There hasn’t been much research conducted on raw feeding for pets; So, every new study is vital and contributes to the understanding and establishment of the field.
In 2017, two important studies have been published about raw feeding for pets. The first study found that raw feeding encourages a healthy digestive tract in dogs; While the second showed the risks of feeding raw food. Both are important and I want to summarize them for you.
Feeding a high meat content diet improves dog’s digestive tract
A New Zealand study published at February 2017 found that dog owners can improve their dog’s wellbeing by feeding a high meat content food.
The study examined the role of different bacteria operating in the dog’s digestive tract between those fed raw as opposed to those eating commercial dry foods. They wanted to get a clear picture of what is optimal feeding. Understanding the activity of the bacteria is vital; Due to its connection to digestion, disease such as obesity and even influence on mood and behavior.
The study, conducted by a research company and Massey university, found that a high meat content diet is easier to digest and so enables more nutrients to be available for the body to absorb. As a result, higher levels of positive bacteria are formed related to protein and fat digestion.
The findings are:
- Higher meat diets are more digestible for dogs.
- More nutrients are available for the body to absorb in higher meat diets.
- Dogs eating high meat diets have higher levels of positive bacteria.
- Dogs eating a high meat diets have smaller firmer stool.
We can learn from this study that dogs need to eat a diet rich in meat and low in carbohydrates, unlike that which is available in dry commercial foods (some containing over 50% carbohydrates).
This means, home prepared dog food which contains a high percentage of meat is the optimal for the dog’s digestive tract and overall health.
At the same year, a Dutch study published the dangers of feeding a raw food diet
The study examined 35 raw food products from 8 different brands and found that 86% of the samples contained dangerous pathogens. The researchers have found Salmonella, listeria, E Coli as well as antibiotic resistant bacteria and various types of parasites.
The researchers have stated that pets eating raw food can transfer these different pathogens to their human friends through direct contact with the food, licking, stroking their fur after the pets had licked it, household items the pet touched or cross contamination while preparing the food in the kitchen.
Finding the antibiotic resistant bacteria was especially worrying for the researchers which pointed out that it holds a significant health risk for the pets and humans alike. Not just that infections from it are hard to treat but also it increases its size in the general population.
This study doesn’t speak against feeding raw but its purpose is to raise awareness to the risks associated with this kind of feeding. Pet owners need to be educated about proper hygiene and how to handle raw food. The researchers also stated the importance of writing precautions and proper handling instructions on the food labels.
Research shows significant increase in life expectancy of dogs fed real food
I want to briefly point out a study published in 2003 by Belgian researchers named dr. Gerard Lippert and Bruno Sappi. The research took place over a period of 5 years and included 552 dogs. It examined key factors and their affect on the dog’s wellbeing and life expectancy. The characteristics examined were breed, size, neutering/castration, weight, nutrition, living condition and family environment.
The findings were that there are two intrinsic factors (breed and size) and two extrinsic factors (neutering/spaying) which dramatically affect life expectancy. According to the research, neutering/spaying raised the median age of the dogs by – 21 months. But, nutrition was found to be with the greatest and more extreme influence on life expectancy.
They found that dogs eating exclusively the same homemade meals as their owners, lived on average, 32 months longer compared to dogs eating commercial canned food. Dogs eating commercial canned food and table scraps, lived on average, 1 year longer than those eating exclusively canned food.
The conclusion of the researchers was that feeding homemade food to dogs will improve their wellbeing and life expectancy.
My recommendation – feed cooked homemade meat-based food
Both studies published at 2017 referred to raw cooked food. My recommendation is to feed real meat-based food cooked at low temperatures. This way we gain the health benefits found in the first study and avoid the health risks presented by the second. Plus, we can achieve the improvement in life expectancy demonstrated in the 2003 study.
I believe that beneficial whole grains provide necessary nutrients and I don’t promote a diet based exclusively on meat, bones and fat. There needs to be a proper balance between all the components of the diet in a way to best promote internal health. Cats of course are different and don’t need any grains.
In conclusion, we can see that homemade food benefits our pets and contribute to their health. But remember that because we are handling real food we need to know how to maintain proper hygiene just like with our food.