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dog food canine diet and nutrition: raw dog food
Diane M. Schuller
Dog Care Expert | Dog Writer      |      fresh ideas ... old fashioned work ethic
Canine Paradigm Shift: Dogs on a Raw Diet
by Diane M. Schuller
first published in Kennel Up, Volume 1 Issue 5, November/December 2003

Please Note: This article is provided as a sample of my writing. For those interested in feeding dogs a species-appropriate raw diet, I must point out that I have evolved with this process and have learned considerably more since this article was first published. We no longer feed our dogs according to the Billinghurst (Barf: what a distasteful way to market it!) model (which is approx. 75% raw meaty bones to approx. 25% greens & vegetables). We now feed closer to what nature intended, which means excluding the vegetables, except as minimal leftovers, a few greens, or as they naturally 'graze'. It also means that when we can procure a full animal, we do so. Also, we feel that each dog is an individual and dog guardians should experiment and try different things with their dogs to see what works for each as an individual, just as we do for ourselves. -- DMS.

Dogs are carnivores.  So why have dog owners been feeding grain-based kibble for the past 50-60 years?  The answer is multi-layered, but it boils down to pure economics -- because it's cheap for manufacturers to do so.  More and more dog owners are beginning to question what the best food is for their dogs, and they don't mean what type of kibble.  The status quo is a-changing; dog owners are switching their canines to a raw or natural diet.

Feeding raw does mean a shift in how you shop for & store food, and feed your dogs.  This might be considered the main disadvantage, though those who feed this way find it becomes second nature and is well worth the small amount of extra effort.

In feeding a natural raw diet, raw meaty bones should form the bulk of their food.  As Tom Lonsdale, a graduate of the Royal Veterinary College, London (1972) states in his book, Raw Meaty Bones: Promote Health, "Dingos and feral cats keep themselves healthy by eating whole carcasses. The closer you come to this ideal for pet dogs and cats the better."  This is the principle shared by Dr. Ian Billinghurst (Give Your Dog A Bone) and other proponents of raw feeding.

For decades dog mushers have been feeding a raw meat diet to their hard working sled dogs with positive results.  The writer consulted several professional mushers to find out more about their experience.

A thirty-year veteran and multi-champion, competitive dog musher, Ed Streeper, has been feeding a raw meat (75%), kibble (25%), plus supplement combination throughout the past three decades.  He currently owns and feeds over 100 dogs at Streeper Kennels on this diet.  His success with the performance of and accumulation of wins with his dogs, their muscle tone and development, and vibrant health are testament to the benefits he and other professional mushers find in feeding their working dogs primarily a raw diet.

Although many who advocate raw diets suggest that mixing kibble and raw can be harmful, Streeper and other mushers have had success with their method of mixing the kibble with warm water to a stew-like consistency.  It's important to note that the meat/kibble ratio is the same as the meat/vegetable ratio of raw feeders who follow the Billinghurst model.  The kibble has replaced the ground vegetable portion of the diet.

Being carnivores, dogs do not have the digestive tract to enable them to digest grains.  Lacking digestive enzymes such as amylase, dogs are unable to predigest complex carbohydrates in their mouth, taking a longer time to break down in their stomach and small intestine, if at all, thereby passing through inadequately digested and creating voluminous and smelly stools.

Dogs {canis familiaris}, like their wild cousin, the wolf {canis lupus}, have many similarities: a large mouth opening (to facilitate taking down and grasping large prey); the large primary muscle on the side of the head/jaw (enabling a powerful bite); short, pointed teeth (for ripping and tearing flesh plus crunching bone), teeth meeting in such as way to facilitate a cutting motion similar to shears; and showing submissive behaviours to their owners/pack leaders.  This is not to say that wolves and domestic dogs are entirely identical genetically.

Dogs' genes differ only 1-2% from those of wolves, about 7.5% from coyotes, and even more from foxes.  This makes our domestic dog very close to the wolf in its genetic make-up, consequently it is no surprise that wolves and dogs do share identical digestive tracks.  So, why not feed dogs in the same manner that wolves eat?

Yes, commercial dog kibble companies promote their product as a 'good' source of protein, but dogs (unlike humans) have difficulty digesting proteins derived from cereals and grains.  Commercial kibble does sustain our dogs, but are they healthy?  Judy Bergemann of Kushva Kennels began feeding raw when they moved to a more competitive level of sled dog racing twenty years ago.  Bergemann summed up the dog kibble mindset this way: "I think too that pet owners have over bought into the kibble advertising and the convenience of feeding fido out of the bag.  They can't quite get their minds around the concept that dogs are carnivores and need raw meat to enjoy optimal health.  ...  Perhaps the problem is that dogs are so darn adaptable -- they'll eat anything -- whether it's good for them or not!"

Printed information on dog nutrition from independent sources [not kibble manufacturers] agrees on an important point regarding digestion.  The sources agree that cooked and processed foods (kibble, for instance) take a great deal of time to digest -- up to 15 hours, yet fresh (raw) foods only take 4 to 6 hours.  This poses a problem for domestic dogs because the longer food remains in their digestive system, the greater the chance for gastrointestinal upsets and developing allergies.

One of the first concerns people raise about the raw diet is Salmonella and E. coli. Yes, raw food can become contaminated with Salmonella, but remember that cooks handle raw meat in their kitchens everyday.  Proper handling is required when preparing raw meat meals for a dog, just as it is when preparing our own meals.  Surfaces, utensils, and hands must be thoroughly washed with hot water and soap preventing an environment for bacteria growth.  So why don't dogs fed raw diets, or those that dig up putrid bones left buried for weeks or months, get ill?  Dogs have acidic stomachs and short intestinal tracts designed to deal with bacteria and process raw meat quickly, therefore Salmonella doesn't have time to grow, or 'blossom'.  It is true, however, that Salmonella bacteria can be carried right on through the animal's digestive system and excreted in the feces; this is true whether a dog is fed raw or kibble. It is also for this reason that we must implement proper hygiene after contact with, or clean up of our pet's stool.  Simple common sense, really.

So why not feed cooked food?  Heat destroys the necessary live enzymes plus many of the essential nutrients available in raw food.  This loss burdens the pancreas as it works harder to digest the food.  Adding a small amount of cooked leftovers (leftover meat, vegetables, fruit) to the raw food will not be harmful because it represents a small portion of the diet, like a condiment or side dish.  The problem with table scraps is that many people consider these to be the non-edible hunks of fat or cooked bones -- scrap those to the garbage.

Have you ever wondered how people fed their dogs before the proliferation of commercial dog kibble that began after World War II?  Yes, kibble is convenient and the companies have done an excellent job of marketing both to the public and providing their [dog food companies] studies and reports to veterinary colleges.  Is it coincidence or cause-and-effect that, since the advent of feeding a diet of dog kibble, domestic dogs began developing a multitude of allergies, skin and coat conditions, and high incidences of diabetes, cancer, and weakened immune systems?  Why is this, we should ask?  People who have switched to a raw or natural diet have also questioned what all the additives and preservatives (such as propylene glycol, BHA, BHT, formalin, ethoxyquin, and other carcinogenic additives) in kibble are doing to their pets and working dogs.

Feeding raw isn't as convenient as scooping some kibble and dumping it in a dish, which some may consider a disadvantage.  Every raw feeding dog owner, many of them involved in competitive sports, not only have their daily feeding routine down pat, but they have also come up with some innovative methods for feeding raw while traveling to venues and competitions.  The daily routine at Judy and Steve Bergemann's Kushva Kennels involves a slick method of measuring and mixing meat, kibble, supplements, and water in a drywall mud mixer!  Ed Streeper carries bulk frozen meat blocks in insulated compartments on his truck, which he then thaws, and mixes fresh daily when at competitions.  Those of us with only one, two, or three dogs find it no different than dishing out for the rest of our family.

Have you noticed how kibble-fed dogs all eventually develop tartar build up on their teeth, some excessively so?  Have you noticed how many commercial products are available for (unsuccessfully) removing tartar on the market?  Did people prior to the 50s and 60s used to be required to brush their dogs' teeth or take them to the vet to have tartar removed, nearly always requiring anesthetic?  It's the carbohydrates in kibble that causes the plaque build up.  The enzymes and acids contained in raw meat and bones help to prevent tartar build up, not to mention the natural action of ripping meat and gnawing on (uncooked) bones -- nature's toothbrush.

But, aren't bones dangerous for our dogs?  This has been drilled into us for years.  Even the commercial pet industry sells their tartar/dental aids as a bone replacement, knowing the value of bones for that purpose.  Raw bones (uncooked) are nutritional, malleable, and digestible plus are a source of valuable nutrients.  Cooking, however, alters the composition of bones making them brittle and dangerous.  NEVER EVER FEED COOKED BONES, OF ANY KIND OR SIZE.

I'm one of the people who now feed my dogs a raw diet.  I did a great deal of research, reading as much as possible, asking questions, and sorting through all the conflicting information.  One of the first things I noticed after switching to a natural diet was how the tartar build-up on my Springer Spaniel's teeth greatly diminished within two weeks.  She also used to be a fussy eater refusing kibble for days on end -- smart dog -- despite showing signs of hunger and weight-loss, yet now she runs to get her meals.  She no longer needs to have her anal glands expressed, suffers less from arthritis, her muscles are rock-hard, and she's more alert.  Both my dogs are active working dogs and have actually increased their energy level, though neither has become 'high strung' as some people had suggested.  If anything, our young Australian Shepherd has actually calmed down in her demeanour.  I provide this as a personal anecdote to demonstrate my first-hand experience.

Proponents of a raw diet suggest that when feeding the 75% raw meat, bones, and some organ meat plus 25% pulverized fresh vegetables (to mimic the predigested contents of a wild animal's stomach/intestines such as a rabbit or deer, for instance) the benefits are: clean teeth, healthy mouth and improved breath, healthier skin and coat, reduction or elimination of 'doggy' smell, much less volume and smell of stools, increased alertness, stronger immune system, and fewer visits required to the vet.  Also, many raw feeders discover the elimination or decline in allergies, hyper activity and phobic problems, weight problems, arthritis, ear/eye ailments, and indigestion.

Feeding raw should decrease the need for visits to the vet, though many raw feeders and canine nutritionists agree that maintaining an annual check up with your vet is important.  This visit should include obtaining blood and having it sent to a lab that assesses the internal well being of your dog, including organ function and vitamin/mineral ratios.  It's a good idea to have blood work done in this way prior to commencing a raw diet, then repeated six to eight months after the dog starts the diet.  This will demonstrate to you and your vet that a raw diet is beneficial to your dog's health.  It is also a check to ensure that you are not over or under-feeding certain nutrients and for determining what is normal for your dog.

As Sheryl Kaminski, raw feeder and owner of working Australian Shepherds (obedience, conformation, agility, and herding) states, "One has to learn to research everything and not blindly trust 'the establishment'.  Because once you really look at the big picture, you'll see that the bottom line is money and the kibble manufacturers really don't care about your dog.  They only care about making money.  It's up to you to do what's best for your dog."

Copyright (c) 2003 Diane M. Schuller. All rights reserved.  http://www.dianeschuller.com
Diane M. Schuller is an award-winning writer, speaker, and responsible dog guardian.

Sources:




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RECOMMENDED READING:

To investigate in more detail about feeding raw or natural to your working dog, these are some of the print and online sources.  For books listed here, many may be obtained through some pet stores where animal health products are sold, or through distributors of raw diet products.

http://www.api4animals.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1







For a sample listing of veterinarians who are familiar with raw diets, check the sites listed below.  Please note, that this is strictly a guideline for a starting point, and is not intended as an endorsement.

Veterinarians who have completed the ANHC Professional Course in Veterinary Homeopathy by Dr. Richard Pitcairn
http://www.drpitcairn.com/anhcreferrals.html

A sample of veterinarians in Alberta and Saskatchewan are listed at
http://www.mountaindogfood.com/

The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy
http://www.theavh.org/

Information on Alternative Veterinary Medicine
http://www.altvetmed.com

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