We often get asked at Braxton's why pet owners should add or switch too raw pet food. The diet is becoming increasingly popular for pet owners due to it's holistic benefits and it's the closest we have come to replicating what wild dogs and cats would eat generations ago. Over the next month, we are going to take a deep dive into these diets and discuss the benefits, brand differences, and risk vs rewards as well as get some professional insight from a couple of our local veterinarians that highly recommend these diets.
Benefits
Many people choose to feed a raw diet because it is more natural and less processed than the majority of commercial pet foods on the market. Others simply feed raw because their pets love it! There are many benefits to feeding a whole raw diet, but if you do not wish to completely transition If you don't wish to transfer over from your current diet, you can see the benefits of raw in your animal if its at least 25% of their diet is raw. You can read about how to add raw food to your pets current diet here.
However, if you would like to know all of the benefits of switching your pet to raw food, I will discuss below a few of the key proven benefits.
Joint and Bone Health
There is no better way to support bones than with bones! Crushed real bone is a natural source of calcium, phosphorus, chondroitin, collagen and marrow. These minerals and nutrients are essential for the development of strong bones, tendons and ligaments. Feeding your animal raw meaty bones will also help keep their teeth clean and healthy.
Wild dogs and cats consumed the whole carcass of their prey including bone, joint cartilage, connective tissue, skin and organs which provides a wide variety of nutrients.
Improved Skin and Coat
Omega 3 Fatty Acids, which are found in most raw food diets, are crucial in skin and coat health. Healthy omega fats are essential for healthy skin and a soft coat, as well as anti-inflammatory benefits, making them ideal for allergic or inflammatory skin disorders. Dogs and cats that are fed a raw diet often also have softer, shinier coats which can lead to less shedding.
Behavioral
Raw diets can improve your pet's behavior, as well as their health. A diet rich in nutrients, antioxidants and enzymes can help to support a calm and balanced disposition in pets. The high protein levels found in raw diets can also help to support a healthy weight, which is important for both the physical and mental health of your four-legged friend.
Digestion
Raw food is easily digested and fully absorbed by the body. With kibble and wet food, there are fillers and additives that are not easily digested which leads to more stools. On a raw food diet, you should see fewer stools and consistency.
Healthier Teeth
Plaque and tartar build up can cause inflammation and bleeding of the gums, bad breath, weakened tooth and bone structure, and dangerous pockets of infection. Tartar build up is worst in diets high in carbohydrates, especially sugars and starch, like kibble and wet food which encourages excessive bacterial growth in the mouth. Raw food diets have minimal carbs and starch which helps prevent build up.
Brands
Here are a few of the Raw Food Diets that Braxton's carries and the ones we will be discussing in this series:
- Answers Pet Food
- Primal Pet Foods
- Stella & Chewy's
- Bones & Co.
- Small Batch
- Instinct
- My Perfect Pet
All of these brands are of the highest quality in the raw food pet industry, and they each have unique properties. As a consumer, it can be difficult to know the differences and make the most informed decision by looking at the packaging of these products. Here is a chart that we have put together for you to help.
As we progress through this series we will bump these brands head to head to help you see which brand might be specific and best for your pet.
Conclusion
We look forward to walking you through this journey to help make the most informed decisions about your pet's dietary needs. It's important to always keep an open mind when it comes to nutrition – there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to feeding our furry friends! Do you think your pet could benefit from switching off of dry food? Join us as we take the deepest dive into raw food with next week's blog as we discuss processing of raw food and what makes each brand that Braxton's carries unique and beneficial for your pet.
To read through the rest of this Series!