Current research supports that there are benefits to real ingredients over extruded diets and that there are no significant differences in digestibility between raw and cooked diets for dogs, whereas there may be some potential hazards in feeding raw for both the dogs and pet parent.
This review will looks at the pros and cons of such a diet, and with justfoodfordogs, we look at why this is the best raw dog food!
Table of Contents
Raw vs. Cooked
JustFoodForDogs, have known for some time that whole foods made with real ingredients can be better than commercially processed kibble in quality, digestibility, and bioavailability. Recent scientific research now seems to support this assessment. Since raw dog food diets are sometimes marketed as fresh or frozen, some of their clients ask about the difference between cooked versus raw dog food, and why they prefer to lightly cook our food.
JustFoodForDogs makes all their nutrition decisions based on scientific research, as well as a commitment to quality control and premium ingredients. When all of these factors are considered together in the question of raw vs cooked dog food, it is clear that balanced, fresh prepared, lightly cooked whole food is simply the best choice for their mission to make the best dog food possible!
Good raw food for dogs
Raw dog food diets usually include a combination of uncooked meat from animals, fish, or poultry commonly used for food. When commercially made, these diets are usually made using ingredients that are not USDA certified fit for humans, which means they could include rejected carcasses or medicated animals (ie: dead on-farm, sick, or removed from the human food chain).
You may be surprised to find out that even the most popular brands, which call themselves “premium” engage in these practices. Some manufacturers will hide the fact their meat is not fit for humans and say “USA meat” or “meat from a USDA facility”; none of these statements mean USDA certified meat, so beware of these claims. These ingredients usually include flesh (muscle), internal organs, blended body parts, and bones. They may also include untreated milk or uncooked eggs.
Homemade raw dog food
JustFoodForDogs uses only meat certified by the USDA for human consumption because it goes through rigorous tests of quality control at many levels, and result in cuts of meat commonly found on our plates; thus raw preparations, as defined above, are not practical in our kitchens.
Digestibility Research of Raw and Cooked vs Kibble (Extruded)
Recent studies support that animals better digest whole food diets than kibble, however, the same studies have failed to show any difference in digestibility between the raw ingredients, and the same ingredients when they are cooked. [1] Scientists found that raw and cooked diets both have significantly higher digestibility for proteins than kibble (extruded diets).[2]
Another study on domestic cats also found a significantly higher digestibility of raw diets, compared to kibble (extruded diets), and in the same study there was no significant difference in digestibility between feeding dogs raw dog food before and after it was cooked. [3]
Possible Risks & Dangers Associated With Raw Dog Food
Possible health risks that have been associated with raw diets include concerns to animals, and public health:
- Complete and Balanced: A number of studies have revealed important concerns about nutritional imbalances when raw are not formulated properly. A notable one in 2001 showed improper Ca/Phos ratios, and deficiencies in various important dog vitamins, including vitamin E. [4] JustFoodForDogs diets are complete and balanced and have undergone feeding trials.
- Contamination with pathogens. Raw meat can be contaminated with a variety of pathogens that can harm both animals and humans. [5] Most meats used in commercial raw diets may not be handled properly (ie: not USDA certified), thus they may acquire bacterial contamination from the hide, feathers, slaughter, evisceration, or processing and packing. [6] Salmonella spp and E. coli are of particular concern. For this reason, the AVMA and the FDA have come out against the use of raw ingredients for commercial pet food, and JustFoodForDogs only uses lightly cooked ingredients in their homemade dog food recipes.
- Possible GI injury. According to some nutritionists, raw diets can contain bones that have been implicated in hazards to the pets that eat them, including tooth fractures, injury, and perforation of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon. [7-10]
Best Value Raw Dog Food
Once you have decided that homemade raw dog food is the route to go for your dog there will still be unanswered questions: How do I begin to make this food? How do I know what to add? How do I process the food? JustFoodFor Dogs takes all the guess work out for you, providing your dog with cheap raw dog food.
JustFoodFor Dogs have a team of veterinarians and specialists that guide and develop healthy, nutritionally balanced meals for dogs with the mission of improving the length and quality of life for as our furry friends. This goal is achieved through ongoing evidence-based research and feeding trails to maintain acknowledgement of being a vet approved homemade dog food. This scientific foundation also ensures proper advocacy, transparency, and honoring the evolving life of pets.
Evidence-Based Research
Feeding Trials
Vet Approved Home made Dog Food
Lovingly made by hand in our open-to-the-public Kitchens, our complete meals for dogs are carefully prepared to retain their nutritional value. By optimally cooking fresh whole-food ingredients, we maximize nutrition. Each daily dog food diet is enhanced with proprietary nutrient blends to balance the meal for long-term feeding.
Tested humanely using AAFCO feeding trial procedures and independently conducted digestibility studies, our healthy meals are the only food for dogs proven healthy by the scientific community.
Whether you go dry or wet food, one of the easiest ways for you to determine good dog food is by reading the label and looking out for the AAFCO Statement.
Best Raw Dog Food
JustFoodForDogs Chicken & White Rice Recipe Fresh Frozen Dog Food
Description
- Crafted with fresh, human-grade ingredients, including chicken thighs, long-grain white rice, spinach, carrots and apples.
- Great for adult dogs and puppies, the high calcium and phosphorus levels in this formula promote healthy bone and tissue growth.
- Nothing artificial, nothing but goodness, this recipe is made without fillers, preservatives, growth hormones, BHA, BHT or artificial coloring.
- Ready-to-serve nutrition formulated by vets, this full-meal recipe is supported by science and independent research conducted at leading universities, and all within AAFCO protocols.
- You can feel confident knowing that this recipe was formulated by a diverse team of veterinarians, including a board-certified nutritionist, toxicologist and dermatologist.
Best Beef raw dog food
JustFoodForDogs Beef & Russet Potato Recipe Fresh Frozen Dog Food
The Beef & Russet Potato is one of our most popular diets! This high-calorie diet incorporates human-edible ground beef, russet and sweet potatoes, as well as an assortment of fruits and vegetables.
The result is a wholesome, fully balanced ground beef recipe for dogs that’s perfect for active adult dogs and/or underweight dogs.
- Crafted with fresh, human-grade ingredients, including ground beef, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, green peas and apples.
- Great for active, underweight or picky Dogs, the high-calorie content makes it a great option for adult dogs who need extra calories in their diet.
- Nothing artificial, nothing but goodness, this supplement is made without fillers, preservatives, growth hormones, BHA, BHT or artificial coloring.
- Ready-to-serve nutrition formulated by vets, this full-meal recipe is supported by science and independent research conducted at leading universities, and all within AAFCO protocols.
- You can feel confident knowing that this supplement was formulated by a diverse team of veterinarians, including a board-certified nutritionist, toxicologist and dermatologist.
Other whole food recipes include: Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni, Fish & Sweet Potato, and Lamb & Brown Rice.
Best Pantry Fresh Raw Dog Food
By using industry-leading cooking and packaging processes, PantryFresh brings together fresh dog food, effortless convenience, and bowl-licking flavor. These no-fuss, out-of-the-box meals can be stored safely for up to two years, refrigeration is only required once opened. PantryFresh is a great way to kick the kibble and canned food and get your favorite pooch started on fresh, whole-food goodness
JustFoodForDogs Beef & Russet Potato Recipe
Description
- Crafted with fresh, human-grade ingredients, including ground beef, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, green peas and apples.
- Great for active, underweight or picky dogs, the high-calorie content makes it a great option for adult dogs who need extra calories in their diet.
- Nothing artificial, nothing but goodness, this supplement is made without fillers, preservatives, growth hormones, BHA, BHT or artificial coloring.
- Ready-to-serve nutrition formulated by vets, this full-meal recipe is supported by science and independent research conducted at leading universities, and all within AAFCO protocols.
- You can feel confident knowing that this supplement was formulated by a diverse team of veterinarians, including a board-certified nutritionist, toxicologist and dermatologist.
- Shipped in innovative Tetra Pak packaging—these meals can be stored unopened for up to 2 years!
Other Pantry Fresh tasty meals include: Chicken & White Rice Recipe, Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe, and Turkey & Wholemeal Macaroni Recipe.
A FULL LINE OF PRESCRIPTION DOG FOOD
Their vet support diets are the #1 veterinary recommended fresh food, as determined by an independent national survey of 16,000 veterinarians. This is because a whole-food diet is never more important than when you need to maintain your pet’s health. Their comprehensive line of whole-food prescription dog food is designed to help pets live their healthiest lives possible.
These prescription dog food recipes are explicitly formulated to meet the critical nutritional requirements of dogs and are prescribed by veterinarians based on their patients’ needs.
JustFoodForDogs Veterinary Diet Raw Dog Food
Renal Support Low Protein
Your dog will love eating this low protein diet for dogs! In fact, the taste (palatability) and healthy ingredient list of Renal Support Low Protein are the key reasons that veterinarians recommend it. This isn’t your ordinary renal dog food.
This specially designed diet is formulated to support your dog’s kidney health with carefully controlled levels of protein, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, omega-3 fatty acids, and an increased amount of B vitamins.
Ask your veterinarian how the nutrition in Renal Support Low Protein can ensure your dog has the proper balance to help them maintain optimal kidney or liver health.
Key Points
- Restricted High-Quality, Highly Digestible Protein
- Restricted Phosphorus
- Controlled Levels of Electrolytes
- 46 Calories Per Ounce
- Low Protein Diet for Dogs
JustFoodForDogs Veterinary Diet Hepatic Support Low Fat Fresh Frozen Dog Food
Hepatic Support Low Fat
- Crafted with fresh, human-grade ingredients, including wild-caught Alaskan Cod, long-grained white rice, sweet potatoes, chicken eggs, broccoli and zucchini.
- Hepatic support low fat diet is formulated to support healthy liver function with carefully controlled levels of protein, calories, phosphorus and copper. Ask your veterinarian how Hepatic Support Low Fat diet can help support your dog’s liver health.
- Nothing artificial, nothing but goodness, this supplement is made without fillers, preservatives, growth hormones, BHA, BHT or artificial coloring.
- Ready-to-serve nutrition formulated by vets, this full-meal recipe is supported by science and independent research conducted at leading universities, and all within AAFCO protocols.
- You can feel confident knowing that this supplement was formulated by a diverse team of veterinarians, including a board-certified nutritionist, toxicologist and dermatologist.
Other Veterinary Diets Include: Joint & Skin Support, Critical Care Support & Metabolic Support Low Fat.
Conclusion - Raw vs Cooked Dog Food
Current research supports that there are benefits to real ingredients over extruded diets and that there are no significant differences in digestibility between raw and cooked diets for dogs, whereas there may be some potential hazards in feeding raw for both the dogs and pet parent.
Therefore, for all these reasons, to abide by FDA and AVMA guidelines, and for the safety of their own employees and customers, all JustFoodForDogs ingredients are USDA certified, carefully prepared, de-boned, and handled to avoid unwanted contamination and lightly cooked fresh daily in small batches. All food is tested and balanced to meet NRC recommendations and periodically analyzed and researched by a team of scientists. They do it this way because it is simply the best way to make dog food. Period!
Did you know that a dog’s gut health has a significant influence on its overall health?
A recent scientific study reports that 70% to 80% of all illness begins in the gastrointestinal tract! discover why this supplement is essential for your dog’s immune system and overall health-Check out our article on the best probiotic for dogs.
References:
1 Crissey SD, Swanson JA, Lintzenich BA, et al. Use of a raw meat- based diet or a dry kibble diet for sand cats (Felis margarita). J Anim Sci 1997;75:2154–2160.
2 Vester BM, Burke SL, Liu KJ, et al. Influence of feeding raw or extruded feline diets on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen metabolism of African wildcats (Felis lybica). Zoo Biol 2010;29:676–686.
3 Kerr KR, Vester Boler BM, Morris CL, et al. Apparent total tract energy and macronutrient digestibility and fecal fermentative end-product concentrations of domestic cats fed extruded, raw beef-based, and cooked beef-based diets. J Anim Sci 2012;90:515–522.
4 Freeman LM, Michel KE. Evaluation of raw food diets (Erratum published in J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;218:1716). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;218:705–709.
5 KuKanich KS. Update on Salmonella spp contamination of pet food, treats, and nutritional products and safe feeding recommendations. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2011;238:1430–1434.
6 LeJeune JT, Hancock DD. Public health concerns associated with feeding raw meat diets to dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;219:1222–1225.
7 Rousseau A, Prittie J, Broussard JD, et al. Incidence and char- acterization of esophagitis following esophageal foreign body removal in dogs: 60 cases (1999–2003). J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2007;17:159–163.
8 Gianella P, Pfammatter NS, Burgener IA. Oesophageal and gastric endoscopic foreign body removal: complications and follow up of 102 dogs. J Small Anim Pract 2009;50:649–654.
9 Frowde PE, Battersby IA, Whitley NT, et al. Oesophageal disease in 33 cats. J Feline Med Surg 2011;13:564–596.
10 Thompson HC, Cortes Y, Gannon K, et al. Esophageal foreign bodies in dogs: 34 cases (2004–2009). J Vet Emerg
