Guest Post
Many people wonder if they should feed their dogs a natural diet and whether it would be healthier for them than even the best brand of dog food. The all natural diet for dogs is also called the raw diet and it consists of all raw human grade foods. The particular foods chosen can vary depending on the nutritional needs of individual dogs but the quality should not change. For example, the meat, poultry and fish fed to dogs must be good enough for the owner’s table as well. The fruits and vegetables are purchased from the local grocery store or farmer‘s market.
Two schools of thought exist concerning how to feed pets, and they are between natural diets and those interested in the best brand of dog food. Some dog owners, veterinarians and animal experts believe the raw diet is the only healthy diet for animals, while others in all three groups disagree. Those who believe an all-raw diet is not good for animals worry that they will become sick from eating raw meat. That may be partly because they are comparing this way of eating to a human diet.
Natural Diet
The raw diet for animals is close to the food dogs would eat in the wild. Dogs are carnivores and their stomachs are made to process raw food. Animals in the wild obviously do not cook their food and do not get sick or die from a raw diet. The number of shearing, tearing and grinding teeth the animals have also show the kind of food they are able to handle.
For pet owners who would like to try a natural diet but are nervous about feeding all raw meat, it is perfectly fine to boil or steam meat and combine it with vegetables or grains such as rice, oatmeal and barley. A healthy dog normally has enough stomach acid to kill harmful bacteria. However, if a dog is sick or older, it may be best to boil or steam the food lightly and cut it into small pieces. Chicken, beef, rabbit, turkey and occasional small quantities of liver are good choices.
Whatever diet is chosen, whether the raw diet or the best brand of dog food, such as delicious meals by Cesar, it is wise to never overfeed a pet. The amount of food to give should be decided by the age, health and activity level of the dog. An active dog will usually need more food than an older, indoor dog who is inactive. Discuss each dog’s diet with a veterinarian and follow his or her advice.