Safety Tips for a Raw Food Canine Diet

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Raw food canine diets are based on the idea that they incorporate human-grade ingredients. Although said ingredients vary among dogs because of health needs or particular likes, their quality remains the same. Once home, those ingredients are incorporated into meals free of chemicals, preservatives and harmful by-products. The result is a fresh and wholesome regimen packed full of vitamins and minerals. Raw food regimens, however, require more than mere preparation and delivery. Pet owners must be educated about a number of factors. This is particularly true because no cooking or processing is involved. Without adequate information, raw feeding plans can become riddled with hidden dangers instead of healthful benefits.

Organic is Better

Quality and substance go hand-in-hand with raw food diets. Meat is the foremost component of any canine raw food regimen. Thus, pet owners should strive diligently to avoid beef raised in feedlots and chickens that are mass produced. Otherwise, the resulting food products may contain the same harmful ingredients as found in commercial dog foods. Instead, raw food selections should include organically-grown and free-range meats provided by reputable farmers. In such instances, the animals are known to receive quality care and high-nutrient feedings. The same is also true of fruits and vegetables. Most produce that is commercially grown contains large amounts of insecticides and pesticides. Both of these chemicals are linked to dangerous diseases, including cancer. If organic foods pose a problem with affordability, pet owners must still exercise caution when making purchases for their dogs. Local butchers often have first-hand knowledge of the sources of meat products, and can thus tell pet owners about the environment in which the animals (cattle, pigs or poultry sources) were raised. Fresh produce stands, when in season, offer viable alternatives to the fruits and vegetables sold in large supermarket chains. Dogs are therefore spared contact with harsh chemicals and provided with valuable nutrition.

Proper Food Handling and Education are Essential

Another danger associated with raw food diets is that of handling. While many pet owners are concerned about their dogs ingesting bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, few consider their own health. The truth is that the human immune system is not as robust as the canine immune system. While canines can eat raw foods without worry of infection from bacteria, humans need to be cautious at all turns. Thus, pet owners must wash their hands every time they handle raw meats, touch their dogs food bowl or come into contact with other food products. This prevents dangerous bacteria from becoming an issue.

Food Education is Essential

The third area of concern with regard to canine raw food diets is that of food education. Pet owners who are not adequately informed on how to embark on a raw food diet are vulnerable. The first form of information they need is how to begin their dogs on a raw food diet. Specific steps are required to ensure the dog's health and his or her acceptance of a new diet. Second, pet owners need to be aware of their dogs immune systems and what ailments they may currently suffer. This largely determines what foods will compose each individual raw food diet. Moreover, pet owners need to know whether or not their dogs can swallow whole bones. Many recipes call for meaty bones as provided by whole chickens. While those bones contain numerous nutrients, they need to be properly digested as well. Pet owners who simply assemble raw food meals without a carefully-assessed recipe pose danger to their dogs. In fact, without proper assembly, raw food diets can be more hurtful than helpful. Meals should always include appropriate carbohydrate, protein and vitamin sources. Pet owners need to have knowledge of canine portion sizes, nutritional requirements, and safe raw food recipes. Without this information, a raw food diet is bound to fail.

Sources:

http://www.simplepetcare.com/pets/2008/05/28/solving-dog-health-problems-with-a-raw-food-diet/

http://leerburg.com/diet.htm