Should pet eat raw food?

Scientists believe that all domestic dogs are descendants of a group of grey wolves roaming in China 15,000 years ago. All domestic cats are descendants of five cats living in the Middle East more than 100,000 years ago. But with the evolution between today's pets and their ancient ancestors, should spots and beards eat raw food like their ancestors? After recalling more than 100 brands of processed pet food in the United States in 2007, this issue became a particularly hot topic of debate. There is concern about foods that contain wheat gluten contaminated with melamine, a substance used in the manufacture of plastics and fertilizers. About 2,000 dogs and 2,000 cats died as a result of eating contaminated food.

Risk of raw pet food and cooking methods

Before you go out and buy a T-shaped bone for your pet, consider the risks and disadvantages of the raw food diet. The most important of these are the threats posed by Salmonella and E. coli. These bacteria are present in a large proportion of raw meat and can cause illness and death in animals. The owner may also be infected by direct contact with meat or indirect contact with pet feces. It is also dangerous to have bones. They can bite or break the animal's teeth, or worse, the bone fragments can break and get stuck or pierce the animal's gastrointestinal tract. Experts also question the nutritional value of unprocessed foods, especially the balance of potassium, calcium, phosphorus and zinc they provide. Finally, the raw food diet is expensive. Owners can expect to pay more than $70 a month for raw meat, fruits and vegetables, while processed foods may cost only $10 a month.

If you choose to place your animal in a raw food diet after considering the benefits and risks, you can usually switch immediately. However, if your pet is older, or has digestive or immune problems, you will want to introduce raw food slowly. The key to raw food is diversity, so there are countless ways to prepare it. A typical meal may include some meat bones (chicken back, chicken wings, turkey neck), minced meat (beef, turkey, lamb), organ meat (beef kidney, chicken liver), whole eggs, fruit and vegetable powder, and supplements. Agent. For short-time owners, some companies sell pre-packaged frozen patties, all of which have been mixed together. Animals respond differently to new diets; some animals eat whatever you put in front of them, while others may never be interested in raw food. You have to experiment to see what they like.

Please remember to consult your veterinarian before making any major changes to your pet's diet.