Bone App the Teeth

Some of you may own a dog. How about a senior dog? Senior dogs are not as playful as as puppies, and many owners run into costly vet bills throughout their dog’s lifetime. The time we get with our furry friends is limited, but there is research that proves that a raw diet can not only extend their lives, but allow them to retain their youthful looks and energy that is most associated with puppies, throughout their lifespans. A balanced, raw diet should include uncooked meat and bone, raw eggs, dairy vegetables, and fruit (Lee 2). Dogs cannot thrive on meat alone. They require a variety of different food sources.

Switching dogs over to a raw diet can solve health issues like dandruff or allergies. It has even been known to help with managing canine diabetes. Phil and Randy Klein, who founded a of a holistic pet food shop in New York almost 30 years ago are public figures known and revered for advocating raw diets for pets. The Klein's got into the practice of feeding natural diets after their dog was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, otherwise known as bone cancer. Nowadays, the couple has their own line of pet food that has been researched by them thoroughly. Mr. Klein himself has said he, “wouldn't carry anything in the store that he wouldn't be willing to eat himself” (Marx). Teresa Logan, chihuahua owner and notable figure in fashion, switched her dog over to raw food to in hopes of solving her pet’s digestive issues and was thrilled with the results. ''Her coat looks good, her stomach is good, and she's even slimmed down...It's like the difference between eating junk food and eating health food” (Whitney). Commercial pet food tends to be cheaper than a raw diet up front, but feeding raw can save you from getting hit with expensive vet bills.

The benefits of kibble are well-known. It lasts for ages, can be conveniently stored, as well as even being somewhat nutritionally balanced. Still, kibble puts dogs at risk of a number of things, including but not limited to tooth decay, chronic degenerative diseases, auto-immune diseases, allergies, kidney, pancreatic, and liver disease (Dogs Naturally Magazine).

Raw food on the other hand, has many potential health benefits. These include, “shinier coats, healthier skin, cleaner teeth, higher energy levels, and smaller stools.” With the comparatively few risks being, “threats to human and dog health from bacteria in raw meat, an unbalanced diet that may damage the health of dogs if given for an extended period, and the potential for whole bones to choke an animal, break teeth or cause an internal puncture” (Dogs Naturally Magazine).

These can be avoided by precise serving measurements and monitoring the dog while they eat, researching the proper balanced diet for your pet, and being cautious when handling raw meat just as a person would when cooking for themselves. Dogs are not at risk for salmonella, and owners who feed their dogs a raw diet are aware that it isn’t sterile and they take the appropriate precautions for handling uncooked meat.

The raw diet doesn’t just consist of meat, since dogs are scavenging carnivores, instead of obligate carnivores. "Dogs are scavenging carnivores, so in addition to meat they can also eat fruits and vegetables, but meat must be included in their diet to thrive” (Becker). Even after all this time, effort, research, and money going into a diet, dogs have limited lifespans, but a good, well-rounded diet can can extend and improve their quality of life.

Works Cited

Whitney, Christine. "Pass the liver, but don't cook it?" New York Times, 16 Feb. 2012, p. D7(L). Science in Context, https://libprox.northampton.edu:/login?url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A280146765/SCIC?u=ncc_paul&xid=5b3798a1. Accessed 18 Feb. 2018.

Marx, Rebecca Flint. "Holistic care for those with paws." New York Times, 15 July 2012, p. 3(L). Science in Context, https://libprox.northampton.edu:/login?url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A296397023/SCIC?u=ncc_paul&xid=4ffcfe92. Accessed 18 Feb. 2018.

“Kibble: Why It's Not a Good Option For Your Dog.” Dogs Naturally Magazine, 18 May 2016, www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/kibble-never-a-good-option/. Accessed 18 Feb. 2018.

Becker. “Dog and Cat Diets: Obligate Carnivore Versus Scavenging Carnivore.” Mercola.com, 4 Jan. 2016, healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2016/01/04/dog-cat-species-appropriate-diets.aspx. Accessed 18 Feb. 2018.

Lee, Elizabeth. “Raw Dog Food: Dietary Concerns, Benefits, and Risks.” WebMD, WebMD, pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/raw-dog-food-dietary-concerns-benefits-and-risks#1. Accessed 18 Feb. 2018.