Dog Training Tips - Raw Meat vs. Dog Food: Which is better and why?

Dog Care Tip - Raw Meat vs. Dog Food: Which is better and why?

So youve got a new dog and youre wondering what to feed him. The market is full of commercial diets, and youve heard that some people feed their dogs raw meat. What should you do?

Dogs are omnivores which means they require meat, fiber, and other nutrients to stay healthy. Generally, adult dogs need a diet that consists of 22-25% protein and 15-19% fat, although puppies, pregnant dogs, and active dogs will have different nutritional requirements.

If you choose to feed your dog a commercial based diet, it is very important to choose a high quality food. You want to make sure that a good quality protein source such as lamb meal, chicken meal, or turkey meal is the number one ingredient. You want to stay away from foods that list a grain as the number one ingredient or contain lots of byproducts and

preservatives.

Many people choose to feed their dogs raw food or the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food) Diet. This diet consists of raw meaty bones, vegetables, offal (the organ part of the protein source), recreational bones, and proteins like cottage cheese and eggs with the shells. Proponents of this diet claim that it keeps their dogs healthier than commercially prepared diets.

The following are some pros and cons of both diets:

Testing: People who advocate raw diets claim that the diet is tried and true and has been tested positively for centuries on wild dogs. They say that since commercial diets have been around since only the 1950s, there is no long term testing that has been done on this food. Proponents of raw food claim that the increase in allergies, dysplasia, and other health conditions is as a result of dogs being fed commercial dog food.

People who believe in commercial dog food point to the millions of dollars each year companies such as Purina, Iams, Hills, and Nutro spend on scientific and field testing of their products. They believe that commercial dog food contains all of the nutrients that a dog needs to grow and be healthy and that since the BARF diet is complicated, expensive, and difficult to prepare, many people do not properly understand it and are not appropriately feeding their dogs.

Grains: Advocates of raw feeding say that dogs cannot properly digest grains and therefore do not feed them. They feel that the commercial market uses grains because they are inexpensive fillers.

Proponents of commercial dog food say that as dogs are omnivores, it is only natural that they require the nutritional benefits of grains. They feel that people who feed raw food are depriving their dogs of this nutrient.

Raw Ingredients vs. Cooked Ingredients: People who feed their dogs raw food diets feel that nature intended for animals to eat their food raw and that cooking damages the chemical makeup of foods and that cooking the food actually damages an animals immune system.

Those that feel that commercial food is the way to go, claim that there is no difference between cooking the animals food and cooking human food. That all of the nutrients are still active in cooked food providing healthy meals for animals.

Additives: People who believe in feeding their dogs raw food feel that no additives are needed and that their animals are getting all of the nutrients they require. They feel that the commercial food companies use additives to enhance the palatability of their food effectively addicting a dog to it.

Commercial food advocates say that additives such as omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are essential to giving the dog the proper balance of nutrients he requires, while raw food is missing some essential vitamins and minerals.

Variety: Those who feed raw food feel that dogs need variety in their diet and that commercial food is very boring for them.

Commercial food advocates say that dogs have very sensitive digestive systems and that variety actually can cause things such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Whether you choose to feed your dog the BARF diet or commercial food, it is important to be educated on what a dogs nutritional requirements are. You should also consult your veterinarian for his recommendation on diet.

Fur Tamers: How to keep your dogs coat looking at its best
Dogs, unlike cats, dont sit and groom themselves by the hour. Actually, most dogs couldnt care less about their appearance and couldnt be happier than when theyre rolling around the ground on something stinky theyve found. Unfortunately for them,...

Puppy Mills, Pet Stores, Shelters and Breeders:
What Are They and What Is the Difference? There are many ways to acquire a new dog and some methods are definitely better than others. Puppy mills, pet stores, shelters and dog breeders are the most common sources of new pets for most people....

Is He Fixed?: Information on Spaying or Neutering Your Pup
Despite the obvious and much-documented benefits that come from the spaying and neutering Americas dog population, there are those pet owners who still harbor some reservations about the whole process. Is the necessary surgery risky? Will the dog...

Sit! Good Dog! Teaching your dog new tricks
A dog of any age can learn new tricks. Your dog should be familiar with the basics - sit, lie down, and stay, as these are excellent building blocks of new tricks. To teach sit, have a yummy treat in your fingers and place your hand near your...

Choosing a Training Collar: How to Decide
Many dog owners find that their efforts toward training their pet are greatly aided by the use of a training collar. There are many types of collars available and each employs a different mechanism meant to guide your pet, restrain him or discourage...

Dog Care Tip : If you have a child, youve probably heard those familiar words, Can we keep him? Dogs arent just a mans best friend anymore; theyve become the whole familys friend...

Home
◦ Differences in Training for Hunting Dogs
◦ Different Training for Different Breeds
◦ Different Training Techniques for Companion Animals
◦ Does your pet dog suffer from heartworms?
◦ Dog Bite: Prevent or Deal with It
◦ Dog Essentials
◦ Dog Heroes: All Time Heroes
◦ Dog Sports for Every Breed
◦ Dog Supplies Buying Guide
◦ "Dog Toys for the Brain, Teeth and Feet"
◦ Dog Training: Attitude is Important
◦ Dog training basics - preventing unwanted urination
◦ Dog training basics - training the new puppy
◦ Dog training - dealing with house training issues
◦ Dog Training - Dealing with Separation Anxiety
◦ Dog training for desired behaviors
◦ Dog training - house training your dog
◦ Dog training issues - refusing to come when called
◦ Dog training - keeping your dog motivated
◦ Dog training - Leash/collar training
◦ Dog training - reward training basics
◦ Dog training - the basic commands
◦ Dog Training Tips
◦ Dog training -training for proper dog behavior
◦ Dog training with a head collar
◦ Dog training with a training collar or choke collar
◦ Dogs during Labor
◦ Dogs for Defense: Military Dog Training during World War II
◦ Dogs Need Good Food Too - Your Guide to Your Dog's Diet
◦ Eliminating problem behaviors when training your puppy
◦ Eliminating problem dog behaviors - jumping and roaming
◦ Enjoyable Activities with Your Dog
◦ Essential care tips for your dog
◦ FIVE EASY STEPS TO STOP YOUR PUPPY FROM CHEWING
◦ Five Simple Tips To Get Your Dog Ready For Dog Shows
◦ FIVE STEPS FOR SOCIALIZING YOUR DOG TO OTHER PETS
◦ FIVE TIPS FOR EASIER VET VISITS
◦ Four Things to Do when Dealing with a Difficult Dog
◦ Training your dog with a training collar and leash

Dog Care
◦ Basic Care and Maintenance for your pups pearly whites
◦ Breed Clubs: What Are They and Should You Join?

Spoil Your Dog

GENERAL HISTORY OF DOGS