Raw Meat Vs. Dog Food: Which Is Better And Why?

So you’ve got a new dog and you’re wondering what to feed him. There are two popular types of dog food – raw meat and commercial brands. Naturally, you want to make sure you get the best dog food for your pet, so it is useful to know which route to head down.

Firstly, remember that dogs are omnivores and therefore they require a certain level of meat and fibre in their diets. Generally, adult dogs need a diet that consists of  22-25% protein and 15-19% fat, although puppies, pregnant dogs, and active dogs will have different nutritional requirements.

All owners love their pets enough to want the best dog food, but if you choose to buy a commercial brand, you need to make sure it is has what your dog needs. Keep your eyes peeled for dog food that contains good quality ingredients like chicken and lamb. Its all about keeping your pet healthy, and if you see lots of grains in the commercial products then try and avoid these.

Many people choose to feed their dogs raw food. You would expect to find eggs and offal as two main components of this diet. People claim this works wonders for their pets, but this isn’t always the case with every dog, since every pet is different.

Pros and Cons

If you opt for the best dog food brand, which will of course be a commercial name, it will contain all of the nutrients that a dog needs to grow and be healthy. The commercial dog food names are popular because they are easy to buy and serve, whereas obtaining raw food for your pet can be quite difficult.

Proponents of commercial dog food say that as dogs are omnivores, it is only natural that they require the nutritional benefits of grains.   Some people are sure that a raw food diet does little to help keep their pet healthy.

People who feed their dogs raw food diets feel that nature intended for animals to eat their food raw and that cooking damages the chemical makeup of foods and that cooking the food actually damages an animal’s immune system.

Those that feel that commercial food is the way to go, claim that there is no difference between cooking the animal’s food and cooking human food. All of the nutrients are still active in cooked food providing healthy meals for animals.

Of course, as the pet owner, it is very much up to you which you decide to do, and it could be that you feel your pet deserves nothing less than the best dog food. Always seek veterinary advice if you’re unsure about which diet to choose.