Dental health benefits
In humans, poor dental health can impact overall health by leading to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Dental disease in dogs can likewise impact their health. While you can take your dog in for teeth cleanings to remove plaque, this procedure can be stressful to the dog, who has to go under anesthesia. It’s also likely to make a pretty big dent in your wallet.
Regular dog food is often high in carbohydrates and sugars, which cause buildup and gum inflammation. By switching to a raw food diet with limited sugars and carbohydrates, you can prevent dental disease from developing in your furry friend.
Weight management
No matter what kind of diet your dog is on overfeeding will undoubtedly lead to weight gain. If your dog is carrying around a few extra pounds, he or she is at a greater risk of developing disease and joint issues.
A raw food diet may make weight maintenance easier by balancing your dog’s system. As long as you’ve chosen a balanced raw food, your dog will find this diet more satisfying too. A raw dog food calculator can help you figure out the right portion size for your pet.
Disease prevention
Some brands of dog food are chocked full of preservatives, dyes, and fillers. Because a raw food diet is free from these artificial additives, many proponents of raw food believe that common canine diseases, such as cancer, can be prevented through this diet.
The benefits of a raw food diet will also depend on your animal’s health history and status. Conditions such as low blood albumin can be treated through diet by increasing the proportion of protein. Make sure you talk to your vet to get a comprehensive understanding of your dog’s unique nutritional needs before switching to a raw food diet.
Healthier skin and coats
A raw food diet has more diverse nutrients than a traditional diet. In particular, raw food has a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega fats provide anti-inflammatory benefits that reduce symptoms of inflammatory skin diseases. They also help make your dog’s coat soft and shiny.
Raw food diet precautions
While raw food diets have become considerably more popular with dog owners in recent years, you need to take some precautions to ensure that your dog’s health benefits from this diet. Many veterinary associations warn against the dangers of a raw food diet to both human and canine health.
With raw meat comes the risk of handling and consuming harmful bacteria, such as E. coli. Infection can cause vomiting and diarrhea in both people and dogs. Though most recover, it can be fatal for some. Proper handling of raw food is essential to prevent the growth of bacteria.
You’ll also want to make sure you thoroughly research the raw food company you’re considering using. Some raw foods don’t contain all the nutrients that a dog needs, which can lead to malnutrition.
Though there is some risk involved, raw food diets can provide many benefits to your pet. If you have any doubt, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to determine if a raw food diet is right for your dog.
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