Close your eyes and imagine you are on the savannah. You can feel the heat and the soft sand and dirt under your feet. The trees are full and green. Several hundred yards away you see an antelope leisurely drink from the local oasis. Hiding behind a tree you see a cheetah focusing in on the antelope and you know in seconds that this majestic creature will be the great hunter’s meal.

     It can certainly be upsetting to think of the violence that exists in nature but the point of this story is that that large relative of your household feline just ate REAL meat. They weren’t served a bowl of dry kibble. This diet is its natural diet and believe it or not your domesticated feline is craving the same!

     Finally, the most controversial diet out there. This raw food diet features raw meat, organs and bone. In addition to pre-made raw diets there are options for making your own.

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In a survey of 110 participants 2.3% feed their companion a raw diet. Keep in mind this can include owners that feed home raw meals in addition to another type of pet food (i.e. freeze dried, dry etc.) The most popular reason owners choose to feed their companion a raw diet includes recommendations made by breeders, pet store recommendations and ingredients involved. Other reasons include veterinarians and personal research.

     Out of the total participants 27.1% believed this diet was good for their pet. Of those that explained the most popular reason why this diet was good was that it was the most natural for their companion. Other reasons included there is no artificial ingredients or preservatives and that it was not processed. Furthermore, it was better for weight management, ill companions and especially cats.  On the other hand, 25.2% of participants believed this diet was not good for their companion. Of those that explained their answer participants said it was not good mainly because of bacteria contamination concerns. Other reasons include cost and time concerns as well balancing the diet properly. Finally, 46.6% of participants were unsure if a raw diet was good or not. Reasons included that is was good for cats who are carnivores but for dogs it depends on the ingredients because there are some ingredients dogs can’t eat. Other reasons included that it was ok only if it was just fruits and veggies but not commercially bought meat. Most people were just unsure entirely.

            This diet is best explained by addressing several myths surrounding this type of food.

 

Myth #1 What about Salmonella and other bacteria?

     Cats, dogs and ferrets actually have shorter digestive tracts with a much more acidic hydrochloric acid stomach content than humans so although our companions can contract these bacteria, it is extremely rare. In most cases bacteria is destroyed by the stomach acid. Some further worry concerns shedding in the feces of their companions. One study shows that 30% of dogs shed salmonella but these studies are actually performed on canines that eat dry kibble diets not raw diets. In fact, there are more pet food recalls on dry foods than other types of diets. Safe practices are always suggested regardless. For example, just as you would clean up with disinfectants and wash any utensils that raw meats like chicken touch, it is important to follow suit when preparing your companion’s diet. In addition, sanitation practices such as clearing your yard of waste as well as cleaning your feline or ferret’s litter box daily is important whether your pet is on a raw food diet or not.

 

In the same study of 110 participants, participants were asked what they did as safety precautions when making or preparing food in general regardless of food type.  Responses included 17.4% said “I wash my hands”, 7.5% said “I wash the preparation surfaces”, 23.7% said “I clean my companion(s) bowls”, 23.4% said “I store food in an air tight container”, 13.5% “I use bag clips or can tops”, 12.3% said “I freeze or refrigerate food” and 2.1% said none. A majority of these participants used multiple cleaning methods.

           

Myth #2 Raw food is bad for the teeth

     Cats, dogs and ferrets do not have significant amounts of the enzymes responsible for breaking down carbohydrates which then are left to sit and decay the teeth. However, they do have the enzyme to break down protein and bad bacteria in meat. In addition, chunked raw meat actually does help the teeth stay clean due to the grinding and chewing action on the meat. A raw diet that includes chunked meat and raw meaty bones keep the teeth pearly white, free from plaque and tartar and even keeps the breath fresh! Because of this there is no need to brush teeth or get expensive dental procedures. 

          

Myth #3 Raw food is really expensive

     Just like anything you buy it can be expensive or cost effective. Raw meat can be found not only at grocery stores but farmers, butchers, meat processors, online suppliers, raising your own or hunting your own, even posting an ad for freezer burnt meats are all ways to get inexpensive or even free meats. In many cases raw feeding is higher quality and less expensive than the cheapest and lowest quality as well as the most expensive and high quality commercial foods.

 

Myth #4 Domestic companions have adapted to a cereal based diet.

     Although it sounds like a few thousand years is a long time it has not been long enough to truly change the physiology of our companions. Just think, it took human beings millions of years to be who and what we are today. Furthermore, dry pet foods only came into our society 70-80 years ago after World War II. This is certainly not long enough for an animal to anatomically change it’s physiology to effectively consume a dry cereal like diet. Dogs, cats and ferrets are merely surviving on these diets, but they are not thriving.

 

Myth #5 Humans are terrible at balancing raw diets

     All of the resources are out there to create a balanced raw food diet including books, websites, veterinarians and animal nutritionists. Believe it or not there are even premade raw diets that you can buy already balanced and complete. Regardless simply follow nature and you'll be well on your way

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            In short

 

Pros:

• Natural and most species appropriate diet

• Better for digestion

• Ingredient control

• No preservatives, artificial colors or flavorings

• More water content

• Nutrient dense

• Nutrients are not destroyed by heat

• Room for variety

• Great for all stages (young and growing, seniors, ill, weight maintenance, etc.)

• Can reduce the use of medications

• Doesn’t require supplementation 

• Less costly (based on protein type and sourcing efforts)

• Pearly white teeth and scentless breath

• Healthier immune system

• Helps prevent and even reverse illness such as kidney failure, urinary tract infections, allergies, cancer, obesity, diabetes, digestive problems and much more.

• Reduction of veterinary bills especially down the road

• Smaller, less frequent and less stinky feces

• Less begging, counter surfing and stealing of food

• More environmentally friendly

• Softer and shiny coat

• Quality, nutrient dense ingredients your companion actually can use.

• You don’t have to feed as much

• More energy

 

Cons:​

• Potentially more costly (based on protein type and sourcing efforts)

• Cannot be left out for more than an hour

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