Millions of pets eat kibble and millions fill waiting rooms of veterinarians, bad breath and all. These pets suffer from various illnesses, diseases, and allergies ranging far and wide.
Poor Coat Condition
Fur is around 90% protein. Dry, brittle hair is often related to poor quality protein or lack of sufficient protein in the diet. A healthy coat will be shiny and if your pet’s coat is dull, chances are the diet being fed is lacking in essential fatty acids to maintain a beautiful shine. Odorous skin and fur is often attributed to candida yeast which is triggered and overpopulates when the diet is high includes carbs and sugars.
Tooth & Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition occurring in adult dogs and cats; and is entirely preventable! By three years of age, most dogs and cats have some evidence of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease begins when bacteria in the mouth form plaque that sticks to the surface of the teeth which is directly caused by the ingredients found within commercial kibble.
Candida Yeast
A yeast infection is a sure sign the immune system is not working properly and the gut is out of balance with bad flora. Broad spectrum antibiotics destroys 90% of gut flora, good and bad, which gives bad bacteria and yeast the leverage to over populate when good bacteria is not present to stop it. Feeding foods high in starches, grains, and carbohydrates feeds candida which ultimately encourages the growth of bad flora, increasing the imbalance within the gut.
Digestive Complications
Commercial kibble is jam packed with processed low quality proteins, carbohydrates, grains, starches, additives, and preservatives which directly effect gastrointestinal health. The immune system resides 70-80% within the gut and maintaining a healthy gut means a healthier life. Ingredients within kibble irritate the GI and promote inflammation which ultimately creates more health issues.
Liver Complications
Liver issues can manifest in many ways; but the liver is one organ that has the ability to heal itself if diagnosis is not acute or chronic. Liver disease has multiple causes such as genetics, parasites, trauma, over vaccination/medication, and poisoning. Once liver complications are diagnosed, diet modification can be a factor in managing the disease and can help reverse liver complications.
Cancer
Over 50% of pets over the age of 10 years are diagnosed with cancer at some point. Cancer is caused by multiple factors including genetics, environmental pesticides, vaccinations, early sex altering, and even the diet. Although the diet alone is not a major factor if a dog or cat will catch cancer, it plays a major role, especially once cancer is officially diagnosed. Commercialized kibble is high in carbs and sugars which directly feeds cancer, giving it the tools to grow and spread.
…and that is just the tip of the iceberg…
In a world where commercial food is commonly used and is backed as “high quality” even after our pets suffer countless illnesses and diseases, in an ever increasing rate, responsible pet parents need to consider alternative routes to optimize companion pet’s health to provide them with the tools to sustain a longer, vibrant, and thriving life.
Common Myths Associated with Raw Diets
Raw meat makes pets “bloodthirsty”
Dogs and cats are natural hunters, hunting is what they are designed to do. Kibble fed dogs and cats have been known to hunt and kill prey. There are breeds with a higher drive to hunt and kill prey – so some pets will naturally hunt a lot while others may never hunt. The food you feed your pet is not a determining factor if they will or will not hunt prey. Prey drive is determined by a combination of the breed, obedience training, and how you manage your pet’s behavior.
My pet will catch salmonella from raw meat.
Salmonella can only survive in higher pH conditions (4-8+) and requires at least 12 hours to reach incubation. The hydrochloric acid in a carnivore’s stomach is a protective enzyme against pathogens. Their stomach is highly acidic (about a pH 1) while their digestive system is short and lacks complexity. Bacteria is killed when ingested and passed within 4-6 hours as waste. Since the time to complete digestion is very short, the bacteria does not stay in the body for long.
Feeding cooked meat is better than raw.
Cooked meat lacks all the benefits of raw and it is deficient in essential nutrients because the very act of cooking destroys or alters proteins, vitamins, fats, and minerals in raw. However, cooking food makes some nutrients less available and others more available. Lightly steaming vegetables is an exception but its recommended to puree raw vegetables instead.
Raw bones are dangerous because they splinter.
A very common misconception about feeding bones is that raw bones are dangerous. In fact, raw bones are great for your pet and are totally safe! Raw bones are soft and are easy to digest in comparison to cooked or dehydrated bones. Cooking and dehydrating bones removes moisture from the bones which makes them hard, splinter when eaten, and difficult to digest.
Benefits provided through raw diets
White Teeth & Fresh Breath
Through the natural teeth cleaning benefits provided from a raw diet, dogs and cats experience fresh breath, healthy gums, and white teeth. Large cuts and raw meaty bones provide teeth cleaning benefits to raw fed pets. Muscle tissues acts like natural floss and RMBs scrape calcified tartar buildup.
Ideal Weight Maintenance
An all natural, species appropriate, raw diet increases the metabolic rate in dogs and cats. This process allows them to lose unwanted fat and gain a desirable increase in muscle mass. Physical condition can be further improved when paring a raw diet with a regular workout routine.
Improved Coat Condition
Skin and coat health is one of the first changes seen when feeding a dog or cat a raw diet. A balanced raw diet is free from processed foods, artificial preservatives, additives, and low quality proteins which provides pets with the essentials to maintain a thick and shiny coat.
Stronger Immune System
Raw diets stabilizes and strengthens the immune system. Feeding raw provides a natural source of protein, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and other nutrients. This improves immune function to serve as the foundation to fight present diseases and prevent against possible future illnesses.
Stabilized Energy Levels
Unlike humans, dogs and cats metabolize their energy from raw animal fat instead of carbohydrates. Diets rich with carbs and sugars spike energy levels making them tired shortly after. PMR and BARF provides a raw diet free from unwanted starches, carbs, and sugars which aid in stabilizing clean and consistent energy levels.
Smaller & Less Odorous Stools
Since a dog and cat’s digestive tract is short and lacks complexity, most items in commercial diets pass undigested as bulk waste. This creates a large stool. Raw diets do not consist of bulk ingredients such as wheat, corn, soy, oats, etc. PMR and BARF only consists of natural sources of proteins leaving small and firm stool.