Feeding raw

from DQ Magazine Issue 2B

by hqmagazine

Meet Daniella and Romeo

TEXT: VENUSHA MOODLEY-NIRMAL

FEEDING

RAW

COUNTERING THE ARGUMENTS

Pet parents today are armed with more knowledge than ever before, and many are starting to question whether feeding a processed, chemically preserved, artificially flavoured, dehydrated pellet is actually good enough for their dogs. This questioning on the part of pet parents has triggered some negativity in the industry towards the feeding of a species-appropriate raw food diet for dogs. This negativity, unfortunately, centres on a lack of understanding of the principles of raw feeding or a more pervasive resistance to change.

FEED THEM AS NATURE INTENDED

In understanding the need for the raw food diet, we need to remember that dogs are descended from wolves and whilst our pets have evolved in many ways, internally, they are still the same and have the same nutritional needs as their wild ancestors. This means that the high carbohydrate content

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The commercial pet food industry only came into being approximately 60 years ago, so what were parents feeding their pets prior to this?

of commercial foods, along with the questionable quality of their ingredients, is problematic for our pets and results in a decrease in overall health and wellbeing.

We are not phased by feeding mice to a snake, but we shy away from the thought that our cute little furball is actually a carnivore. Yet, what we need to acknowledge is that nature has equipped our pets with specific tools to allow them to consume raw meat:

The digestive system of a dog is short reducing the risk of bacterial colonisation.

A dog’s teeth are made to deal with meat. 1. One of the primary traits of a carnivore is their dentition, and our dog’s teeth are those of a carnivore. Our dog’s teeth are used for biting, tearing and pulling apart meat, and, for this reason, their dentition varies significantly from our own. Their jaws also only allow an up/down movement, not the side-to-side movement we use to break down plant matter. 2. Our dog’s guts are adapted to deal with raw meat. If you are scared about bacteria from raw meat making your pet sick, please do not fear; nature has taken care of this one too. Your cute carnivore has a highly acidic gut; specifically, the digestive juices are around pH 1-2, and this high acidity is used to digest bone matter and kill off any pathogens. Our dogs also have a shorter gut than humans (about three times shorter, to be precise!). This is significant as bacteria require time to colonise, so with the transit distance being shorter, there is little time for colonisation. In this way, pets are able to handle common food spoilage bacteria that we cannot.

Buying packaged raw meat can be a good option.

HEALTH CONSEQUENCES

Not all pets will be sick from a commercial diet, but we need to look at their longevity and the quality of their lives. A human child fed processed junk food every day may not be physically sick, but does he have the same energy levels and quality of life as a child fed whole, fresh foods? The difference between a commercially fed pet and a raw-fed pet is vast and needs to be seen to be believed. We need to start asking ourselves why we are told to feed processed food to our pets and if it is really the best thing to do?

The increase in cases of pet obesity, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and even urinary tract infections is enormous, and all of these conditions can be prevented, managed or even reversed by a species-appropriate, balanced raw diet.

DIET FOR PREVENTION, NOT CURE OF ILLNESS

The two main aspects of a raw diet that assist with the prevention of health issues are: 1. Protein content. Most raw diets are made up of a minimum of 70% protein. This provides all essential and non-essential amino acids in the most bio-available form for the pet to thrive. Young pets require protein to meet their body’s demands for growth and muscle development,

BENEFITS OF RAW

People have been feeding balanced raw diets for decades, and their pets have experienced all the benefits of this diet. Here are just a few: 1. Shiny coats and fur 2. Clean teeth 3. Improved joint health 4. Lean muscle development and retention 5. Less shedding of the coat 6. Improved poop quality (less smelly!) 7. Improved gut health 8. Improved immunity 9. Weight management 10. Decreased vet bills

whereas older pets require it for the retention of muscle. 2. Water content. Raw food has approximately 70% water (depending on the meat source), and dry food has between 5-10% water. Water flushes out the bladder and kidneys and prevents kidney disease as well as cystitis and crystal formation.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO RAW

Feeding raw is not easy. There’s research to be done, and you need to be sure the meals are nutritionally BALANCED; otherwise, you can do more harm than good to your pet. This is why most people get it wrong; they feed a piece of chicken or steak and think they are feeding raw when the reality is much more complex than that. There are essential and non-essential amino acids as well as vital minerals and vitamins that need to be provided in order to meet your pet’s cellular and bodily function needs.

If you are unsure about how to balance the meals, then be sure to contact any pre-made raw food companies that can supply you with balanced meals.

Raw feeding is not about convenience as you are no longer reaching for a bag. It takes more time and more effort, but the benefits you will see in your pet will make it worth it.

Great health starts with great nutrition, and when we know better, we can do better.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Venusha Moodley-Nirmal is a Pet Nutrition Blogger based in Ballito and has started her own pet nutrition company, 3LittleAngels Pet Nutrition. She is a qualified Microbiologist and Cellular Biologist who needed to change her own pets’ diets when they started showing symptoms of illness caused by commercial foods. Through her own experience, she has been able to assist pet parents with their pets and provide a better quality of life. Venusha has successfully assisted pets with managing and reversing weight issues, diabetes (these pets are no longer on insulin), kidney disease, IBD, food allergies and skin conditions. You can follow her Facebook blog on pet nutrition here: https://www.facebook. com/3littleangelspetfood