Pet owners are searching for alternatives to commercial foods. Raw diets are one option, but are they safe? Upon what are they based?
Raw Pet Food Diets – Lifesaving Nutrition or Potential Nightmare?
In 1993, Dr. Ian Billinghurst wrote a book promoting a “Bones and Raw Food (BARF) diet.” Other pet food companies have picked up on the trend since then and are promoting a line of raw meat pet foods or a line of dietary products they produce to use with raw meat purchased by the pet owner. And in light of recent pet food contamination events, raw diets are gaining even more momentum as dog and cat owners are searching for alternatives to commercial pet foods.
What is the Basis?
Raw feeding has been promoted with the claim that all domesticated dogs descended from the wolf. In actuality, scholars have debated for years the origins of today’s domesticated dog – since dogs can mate and produce fertile offspring with both the wolf and the jackal, some suggest that wolves, dogs and jackals should be considered a single species. A different conclusion is that the domesticated dog is a separate species based on its unique physical characteristics. Even Darwin chimed in that, “We shall probably never be able to ascertain their origin with certainty.” A direct link showing the wolf to be the sole forefather of today’s domesticated dog has never been proven.
Fresh Kill vs. Commercial Meat
Meat available commercially is NOT the same as the meat that a wild animal would eat from a natural kill. Commercial meat has been processed and exposed to many factors that make feeding it raw to our companion pets potentially harmful. If we could provide the same fresh raw meat that the ancestors of today’s dog had access to thousands of years ago, then it might be alright to feed them with that food source. But even today’s “organic meat” can be exposed to chemicals or incorrect handling. Heat is needed to generate temperatures high enough to break down any bacteria or chemical agents.
We must also consider that domesticated dogs have been eating cooked food for thousands of years. Grave sites have been uncovered by archaeologists revealing that pets were buried with their masters. Present day domesticated dogs have been eating cooked foods long enough to cause a change in their digestive systems and the way that they will react to raw foods.
The Detractors
It has been well documented that such diets are NOT safe or advantageous or that any initial benefit soon subsides. Ann Martin, who wrote the book “Food Pets Die For” has also written a book titled “Protect Your Pet: More Shocking Facts” which contains a chapter on the “Raw Meat Diet Controversy”. Both books are an invaluable aid in making the decision to switch your pet over to a natural food. One of Ms. Martin’s articles may be found here.
Ms. Martin is joined by many canine nutritionists and veterinarians who urge dog owners to be extremely cautious about feeding raw meat to their dogs. Of course, much of the published information about the dangers of a raw food diet is in scientific journals, so the average pet owner may never have the opportunity to read them. An article by Narda Robinson, DO, DVM, Dipl., ABMA, FAAMA may be found here. The Journal of the American Veterinary Association also weighs in on raw feeding with this article.
Whether an advocate or a detractor, it's agreed that the raw food controversy will continue, highlighting more than ever that pet nutrition is an area that needs continued research.
