Here are a few reasons why more people are switching their dogs and cats to a raw food diet.
Raw Food is Naturally Digestible
Raw food has naturally occurring enzymes which help break down the food. The body doesn’t have to work so hard to digest it. Just like people, dogs and cats absorb nutrients better from the whole food source, rather than the synthetic version. Most dry and canned foods have synthetic vitamins and minerals added, since they lose them during the high heat process.
Dogs and cats thrive on diets high in quality proteins and low in carbohydrates and sugars.
Healthy Skin & Coat
The skin is the largest organ in the body. There is a direct correlation between skin health and overall health. When your dog or cat is getting the nutrients it needs, it shows through the skin! Dogs and cats fed a raw food diet, have a shinier, healthier coat and shed a lot less.
They also naturally smell better!
Smaller, less smelly poops
When your dog or cat eats a species appropriate raw food diet, these foods are more easily broken down and used as fuel = less waste. The more fillers a food contains, the larger the stools. Poops are generally firmer, and less smelly.
Reduction in Allergies
One major reason for allergies is poor gut health. Many fillers added to kibble along with the high heat processing of these foods can cause stress on the digestive system and compromises the immune system. By feeding a fresh food diet, low in carbohydrates we can boost the immune system and allow the body to heal itself.
Fresh food can help with rashes, itchy paws and ear infections.
Increased Energy
When our pets feel better, they have more energy! You’ll notice more pep in their step (even for our seniors) and bright, alert eyes.
Enhanced Hydration
Raw food is more hydrating than water alone. Raw diets are rich in intracellular moisture (the liquid content inside cells) this hydrates our pets on a cellular level. Imagine eating an orange vs. drinking a glass of water. This is intracellular moisture.
Most raw fed pets rarely drink water because they’re getting their moisture requirements through food.
Weight Management
Over 50% of dogs and close to 60% of cats are overweight or obese.
Kibble must contain carbohydrates to maintain its form, whereas quality raw diets are naturally low in carbohydrates and rich in protein.
If you want your dog or cat to lose weight, low carbohydrate fresh food is the way to go. You’ll also need to monitor treats and increase exercise.
Naturally Cleans Teeth
Crunchy kibble doesn’t clean teeth, it does quite the opposite. Kibble gets stuck in the teeth, carbohydrates in kibble break down into sugar and feed the bad bacteria in the mouth, leading to plaque and tartar build up. Raw food contains naturally occurring enzymes which promote oral health.
Raw meaty bones are also nature’s toothbrush.
My personal experience with raw
Here’s what I noticed when we switched Felicity to a raw food diet.
Skin and coat were immediately healthier.
Much smaller, healthier poops. We actually need smaller poop bags
Increase in energy. Felicity went from slowing down, to more energy than she’s ever had.
We were able to control Felicity’s yeast issues which included recurring ear infections and itchy skin. (With extra help from Adored Beast products)
Felicity only drinks after exercise or after she’s done enjoying a chew.
Felicity is seven and still has puppy energy.
She easily maintains a healthy weight.
Raw hold backs
| I understand raw may not be for everyone and it certainly may not fit into everyone’s budget. I like to share this information because it’s the information I wish I would have had that I had to find on my own. Raw is never all or nothing. You can absolutely add a small amount as a topper or even add a few meals a month, your pets will still benefit! There are alternatives to raw such as gently cooked, freeze dried and dehydrated. And these are amazing ways to achieve similar, or even the same results. Food is medicine. The body has the innate ability to heal itself when we give it the support and tools that it needs. |
| We’re always here to answer any questions you might have. Stop by and grab a sample and learn more. -Sheena |