Myths And Fact About Raw Pet Food
Myth:
BONES ARE DANGEROUS AND HAVE NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE
Fact:
This is correct, feeding cooked bones can be extremely dangerous to any pet as cooked bones can and they will splinter. Raw bones rarely splinter and are fully digestible, as for bones not being nutritious: "Bones from prey are required by wolves as the major source of calcium and phosphorus for the maintenance of their own skeletons. Raw bones are well balances for dogs.
Myth:
RAW MEAT IS FULL of BACTERIA THAT WILL MAKE MY DOG SICK
Fact:
Yes, this too is correct; the bacteria in raw meat could hurt your dog. If there is already some kind of underlying issue your dog may have even the raw diets have also been blamed for causing things like: pancreatitis and kidney disease, in reality this was brought on by the change in the diet from the condition the dog already had. Dogs are well-equipped to deal with bacteria. Their saliva has antibacterial properties; it contains lysozyme, an enzyme that lyses and destroys harmful bacteria. They have a short digestive tract that allows food and bacteria to pass through very quickly. The extremely acidic environment in the gut is also a good bacteria deterrent
Yes, the dog can act as a salmonella carrier, but the solution is simple—do not eat dog poop and wash your hands after picking up dog poop, Sorry had to throw that one in there.
Myth:
MY DOG WILL ACQUIRE WORMS FROM THE RAW MEAT IN A RAW DIET
Fact:
Sure you can get parasites from raw meat, but if you are getting you meat and bones from meat that comes from human grade, the parasite factor is almost nonexistent. And if the meat has been frozen for 48h the risk is very low, most parasites are not big issue and can be safely dealt with by your dog if they are normally pretty healthy.
Myth:
RAW MEAT WILL MAKE MY DOG BLOODTHIRSTY
Oh Yes one of my all time favorite myths that lots of people out there are still using.
The dogs by nature, are predator, and will chase other animals because it is hard-wired to do so, not because it is bloodthirsty or has a taste for meat as we humans would like to think. Feeding raw does nothing to change this. Excess carbohydrate however, can cause all sorts of behavioural/psychological issues in dogs which is something to keep in mind.
A lot of pet owners spend quite a bit on dog training when most behavioural issues can be sorted by elimination of processed carbohydrates (kibble) from dogs diet. Just something to think about.
Myth:
HOME-MADE, COOKED DIETS ARE A BETTER, SAFER ALTERNATIVE TO RAW
Fact:
The act of cooking alters the proteins, vitamins, fats, and minerals in a food. This alteration can make some nutrients more readily available and others less available. Cooking can even alter fats to the point of being toxic and carcinogenic.
Some people compensate for these vitamin and mineral deficiencies without resorting to supplements: they simply add vegetables, grains, and dairy products to their carnivores' diets. Complex recipes are developed that create a wide range of foods for the dog (or cat) that must be cooked, steamed, blended, etc. in order for the dog to receive proper nutrition. Our carnivores once again have an omnivorous diet forced upon them in order to help them obtain all the appropriate nutrition that could simply be had by feeding a variety of raw meaty bones and organ meats. Simplicity and perfection are traded for complexity and imperfection.