Real Food or Dog Food?
Friday, February 23, 2018 04:36:56 PM America/Los_Angeles
Many dog owners purchase commercial food as if it were second nature. Just as they buy aids for potty training, pet lovers purchase select goods for their dogs to consume. Some loving pet parents would never think to give their Doberman or German Shepherd raw meats because they believe that such feeding schedule is harmful to their four-legged friends. The reality, however, is that dogs are a part of the larger family of wolves and, hence, have a bit of wildness to them that may not be as fragile as one would think when it comes to food.
But what really is the better option when it comes to feeding your domestic dog? After all, it is not as if your pet can fully embrace his wild life while also undergoing a bit of housebreaking. There are, however, many benefits associated with raw feeding as there are advantages to commercial dog food.
Commercial Food and Its Benefits
Pet owners in the twenty-first century are fully aware of the large selection of dog food options at their local animal supplies store. It was just over 50 years ago, though, that such choices were not available to dog lovers. Owners typically fed their canines what they had for dinner and did not think anything of it. These days, however, some pet lovers hold to the notion of their furry friend occupying the dog bathroom more often than not if expensive organic food is not purchased from the pet supplies store.
Indeed, there are many benefits to feeding your canine commercial food. The number one advantage of such food schedule comes when you are training your puppy to use their indoor dog potty or perform tricks. It becomes difficult to incorporate raw feedings into a routine that works for both you and the dog. Commercial food, however, gives your pup a sense of normalcy that he can use to learn house rules regarding potty pads and more.
Another perk of commercial dog food is convenience. You have enough on your plate with trying to train your canine to use the indoor dog potty. Do you really want to complicate things further by selectively picking out the best raw meats for your pet? Probably not. Commercial food ensures that your furry friend gets all of the nutrients he needs to thrive, which takes the stress of such responsibility off your shoulders.
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Disadvantages of a Commercial Diet
With every benefit comes a disadvantage. Dog food is no different as there are a few cons to giving your dog factory food. The main disadvantage of a commercial diet is the less pleasurable eating experience that your dog receives. Since he is a wolf by nature, your furry friend enjoys the touch, feel, and taste of a dead animal in his bowl even if he did not catch the prey himself. You take away that pleasurable opportunity when you purchase food that has been condensed and packaged for convenience.
Another disadvantage of kibble is the havoc that it wreaks on your pet’s teeth. Fresh grass and other things from nature have cleaning agents of their own that make it unnecessary for you to invest in a toothbrush for your canine. Commercial food does not come with such benefits and, thus, requires you to take extra time out of your day to brush your dog’s teeth. The additional chore may not be a big deal for devoted pet lovers with time on their hands. You may find yourself at odds with your pet’s diet, though, if you are a working dog owner who barely has time to feed your furry friend.
Obesity is a major problem that comes with commercial feeding. Manufacturers make dog food to last for weeks at a time. As a result, they sometimes include ingredients that are fattening to your pet. You should read the back of your kibble food closely if you want your dog to maintain good health while eating kibble.
Raw Food and its Benefits
A raw food diet often includes uncooked meat such as affal, which is why it gets so much criticism from a few animal activists. The critics focus so much attention on the protein aspect of the diet, though, that they overlook the fruits and vegetables that pet owners also give their pets on a raw nutritional schedule.
The benefits of raw feeding are numerous, with the greatest advantage being that you know what is included in your pet’s food. Reading the label is not necessary since you are creating the meal from scratch.
Another perk of raw feeding is the amount of weight that your dog keeps off from eating wholesome food. With no fillers included in his meal, your furry friend can run off breakfast just in time for lunch. A healthier coat is also sometimes reported by pet owners who switch their dogs from commercial to home prepared meals.
Raw Food Cons
Of course, everything on the authentic side is not positive. One major con of raw feeding is that nutritional deficiencies take longer to make themselves known. You can, by accident, include too much protein in your dog’s diet and will not notice the effects of such mistake until he starts gaining weight. Raw feeding is also time-consuming, which is why only those who are truly concerned about what their pet consumes on a daily basis engages in such sport.
Conclusion: Which to Choose?
Raw feeding is definitely not for the faint of heart, and commercial food is not ideal for the health-conscious pet owner. Your choice to either buy kibble or make your dog’s meals from scratch is entirely dependent on your lifestyle.
