Everything owners need to know about raw pet food diets

Interest in raw food diets has surged over the past decade. ManyPets’s Sarah Dawson who used to work in practice as a vet nurse says that 10 years ago she used to get two or three questions about raw food every year; last year she was getting them weekly. With so much information online, we thought we’d try to help owners make the best decisions for their cats and dogs by looking at some of the key issues around raw food. We spoke to Sarah and vets Dr Sophie Bell, owner of Animal Love First Aid, and for advice. As with any big decisions about your pet’s health and wellbeing, it’s worth speaking to a vet. If you are considering a raw food diet, the vets we spoke to suggest trying a brand that is recognised by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) rather than constructing the meal yourself as it can be difficult to get the right balance of proteins and nutrients, and packaged raw food may be safer for you and your pet. What's in normal pet food? An in-depth pet food report by Paws.com revealed that "95% of dog foods owned by big brands don't reveal their exact ingredients". Furthermore, the report points out that many big brands use vague wordings, such as "meat and animal derivatives", in their labels to avoid stating the exact parts of an animal that the meat content has come from. This means that more often than not these foods contain meat parts that are not very nutritious. Paws' report identifies supermarket's own-label pet foods as the biggest culprits of such label-writing techniques. Big brands come second. But in spite of the bad rap, long-term studies show an extended lifespan in pet animals since the introduction of such mass-produced pet foods. It is thought that, alongside veterinary medicine advances and better living conditions, commercial pet food has played a part in that. Pet owners have voiced concerns about meat in these foods possibly being treated with antibiotics and other additives. But antibiotics are wildly used in livestock in order to prevent the spread of disease. It's regarded as a controversial method but affects human food too and would still be used to treat the raw meat in a raw food pet diet. While some brands might use cheaper ingredients to lower the cost and add more preservatives and additives to increase shelf-life or improve flavour and texture, it is important to remember they are not all the same. Paws' report can be a good guide for owners shopping for normal pet food. Becoming more aware of what to look out for and what to look for can help owners to avoid low-quality pet food. Furthermore, there are new pet food brands that offer high-quality pet food, including tailor-made, such as Tails and Paws. Why are more pet owners opting for a raw food diet? People have become more health-conscious in the past few decades and this is trickling down to how they think about their pets. As owners take more interest in how traditional processed pet foods are made and the additives and bulking agents they include, some are considering alternative diets. Social media has also played a part as people share information in online groups or see pictures of other owners feeding raw. Coupled with more raw brands springing up and advertising to owners, this has caused interest in raw to surge. We spoke to ManyPets customers who switched to raw to find out how they got on with it. And if you're interested in changing you're pet's diet we have a guide to switching pet food. We also looked at the rise of raw and the history of pet food . What are the benefits of raw pet food? Owners should be aware that there isn’t much scientific research into raw food. That doesn’t mean there are no benefits but if there are, many are anecdotal. In general, a well-balanced diet will contribute to a pet’s long-term health and help it live a happy long life. But many owners say the specific benefits of raw food include: Some benefits have been noticed by vets as well, although they point out it might not be right for every pet. Dr Sophie Bell says: “I have seen many dogs improve health-wise, especially skin and digestive problems, when switched to a well-balanced raw diet. But like any veterinary discussion, one size does not fit all. Some dogs simply will not improve and may well have more issues when switching to raw. It is best to have discussions with experts in the field.” For many pets raw food results in smaller poos. Although this might be more a benefit for owners than pets. Raw food can be useful if you’re trying to understand a pet’s allergy. Some cooked wet and dry food might be labelled as one flavour, such as fish, but will contain meat. like chicken. You may find it’s easier to find out exactly what is in some raw food brands if the ingredients are clearly listed. Although be aware if your pet is allergic to a meat like chicken, it will also have a reaction to it in raw form. A raw diet may suit some cats well, as they have a low thirst drive and raw foods are high in moisture. Unlike dogs, cats are entirely carnivorous and benefit significantly from eating ‘whole prey’ options that mimic the texture and nutrient content of foods found in the wild. We rounded up a few raw food providers along with other pet food brands you might not have heard of . What are the risks and downsides of raw food pet diets? Pre-packaged raw food from PFMA-registered brands should be relatively safe for pets but there are much greater risks when owners prepare their own raw diets. These include: Even pre-packaged raw food can contain bacteria and virus. With any raw food, things like Salmonella, E.Coli, listeria, Norovirus or other pathogens can be present, which can cause illness in pets and humans. So it needs to be handled and stored carefully. To remove parasites and pathogens, hands and surfaces should always be washed after food is handled, or when pets have licked them. Owners are advised to freeze all raw foods for at least 72 hours, before defrosting in the fridge and serving at room temperature. Some foods include ‘pluck’, which is a mixture of offal meats that can contain trachea, lung and thyroid tissue, and in rare cases this can cause hyperthyroidism in pets . You should check whether this applies to your chosen brand or, if opting for a DIY diet, exercise extreme caution about the cuts you include. The main drawback to raw food is that it can be difficult to ensure you’re providing your pet with a balanced diet, and this is particularly true if you’re feeding them a DIY diet. Dogs need a variety of plant-based nutrients, and some breeds are particularly prone to malnutrition if fed purely on raw food. Some dogs risk developing a Thiamine deficiency if their diet is heavily based around raw fish, and oily fish and liver contain a lot of vitamin A and D, which can be harmful in excess. A raw diet can also be more expensive and you’ll need to dedicate a certain amount of freezer space to your pet, which can be a sticking point if you have a very large dog or more several animals to feed. And even if you’re keen on feeding your pet a raw food diet, it’s worth bearing in mind that they just may not take to it. Can puppies and kittens eat raw food? Puppies and kittens can have raw diets but there are things you need to consider. The most important is understanding the nutritional requirements a dog or cat has at specific life stages for its age and size. This will differ depending on breed so it’s worth speaking to a vet. And be aware if the food you’ve chosen contains chunks of bones, as they may effect teeth development and older pets with dental disease may struggle with them. For more on diets for young pets, check out our guide to feeding puppies and kittens . What do the professionals say about raw? First, it’s great that you’re interested in your pet’s health and diet. Raw might be right for your dog or cat but don’t worry if it isn’t. It can take a bit of trial to find the right food for your pet and if it doesn’t seem to be working out or needs change over time, you can speak to a vet and try something else. Some people swear by raw diets but there’s no shame if it’s not right for you. Because of the lack of scientific research, many vets may not actively endorse raw food diets, but they may be open-minded about the benefits and a good vet should listen and help you navigate decisions around nutrition. It was recently announced that the PFMA will be launching a certification scheme for raw food manufactures to set an industry standard for production and nutrition. If you do decide to go for it, here are some pointers from the professionals we spoke to: If there’s a single thing you should consider before starting your pet on this kind of diet, it’s that there may be health implications involved for you and your pet. It’s always best to consult a vet first. Other alternative diets Vegan pet food diet Dogs are omnivores, so they can digest plant-based food. So, does that mean they can thrive on an entirely meat-free diet? According to Daniella Dos Santos, Junior Vice President of the British Veterinary Association, in theory the answer is yes. However, she adds that, "it is much easier to get it wrong than to get it right and owners would need to take expert advice to avoid dietary deficiencies and associated disease." Cats are pure carnivores, which means they need meat to survive. In addition, their digestive tracts are not well-equipped to process fruits and vegetables. There are supplements on the market created to substitute for nutrients found in meat; however, not enough is known about how well they are assimilated and whether they won't interact with other nutrients in the diet. Some reasons why experts caution against meat-free diets for pets, even for dogs, are due to deficiencies like: On the other hand, there are many commercial pet food sellers that offer vegan and vegetarian pet food that has been enriched with nutrients. However, those have only been around for a short while, and there have been no studies exposing pets to years of plant-based diets, which means the risks or benefits cannot be objectively evaluated for now. It's worth noting that a recent survey into veterinary nutrition attitudes of pet owners was wildly reported by the media as "27% of pet owners feed their pets a vegan diet". In reality, the 27% of these pet owners were a small sample of the 6% vegan pet owners that took part in the survey, which translates as only 59 people out of the 3,673 surveyed, or 1.6%. So very few pet owners are taking the risks of putting their pets on a meat-free diet. Gluten-free (grain-free) pet diet As more and more people give up gluten by choice, the trend is taking over the pet food market, too. However, in spite of many reports in the popular media that abstaining from gluten can improve your health and boost your energy levels, there is no evidence that suggests that a gluten-free diet has any benefits for people and pets who are not gluten intolerant. Gluten-free or grain-free foods for dogs have gained popularity with claims that they are higher quality by implying that grains are cheap filler for commercially manufactured cat and dog food. "While this can be true if the proportion in a recipe is too high, it’s not true all the time," says Tails.com's Head Vet Sean McCormack. Whole grains are rich in important nutrients and contain fibres that help digestion. "Grains are good for most dogs, as part of a balanced diet," says Dr McMormack. Insect-based diets The British Veterinary Association (BVA) recently announced that pet owners should consider feeding their pets insect based protein foods which offer many health and environmental benefits. They said some insect-based foods may be better for pets than prime steak. The head of the BVA, Simon Doherty told BBC News that there's an exciting future for the use of insect protein for companion animals. He added: "It’s a fantastic opportunity – looking at insects to provide alternative sources of some of the nutrient ingredients we use in pet food diets.” Those in favour of the diets believe they provide better health benefits compared to traditional pet food that is made from beef or chicken. They're also a more sustainable and environmentally friendly source of animal protein. With more people increasingly aware of the environmental impact of meat consumption by both humans and animals. Insect based pet food is beginning to be seen as a genuine alternative food source; one that doesn't fuel climate change or put additional strain on the earth's natural resources. Thinking of putting your pet on an alternative diet? Advice from a vet We asked veterinary surgeon Dr Neerja Muncaster what advice she'd give to owners considering putting their pet on an alternative diet. Here's what she said: "I would encourage them to do their research but also to actively engage with their veterinary professionals who will help them make informed decisions. There is no perfect diet that will suit every pet. Cats are obligate carnivores, so a vegan diet would be detrimental to their health." She says that sometimes people would consider an alternative diet when there's an illness involved, such as an allergy or inflammatory bowel disease. She suggests that owners can even be swayed by their own dietary preferences but explains that very few vegan or vegetarian pet owners she's seen have considered putting their pet on a meat-free diet. "The majority of owners understand the different dietary requirements our pets have," says Dr Muncaster. The idea of cleaner, more nutritious food for our pets is a good thing. However, it's worth noting that getting the right balance of nutrients from an alternative diet is tricky and there is a lot of room for mistakes. In addition, the effects of raw meat, meat-free and gluten-free diets are unknown and uncertain. If you're considering changing your pet's diet, make sure to do so with support and guidance from your vet or another veterinary professional.

Everything owners need to know about raw pet food diets

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