The Pros and Cons of Feeding Your Dog Fresh, Raw, and Kibble

There are a lot of choices to make when it comes to what you feed your dog. Should you go with fresh food, raw dog food, or kibble? Each option has its own set of pros and cons. In this blog post, we will take a look at each type of food and help you decide which is the best fit for your dog!

If you're pet parents, chances are you've wondered about the best way to feed your furry friend. Should you go with fresh food diet? Raw food diet ? Kibble diet? Or a combination of all three? In this blog post, we'll explore the pros and cons of each type of food so that you can make the best decision for your dog.

Fresh Food

The first type of food we'll discuss is fresh food. Fresh food is, as the name suggests, fresh—meaning it hasn't been processed or preserved in any way. Because of this, fresh food contains more nutrients than kibble or raw food. It's also generally more palatable for dogs, which means they're less likely to get picky about their meals.

A diet made with natural, real ingredients can do wonders for a dog's overall well-being — promoting heart health, increasing energy level, making coats shiny and breath smell better, improving eyesight, and even impacting a dog’s stool. However, cooking for your pet is a process that’s demanding on your time, space, and finances.

If pet owners wish to feed their pets homemade diets, the diets should be prepared and cooked using recipes formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. While it is possible to make a healthy and balanced meal for your dog at home, it is important to do your research to make sure you are providing them with all the nutrients they need. You should also consult with your veterinarian to see if a homemade diet is right for your pet's specific needs.

Fresh food can be more expensive than kibble or raw food, and it doesn't last as long. For those reasons, many pet parents choose to feed their dogs a combination of fresh and processed foods.

Raw Food

Raw food is another option for pet parents. Raw dog food is, as the name suggests, raw meat that has not been cooked. Some people believe that feeding their dogs raw meat is more natural and closer to what they would eat in the wild. Raw food can also be less expensive than fresh food.

Raw dog food diets are becoming increasingly popular, as pet owners look for ways to improve their dog's health. A raw dog food diet usually include organ meats, muscle meat, whole or ground bone, raw eggs, dog-safe fresh fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, and a dairy product such as yogurt. Advocates of raw food diets site these benefits: shinier coats, healthier skin, improved dental health, increased energy, and smaller stools.

While raw diets offer many benefits, they are not appropriate for all dogs. Some veterinarians warn that raw diets are not appropriate for dogs who share their homes with young children or people with compromised immune systems. Meticulous care is required in the handling, preparation, and sanitation of raw food.

Dogs with pancreatitis, cancer, or other diseases may require cooked food. Puppies are also better off having cooked food. Before switching your dog to a raw diet, it is important to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that it is the right decision for your pet.

Raw meat can contain bacteria that can be harmful to both you and your dog if it's not handled properly. Raw meat must be kept frozen until it's ready to be used, and it must be thawed properly before feeding it to your dog.

This can be a hassle for busy pet owners. In addition, some veterinarians believe that a raw dog food diet may not be nutritionally complete for dogs and that it could pose a choking hazard. For these reasons, many pet parents choose to either cook their own raw meat or buy commercially prepared raw diets.

Kibble

Kibble is processed dry food that is made up of ingredients like grains, meats, vegetables, and fats. Kibble is typically the most affordable option for pet owners and it's also the easiest to store (it doesn't need to be refrigerated).

Dry dog food or kibble has ingredients that vary by brand, but all are required to be balanced and meet the nutritional needs of a dog. Under USDA regulation, "all animal foods must be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled."

The ingredients in dry dog food, kibble are processed together and cooked. Required ingredients include: protein sources such as beef, poultry, fish, and eggs; grains; cereals; and vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. All dry dog foods need preservatives to prevent the fat from becoming rancid. Some brands are heavy on carbohydrates or have low-quality ingredients and added sugar.

Those who feed their dogs kibble suggest the potential benefits to be: reduced dental plaque, healthier gums, reduced risk of bacteria, etc. Kibble is a convenient way to feed a dog and insure they are getting all the nutrients they need. However, it is important to do research to find a good quality kibble that meets your individual dog's needs.

However, kibble is often lacking in nutrients when compared to fresh or raw foods, and some dogs don't find it as palatable as other options.

Conclusion

There are pros and cons to each type of dog food—fresh, raw, and kibble—and the best option for your dog's diet depends on a variety of factors like budget, lifestyle, and nutritional needs.

Ultimately, the best way to decide what to feed your large breed dog or small breed dog to make sure they get a balanced diet, is to talk to your veterinarian about what would work as the best dog food for your dog . They'll be able to give you tailored advice based on your dog's individual needs and let you know if dry dog food, fresh food or a raw food is best.