Switching Your Lab To Raw: A Beginner's Guide

There is a growing interest in feeding dogs a raw diet, which is designed to replicate the diet of their wild ancestors. While some people believe that raw feeding is species-appropriate, others argue that it is unsafe. Kibble is a convenient option for dog owners who travel frequently, but some dogs may be allergic to grains. Before switching to a raw diet, it is important to consider your circumstances, such as your ability to handle and prepare raw meat, and your dog's individual needs, such as their activity level, age, and health.

Pros and cons of raw feeding

Raw feeding for dogs is a controversial topic. While some dog owners prefer raw food diets for their dogs, others believe commercial dog food is a better option.

Pros of Raw Feeding

Raw feeding is designed to replicate the diet of wild dogs and wolves. It is perceived to be more natural, healthier, and more economical than commercial cooked dry or canned pet food. Raw food diets are free from preservatives and are believed to be a good option for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.

Cons of Raw Feeding

The biggest concern with raw food diets is the potential for bacterial and parasitic contamination and infection, even in previously frozen meats. Raw meats can harbor dangerous bacteria like Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, and E. coli, as well as microscopic parasites like Sarcocystis and Toxoplasma. These pathogens can cause serious infections in both people and pets. Additionally, raw food diets are more expensive, more time-consuming to prepare, and can cause tooth injuries if they include bones. There is also a risk of nutritional imbalance with raw food diets, as they may not provide all the essential nutrients required by dogs.

The decision to feed a dog a raw diet should be made after considering the dog's specific circumstances and the owner's comfort level with handling and preparing raw meat. It is important to consult with a veterinary nutritionist to ensure that the raw diet is complete and balanced, meeting the dog's nutritional requirements.

Raw feeding vs commercial dog food

Raw feeding for dogs is a controversial topic. While some dog owners believe that a raw diet is best for their pets, others feed their dogs commercial dog food.

Pros of Raw Feeding

Raw feeding is designed to replicate the diet of wild dogs and wolves, which are all predators. Raw-fed dogs have been observed to have a good, healthy body condition and are not overweight. They also have higher energy levels, shinier coats, cleaner teeth, and normal bowel movements. Raw feeding may be especially beneficial for dogs with food allergies. For example, a dog owner reported that their puppy's stomach issues disappeared after switching to raw chicken, although it did develop skin issues. Raw feeding may also reduce the risk of bloat, a painful and frequently fatal condition that is more common in dogs fed high-fat kibble.

Cons of Raw Feeding

Raw feeding can be expensive, especially for medium to large dogs. It also requires meticulous care in handling, preparation, and sanitation of raw food. Dogs with certain diseases may require cooked food, and puppies should also be fed cooked food. Raw-fed dogs are at an elevated risk of shedding antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, and there is a risk of introducing foodborne pathogens to humans in the household.

Pros of Commercial Dog Food

Commercial dog food is convenient and readily available, making it a good option for dog owners who travel frequently. Commercial high-pressure pasteurized (HPP) diets are subjected to high pressure without heating, killing most bacteria, including Salmonella and Listeria, without altering nutritional quality. Commercial dog food is also generally less expensive than raw food.

Cons of Commercial Dog Food

Some owners believe that commercial dog food is not good for their dogs and prefer to feed them a more natural diet. Commercial dog food may also contain grains, which dogs are not ideally suited to digest.

Ultimately, the decision to feed a dog raw food or commercial dog food should reflect the owner's current circumstances and preferences.

Health benefits of raw feeding

Raw feeding for dogs is a controversial topic. While some people believe that a raw diet is best for their dogs, others, including some veterinary professionals, disagree.

Raw feeding is designed to replicate the kind of diet that wild dogs and wolves eat when they catch and consume their prey, and to replace commercial dog food entirely. This diet consists of raw, meaty bones and vegetable scraps.

Some people believe that raw diets have improved their dog's health. They report that their dogs have a healthier body condition, higher energy levels, shinier coats, cleaner teeth, and normal bowel movements. They also believe that their dogs have fewer health problems. Some dogs have shown improvements in allergies, atopy, gastrointestinal disorders, idiopathic epilepsy, and cancer.

However, there are also health risks associated with raw diets. A large epidemiologic study published in 2017 indicated that raw meat consumption was a significant risk factor for Salmonella shedding in dogs, and close to half of the infected dogs appeared healthy. The FDA has also found that raw pet food was more likely to contain disease-causing bacteria than other types of pet food.

Before starting your dog on a raw diet, it is important to consider your current circumstances and how you feel about raw feeding. You should also consult with a veterinarian to discuss the possible benefits and risks for your dog and your family.

How to prepare raw meals

Before you start preparing raw meals for your 56lb lab, it is important to consider your current circumstances and how you feel about raw feeding. Ask yourself: Are you happy to handle and prepare raw meat? Do you have enough storage space in your freezer and fridge? Do you travel a lot with your dog? Is your dog's immunity compromised? Has your dog ever had bloat or other health issues?

If you decide to proceed with a raw diet, you can prepare meals using a variety of proteins, such as chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, fish, or eggs. It is recommended to include bones and offal in your dog's diet as well, to ensure they get all the nutrients they need. You can use bone meal or powdered bone as a supplement, but be sure to source it from a reputable retailer as garden centre or hardware store bone meal may contain harmful additives. When sourcing organs, buy enough to make several batches and grind or chop what you need for future recipes.

Raw meals can be prepared according to the 7:1:1:1 ratio, which means lots of meat, and not too much bone or excreting organ. You can also include small amounts of vegetables and fruits, but this is a matter of personal preference. Adult dogs should eat about 2-3% of their ideal body weight daily, so for a 56lb lab, you would aim for approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds of food per day, split into 1-2 meals. If your dog is very active, you may want to increase this amount, and if they are more sedentary, you may want to feed a bit less.

It is important to follow safe hygiene practices when preparing raw meals. Keep ingredients frozen until you need them, and defrost in a sealed container at the bottom of the fridge. Minimise bacterial growth by keeping food as cold as possible during preparation and returning it to the freezer as soon as possible.

How much to feed your dog

The amount of food to feed your dog depends on several factors, including their age, weight, anticipated adult weight, breed, activity level, metabolic rate, and more. For example, very young puppies should be fed 3-4 times per day, while older puppies and adult dogs can be fed twice a day. Additionally, smaller dogs require a higher percentage of their body weight in food, while larger dogs require a smaller percentage. As a rule of thumb, you can feed your dog 2-4% of their body weight, split between morning and night meals. For example, a 50-pound dog would eat about 8 pounds of food per week, or about 32 pounds per month.

It's important to observe your dog closely and adjust their food quantity as needed to maintain a healthy weight. Different dogs have different requirements, and it can be hard to determine the exact equivalents between different types of food. One dog owner with a 60-pound female Lab reported feeding their dog a cup of kibble every morning and night, with treats throughout the day, while another owner with a 57-pound Lab reported feeding a different amount.

Before switching your dog to a raw diet, consider your current circumstances. Are you comfortable handling and preparing raw meat? Do you have enough storage space in your fridge and freezer? Do you travel frequently with your dog? Is your dog's immunity compromised? It's important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of raw feeding and make a decision that aligns with your circumstances and beliefs.

Frequently asked questions