Some vets only know what the kibble makers tell them, and pass that on to their clients: eat the processed diet." So the first reason vets carry and recommend kibble and canned foods is..... the pet food companies have indoctrinated them well. And the second reason is.... profits.
The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes the unregulated feeding of raw foods and discourages “the feeding to cats and dogs of any animal-source protein that has not first been subjected to a process to eliminate pathogens, because of the risk of illness to cats and dogs, as well as humans.”
The American Kennel Club (AKC), American Veterinary Medical Association and other groups discourage pet owners from feeding dogs raw or unprocessed meat, eggs and milk. Raw meat and dairy can carry pathogens, like E. coli, listeria and salmonella, which can make pets and people sick or even cause death.
Benefits of Dry Dog Food Compared to Wet Dog Food
Dental health benefits: Dry food encourages dogs to chew their food, which aids in preventing tartar buildup and secondary periodontal disease. Convenience: Compared to wet food, dry diets are much easier to pre-portion, and they won't spoil if left out all day.
It is entirely acceptable to feed your dog a pure kibble diet. Or you can mix their diet up with some cooked or raw meat, fish, vegetables and rice.
Dry Food: Pros – easy storage and feeding, more energy dense, lower cost, dental benefits. Cons – lower palatability, more grains, more likely to contain preservatives. Dry food is by far more convenient and affordable. The food will not spoil if left out.
If you're feeding dry foods like kibble or baked, soak it!
Mammals are meant to get their hydration at least partially through eating, and eating moist food makes digestion easier! It can also slow them down, and improve palatability (makes it taste better).
Raw food helps regulate insulin levels in the body and results in fewer mood changes so dogs tend to be calmer on a raw food diet.
Raw fish is at risk of carrying harmful bacteria like salmonella and listeria. This is problematic for two reasons. One, it can make your dog sick, and two, according to the FDA, it can also make you and other members of your family ill.
Your vet may recommend against grain-free dog food because it lacks ingredients that contain critical nutrients for dogs. Heart health is big for dogs, and grains help support heart health. If your dog eats grain-free dog food, they're not getting those nutrients which can lead to poor heart health.
They might be under the weather from GI issues, digestive troubles, or some other medical problem. Particularly, if their disinterest in kibble or dry food coincides with symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, you should take them in for a vet visit. If dogs have dental issues, it can be hard for them to chew food.
Are carrots safe for me to feed my dog?” While some of the vegetables we love are unsafe to feed our dogs, carrots are a perfectly safe and nutritious treat for your dog.
Let's look at a few other hazards of kibble that we have encountered in patients over the last couple of years. For many dogs and cats, it is highly processed food and is very hard to digest. For some pets, it creates stomach ulcers.
Currently, kibble is the most researched and effective diet you can give to your dog. Dry food has a much longer shelf life than fresh dog food. Commercial kibble includes a guarantee of nutritional completeness (but always be sure to read the nutrition label on the packaging.)
The bones in a raw food diet can be good for your dog's dental health. And meat is more nutrient-dense, leading to smaller poops. But making complete raw diets from scratch takes a lot of work. And if done wrong, they can be dangerous to you and your pet.
Is it healthy for dogs eat only dry food. Good news: our furry friends are completely ok with eating only dry food. Even though tastes and preferences vary from one dog to another, the nutritional properties of quality dog food allow pets to get all the essential elements needed for their healthy and active life.
Fortunately for pet owners, dogs are just fine eating dry dog food. While many pets prefer wet dog food, because it is more palatable, that doesn't mean that dry food isn't a healthy option for dogs.
Veterinarian Recommended: Purina One is recommended by veterinarians due to its high-quality ingredients and balanced nutrition. This recommendation provides pet owners with an additional layer of assurance when choosing a pet food brand.
Dogs love meat, so anything with beef, chicken, or lamb as the first ingredient is sure to be a hit. You'll also want to look for foods that are high in fat since this is another nutrient that dogs crave.