Why Is Everyone Talking About Feeding Their Dogs and Cats Raw Food?
Jan 18, 2025
Why is everyone talking about feeding their dogs and cats raw food? This is a question you might've asked yourself, or possibly even asked your vet or local pet shop sales associate.
In recent years, feeding dogs and cats raw food has become more and more popular for several reasons.
Pet parents are becoming more aware of the faults that come with feeding processed foods as recalls become common place. Salmonella, metal fragments, various "particulates". The reasons are vast and truly concerning.
Social media and influencers in the pet niche are able to share their experiences easily. Followers are able to witness common health issues seemingly vanish. Those feeding their dogs and cats raw food have been able to share their experience with allergies no longer being present once switching to a raw diet. Hot spots will vanish, and coats become thick and lush, eyes will become bright.
I like to look to what the human food industry is talking about to determine where the pet food industry is headed. I was a chef for humans before becoming a chef for pets! Over the last couple of decades humans have been learning about why it's important to buy pasture raised proteins, shop for locally grown veggies, consume natural probiotics, and enjoy a rainbow of foods to ensure we're feeding ourselves well to encourage a strong immune system. Remember "farm to table"? That's what led the common consumer to where we are today. If it helps me when I eat better, why am I still feeding my most beloved family member overly processed dry food that comes out of a bulk bag I keep in a cabinet? Our minds are more open now. We're able to see beyond the clever marketing that covers the packages of pet food on store shelves. Well, some of us are!
Switching from feeding a dry diet to a fresh food diet, preferably consisting of raw foods, can affect the way your pets act physically in just a matter of days! From slow and lethargic to energetic and spunky. This takes about 3 to 5 days. It is never too late to make this change. Is your pet 13 years old and you're sure they're at the end of life? Try out a fresh diet and watch for yourself. You could very well have your best friend around for much longer than you think. On average, pets on a fresh food diet live 3 years longer than those on a dry food diet.
We'll be writing a post on how to transition to raw in the coming days. If you have questions or want to dig deeper on the subjects touched on here, please comment or message us!
Remember though, it's never too late. The sooner you make a change to the bowl, the happier, healthier and more vibrant your pets will be!
For more information, or if you'd like to dig deeper on your own. Here's a link to a study completed in 2017. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5337088/
And if you'd rather read something that's a little easier to digest (yes, we like puns here!) here's a link to a simplistic explanation of the study referenced above. https://sfraw.blog/2017/04/08/new-study-raw-meat-diets-best-for-dogs-2003-study-fresh-food-diets-increase-longevity-in-dogs-by-almost-three-years/