The benefits of a fresh food diet + and answering your questions on raw!

We started feeding raw back in 2019 and have never looked back.

All our parent dogs and litters are raised on raw because the health benefits are endless.

We wanted to talk about some of the benefits, as well as answer 5 of the main questions we get from people who are new to raw! Let's get started!

"Nutrition is the long-term preventative care plan." -@TheNaturalPetDoctor

Benefit #1: Cleaner teeth, better breath.

“A major component of saliva in the human mouth is amylase, a digestive enzyme that begins carbohydrate digestion. Dog saliva lacks amylase! As they chew carbohydrates (which a lot of kibbles are made of at least 60% of), saliva mixes with it, creating a bolus of food that sticks to their teeth. The result: tartar buildup on the teeth and gum line of your dog.

Fresh foods contain enzymes that help protect animals' teeth and gums. These enzymes, especially in the absence of sugars and starches, work to prevent tooth decay & other oral diseases.”

-@RealFoodMovement

Benefit #2: Less poop, gas, & other icky sh*t

Something we notice & appreciate every day we feed raw is the lack of gas (literally, farting & burping is zilch), the poops are smaller, less stinky, and more solid.

“When we feed our pets a species appropriate diet, their digestive system works in sync with the food that they are designed to eat and does not become worn out due to years of over-exertion.” -@BacktoBasicsRawPetFood

A happy gut + less waste = a benefit we can all appreciate!

Benefit #3: Reduced risk of arthritis & bone disease

“Before an animal is fully grown their bones are soft and vulnerable to excessive force and incorrect nutrition. When puppies are grown too fast, they will begin to experience structural problems. Many kibble diets are often too high in calories and certain minerals causing rapid growth spurts and uneven growth, which can potentially lead to joint disease such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

Puppies fed a raw biologically appropriate diet tend to grow more slowly and steadily without painful growth spurts and uneven bone growth.” -@BacktoBasicsRawPetFood

Benefit #4: Allergy problems?

Most pet foods are filled with grains, fillers, dyes, and preservatives. Even if you find a good quality kibble, it is quite rare to find one without grains, excessive carbs (potatoes, I’m looking at you), seed oils, flavours & synthetic “supplements”.

Most people blame the protein type (bison, beef, etc) for their dogs allergies, when it is way more likely they are bothered by those above ingredients, and switching to a biologically appropriate diet with just meats, fruits, and vegetables will fix most of their apparent “food allergies”.

A few more bonuses:

- Fewer trips to the vet

- Shinier, healthier coat

- Better hydration

- Less accidents & frequent bathroom trips because of excessive drinking from salty kibble

- Good for picky eaters

- Easier to maintain an appropriate weight

Now that you know the benefits of feeding raw, here are 5 common questions raw beginners tend to ask...

Question #1: Do I have to make it?

Did you know that most owners who feed raw DON’T make it themselves? You can, but that’s not necessarily the best option for every household.

We started our journey with raw by making it ourselves, and it was a lot of work! It took a ton of research to make meals with proper ratios of everything, and I wouldn’t recommend that to the average raw beginner, as the learning curve feels quite daunting, and IS a lot of work.

Luckily, feeding raw doesn’t have to be almost any different than feeding kibble. You go to the pet store. Look at different options. Get a recommendation if you don’t know what to look for, and pick it up. Pre-made and ready to eat, just like a bag of kibble--you just need to refrigerate it.

Question 2: Isn't it less convenient to feed raw?

We hear a lot of people say the reason they feed kibble vs raw is because of the convenience, which to be honest, always strikes me as funny.

Our mealtime looks like:

• Night before, we pull out a tube of pre-made raw from the freezer & let it defrost overnight.

• Next morning it goes into a container to be stored in the fridge for the next few days’ meals.

• Portion appropriate amount into food bowl.

• Feed.

Repeat.

There is no more work put into this routine than pulling out the kibble bag.

Question 3: Isn't feeding raw more expensive?

Nutrition is the cornerstone to health.

It’s that one thing that seems really passive until it is the source of expensive and recurring problems.

The truth is, you pay for quality.

That goes for kibble or raw.

Feeding a good quality kibble is going to be just as expensive as feeding raw, so, with that information in mind, I’d say diet and nutrition are an area you probably want to put a little more $$ towards, to save you in the long-run with vet visits & health challenges.

“The food you’re feeding could be the safest form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” -Dr. Katie @TheNaturalPetDoctor

Question 4: I have kids, so I'm concerned about bacteria with feeding raw.

There's no shame in not knowing...BUT, here's the thing: the very idea of having a dog in your home (diet aside) means bacteria is everywhere.

No matter what a dog is eating, they are the filthiest creatures. They lick themselves where they pee & poop, groom their paws that have been everywhere, and then we allow them to lick our mouths, pet them without washing our hands, and sleep in our beds. It is gross, but heck, pets! We love them & wouldn’t have it any other way.

What you feed them is the least of your worries in the germ/bacteria department. Really. You have a dog. And you have kids. The germs are everywhere.

P.S. salmonella is the main cause for DRY FOOD recalls today.

Question 5: I don't think I have the stomach to feed whole animal body parts...

A lot of people think feeding raw is like that scene in the old Jurassic Park where they lower a whole cow by crane into the dinosaur enclosure.

Umm, no.

The raw feeding method where you compile a duck beak, chicken necks & claws, raw meaty bones, whole quail eggs and rabbit parts are nice and all, but I like to think of it as what the raw food athletes do.

If you have a passion for it, the right place to source ingredients from, the time, the knowledge, dedication and drive, fine!

But...it’s not the only way to feed raw, and if that’s what hangs you up, forget it.

Go to the store and buy properly formulated pre-made patties or tubes. It’s what most of us do ;)

Have further questions? Send us a message! We're not diet experts or "professionals", but we've spent the last 5 years learning & growing in the area of nutrition & health, and would love to help you have further health success with your four-legged friend(s)!

The RLD Team