“A raw dog food diet is designed to mimic a dog’s natural ancestral menu.”
Dogs and cats are natural carnivores, and the essential nutrients they need to thrive come from other animals. When carnivores consume another animal, they eat the meat, organs, some bone, and trace amounts of plant material from the animal’s digestive tract. Carnivores cannot digest vegetable matter without the cellulose walls being broken down to allow access to the nutrients. An omnivore will spend a lot of time chewing vegetable matter using digestive enzymes in the saliva to start the digestion process, and then grind the matter using a sideways chewing action to break the cell walls. Dogs do not have these enzymes in their saliva. They do not chew—they gulp and swallow. Their teeth are made for tearing flesh and consuming it quickly.
Benefits of feeding a raw diet include:
-Improved weight management -Allergy-symptom relief
-Increased stamina and vitality -Healthier skin and coat
-Improved dental health -Immune system support
Raw benefits may also be achieved by feeding freeze dried or dehydrated foods. It is always a good idea to start out slowly on a new diet with any pet. Slowly increase the amount of new food being added to the present diet over a period of 5-7 days. If any digestive upset or loose stool occurs, make the transition more gradual. Allow your pet's digestive system to calm down and return to normal before proceeding.
For more info and raw samples, stop by either Top Dogs location and speak to our educated staff about the benefits of feeding raw.