Raw Pet Food Diets

Gus eating his ground whole turkey and Nummy Tum-Tum's, Pure Sweet Potato for Dogs dinner. He also eats raw vegetables, berries, cottage cheese, and goat’s milk.

By Michael Carroll

Cancer, diabetes, allergies and other types of illnesses are increasing in our pets, which is causing many people to look for new, healthier options for feeding their dogs and cats. One option that is becoming more popular, especially after the recall of pet food several years ago, is feeding your pet a raw food diet.

Not without Controversy
Feeding raw diets to cats and dogs is controversial. Proponents argue that raw diets are more appropriate and produce brighter coats, fresher breath, cleaner teeth, and more energy, less shedding and smaller stools. Opponents point to e-coli and salmonella contamination (for pets, people, and the environment), bone splinters, incomplete nutrition, and lack of valid research as reasons for not feeding a raw diet.

There is even disagreement among “raw feeders.” Followers of the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet created by Dr. Ian Billinghurst feel that cats and dogs should only eat raw meaty bones (bones with 50% meat like chicken necks and wings), fruits, vegetables, organ meat, eggs, and some dairy products. At the other end of the spectrum are people that feed primarily dry kibble and supplement with raw meat to provide a more diverse, nutritionally varied diet.

My wife, Barb, and I know first hand how some dogs respond to a raw diet. When we switched Mollie, our 10-year-old Bassett Hound to a raw diet, her ear problems cleared up, her weight was easier to manage, her coat was softer and shinier than it had ever been and she shed significantly less. On the other hand, my sister-in-law’s dog could never make the transition to a raw diet. Ultimately, your pet’s condition will tell you if its diet is correct, whether that is a raw food diet or a commercial pet food diet.

Not long ago the only the way to feed a raw diet was to get ingredients from your local butcher shop and prepare it yourself. Today, the options for feeding raw diets range for prepare-it-yourself to the convenience of easy thaw-and-serve complete meals and just about anything in between. Plus, you can choose from an incredible assortment of proteins, such as pheasant, lamb, buffalo, rabbit, duck, guinea hen, ostrich and other even more exotic meats to meet specific dietary needs.

DIY Approach
If you want to feed a raw diet and feel that preparing meals yourself is the best way, take the time to research and understand the nutritional requirements of your pet. Too much fat, improper calcium to phosphorous ratios and too little taurine for cats can be problem areas with home prepared raw diets. You will also know which vegetables and fruits to include and which to avoid, such as onions, peppers, and grapes.

If you are looking for convenience, complete frozen raw diets may be a better option. Most include the necessary ground muscle meat, ground organ meat, ground bone, vegetables, and fruits, but read the label to be sure. Some also contain additional vitamins and minerals to ensure complete nutrition. You’ll find a variety of shapes and sizes from nuggets to one pound bars that make portioning and serving easier.

Making the Switch
For most dogs and cats switching from a commercial pet food diet to a raw diet is not much different than changing from one brand to another. To minimize the chance of stomach upset and diarrhea in the middle of the night, transitioning over a period of a week to 10 days is a good idea. A simple rule of thumb is to start by feeding 25% of the new raw diet with 75% of the pet’s current food. If no issues present after several days move to 50/50, then 75/25 and finally complete raw.

Common Questions
Two of the most common questions people have about raw diets are: How much do you feed and how much does it cost? A good general starting point is to feed between 2-3% of the dog’s weight daily. For a 50 pound dog that amounts to 1.25 pounds per day. Depending on the types of meat, vegetables and fruits you select or whether you use a complete frozen meal, feeding costs can range from as little as a couple bucks up to five or more dollars per day.

Safe handling guidelines are always a must when preparing and serving raw diets. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after preparation, sanitize preparation surfaces when finished, and avoid contact with other food or containers. Stainless steel bowls are the best for feeding a raw diet as they clean easily and do not provide porous surfaces where bacteria can collect. Always wash the feeding bowl in hot soapy water immediately after feeding.

Carroll is co-owner of Healthy Pets Northwest, Inc., with three locations in Portland, OR. Visit www.healthypetsnw.com for the location near you or call 503-236-8036 for the SE Hawthorne location, 503-249-6571 for the NE Alberta location, and 971-222-2686 for SW Multnomah Village location.