When it comes to feeding dogs, one of the more recent trends is a movement back to raw diets. An Aussie vet Dr. Ian Billinghurst is credited with developing the raw diet movement as far back as 1993. He called this the BARF diet, an acronym for Bones and Raw Food.
Dogs on this diet are fed raw ingredients including meaty bones, organ meat, vegetables, eggs, fruit, and some dairy, The theory behind it is that dogs would thrive because this diet was based on foods dogs ate before domestication. Supporters of raw food diets cite health improvements including healthy skin and coat, reduced dental issues, and firmer stools.Although the idea of a raw natural diet sounds good in principle, several studies have been published in vet journals that outline risks that are associated with this diet when not fed correctly. Two primary risks including creating a diet that is unbalanced for the age of the pet and potential food poisoning
as a result of incorrect handling of raw ingredients. Things have come a long way since these risks were published and modern practices from well-regarded companies have set the benchmark high. We are stockists of The Butcher's Dog Raw meals. The team has addressed this issue by creating a puppy formulation - Puppy Love Chunky Beef and Chicken with Crushed Bone. Meals are fresh frozen to ensure the meals are nutrient dense, balanced and convenient, just the way you would like to prepare them yourself!Initially, raw diets are best suited to healthy adult dogs; if your dog has any ongoing health issues then you should consult your vet before switching. Those new to raw diets should use one that provides a nutritional analysis of the food on the packaging and exercise the same level of care and attention as if they were handling raw ingredients that they are preparing for their own consumption.
Another small family owned pet food company called The Right Start Pet Food has been developing a raw diet for dogs. They looked at the science of pet nutrition when developing their formulation and after years of trialing, produced a formula that tastes great, whilst ensuring that the dog would obtain all the essentials nutrients to stay fit and healthy.
ZIWI Peak are a New Zealand pet food manufacturer who produce an air-dried and canned version of raw pet food. A ready-to-serve food with no fillers, binders, or artificial additives. The natural process of air drying, ensures that the health benefits of a raw diet are captured and available to owners in a more convenient format.
For further information, call in & see us in the store, or email us: admin@weknowpets.com.au
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