There are today several food products available and pet owners have begun to carefully read the labels and question the ingredients before these foods reach their beloved ‘pet babies’. With the rise in the trend of eating right, pet parents have extended this trend to their pets too. They actively seek brands that remain transparent about the ingredients and their sources, for pet food. This is the reason for spiralling demand for raw food – it is perhaps one of the fastest-growing sectors within the dog food market – since this food is believed to have several health benefits for pets.
Why you should?
Well simply put – raw food is just that – raw and uncontaminated, packing in all the phytonutrients and natural goodness, which are destroyed during the processing of pet food. A raw diet would usually contain a mix of raw meat and certain fruits and vegetables. Some pet owners prefer preparing such food at home since it allows them the flexibility to choose the ingredients that have a range of nutritional benefits. Pet parents today realise the benefits of species-appropriate food – meaning meat-based and unprocessed.
However, if time is a constraint, there are nutritionally balanced raw foods available in the market today. To understand what a balanced diet would be for your ‘baby’, check with your vet. You don’t want your furry pet to consume poorly prepared food or food that has substandard ingredients. Raw food is known to have overall significant health benefits for your pets. It is important, however, to also understand why you might not feed raw food to your pets.
Why you should not?
Some pets might end up with gastrointestinal infections and inflammation, and possibly diarrhoea, given the presence of bacteria and other parasites in raw food. Further, homemade meals might be more expensive and preparation is a time-consuming task. If the nutrient combination is not appropriate, your pets could be nutritionally deficient leading to other health problems. It is important to check with pet nutritionists or your vet before making any changes to the diet of your pets.
Since there is still a lot to be desired on the scientific research front for the health benefits of raw food, some vets might not recommend raw food diets. Your vet or pet nutritionist should, however, be able to guide your decision on the kind of nutrition essential for the health and longevity of your pets.
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