The commercial pet food contamination that was revealed by the FDA in March 2007 has caused many people to be concerned about what they are feeding their dog when they open a bag of kibble. Sadly, there is no clear consensus on the nutrition and safety of commercial dog food.
Some, including many veterinarians, believe that kibble is safe and nutritionally sound. Others claim that kibble – which is highly processed – is nutritionally unbalanced, can contain harmful ingredients, and contributes to obesity, tooth decay, pancreatic insufficiency, arthritis, skin problems and even cancer.
Kibble – A Junk Food Diet for Dogs?
Dog trainer Susan K. Johnson, in her book Switching to Raw: A Fresh Food Diet for Dogs that Makes Sense, said, "A cooked diet for a dog is comparable to us eating a bowl of sugared cereal every morning and fast food every night. You wouldn't starve to death, but your immune system and general health would be very poor."
Switching to Raw is a reader-friendly translation the raw food diet for dogs, developed by British veterinarian Dr. Ian Billinghurst, author of Give Your Dog A Bone and developer of the "biologically appropriate raw foods" diet for dogs (BARF). Below are the basic elements of this diet.
A Diet of Fresh, Homemade Food
According to Johnson, feeding a diet that consists of primarily raw, fresh foods provides strong bones, healthy organs, skin and coat, high energy levels, parasite resistance and a boost in the immune system.
The basic ingredients in a homemade dog food diet are:
- Raw meaty bones (chicken wings, necks and backs) be sure not to ever feed dogs cooked bones, which can splinter and cause choking
- Vegetables (with the exception of onions, which can cause hemolytic anemia in dogs, and potato eyes and skins, which contain a toxic substance called solanine)
- Muscle meat
- Fish
- Grains (optional)
- Organ meat
Supplements for a Fresh, Raw Dog Food Diet
The foods listed above provide highly digestible and complete nutrition for a dog. However, to ensure optimal nutrition, one can provide occasional supplements. Johnson recommends the following nine dietary supplements:
- Eggs, including the shell
- Essential fatty acids (found in fish body oil and flax or hemp oil)
- Kelp or alfalfa powder (often marketed as "green powder" and widely available at nutrition outlets, grocery stores, and Trader Joe's)
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C powder
- Cod liver oil
- Vitamin B-complex
- Digestive enzymes and probiotic supplements
- Blackstrap molasses
Johnson recommends that every supplement should not be given every day, but rather each should be used 3-4 times a week.
Cautions When Feeding Raw Meat
Raw or undercooked meat in today's food supply may contain salmonella, e.coli and other harmful bacteria, so when preparing raw meat meals for one's pet, it's important to be diligent about cleanliness.
Use the same methods of preparation and clean up as one would when handling raw meat to prepare a meal for the family.
- Clean all areas touched by the raw meat with hot soapy water, followed by a mild bleach solution (1 tsp. of bleach mixed with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle should be kept in the food preparation area)
- If a dishrag is used to wipe down the area, toss it in the wash rather than just rinsing it out.
- Wash all food bowls and preparation materials last, to avoid contaminating the water, if hand washing.
- Use the "high-temperature" setting on the dishwasher to sterilize.
- Feed the dog using stainless steel bowls, which are easy to clean and don't harbor bacteria.
It might sound complicated, but after a few weeks of feeding a raw diet, feeding a fresh and raw dog diet becomes much more simple. Best of all, dog owners get the satisfaction of knowing exactly what they are feeding their beloved companions.
Source
Johnson, Susan K. Switching to Raw: A Fresh Food Diet for Dogs that Makes Sense. (Birchrun Basics, 2001)
