Keep Dogs Healthy and Happy with a RAW Dog Food Diet - 6 Tips to Making the Switch

A diet fit for your four legged family member.

You read that correctly. I officially have a freezer packed with raw duck, chicken, lamb, salmon, and boar. My journey to obtaining this meat is purely for the health of my aging furry companions as I just found out that what we feed our puppies is directly correlated to their health problems later on in life. Duh, just like us!

Pablo, one of my beloved dachshunds, was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease and hypothyroid disease one year ago. After consulting with a handful of vets and a couple of specialists, I stumbled upon a holistic vet who focuses on healing through diet. I must admit that after a brief phone conversation and a couple of ideas thrown my way, I was a little skeptical. She explained that we could probably have Pablo off his Cushing’s meds in the near future. I thought that was a bit ambitious since I have seen how helpful the meds have been in controlling his symptoms. Still, with some hope of a new method, we decided to drive 45 minutes north to visit Dr. Diane at BioVance.

What an enlightening experience! First of all, the diet we have been feeding dogs for the past 100 years has been completely wrong. The dry kibbles found in all pet food stores are full of carbs, grains, corn, and unpronounceable preservatives. So now you may be wondering, What does it matter? Dogs can handle it. Yes, dogs’ resilient nature (along with cats, they are the most resilient animals on the planet) has helped them get this far with such a poor diet, but the stress these ingredients put on their bodies will cause major degenerative diseases. In Pablo’s case, this would be one reason for his Cushing’s.

Dogs are biologically carnivores and therefore should be eating a species-appropriate diet. Why the heck haven’t any veterinarians mentioned this little detail to me? In fact, after returning home and doing more research, I have discovered many of the “facts” veterinarians have told us have been myths. For example, I have been told that not spaying or neutering your pet can cause cancer, but the truth is it can actually cause more harm. Early “fixing,” as we call it, creates an environment where the body produces too much hormones to make up for its lack of sex hormones, later turning into Cushing’s disease.

Now why can’t our carnivore dogs enjoy a nice selection of meals at the market?

Just like processed food found in supermarkets, commercial food products are structured for profit. In order to have the largest profits, carbohydrates are stuffed into dry kibbles to reduce costs, add convenience, and preserve shelf life for the consumer. According to Dr. Karen Becker, an advocate for species-appropriate diets and a veterinarian for the Mercola Healthy Pets Institute, “The intense heat used to process the kibbles destroys the benefits of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes in food. Processed pet foods require supplementation to replace lost nutrients. The heating process also significantly reduces the digestibility of amino acids in pet food.”

So now what?

The great news is that we have choices. Feeding your dog or cat what they are meant to eat for 99.99% of their time on earth is the best way to keep them healthy. Raw animal protein is an ideal meal for your furry loved one. As much as I cringe while preparing raw duck bone, I know it’s for the best. Here is what you need to know in a nutshell:

Stick to grass-fed and open-pasture-raised animals. This is critical! Supermarket meat is just going back to the same problem with their inhumane and low standards of producing meat.
Know your source. Just like for the food we eat, you should choose a local farm, and if possible, visit the farm to meet your pets’ future meals.
Start the switch by introducing cooked meat mixed with their current meals.
Over time, cook the meat less and less, and begin to remove the dry kibble (or canned wet food, which is the worst!).
Be patient and determined. Most pets will be singing your praises immediately, while some of your more fussy eaters (like my Chihuahua) will need the time to gradually switch to the raw meat.
Get rid of the treats. Most dog and cat treats are manufactured in China with the leftover remains of human waste and then injected with so-called nutrients. Offer your “best friend” a raw bone, which is great for mental stimulation and helps break down plaque in their teeth, good bye dental bills.