Each individual animal and the characteristics of the household should be evaluated (with input from a veterinarian) before deciding which diet is best. Because it is very difficult to formulate a nutritionally-balanced home-prepared diet, a veterinary nutritionist should always be consulted first.įurther research is needed to substantiate the risks and benefits of raw diets. One study evaluated 200 recipes for healthy dogs and found that 95 percent of the recipes had at least one essential nutrient below the recommended minimum amount. Many raw meat-based diets have nutritional imbalances which can be harmful to the dog. If bones are included, fractured teeth, penetration of the digestive tract, and gastrointestinal impaction are all possible as well. Many other types of bacteria are also found in raw diets. Dogs and cats can become ill due to Salmonella, but the greatest risk is to the humans in the household. Salmonella can be found in commercial diets also, but the risk is much lower. This means many of the antibiotics commonly used to treat infections caused by these bacteria will not work. Studies show that Salmonella is found in one-fourth to one-half of raw meat-based diets, with a high number of resistant isolates being found. These organizations cite the risks to the pet, other animals, and humans as the basis for their decision. The Delta Society’s Pet Partners Program excludes animals eating a raw meat-based diet from participating in their therapy animal programs.
Benefits of dmg for dogs professional#
Several professional veterinary organizations recommend against feeding raw meat-based diets, including the American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. A high incidence of nutritional imbalances.Increased health risks to the dog and other pets in the household.Increased health risks to humans from handling raw meat and everything it touches as well as from exposure to increased numbers of bacteria in the dog’s feces.Opponents of raw diets point to the following: Reduced poop production and improved colonic health (extrapolated from human studies).Avoids the potential contaminants that commercial dog foods may contain (e.g., the 2007 recall due to melamine).Avoids the harmful effects caused by processing and the inclusion of by-products or chemically synthesized additives and preservatives, which might increase the risk of some cancers.A more natural diet, resembling what a dog in the wild would eat.Cleaner teeth and less odor to the mouth, body and feces.Advocates cite the following reasons for why feeding a raw meat-based diet is beneficial: One of the main points put forth in the article is that there are strong opinions on each side of the argument but little scientific data supporting either side. One type of diet that is becoming increasingly popular, the raw meat-based diet, is also one of the most polarizing topics in veterinary nutrition.Ī recent article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Associationreviews the potential risks and benefits of raw meat-based diets. Pet food industry marketing often complicates the issue and presents conflicting viewpoints. We love our dogs and want to provide them with the most nutritious food possible, but deciding which food is best is not easy.
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