By Brigitte Smith

photo by exfordy

Animals have lived for centuries in the wild, thriving on the most organic and simplest of fare, so why should today be any different? Unless they evolved to take on opposable thumbs to start operating stoves and ovens it would be safe to say that our canines are still meant to eat food in its most natural state. A raw dog food diet (sometimes referred to as the BARF diet) is one of the best ways to keep your dog healthy and strong.

Raw dog food is easy to prepare – you don’t even have to cook anything, that’s the point. Cut up chicken necks, backs and legs complete with the skin to provide the fat and calcium that are beneficial to the dog. Mix in fresh vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cucumber with raw meat or any organ meat. Chop the bones and the other ingredients into small pieces to prevent any danger of the animal choking on his food.

As you make his meals, always make sure to include grains and fruits in his dog supplies. Fresh fruits particularly supply antioxidants that will aid in keeping your pet from certain diseases. Season meals with herbs and spices that will make the food more interesting to eat for the canine. Garlic is an excellent healthy ingredient but do not overdo it. Too much of this pungent bulb can be the cause of digestive problems for the poor animal.

Walking your dog gives him opportunity to feed on the grass that cover the park and line most homes. If he does, let him go ahead and munch on these blades. Grass actually cleanse the canine’s colon and will help in proper elimination of undigested food in the doggie’s digestive tract.

One of the most obvious benefits of giving your pet a diet of raw food is a set of white teeth and them having fresh breath – better than their commercial pet food fed buddies at least. This is thanks to the enzymes found in natural food as well as lessened amount of toxins. It is these toxins that get stuck between their teeth that cause bad breath.

Another good reason to switch to this all raw diet is the decrease in the quantity of poop the dog makes; and the smell of it is not as bad as it used to be. You can determine through the appearance of the stool, how to improve the diet of the canines. If the stool looks too soft, you need to put in more bones to the meals. On the other hand, if the stool is too hard, raise the amount of vegetables you serve in his meals.

Perhaps the best thing about this is that you won’t need a lot of dog supplies – but the advantages are considerable. Imagine wounds and allergies healing faster, their coats are shinier, their stamina and energy levels are higher, among others. If not for the regular check-ups, your vet might be calling you because he misses seeing your pet. Transition your pet from processed to natural food gradually but begin as soon as you are able – you will not regret it.

We all know that our four legged friends are natural hunters. However, due to domestication, they no longer go out and hunt their own food. Today, they fully rely on their owners placing the food in their bowls each and everyday. Therefore, there is no longer a reason for your furry friend of yours to search for raw meat anymore. But is this really the best thing?

Some people swear that a raw food diet is the best thing to feed your dog. Why give your dog this type of diet? Well, if you think about it, when they are living in the wild, what do they eat? They eat raw meat, of course. They have no way of cooking food they find and there is no factory manufacturing dog food pellets out “in the wild”.

So what is a raw dog food diet?

A raw dog food diet consists of natural foods as close what they would get in the wild as possible. Raw meat, cooked whole grains, ascorbic acid, one teaspoon of oil, kelp powder and vegetable puree is considered a perfect nutritional meal for dogs by some. Of course, since you are providing the food, you can improve a little on what your dog would actually be able to hunt for on his own and feed him some things (like cooked oats) he might not get in nature, but which help balance his meal nutritionally.

There are many benefits to a raw dog food diet. For example, it is healthy for your dogs digestive system and immune system. It will give your pet cleaner gums, teeth, healthier skin and a coat that is smoother. And it will also give your pet more energy.

There is no denying that this type of diet is a whole lot better for your pet and dogs seem to like it too! If you start your dog on a raw food diet, you will see a lot of changes in his appetite, his bad breath will go away and even his stools will be easier to deal with. All in all, this is a good choice of diet for any dog!