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Dogs bring so much value to our lives through their unconditional love, and we know you want the very best for them. With so many different foods available in supermarkets and online, it can feel overwhelming to know which diet will best support their physical and mental wellbeing.
Chances are, if you’re already reading this, then you’ve probably thought about whether it’s worth feeding a raw food diet. If you’re new to looking into the health benefits of raw dog food, let’s break down the scientific facts.
In the grand scheme of how long dogs have lived in our homes, kibble hasn’t been around for very long. Commercial dog foods were created for consumer convenience, shelf-stable, easy to pour into a bowl, and low-cost. That said, these products were not designed with dogs’ true biological needs in mind.
In the wild, animals instinctively know what their bodies need. Dogs are natural carnivores, they need meat. Wolves, for example, eat the meat, organs, and bones of their prey. In doing so, they also consume small amounts of vegetation from the innards of that prey.
With this in mind, how does commercial dried or wet food compare? The answer is not very well. Most commercial dog foods you’ll find on a supermarket shelf contain high amounts of grains and unrecognisable fillers, and extremely low percentages of actual meat.
Fifty years ago, the average life expectancy of a Labrador was 12–15 years. In contrast, that figure has dropped to an average of just 8–10 years. This was highlighted in a 2019 study by Thomas Sandberg titled What All Pet Owners Should Know!
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While veterinary care has improved drastically, consumers today have been heavily misled about what dogs should be eating. As a result, dogs are now far more prone to issues such as dental disease, allergies, gastrointestinal conditions, and even cancer. Many of these conditions can be treated medically, but the sad truth is that a large number could be avoided entirely with a better understanding of dog nutrition from the start.
We know that eating heavily processed food all the time is bad for our health. The same goes for dogs. Here’s a quick question: what comes to mind when you hear the word “ultra-processed”?
You might think of low nutritional quality, high sugar, and high fat content, and those descriptions apply to many dog foods on the market today.
As mentioned earlier, kibble is typically made up of grains and fillers, which are very carb-heavy. When your dog munches down on these biscuits, it leaves a starchy residue on their teeth, leading to high risks of dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
Additionally, the high carbohydrate content can contribute to weight gain, which is linked to various chronic health conditions. Given the negative health impacts of many processed dog foods, it’s no surprise that life expectancy in dogs has decreased in recent decades.
While raw dog food has gained popularity in recent years, it is far from a trend or a new concept. A fresh, raw dog food diet closely mimics the natural, species-appropriate way that dogs are meant to eat.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to raw feeding. One suggests that dogs thrive on what is known as an 80-10-10 diet, 80% meat, 10% organ meat (offal), and 10% bone.
The other belief is that dogs benefit from this formula along with a small amount of fruit and veg to support digestion.
High-quality meat source: Look for meals where at least 80% of the content comes from a fresh protein source.
Minimally processed: To keep it as close to a dog’s natural diet as possible, processing should be kept to a minimum. That means no unnecessary fillers or additives.
Correct formulation: If you’re choosing a complete meal that includes fruit and veg, only around 15–20% of the meal should be made up of vegetation. Anything higher could be a sign that the meal is being bulked out with cheap veg to lower production costs.
One of the first visible improvements you might notice when switching to a raw food diet is improved weight management. Once you cut out excessive carbohydrate content, dogs often lose any unnecessary fat. The benefit of this is that it helps reduce strain on their joints and organs, which is especially important for improving the mobility and longevity of senior dogs.
In addition to helping with weight, a raw diet can significantly improve digestion. Because the ingredients are fresh, natural, and biologically appropriate, dogs are less likely to suffer from bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhoea. Their bodies are simply better equipped to process real food.
A stronger immune system is another key benefit. With higher-quality nutrients, dogs can fight off illness more effectively and recover faster when they do get sick. Protein is a major macronutrient that forms the building blocks of canine health, and Rude Dog Food complete meals include ingredients rich in antioxidants to help support strong immunity.
Finally, raw diets contribute to improved dental health. Without the starches found in dry kibble, there is far less residue left on the teeth. This helps reduce plaque build-up, lowers the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, and supports overall oral hygiene, minimising the risk of painful infections that can spread to other parts of the body.
Once again, most raw meals, including all of the Rude Dog Food meals, include bone, which provides calcium to support healthy teeth and bones.
After taking a look at all of these facts, it is clear that a well formulated raw dog food diet, designed by a replicable and accredited raw dog food manufacturer (like Rude Dog Food), will set your dog up for a happier, and healthier life.
If you would like some support on how to make the switch over to raw food, then you can find us on social media @rudedogfood and one of our friendly team will be more than happy to give you some advice!
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