What's for Supper?
Welcome to May! And on May 9th, Happy Dog Mom’s Day!
This month, let’s talk dog food. This can be a highly controversial topic and it’s not our job to be an “expert” on best diets for your dog. That’s a conversation between you and your veterinarian. However, as the raw food diet for dogs is trending on social media these days — let’s talk about the different schools of thought so you can be prepared to discuss the options at your dog’s next vet appointment.
BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)
BARF is made of 70% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bones, 10% secreting organs, and 10% produce (vegetables and fruits). These diets may also include supplements such as fish oil or kelp to make sure all the essentials are covered.
The pros of this diet — this is about as natural as it gets. Just as the Paleo Diet for humans aims to structure our diets as the caveman’s, the BARF Diet is centered around what the dog’s natural diet in the wild would be. However, it’s not without its issues.
Beyond the cons of cost (hello! Cha-ching!), the BARF Diet can carry with it potential for bacterial risks — salmonella, listeria, and E. coli being among the top concerns. Additional cons include the possible deficiencies in calcium or other essential vitamins. And of course, choking concerns anytime you give a dog bones.
Dry Food Kibble
Dry food is, hands down, the most affordable option when it comes to feeding our dogs, and provides additional benefits such as a reduction of tarter and plaque on the dog’s teeth. It’s easy to measure and store. It has a longer-term shelf life, as well. Additionally, dry food offers a complete nutrition profile, taking the guess-work out of ensuring all the essential vitamins and minerals a dog needs are met.
However, depending on the brand — the protein quality may be compromised. It’s important to review your ingredient list to ensure your dogs are being fed quality ingredients, without a lot of fillers or byproducts.
Additionally, the low moisture content may lead to dehydration if your dog doesn’t naturally drink enough water.
Wet Food Canned
Wet food offers the hydration benefit that those dogs on a dry diet may miss, especially if they do not drink much water. Wet food is a great option for picky eaters or seniors who have a reduced sense of smell or may have missing teeth.
A con to a wet diet is the potential for tarter build up on teeth, not to mention the shorter shelf-life of open cans. For a dog who grazes rather than eating at designated meal times — a wet diet may spoil if set out too long.
A hybrid approach between dry and wet foods is the most common approach to feeding.
Homemade / Cooked Diet
Owners who want to invest in the time and energy to create homemade and cooked meals for their dogs certainly have an advantage — they can source their ingredients and eliminate many of the fillers, byproducts, and preservatives often found in manufactured dog food.
However, this is a major commitment. Those who choose this route have to ensure they are monitoring the overall nutritional needs of the dog. While well-intended — studies have shown that 95% of homemade recipes are lacking in at least one essential nutrient the dog needs.
Vegetarian / Vegan Diet
Many vegetarians and vegans may be drawn to the idea of putting their dog on a vegetarian / vegan diet. However, proceed with caution. Dogs are omnivores and while they can survive on plant-based food, they still need their unique dietary requirements respected and considered.
Dogs who eat a variety of fruits and vegetables in their diets do enjoy beautiful coats, but there are health issues to be considered.
Can it be safely done? Yes — but you should always consult a veterinarian before doing so.
Again, this is not our area of expertise, but we are often asked about our opinions for dog food. I’m a big proponent for doing your homework, researching brands, and again — always consult your veterinarian.
