Should I feed my dog raw food or should I feed my dog kibble dog food?

• Which one is better?
• Who’s right?
• Who knows?
• Who can say?

They both claim to be right but then you hear good and bad about both sides. There is so much confusing information.

Who knows what you should do?

The truth is that people who feed both kibble dog food and raw food diets can have healthy, happy dogs but making sure your dog is getting the proper nutrition on either diet can take a little effort.

Feeding dry food or canned food may seem like an easy solution but there are so many different kinds of foods these days that it can be difficult to choose wisely for your dog. You can buy every kind of dog food from gourmet to food made from the cheapest filler ingredients. Your dog’s health can have a direct relation to the ingredients in the food you feed.

The best way to judge if what you are feeding your dog is good for him is by your dog’s health and appearance.

• Does your dog look good?
• Is he a good weight or is he too fat or too thin?
• Is his coat shiny and healthy-looking?
• Does he have greasy-looking coat or bald patches? Does he have dandruff?
• Does he itch and scratch or otherwise seem to have dog allergies?
• Does he have ear infections?
• Are his eyes clear?
• Does he have good energy for his age?

If you have any concerns about any aspect of your dog’s health or appearance you should look at what you’re feeding your dog.

If you’re feeding a kibble dog food you should read the label.

• Check the ingredient list.
• What are the first five ingredients?
• Do you see named sources of protein among the first several ingredients?

Protein sources like chicken meal, lamb meal, fish meal, and eggs are good sources of protein for dogs. Since they are named protein sources you know exactly what your dog is eating and your dog can digest these protein sources easily, getting maximum nutrition from them.

Other protein sources, such as “animal meal” and “animal digest” are sketchy and can include many undesirable parts of unnamed animals. Corn is often used as an inexpensive protein source but it is not as easy for dogs to digest. Dogs can only digest about 54 percent of the nutrition in corn. The rest passes through them to be deposited as waste in your yard.

Many people have become interested in feeding raw since the pet food recalls in 2007. They like having the feeling that they are controlling what their dogs are eating and that they are fixing the food themselves. They can assure themselves that the food comes straight from a butcher or from the meat counter of their own supermarket — the same places where they buy their own food.

On the other hand, feeding dogs a raw diet does require some extra effort. In order to keep costs down it’s often necessary to buy in bulk. This means, for many people, that they need to purchase a small extra freezer to store meat. Feeding raw also means that you may need to purchase a meat grinder to grind meaty bones for your dogs. You may have to make some investment in these appliances if you wish to continue to feed your dogs a raw diet.

In order to make sure your dog is having all of his nutritional needs met you will also need to provide supplements to his diet. Your dog can’t live on protein and the calcium in bones alone. He’ll also need vitamins and minerals.

As you can see, there is no one right way to feed your dog. Your dog can receive good nutrition from both a kibble dog food diet and from feeding raw if you are prepared to go some research and make the effort.

10 Things Not To Give Dogs

Chocolate

Chocolate is widely known as a food you should keep away from your dog. It can speed up their heartbeat and lead to a heart attack and seizures. In addition to that chocolate can also cause increased urination as well as vomiting and diarrhea. As soon as you realize that your dog has gotten a hold of the chocolate you need to take it to the animal emergency center.

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins simply do not agree with a dog’s digestive system. There is no exact measurement of how much they can handle so it’s best to keep all grapes and raisins away. If not you might find increased urination, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Onions

Onions are another food that can wreak havoc. They can break down a dog’s red blood cells and drastically decrease the oxygen that gets to its blood. While the problems might not show up right away it can accumulate over time. Keep an eye out for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a general malaise.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are another no-no. There is something in the nuts that can cause fever, heart problems, seizures or even paralyze your pet.

Alcohol

Please never feed your dog alcohol. Their bodies just cannot handle it and it can give them alcohol poisoning very easily and lead to death.

Bread Dough

Bread dough is another food to avoid. This is very soft and might cause the dog to think that it can just swallow the dough whole. The dough can then rise in your pup’ stomach and cause bloating and nausea.

Caffeine

Never feed your dog a caffeinated drink. This will simulate their system in the wrong way and can have a bad effect. Your dog’s heart might race which can lead to seizures or heart attacks.

Avocadoes

Avocadoes might be yummy for humans to eat but they are toxins to dogs. They contain a chemical that can damage many of the body tissues in dogs. Guacamole dip is a mix you’ll also want to avoid.

Pits

Be extremely careful with any food that has a pit. These pits have cyanide in them, which are dangerous. It might even overtake the bodies of smaller dogs and lead to death. If the cyanide doesn’t harm your dog, they still might choke on the pit itself.

Raw Fish

Do not give your dog raw fish either. When fish is not cooked it can contain parasites. When a dog swallows these parasites they will attach to the wall of the intestines. This isn’t something you’ll notice right away either. It is a tricky thing to catch when your dog has these parasites. If you must feed fish to your dog you should make sure that it’s thoroughly cooked.

So there you have it, some of what not to give dogs.

Recommended Reading

• An Introduction To Dog Food Nutrition Information
• How Often Should I Feed My Dog

It also depends a lot on what type of dog allergy your pet is suffering from. If your pet is suffering from seasonal allergies or an allergy caused by a flea bite, then choosing one dog food over another may not do much to relieve the symptoms of those types of allergies.

Choosing a food with ingredients designed for sensitive skin and to promote a healthy coat may help in reducing dry skin and the resulting itching and scratching that can be brought about by allergies.

Now if your dog is suffering from dog food allergies, then obviously the diet you feed her will determine if she will have an allergic reaction or not. We talked about diagnosing food allergy in dogs previously. Using a food trial you will probably know what ingredients are causing the allergic reaction in your dog. Avoid those ingredients and your dog should be fine.

As part of the food trial you probably selected a food with a protein source that your dog never had before. Some like duck, venison, or rabbit would be good. There are several manufacturers producing dog food with those ingredients.

I tried to find foods specifically made to address allergy issues. There were not many that claimed to be made especially for dogs with allergies. However, there was quite a variety of food made with all natural ingredients, limited ingredients, and interesting protein sources like:

• duck
• rabbit
• venison
• buffalo
• lamb
• sweet potato

So, with a small disclaimer…

Disclaimer: The foods below are based on claims by the manufacturers and not by Dog Care Journey.

Here is a small sample of allergy formula dog food.

Anergen™ (Wysong)

Anergen™ is a natural based dog food made from lamb and brown rice. It is a great choice for dogs that need a diet made with limited ingredients. Anergen™ is a healthy alternative for pets with allergy problems.

“…it has served as a lifeline to thousands of pets unable to consume traditional pet foods.” Source

Anergen™ is designed to be fed to either your dog or your cat. It does not have many of the protein sources and other whole ingredients that are common allergens found in other pet foods. Yet, it is nutritionally sound.

Anergen™ does not contain any beef, poultry, beef byproducts, wheat, or dairy products.

To check for price and sizes Click Here.

Natural Balance Potato and Duck Small Bite Dog Food

Natural Balance created the Potato and Duck Formula to help dogs with food allergies.

“Natural Balance Potato and Duck Formula is a proven formula for dogs with allergies based on a unique protein and carbohydrate blend.” Source

The Potato and Duck Formula combines fresh duck, and a source of carbohydrates not commonly found in dog foods, along with other natural ingredients designed to help rebuild your dog’s immune system.

Duck is a protein source not available in typical commercial dog foods, so many dogs have never been exposed to it. This is an important factor when dealing with food allergies.

It is designed to reduce allergy symptoms associated with food allergies. But it also reduces other symptoms such as skin irritations, irritable bowels, and upset stomachs.

The Potato and Duck Formula is made with fresh duck, fresh potatoes, canola oil, and salmon oil. No artificial preservatives, flavors, colors, or bleached ingredients are used.

Natural Balance also produces another variety, the Sweet Potato and Venison Dry Dog Food Formula. It is designed in the same way as the Potato and Duck Formula, but using sweet potatoes and venison instead.

To check for price and sizesClick Here.

Have you tried any of these foods to relieve allergy symptoms in your dogs? What other types of foods have you tried? Please share with us in the comments below.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Go back to the previous article, Dog Allergy Recipes.

Best,

Omar Reyes

For a wide selection of other natural dog foods visit the Cherrybrook dog food section.

Free Feeding

The easiest and most convenient option is what is known as free feeding. As the term suggests, free feeding involves simply filling the dog bowl with dry food and allowing her to eat whenever she is hungry. When the bowl is empty, you refill it. You can see the drawback here, you never really know the amount of food your dog is eating.

Note: You want to avoid canned food if you choose to free feed. Canned food can spoil if left out all day, and that is definitely not something for your dog to eat.

Sounds simple enough, and to someone who does not know otherwise, it might seem like a really good option. But you should remember that easy and convenient is not always better. This is actually the least recommended option for feeding your dog, no matter her age.

A break in between meals is actually a good thing. It allows the digestive system to rest and prepare for the next meal, which is good for her health. When you free feed your dog, you reduce the likelihood that your dog’s digestive system will have a chance to rest. Free feeding can also cause your dog to become lethargic and overweight.

Another thing to consider is the idea that food is a great motivator. It is one of the key motivators used in training. If there is food readily available at all times then it makes it harder for your dog to get excited about receiving food as a form of reward.

Scheduled Meals

Most people actually feed their dogs on a schedule. Not necessarily at a set time, but more or less around the same time each day. Some people choose to feed their dogs once daily or twice daily, more often if they are feeding a young puppy.

For adult dogs, once daily is a good choice. Although, you may find your dog begging for food and scraps throughout the day. You can help to prevent begging through training.

You can also choose to feed your dog twice daily.  This is ideal for two reasons:

1. Meals are spaced enough for your dog’s digestive system to get a rest.
2. They are close enough that your dog won’t be as fixated about bugging your for her meals.

The Importance of Consistency

Another important thing to point out is the importance of consistency. As much as possible, be consistent with meal times, how much, and how often you feed your dog. Dogs thrive on routine and sticking to a feeding routine is best.

The time of day that you choose is not really important. What is important, is that you feed your dog around that same time each day. Being consistent is part of teaching your dog what is expected of her, and can help you in training and other activities as well.

Just remember to feed your dog a high quality dog food, and to have fresh water available at all times. Apart from that, you do have some flexibility when it comes to how often you feed your dog.

P.S. If you are looking for more information about dog food, you should check out a book called Dog Food Dangers at http://dogcarejourney.com/dog-food-dangers.

Recommended Reading

• An Introduction to Dog Food Nutrition Information – a brief overview on proper dog nutrition.
• Dog Food Nutrition For Your Carnivore Dog – a discussion about balanced nutrition for your dog, because she is a carnivore.

I am not an expert, but I will say that I believe that dogs are carnivores – they are meat-eaters.

Rather than covering that debate here, take a look at Are Dogs Carnivores – or Omnivores?. Mike Sagman does a pretty good job of covering the discussion.

Of course, dogs can and do adopt to eating other things. They can behave like omnivores, but because they are carnivores they have certain requirements for well balanced and healthy diet that cannot be overlooked.

Dog Food Nutrition In Commercial Foods

Although dogs should be considered carnivores, some dog food companies manufacture dog foods made with only grains, fruits, and vegetables. On the other hand, some companies promote grain-free dog food. They manufacture foods with very high protein content. There is no indication that dogs thrive on eating an all-protein diet either.

Balanced Dog Food Nutrition

In order to keep your dog healthy, you need to provide her with a nutritionally balanced diet. This means providing your dog with a diet containing all the vitamins and minerals she needs. Doing so will help her to maintain a healthy weight as well as a strong immune system.

A well balanced diet will keep your dog’s skin and coat looking shiny and healthy. It will also give her the energy she needs to enjoy life, and play like a dog should.

Your dog needs fat in her diet. Although we tend to think of fat as being unhealthy, your dog does need some fat to remain healthy. Fats such as linoleic acid should be part of her diet.

She also need carbohydrates and proteins for energy. Her body will use the carbohydrates as a source of energy, so try and make sure that it is from quality sources.

Protein is also very important for proper dog food nutrition. Make sure that you are feeding your dog food with quality sources of meat protein. Protein from meat sources are generally better for your dog, and more digestible, than vegetable sources of protein. Chicken, beef, and lamb are good sources of protein.

If your dog is allergic to any of these meat sources, then there are more exotic sources of meat protein available, such as duck or kangaroo meat.

Most these sources for a nutritionally balanced diet can be found in high quality commercial dog foods. If you prefer, you can create your own diet to provide for proper dog food nutrition. You can either cook your dog’s food at home, or consider feeding a raw diet.

Whatever you decide, it is important that you make sure all of your dog’s nutritional needs are met. Keeping your dog healthy requires proper dog food nutrition and a well balanced diet.

What’s Next

Dog food nutrition is an in depth subject. Although I plan to continue the discussion on dog nutrition, it is going to take me a while to write all those articles . If you are looking for more information about dog food, you should check out a book called Dog Food Dangers at http://dogcarejourney.com/dog-food-dangers.

Overall, proper dog food nutrition can increase the average life expectancy of a dog.

General Dog Food Nutrition Information

The three basic food groups that make up a well balanced diet are:

• proteins
• carbohydrates
• good fats

Here is further information on Dog Food Standards by the AFFCO.

In addition to these basic elements, dogs also need vitamins and minerals. For example, one important nutritional need is vitamin B1. However, B1 is a water-soluble vitamin, which means it is only stored as small amounts in the dog’s body. For this reason vitamin B1 needs to be taken daily. Vitamin B1 is important to help your dog metabolize fats and proteins. It also helps them to convert food, or carbohydrates, into energy. It is also important to maintain healthy skin, hair eyes, and the liver.

Feeding Your Dog

For many dog owners, the primary source of dog food nutrition comes from commercial food. This can be in the form of dry dog food, semi-moist food, or canned dog food.  Quite often, these are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.

However, it is becoming increasingly popular to feed your dog homemade dog food. The problem with this is that it can be a challenge to provide a well balanced diet. If you want to make your own dog food be sure to do your research to make sure you are providing your dog with the proper nutrition.

Final Considerations

There is a ton of information available discussing both the benefits and pitfalls of various dog diets. However, it is actually up to you to  make the final decision to provide a well balanced diet for your dog.

So, if you want to feed her a commercial diet, then just make sure it is a high quality food that contains everything your dog needs. If you decide to make your own food at home, then just educate yourself to make sure you are providing your dog with a healthy diet.