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Is Raw Feeding Good For Pets?

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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
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Dr. Lindsay Butzer
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Is raw feeding good

Cats and dogs descended from carnivores like wolves, lions, and tigers, and some pet experts feel it’s best to feed them like their ancestors. Others feel that our pets are too far removed from their wild ancestors and should be fed a diet that’s been clinically trialed and scientifically formulated to meet their needs. So, who’s correct?
There are pros and cons to raw feeding for pets. When done right, a raw diet can meet all of your pet’s daily nutritional needs. Some pet owners report added benefits like cleaner teeth, fewer symptoms of allergies, and better digestion.
Done incorrectly, though, and raw feeding can be not only unsafe but potentially deadly for cats and dogs.
In honor of RAWgust, a month-long observance started to raise awareness for fresh eating, we’re exploring the pros and cons of feeding your cat or dog a raw diet.

Risks of Raw Feeding

The majority of veterinarians, as well as professional associations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), advise against raw feeding.

Raw bones are one of the most controversial aspects of raw feeding. Bones are meant to be completely consumed as a source of calcium. Dogs and cats can usually manage to eat raw bones that are appropriate for their size without issue, as their stomach acid can usually break them down. Bones take on a hard, dangerously splintery texture when cooked, dehydrated, or otherwise heated at high temperatures, but are relatively safe to feed when served raw.
But even appropriately sized raw bones can be risky to feed. A piece of bone that is not chewed thoroughly can cause choking, gastric obstruction, or bowel perforation. Feeding raw food blends that contain ground-up bone eliminates these risks.

Unbalanced feeding is another major concern. Most commercial dog and cat kibble and wet foods go through months, even years of feeding trials to ensure they’re safe to give your pets. They’re typically formulated by veterinary nutritionists and meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards to ensure they contain enough essential vitamins and minerals to meet your pet’s daily needs.
Some commercially available, premade raw pet foods meet AAFCO standards, but homemade raw recipes and foods distributed by smaller suppliers might not.
An unbalanced raw diet can cause serious health complications including liver failure, poor growth in puppies and kittens, low bone density, and anemia.

Contamination is another serious risk. Raw meat can contain harmful pathogens like salmonella and e.coli as well as internal parasites like tapeworms. Cats and dogs normally are not as susceptible to foodborne pathogens as humans, but they still can contract food poisoning or a serious gastric infection, especially in pets with a compromised immune system. Also, humans in a raw-fed household can contract foodborne illnesses from handling pet food and bowls, though washing your hands and your pet’s dinnerware thoroughly should minimize this risk.

Why Pet Parents Feed Raw Despite the Risks

Holistic and integrative veterinarians and many pet parents choose to feed raw because they feel there are many health benefits, and that the above risks are manageable. While few scientific studies are exploring the benefits of feeding a raw diet to dogs and cats, there are numerous anecdotal accounts from raw-feeding pet parents.
Though they can be a choking hazard, raw bones can help maintain dental health in pets. Al Rutgers’s study of just six dogs suggests that raw bones may reduce oral bacteria loads, but more research needs to be conducted to confirm the hypothesis.
Environmental allergies and food intolerances are becoming increasingly common in cats and dogs. Some pet parents report fewer symptoms of allergies when feeding a raw diet. There may be fewer potential allergens in unprocessed foods, or there may be some immune system benefits.
It’s believed that raw foods are more bioavailable, meaning that it’s easier for your pet’s body to break down and use nutrients in uncooked foods. Processed pet foods, especially kibble, are usually extruded at high temperatures which may compromise the nutrients in its ingredients.
There’s some compelling scientific evidence on some of the benefits of raw feeding. Currently, much of it is in the form of owner-reported online surveys, small-scale studies, and short-term feeding trials.
In sum, raw feeding is generally safe if done correctly, with knowledge of the risks, and under the guidance of a veterinarian. Just because there is not yet extensive scientific evidence of the benefits does not mean that feeding a raw diet cannot be highly beneficial to your pet.

Feeding Fresh with Fewer Risks

If you’d like to feed a fresher diet, but you don’t feel that a raw diet is right for your pet, there are many other ways to step up their nutrition.
Frozen raw pet foods from reputable manufacturers like Stella & Chewy’s, Instinct, Small Batch, and Primal meet AAFCO standards. That way, you know your cat will be getting enough taurine for healthy eyesight, and your dog will be getting enough calcium for strong bones and teeth. These foods come in the form of ground raw food formed into rolls, nuggets, or patties that you just defrost and feed.
Dehydrated and freeze-dried pet foods are another great option. They tend to be more affordable than frozen raw foods, and they’re shelf-stable so you won’t need to make room in your freezer. They come in the form of nuggets, patties, or a fine powder that you just re-hydrate and serve.
If your pet loves their kibble, you can make it more nutritious by soaking it in warm water before feeding. Soaking your pet’s dry kibble can help them stay hydrated, can improve digestion, and can bring out the flavors, enticing picky pets to finish their meal.
You can also add fresh kibble toppers or snacks to your pet’s dry diet. Raw or cooked chicken, pork, beef, duck, and lamb are great choices for adding extra protein. Remember to only feed bone-in meat raw or remove the bones before cooking. Fruit and veggies are also great toppers, as are yogurt, kefir, bone broth, and raw green tripe. Even just upgrading their treats to single-ingredient, freeze-dried bites can be a great way to boost their diet.