Raw Pet Food

The raw food diet for pets is a big controversy right now among veterinarians, pet health conscious owners, and natural pet food proponents. Raw pet food is a difficult concept for a lot of pet owners to understand. Basically, the idea is that since cats and dogs are essentially wild animals, they should be fed the same things that wild animals are fed in captivity. While this seems a little far fetched to those who have fed their pets low cost bagged dry food for years, there is some evidence that the raw food diet for pets is better for your pet.

Many people talk about the need for dogs and cats to hunt – primal; raw pet food is thought to kind of help with that need. It doesn’t satisfy the need to hunt and chase as much as it satisfies the need for fresh meat and blood. A raw food diet for a pet can be very expensive, and that is the drawback for a lot of pet owners.

On the raw food diet, a pet can eat raw meats. There are different ways to do this, so you should consult your veterinarian before you begin this kind of a radical diet. It is important to remember that cats and dogs especially have other needs besides that need for protein. Some animals need carbohydrates and most need fiber and vegetables. This needs to be included in your pet’s diet for them to have healthy and balanced nutrition.

There is a theory about a link between raw food and gingivitis in pets. This may be true as crunchy, dry pet food forces a pet to chew and the dry pieces kind of scrub the pet’s teeth as they chew. There is some argument against this theory, also, as wild animals do not eat crunchy dry pet food. However, for a more reliable answer, do your own independent research or talk to your veterinarian.

Some pet owners have complained that a raw diet is not only expensive but it is difficult to “cook” for a pet and for their own family. Many pet food companies offer options like raw freeze dried pet food to make feeding a raw diet easier. There are also pet food companies that offer natural pet foods that are closer to a raw pet food diet. This can also be very helpful to the busy but very concerned cat and dog lover.