Download What Is a Raw-Food Diet? Coming Full Circle

By Deb Dorchak
After the last scare with contaminated commercial pet food, more pet owners
are looking for options such as the raw pet-diet. On the surface, the idea of feeding
your pet raw foods -- such as fresh meats and vegetables -- seems like a good idea,
and there are no official studies that say whether raw food is good for your pet or not.
This article will explore some of the aspects of the raw pet-diet, what it is and how it
can be used.
What Is a Raw-Food Diet?
When people talk about a raw diet for their pets, it means that they have given up on
feeding their pets commercially processed food (bagged dry food and wet canned
food) in favor of preparing the food themselves. The diets consist of raw meat
(poultry, beef, small whole-game birds or mice in the case of cats), certain vegetables
and grains, and additional supplements such as vitamins and bone meal. While the
process is time- and labor-intensive, many pet owners feel that the effort of a rawfood diet is worth it when it comes to the health of their pet.
Coming Full Circle
Commercially processed foods for pets haven’t been around as long as we might
think. Several generations ago, pets were fed table scraps or homemade pet food, and
that was good enough. The first commercial pet food didn’t hit the market until the
mid-1800s. James Spratt first hit on the idea for dry dog food by watching stray dogs
eating discarded biscuits in a shipyard in London. By 1890, he had established his
new company. The dry, bagged food we know today first became available to the
public only 50 years ago.
In the early 1900s, companies in the United States started to can horse meat for dog
food. The canned horse-meat was a way to use the remains of horses from the First
World War. Cat food took a little longer to be produced commercially and didn’t
arrive until the late 1930s.
Pet food had become a means of additional profits for larger companies that produced
food for humans. These companies found they could use many of the by-products of
human food to feed animals and turn a profit on waste material. People wanted
convenience and a more economical way of feeding their pets, and processed pet food
seemed to present a solution the public liked.
The extrusion process was invented in 1956. The process of making dry food involves
first mixing the ingredients, extruding them into bite-sized pellets, baking the pellets
and then coating them with nutrients lost during the baking process. Since then,
research has yielded more flavors and choices for every type and age group of cat or
dog.
Now it seems that trends are reversing. Pet food has become so much of a science that
many pet owners are wondering how much real nutrition is left in processed foods and
if processed foods are any good for their pets. After the last food-contamination scare,
many people have lost their faith in commercial foods and are starting to seek out
natural methods for feeding their pets – chief among them is the raw pet-diet.
Dogs
Dogs are not the full carnivores we might think they are. A healthy diet for a dog
consists of different types of fiber, meat and other nutrients to keep it in optimal shape
and fitness. One of the most popular raw pet-diets is BARF (Biologically Appropriate
Raw Food or Bones diet). The base of this diet consists of raw bones with meat,
vegetables and organ meats, along with some other proteins such as cottage cheese or
whole eggs -- shells and all.
Many dog owners swear by this diet and say their dogs are much happier and
healthier while on it. However, there is no official data to support the claims of good
health due to a BARF diet.
Those individuals who are on the pro side will say that dogs in the wild existed on
raw foods and that it is in a dog’s nature to eat raw food. Many owners also claim that
the raw food has helped to decrease their dog’s allergies and other health issues the
dog had while on commercial foods.
In the “cons” camp, proponents of commercial food will argue that the commercial
food has been scientifically tested and proven to have everything your dog needs to
stay healthy. A raw pet-diet can be complicated and when you do make your own
food for your dog; it is up to you to ensure that you have included all of the nutritional
ingredients vital to good health. With a food plan like the BARF diet, you have to
know exactly what you are doing and why you are doing it. Lack of understanding
canine nutrition is probably one of the biggest hazards when using a raw pet-diet.
While grains are an important part of a dog’s diet, many people feel that grains are
overused in commercial food. Grains are a cheap source of filler and make it easy for
the big companies to skimp on the more important ingredients for the sake of profits.
There are also many other additives (such as artificial coloring and preservatives) that
raw-food advocates deem harmful to their pets. In reality, most of these additives are
cosmetic and meant to make the food more visually appealing to the owner rather than
the pet.
Cats
Cats follow the same food guidelines as dogs, but with a few differences. Their
systems aren’t designed for digesting grains or other carbohydrates. Oils are a big nono and pork should also be avoided. Cats also like variety; some finicky eaters will
get bored with the same recipe day after day.
If you’re concerned about bacteria in the raw meat you’re feeding your cat, you might
be surprised to know that cats are resistant to harmful bacteria found in raw food. A
cat’s digestive tract is very acidic and processes food quickly. Keep in mind that cats
are not immune to microscopic parasites, such as those found in salmonella, or bovine
and avian tuberculosis. If your cat is stressed or has a weak immune system, it can
become ill from these parasites the same way a human can. Do your research and
learn how to properly prepare the food and in what quantities if you choose to feed
your cat a raw pet-diet.
While both types of pet diets, natural or commercial, have benefits and disadvantages,
the best answer might be to find a balance between the two. Go ahead and feed your
pet the dry commercial food, but supplement it with a raw pet-diet for a little variety.
There is no reason you cannot have the best of both worlds. What one type of diet
may lack, the other will make up for. You won’t have to go broke purchasing organic
meats and vegetables, nor will your pet be forced to exist on processed commercial
food.
Ready to Go Raw?
Going "raw" means giving up all of your favorite foods, right? Not quite. From snacks
to gourmet meals there's a wide variety of raw dishes certain to please the pickiest of
palates.