When was the last time you looked closely at the ingredients in the food you’re feeding your pet? Have you taken the time to be on the lookout for preservatives, fillers, and the sources of the ingredients in the food?
We always want the best for our pups, and we want to ensure that they live their happiest and healthiest lives with us. A hugely important part of that is what we feed them.
As with human nutrition, there are a variety of opinions and options out there, which is okay, because each dog is different just as each human is different. As a dog trainer, I get asked frequently to help people sort through this noise. That being said, I am not a veterinarian, and I recommend that you discuss the dietary needs of your pet before making any decisions or changes.
Let’s start with a basic concept that is pretty much universally agreed upon before we get into specific types of foods.
Importance of a balanced diet
Just as with humans, it’s important to ensure that your dog has a balanced diet and is getting the appropriate nutrients. Creating your own raw food or cooked food for your dog without the guidance of a veterinary nutritionist can create more harm than good for your dog if it lacks the proper proportions and amounts of nutrients for dogs.
I emphasize that it is important to keep in mind that the balance and amounts of these nutrients need to be appropriate for dogs because, although we consider them to be equal family members in our households, their dietary needs as a K-9 are different from us as humans.
When you purchase dog food from a company dedicated to pet food, you are more likely to ensure that your dog is getting the proper balance of nutrients. These companies specialize in producing pet food and have the expertise to know how to create balance within the food they produce and supplement it if needed with additional nutrients.
That being said, the options of food from a pet food company are still incredibly overwhelming so let’s talk a little bit about raw dog diet versus kibble and some of my favorite brands in each area.
What is a raw food diet and what are the benefits?
A raw dog food diet aims to get back to the ancestral roots of our pups. The raw food diet typically includes organ and muscle meats, bones (whole or ground), dog-safe vegetables and fruits, uncooked eggs, and dairy products.1
Some common benefits touted for the raw food diet are shinier coats, healthier skin, more energy, better dental health, and weight management.1 Furthermore, raw food does not contain the starch that many kibble brands contain which can be detrimental to the endocrine system, and the processing of the food to become kibble can decrease the nutrients within the food.2
However, there are certain potential drawbacks to the raw food diet, one of the main drawbacks being the bacteria that may be present. Veterinarians urge those feeding raw diets to be very careful in the handling of the food, and they urge against this diet in houses with small children or immunocompromised individuals. Relatedly, dogs with certain illnesses should not be on raw food diets. Veterinarians also state that it’s crucial to find raw foods that have already gone through a process to eliminate pathogens that can be harmful to pets.3
I feed my dogs a raw diet. In fact, I am a co-op partner with Ross Wells, a raw dog food provider. If you’re interested in learning more about raw food through my co-op, visit our Facebook Group, Northern Illinois Raw Feeders. Ross Wells raw food is already balanced, includes synthetic vitamins, and is only $2.50 per pound.
Raw food not for you?
While I am a raw food advocate when it’s fed properly, I have many owners who are not proponents of the raw food diet. They have concerns about the bacteria in the raw food as well as the need for storage and lack of longevity of the food.
Walk into any pet store or perform any Google search and you’re sure to be overwhelmed by the amount of kibble options. Even watching TV commercials, you’re likely to question what you’re feeding your dog. So how can we know which kibble is going to keep our dog healthiest?
When deciding upon a kibble, it’s important to look for ingredients where the protein is the first ingredient, and it’s even better if there is a single source of protein in the kibble. And while your dog needs carbohydrates as a part of its diet, you’ll want to avoid kibbles that have an excess of carbohydrates, include low-quality ingredients, or add sugar into their food.3
When my clients ask me about kibble, I recommend Farmina N&D Quinoa or the Open Farm brand of dog foods. The Farmina Quinoa has up to 96% of proteins from animal origins, has no preservatives, no grains, no GMOs, and is richer in nutrients than cereals.4 The Open Farm brand designs their food to meet your pet’s nutritional requirements while tracing every ingredient back to its origin and auditing the farms, plants, and facilities that produce the food.5
Ultimately, you need to explore options that fit you and your pet best. And I again urge you to talk to your veterinarian about what they recommend for your pet’s and your household’s unique circumstances.
There are many layers and facets to your dog’s diet, and we were only able to scratch the surface in this blog. If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to me at 847-409-1363 to learn more and as always, consult your veterinarian.
1 “The Pros and Cons of a Raw Food Diet for Dogs”, MetLife Pet Insurance, https://www.metlifepetinsurance.com/blog/pet-care/raw-food-diet-for-dogs/
2 “Why Feed Raw?”, Dogs Naturally Magazine, https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/why-feed-raw/
3 “Fresh vs. Raw vs. Kibble: What Should You Feed Your Dog?”, American Kennel Club sponsored by Ollie Pets, Inc., https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/why-feed-raw/
4 “N&D Quinoa, A New Functional Line Without Grains to Support Your Pet’s Wellbeing”, Farmina Pet Foods, https://www.farmina.com/us/farmina/2979-n&d-quinoa.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnfmsBhDfARIsAM7MKi11MeukvECBwzizCpAfU38Gmy_-3i9XNtYJxwvuxzc-dw1DbXsi4cUaAvaoEALw_wcB
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