Put Your Dog on a Raw Food Diet?

The raw pet food movement got a lot of attention when wide-scale pet food recalls prompted many owners to rethink commercial foods. You begin to wonder what would happen if your favorite pet food product got recalled. What if my dog got really sick before a recall was announced?

It makes perfect sense to research alternative ways to keep your dog healthy. We put a lot of time in deciding what’s best to eat in order to stay healthy and full of energy. Should we not do the same for our furry friends?

The raw food diet is attributed to Australian veterinarian Dr. Ian Billinghurst. His book, Give Your Dog A Bone, was published in December of 1993. Though many people say the idea was in existence prior to the publication of the book, it was Dr. Billinghurst and this book that spread the word about the theory, as well as coined the term BARF, which stands for Bones And Raw Food. His book was soon followed by other publications, also from veterinarians, including Dr. Richard Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats and Dr. Kymythy R. Schultze’s Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: The Ultimate Diet. All three vets firmly believe that this type of diet is what pets should be eating to lessen their chances of acquiring diseases, allowing them to live a longer and healthier life.

That being said, we would like to tell you about Going Rawr! Dog Lover’s Compendium, an ebook written all about the raw pet food diet, by Maggie Rhines.

“My research has shown that the raw feeding method is a method safe and beneficial to pets. It is a system of holistic and natural feeding which can provide our pets with the healthier, happier, and longer lives they deserve. Backed by veterinarians, dog breeders, and plenty of practitioners, raw feeding is something all pet owners should look into, as well as keep as an option for their pets.”
~Maggie Rhines

Here at PetsBlogs, many of us own dogs and several of us are multi-dog families. In our own research we’ve found that many vets do not recommend a raw pet food diet for various reasons. However, it’s also important to note that there are vets out there who get kick backs from commercial pet food companies. When it comes to keeping a watchful eye over your pets’ health, read everything you can get your hands on and make an informed decision for you and your dog.

When Maggie approached us with an offer for a free review copy of the book, we were thrilled. While we’ve read the book, we haven’t yet changed any of our own dogs over to a raw food diet but some of us are considering it and feel like Maggie’s book is an excellent go-to guide for making the switch.

Making the switch
Packed with 72 pages of information you can use to help make a decision between starting a raw food diet or staying with what you’re feeding now, it’ll make you think seriously about what’s in commercial dog food and the effects it’s having on your dog. If you decide to switch, transitioning to raw feeding is made easier with the different methods covered inside the book. They’re explained in great detail. There’s even a chapter devoted to picky eaters.

The value of raw food nutrition
You’ll also learn the value of raw food nutrition, nutrient requirements, daily recommended amounts and signs to look for if a deficiency occurs. It suggests muscle meats, raw meat, bones, offal, fruits, vegetables and sources of essential nutrients for your dog’s diet. And you’ll find answers on whether to supplement the diet or not.

Comparing dog diets and raw feeding tools
We all remember learning and understanding the human food pyramid. Maggie teaches you about the canine food pyramid and the importance it plays. The comparison of dog feeding diets is quite educational and a must-know for any dog owner. And there are countless raw feeding tools inside like what you need, how to shop for raw food, and where to find it. Tips for buying beef, pork, poultry, game, fruits, and vegetables. Safe food handling is also covered to assist you. There are also special raw food diets for pregnant dogs, dogs with cancer, and dogs with arthritis.

Holistic dog treats
With the purchase of Maggie’s Going RAWR you’ll also get her Holistic Dog Treats ebook which contains recipes for wholesome dog treats that

• Are free of chemical preservatives
• Contain no artificial colors or flavors
• Contain limited and controlled amounts of salt and sugar
• Full of quality ingredients (not just food by-products)

Overall we found Going Rawr! to be a great resource if you’re contemplating putting your dog on a raw food diet.