I can’t believe I have not written a blog post about dogs at all in these over four years of having this blog, but dogs need to be well preserved too. So, it’s definitely more than time to start talking about them—especially because for the most of us with dogs, including myself and my family, our dogs are not just dogs, they are our babies and family. So, we should take care of them and treat them that way.
I actually saw this meme a while ago on Instagram that said something along the lines of, “I wish dogs lived longer and french fries tasted better the next day”. I can’t do anything about the french fries, but there are a handful of things we can do to make sure that our furry loved ones live absolutely as long as possible.
So, let’s discuss what we should be feeding our fur babies. It is the most important thing that we can do to take good care of our dogs.
The food your dog eats is literally the difference between a long healthy life and the potential for health issues and disease. In my opinion, the only answer is raw grain free food with veggies. And I will tell you why. The most important reason to feed your dogs a raw diet that is grain free is that it is purely and without a doubt healthier. It reduces the chances of your dog acquiring a medical condition such as, cancer, dental disease, arthritis, liver disease, and pancreatitis. Other benefits are that it can provide shinier fur coats and less itching, better muscle mass and less weight issues, more energy, better dental health and smaller and firmer poops.
The reason dogs have smaller and firmer poops is because they absorb more of the raw food since there are no “fillers” in the food; almost all of it is utilized in their bodies. And who doesn’t want smaller and firmer poops to pick up? I know I do.
Also, a recent study actually discovered that puppies who were fed a raw diet actually have fewer environmental allergies as adults than puppies who were fed processed dry food. So, there is less itching and scratching. Raw food is purely a win win.
Furthermore, raw food is bioavailable and contains live bacteria and enzymes that are easily digestible to dogs. When the meats you feed your fur baby are cooked at high temperatures, including boiling, microwaving, barbecuing. frying and grilling, carcinogenic chemicals called heterocyclic amines are created and released into the meat that may increase the risk of breast, colon, lung, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. All of that is a problem for dogs, which is why dogs are supposed to eat raw meat and uncooked foods. It boosts their immune systems, which makes it less likely that your dog will get sick.
And, you know vet bills are extremely expensive, so even though a raw diet is pricey, in the long run, it is cheaper than the alternative. It is basically the same deal as with humans, right? If you eat better, you spend less time in the doctor’s office with problems. I am speaking from firsthand experience. Two of my doggies died from cancer after years of fighting the battle and paying extremely costly medical bills. That is really why my family and I even turned to a raw diet for our dogs. We were sold on all of the health benefits, because our hearts could not take another cancer diagnosis, and we would rather spend extra on our dog’s food than on vet bills. It isn’t just the money; it’s the heartache, and sickness changes your dog’s personality and demeanor, as well. It is a tragedy for everyone.
It should be noted though that not all raw foods are made the same. It is important to read the labels and make sure you are buying the food from a reputable company. Your fur baby should be eating human-grade raw meat. Some pet-grade meats contain preservatives that are actually bad for your fur baby. In my family, we feed our fur babies raw ground duck with zucchini from the Petstaurant. They serve only human-grade foods, and they serve a lot of different meats, so if your baby does have allergies or is picky, there are real options.
Also, I don’t know about you, but I worry a lot about whether or not my fur baby is drinking enough filtered water. Yes, I did say filtered water because if you wouldn’t drink the water yourself, you shouldn’t be giving it to your dog. Anyways, I get to worry less about his water intake, because raw food contains a lot more moisture than dry food. So, dogs that eat a raw diet are generally more hydrated than those that eat cook or dry food.
Another important thing to note is that dogs should not be eating grains at all. Grains are used as fillers in dog food, and they are added to kibble and dry foods to make unstable foods last longer. It’s how kibble and other dry foods are shelf stable for 2 years at a time. Nothing you feed your precious fur baby should be shelf stable for 2 years. Just think about it. How could food with meats and other what were once fresh foods last for 2 years? Preservatives and other toxins. Additionally, grains—especially glutenous grains can hurt their organs because dogs do not need grains in their diet at all. It is not at all essential to their diet, and they don’t digest grains in the same we do because they don’t need them. They did not eat grains in the wild, and for that matter, most dogs are allergic to wheat all together.
Lastly, another thing to think about is that you shouldn’t be feeding your dog table scraps. Most of this is because they should be eating a raw diet without grains; so that means lot of the foods on your table should simply not be fed to your dog. There are also a few other foods that are poisonous to dogs. Those are chocolate, garlic, grapes, onion and raisins. I am sure there are other foods out there that are problematic, as well. So, just be careful. However, every once in a while, as a treat, I do feed my fur baby sushi grade wild caught salmon and tuna as a treat, organic pasture raised scrambled eggs and organic berries. If you are going to do that, as well, I recommend only giving small bites and very little at first to see how they like it and how their stomachs handle it. It’s like feeding a baby, you can’t go crazy at the beginning and overdo it.
I hope this post was helpful. Everyone who knows me at all knows that I seriously love dogs more than humans. I let dogs kiss me on the mouth, and my fur baby literally sleeps on my silk pillowcase. I would never even let my husband touch my pillow. So, that’s where we’re at.
Here’s to our fur babies also being well preserved.
Always,
Taylor
