As a pet owner, being concerned about your dog’s diet is part of the job. Because we all love our dogs so much, we strive to feed them the best food possible. Along the way, we might hear misleading claims about raw food diets that can actually harm our precious pups. If you’re unsure if raw or cooked food is best for your dog, you might want to read on.
It is not a good idea for your dog to be on a raw food diet. But don’t just take it from us. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) advises against it too. Feeding your dog raw animal products can cause bacterial infections that can harm your dog’s health and yours. Raw protein, vegetables, fruits, and eggs can’t give your dog the well-rounded nutrition it needs. So, if you’re thinking about feeding your dog a raw food diet, think again.
At Critter Sitters in Atlanta, our goal is to keep your dog safe and healthy while you’re out of town. When you go on vacation or a work trip, the dog sitters at Critter Sitters can watch over your pet and maintain its regular diet. For dependable dog sitting and dog walking services in Atlanta, call Critter Sitters today at (404) 793-6178.
Is it Safe for Your Dog to Be on a Raw Food Diet?
Putting your dog on a raw food diet could wind up harming your furry friend. These days, dogs are domesticated. There is no longer a need for dogs to hunt and kill prey. So, their bodies aren’t as equipped to handle raw foods as they might have been long ago.
According to the AVMA, feeding your dog a raw food diet isn’t good. Raw animal meat can cause serious bacterial infections in your dog that could spread to you and your family. For example, raw eggs and animal products can give your dog salmonella poisoning. Feeding your pet ground raw bones can also injure the walls of its stomach. It’s generally unsafe to opt for a raw food diet for your dog.
Proponents of raw food diets might claim that such diets can mimic what your dog may have eaten far in the past. However, according to the AVMA, you should not give your dog uncooked food. To err on the side of caution and prevent avoidable bacterial infections, refrain from feeding your dog a raw diet.
Opting for a raw food diet can appeal to dog owners because there’s a presumption that they are a healthy alternative to pre-packaged dog food. However, a raw food diet can actually leave your pup deficient in nutrients. The health risks aside, raw food diets rarely contain the right blend of nutrients your dog needs. When your dog is on a raw food diet, they might be getting way too much of one nutrient but not enough of another. It’s hard to regulate nutrition with a raw food diet. Although you might have thought a raw diet was the healthiest for your dog, that’s not usually the case.
What Are Healthy Alternatives to a Raw Food Diet?
Some pet-owners might opt for raw food diets because they do not want to feed their dog store-bought food. While it’s true that some pre-made dog food options aren’t healthy, there are many great varieties available. Feeding your dog cooked food doesn’t mean that it has to come from a store. You can make your dog’s food at home, so you know exactly what’s in it. If you do, make sure to cook it.
Just because you bought your dog’s dinner at a pet store doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy. Many pre-made options contain the right blend of nutrients for your dog’s breed, age, and weight. If you are worried about sifting through different brands, keep your eye out for those certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). An AAFCO label should be visible on the brand’s packaging, making it easy for doting pet-owners to identify healthy store-bought selections.
Need a quick tip for finding healthy pre-made options for your furry friend? Check the nutrition facts. Ingredients are commonly listed in order of prominence. So, if you notice that the first ingredient is the protein advertised on the front of the package, that’s generally a good sign.
Rejecting a raw food diet doesn’t mean that you have to buy your dog’s food from a store. You can still make it yourself at home. Of course, cooking meals for your dog can be time-consuming. But if it’s important to you to monitor your dog’s nutrition, then making its food yourself is an option. Just be sure to consult with a veterinarian to make sure that what you cook up is healthy for your dog.
Critter Sitters Can Maintain Your Dog’s Diet While You’re Away
When you have to travel for work or vacation, it can be impractical for your dog to accompany you. But leaving your pet at a kennel or without consistent supervision isn’t ideal either. If your dog is on a special diet or you want to prevent it from consuming unhealthy pre-made dog food, enlisting the help of a responsible dog sitting service can ease concerns.
The attentive Atlanta dog sitters at Critter Sitters can manage your dog’s schedule while you’re away. Putting your dog in a kennel could risk it being given unhealthy store-bought options. Generally, kennels will not invest in high-quality dog food because they have to feed so many animals at once. When you call Critter Sitters, our dedicated Atlanta dog sitters can feed your furry friend the nutritious diet you’ve decided is best.
Our dog sitters will regularly visit your dog while you’re out of town. We’ll attend to your dog’s needs, take it on its routine walks, and feed it the diet you’re comfortable with. Do you normally prepare your dog’s food at home? Not a problem. Just do a bit of meal-prepping and inform us about your dog’s specific dietary needs. Our dog sitters want to keep your dog healthy just as much as you do. We’ll keep it on schedule while you’re gone and maintain its daily diet.
Call the Atlanta Dog Sitters at Critter Sitters for Attentive Care
When you need to go out of town, the Atlanta dog sitters at Critter Sitters are here to help. Our dog sitters can maintain your pet’s daily routine and diet while you’re away. For peace of mind, call the Atlanta dog sitters at Critter Sitters today at (404) 793-6178.
