Perhaps many of us do not remember it because we may not have lived it, but dog food has not always existed, so how could they survive and feed properly? Without a doubt, they had no choice but to follow a homemade diet
Many people are beginning to bet on natural recipes, hence the great boom in the BARF diet for dogs, which defends part of what we are going to present below. Still wondering if raw meat is good for dogs? Clear all your doubts with this AnimalWised article.
Raw or cooked meat?
In the world of canine nutrition we can find countless studies and opinions. Some reject raw feeding due to the possible presence of parasites and pathogens, while others reject cooking due to the loss of enzymes, natural probiotics and vitamins. What is true in all this? Which is the best option?
The domestication process that the dog has undergone has changed some aspects of its digestive physiology, as well as other structures, hence at this point in the story the differences between dogs and wolves, close relatives, are so obvious.
However, the domestication of the dog has not changed its essence or the essence of its diet, a carnivorous diet in the that the dog would consume without any problem, and preferably, raw meat as long as it was in a wild state. Raw meat is good for the dog because it adapts perfectly to its body:
- The teeth are strong enough to tear through flesh.
- The stomach is small and muscular, it is prepared for its digestion.
- The intestine is short which prevents meat from rotting during digestion.
- The dog's digestive juices as well as its saliva are perfect for assimilating meat protein.
The dog's digestive system is prepared to easily digest meat, preferably raw, which is how it would be consumed in the natural environment. We should also point out that some legends, such as "raw meat makes a dog more aggressive" are totally false.
However, as we mentioned at the beginning, there are possible parasites and pathogens that can be found in raw meat, so it will be essential to look for foods that certify their quality Likewise, to fully ensure that our dog cannot contract infections by salmonella, E.coli or trichinosis, for example, we can freeze the meat or slightly mark it to the iron before offering it. It remains up to the owner to offer it totally raw, for a better nutritional contribution, or lightly cooked, to avoid he alth problems. This is a personal choice.
Finally, point out that, in the end, it will be the dog itself who will choose to eat one product or another. While some dogs will lick their lips at the sight of a piece of raw meat, others will reject it with an obvious disgusted face, something that tends to happen in small breeds, in older dogs, or in those that have not been used to it since they were puppies.
The proportion of meat in the dog's diet
Although dogs shouldn't eat only meat, the truth is that it should be the food with the greatest presence in their diet As we mentioned in the previous section the dog has a small stomach, therefore the portions should not be large and should be repeated two to three times a day.
In the dog's diet the proportion of meat should be around 75% of the total ration, and contrary to what It is popularly thought that the viscera are not good because they are generally highly intoxicated. For example, all the drugs given to a cow are metabolized in her liver, which causes this organ to accumulate residues that are not beneficial for the dog.
What kind of raw meat is good for a dog to eat?
It is convenient to give our dog leftover lean meat, preferably sheep, goat or beef, however, when we talk about dogs of small size the most recommended meat is rabbit and poultry.
We know that giving raw meat to a dog daily can have a significant economic impact on some families, but we have talked about lean meat leftovers, they are ideal, the dog does not need more and they are very affordable at butcher shops
How to give raw meat to the dog?
Always It is preferable that the meat be fresh, however, it is not essential, we can bet on frozen meat, a much better option more economical. However, if we opt for this method, we must be forewarned and let the meat thaw completely and at room temperature, otherwise its properties will be affected.
It is not necessary to grind or chop the meat, just chop it, remember that your dog is prepared to eat it like this. If you want to improve your dog's he alth, don't hesitate to experiment with a diet based mainly on raw meat.
Also remember that dogs digest raw meat and bones without problems, however, they are not able to assimilate the nutrients of vegetables that have not undergone a cooking or pre-digestion process.
