Ever since dogs became domesticated pets, commercial dog food has been developed and sold in the market. However, recent propositions have been put forth saying that dogs are better off with a feeding program which is similar to what their ancestors were used to: raw food. Many dog owners who have tried this out themselves report that after some time, their pets developed glossier coats and skin, cleaner teeth, better breath, higher energy levels, and better resistance to allergies. As a result, researchers and veterinarians are now conducting studies on the extent of the benefits of a raw diet for dogs.

The idea of raw feeding stemmed from the ideas of an Australian veterinarian, Dr. Ian Billinghurst. He coined the acronym BARF, which at first stood for “Bones and Raw Food”, and eventually “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food”. According to him, dogs would thrive better on a diet which their bodies and systems were built for.

However, many are opposed to the idea of completely switching to a raw diet for dogs, because they believe that raw feeding is accompanied by many risks. The most common concerns they share are: 1) potential threats to health because of bacteria found in raw meat, 2) an unbalanced diet might damage the dog’s health, and 3) whole bones could choke their dogs, break some teeth or even cause internal injuries.

Fortunately, there are ways to avoid these from happening, and you still get to enjoy all the benefits that raw feeding has to offer. Firstly, it is important to remember that dogs’ immune systems are built differently from humans’ and their digestive tract possesses a natural immunity to many bacteria, as long as the dog is relatively healthy to begin with. You should also thaw out only a little meat at a time, enough for one meal. If your dog happens to leave some leftovers, throw these away immediately. Do NOT save them for later use.

Secondly, a raw diet for dogs can be composed of perfectly balanced meals. It is up to the owner to decide what kind of raw food to feed to their dog. For example, it is useful to introduce one protein source at a time, such as chicken for one week, turkey for the next and so on. This is also a good strategy since it allows you to look out for any allergic reactions your pooch might be prone to. When preparing raw dog food you are also encouraged to throw in some vegetables, fruits, eggs and even yogurt for a healthy, balanced feeding program.

Lastly, it is widely proven that cooked bones are more dangerous than raw bones, because they splinter easily. Chewing on raw bones are safer, and at the same time they can strengthen your dogs’ teeth. Knowing these, you can easily tell that sometimes, natural really is better than artificial. And when it comes to their pet’s health, people should offer their pets no less than the best.