Dogs make great companions and if you have a dog in your life it’s a safe bet that you want to keep him happy and healthy. Are you feeding your dog commercial dog food? Commercial canned dog food is convenient to use but are you giving your dog optimal nutrition? A better idea is to change to a raw food diet for dogs for reasons we’ll go into below

So what are the advantages of a raw food diet? There is more food value weight by weight than in a can of commercial dog food. A can of dog food contains fillers like grains and it also contains a fair amount of water. Each time you purchase a can of dog food these are what you are paying for.

There is ongoing debate about the nuritional value of gains in a canine diet and some say a  dog’s digestion cannot properly process grains. Wherever the truth lies, there is no doubt that grains are added to commercial dog food to boost the manufacturers’ profits rather than the nutritional value!

As commercial dog food need to be cooked as part of the processing process, a lot of the vitamins and minerals in the food are lost. Although extra supplements are added to the final products, can this be as nutritionally whole as the natural vitamins and minerals found in a raw food diet?

The numbers of owners opting for a raw food regime for their dogs are growing. Some prefer to give their dogs a mixture of raw and commercial food. As we become more conscious about what we ourselves eat, we naturally want the same optimal nutrition for our pets. As a dog owner you may have also questioned the quality of the meat that goes into commercial dog food. Most times it is added because it is inferior and not fit for human consumption.

However there are a few concerns people have about starting a raw food diet. To begin with what should you feed your dog and just how much? Are there any foods that should be limited or avoided? Should bones be something to give a dog on a raw diet? Lastly, how could you fit that raw diet into a busy schedule?

The good news is a raw food diet is easy to implement. Simply buy more meat and vegetables at the supermarket instead of canned dog food. That’s it! Your dog will know what he does and doesn’t enjoy eating and will regulate the amount.

Yes, it will take a bit of getting used to, but once you start you’ll get the feel of it in no time and soon it will become second nature. You may also find you’re saving money at the same time by not having to buy heavy cans of dog food and probably extra supplements as well.

When it comes to a raw food diet for dogs, I’m pretty sure your dog will end up thanking you for it. This type of diet will also help to keep your dog healthier and the coat shinier. If you’re still unconvinced, just start gradually adding raw food to your dog’s diet. I’m sure, as you start to see the the advantages you’ll become a convert too.