Davie FL’s Top Veterinarian Explains About Raw Food vs. Cooked Food

These days many people are questioning the benefit of prepared packaged pet food and are interested in more information on a raw food diet. There are pros and cons to both. The opponents of a raw diet say it can lead to severe health problems and point to the fact that there is little scientific fact to support the benefits. The proponents say that it can do everything from improving the coat, helping clear up allergies, reducing the amount and odor of the stool, etc.

If an animal was out in the wild they would be catching their own food and eating it raw, they would not be cooking it over a fire or in the oven. That being said raw food tends to be easier on digestion. Chewing on the raw bones tends to keep the teeth and gums healthier and breath fresher. The pets weight tends to normalize as there is no added fillers such as corn or grain. There tends to be less allergic reactions because there are no chemicals, preservatives, sweeteners, fillers, and additives.

The cons are that raw meat can have harmful bacteria like salmonella or E. Coli. Even though uncooked bones tend to be considered generally safe there is still a danger of choking or obstruction when swallowed. Raw food tends to be a lot more expensive than packaged pet food.

A raw food diet is not for everyone, even Veterinarians wildly differ on whether or not to feed a raw food diet. If you do decide to try it, make sure to do your research before jumping into it. Watch you pet and throw away any leftovers immediately, clean bowls well between feeding with soap and hot water.

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