will be beneficial.
Finally, raw food because it is less processed allows the nutrients to be more bioavailable. This includes fatty acids and other vitamins and minerals that help maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin.
Raw foods sold in pet stores like Dee--O-Gee Bozeman are required to be tested for contamination with bacteria. Several raw food companies use HPP to kill off the bacteria before packaging. This process breaks down bacterial cell walls due to pressure. As this process utilizes very little heat, the vitamins and minerals remain intact. This makes the raw food safe and free of pathogens such as Listeria and E coli. That said, you should always handle your pet’s raw food like you do your own: do not leave it sit out, defrost it in the refrigerator and clean the bowls, utensils and your hands immediately and thoroughly after use. This will ensure no one in your family is exposed to these pathogens.
Types of raw food:
At Dee-O-Gee Bozeman we offer frozen raw in the form of nuggets, patties or chubs.
This is truly just frozen meat, veggies, fruits and bone. You defrost it and feed it to your pet, Ideally at room temperature to prevent digestion issues from eating very cold food.
We also carry freeze dried/ air dried- . This is raw food that has been dehydrated. This food is still minimally processed so you get the convenience of a dry food without the processing of kibble. This food is easy to store as it is shelf stable and does not need to be refrigerated. It is great for camping and hiking as well. It is meant to have water added back in prior to feeding.
We carry numerous brands of raw food at Dee-O-Gee including:Stella and Chewy’s, Northwest Naturals, Primal, Answers, K9 Instinct and Ziwi Peak. All provide great nutrition with subtle differences, including how they are supplied ie. patties vs chubs, dehydrated vs frozen and they offer different price points as well. Stop in and meet with one of our Pet Health Ambassadors to discuss which is right for your pet.