For devoted pet parents, providing our dogs with the best possible nutrition is a top priority. In recent years, raw food diets have gained considerable traction, sparking a debate among pet owners and veterinarians alike. This article explores the potential benefits of a raw food diet, specifically for Pitbulls, while also addressing the associated risks and safety measures.
What is a Raw Food Diet?
A raw food diet, often referred to as "raw feeding," involves feeding dogs uncooked, whole foods such as raw meat (like raw lamb dog food), bones, fruits, and vegetables. Veterinarian Ian Billinghurst proposed this feeding approach in 1993, suggesting that adult dogs would thrive on a diet based on what canines ate before domestication. He termed it the BARF diet, an acronym for Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.
A typical raw dog food diet consists of:
- Muscle meat, often still on the bone
- Whole or ground bones
- Organ meats such as livers and kidneys
- Raw eggs
- Vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and celery
- Fruits like apples
- Some dairy, such as yogurt
Potential Benefits of a Raw Food Diet
Proponents of raw food diets claim numerous benefits, including:
- Shinier coat and healthier skin: Many Pitbull owners report improvements in their dog's coat and skin after switching to a raw diet. Raw food is rich in healthy fats and free of inflammation-causing carbohydrates, which can help reduce itching and dander.
- Cleaner teeth: Chewing raw bones is an excellent exercise for a Pitbull's jaw muscles and a natural way to clean their teeth.
- Higher energy levels: A raw food diet can provide Pitbulls with a higher level of energy-boosting nutrients.
- Smaller stools: Dogs on a raw diet typically have smaller, firmer, and less frequent bowel movements than those who eat kibble.
- Improved digestion: Raw food is easier to digest for most dogs, including Pitbulls. The digestive system of modern dogs closely resembles that of their wild ancestors, making them well-suited to digesting raw meat and bones.
- Weight management: Raw diets, being protein-rich and low in carbohydrates, can help maintain an ideal weight for Pitbulls.
- Reduced allergy symptoms: Raw diets have fewer ingredients than kibble, making it easier to avoid triggers for dogs with food allergies. They also support a healthy skin and coat, improving allergy symptoms.
- More mealtime excitement: Many dogs are more excited to eat real food that smells, looks, and tastes like what they are meant to eat.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Pitbulls
To understand how Pitbulls can benefit from a raw food diet, it's essential to consider their evolutionary history. Canids, the family that includes dogs, have evolved as carnivorous animals. Although domestication has introduced some changes, the digestive system of modern dogs, including Pitbulls, still closely resembles that of their wild ancestors.
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Dogs are classified as facultative carnivores, meaning meat is their biological staple, but they can survive on other food types, including some plant matter. However, dogs have little requirement for carbohydrates, especially refined ones. Most commercial dry dog foods are loaded with carbohydrates, often making up more than 50% of the recipe, because carbs like grains, legumes, and starchy fillers are cheap to bulk out the food.
Addressing the Risks
Despite the potential benefits, raw dog food diets are controversial, and several veterinary organizations recommend against them. Potential risks include:
- Bacterial contamination: Raw foods can carry a risk of bacterial contamination, such as Salmonella. Studies show that Salmonella is found in one-fourth to one-half of raw meat-based diets. However, dogs' digestive tracts are designed to handle potential pathogens. Also, proper handling and preparation can minimize this risk.
- Nutritional imbalances: Many raw meat-based diets have nutritional imbalances that can be harmful. One study evaluated 200 recipes for healthy dogs and found that 95% had at least one essential nutrient below the recommended minimum amount.
- Choking hazards: If bones are included, there is a potential for fractured teeth, penetration of the digestive tract, and gastrointestinal impaction.
Mitigating the Risks: Safe Handling and Preparation
To minimize the risks associated with raw food diets, it's crucial to follow safe handling and preparation guidelines:
- Keep raw dog food frozen until ready to serve.
- Keep the raw food separated from other human food in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Thaw frozen pet food away from frequently used surfaces.
- Throw away your pet's leftovers once they've finished eating.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling the raw food.
- Avoid letting your pet lick your face and mouth after eating.
- Don't let your dog lick any open wounds or broken skin.
- Wash any part of your body that your pet has licked with soap and water after they eat raw dog food.
Ensuring Nutritional Balance
To ensure a nutritionally balanced raw diet, consider the following:
- Consult with a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist: A veterinary nutritionist can help formulate a balanced home-prepared diet or recommend a commercially available raw food diet that meets your dog's specific needs.
- Choose a reputable brand: Select a raw food brand that meets AAFCO standards for your dog's life stage.
- Consider a pre-made raw food diet: Pre-made raw food diets are formulated to be nutritionally complete and balanced, taking the guesswork out of raw feeding.
Transitioning to a Raw Food Diet
Switching from kibble to raw food should be a gradual process to allow your dog's digestive system to adjust. Start by mixing a small amount of raw food with your dog's current food and gradually increase the amount of raw food over 7-10 days. Monitor your dog's stool for any signs of digestive upset.
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Alternatives to Raw Food
If you're hesitant to switch to a completely raw diet, consider these alternatives:
- Freeze-dried dog food: Freeze-dried dog food is made from whole ingredients and goes through a process to eliminate contaminants and has a longer shelf life than packaged raw dog food.
- Fresh dog food: Fresh dog food is refrigerated, high-quality, often human-grade food packed with all-natural ingredients that have been gently cooked to remove harmful bacteria.
- Mixed diet: Combine raw food with kibble or cooked food to provide some of the benefits of raw feeding while minimizing the risks.
Blood Testing for Raw Fed Dogs
Blood testing results from raw fed dogs usually differ from kibble fed dogs. Here are four common blood test markers and what they measure:
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): A marker of liver damage. Decreased ALT levels may indicate malnutrition or starvation, while increased ALT is mainly driven by toxin ingestion or chronic inflammation of the liver.
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): Assesses protein breakdown and usually reflects kidney function. Reduced levels of BUN are generally due to liver damage, inadequate protein intake, or protein malabsorption. Elevated BUN levels can be caused by kidney damage, intestinal bleeding, or heart failure. Raw fed dogs usually have elevated BUN levels since they consume more protein.
- Creatinine: Measures protein breakdown. Lower levels of creatinine are commonly reflective of inadequate protein intake, kidney damage, liver disease, or pregnancy. Higher levels of creatinine are typically indicative of kidney damage.
- Hematocrit: Assesses the percentage of red blood cells in whole blood. Decreased hematocrit is typically characterized as anemia, while increased hematocrit indicates loss of water from the plasma.
The BARF Model Diet
The BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) model diet is a popular raw diet for dogs. BARF diets consist of:
- Raw muscle meat (80%) to provide essential protein, amino acids, and water-soluble vitamins.
- Soft, raw edible bones (10-15%) to provide essential calcium, phosphorous, and other essential nutrients.
- Liver (5%) to provide essential fat-soluble vitamin A and water-soluble vitamins.
- Other secreting organs, such as kidney, to provide essential minerals and water-soluble vitamins.
- Vegetables to provide essential nutrients and beneficial phytochemicals.
- Raw seeds and nuts (pre-soaked and ground) to provide essential minerals, fatty acids, and fat-soluble vitamins.
- Fruit (in small amounts) to provide antioxidants.
The Importance of Plant Ingredients
The inclusion of plant ingredients in raw diets for dogs can be a point of debate. While dogs cannot digest vegetables in their whole, unprocessed form, they can fully digest and absorb the nutrients from plant ingredients when prepared properly. Puréeing raw, non-starchy vegetables is the easiest and most recommended method of preparation. Lightly steaming or fermenting vegetables are alternative preparation methods to promote optimal digestion. Starchy vegetables must be thoroughly cooked before feeding.
Vegetables and fruits are not needed for essential nutrients, but they play a beneficial role in completing nutritional requirements in diets. They provide carbohydrates, which can be used as a source of energy, as well as fiber to support vitamin K synthesization and colon health. Leafy greens are high in magnesium, which is a nutrient often deficient in PMR model meals. Plant ingredients are also warranted to create a complete and balanced diet with ingredient restrictions, such as low purine diets where organ meats are not fed.
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Vegetables and fruit contain carotenoids, flavonoids, antioxidants, and many other phytochemicals that are beneficial to immune function and health.
Raw Feeding for Puppies
For safe growth, it's important to feed a raw puppy-specific formula. ProDog's raw puppy food meals are formulated to FEDIAF nutritional standards and expertly portioned for convenience. Puppy feeding guidelines are different from adult dogs and change as the young dog grows.