Is raw food better than kibbles for dogs?

Depending on your dog's demands, there are a variety of diets to choose from, ranging from kibble to custom-made meals.

Kibble is a snack food that has been available since the 1950s. As more individuals entered the middle class and began to bring dogs into their homes as pets, the demand for an efficient type of dog food grew.

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When raw feeding dogs were introduced to the scene in the 1980s, the most common dilemma faced by pet parents is to choose between raw or dry dog food.

So, in this article,  let’s take a look at whether raw food is better than kibbles for your canine.

Is kibble or raw better for dogs?

Although both kibbles and raw have their benefits, a raw diet is the better option for your dog as it is fresh and made up of biologically appropriate ingredients that will boost your dog’s health.

Besides that, many nutrients in kibble are lost during the high-heat process. Therefore, taste enhancers and synthetic nutrients are used to compensate.

This procedure produces several forms of acrylamide and other carcinogens, which may be harmful to your dog's long-term health.

Moreover, kibble is a low-moisture food that keeps a dog dehydrated all of the time. When a dog becomes dehydrated, it exhibits several negative signs like lack of appetite, panting, and lethargy.

In addition to that, the lipids in the food will begin to get rancid as soon as you open a bag of dry food. Vitamins can be destroyed by long-term intake of rancid lipids in kibble, resulting in vitamin, protein, and fat deficits.

Is raw food really better for dogs?

Yes, it is. A raw diet can help your pet in various ways. For instance, feeding raw can provide your dog with more energy and have better skin and hair due to the diet.

A raw food diet's bones might be beneficial to your dog's oral health. Meat is also more nutrient-dense, resulting in smaller faeces.

However, making comprehensive raw diets from scratch requires time and effort. They can also be hazardous to you and your pet if done incorrectly. 

So, you can opt to get pre-prepared raw dog food such as the PetCubes’ Raw Dog Food. Our meals are professionally made by experts to ensure all the ingredients used in the diet are fresh and safe for consumption. Furthermore, it is convenient - just thaw and serve to your excited doggy!

Is it OK to feed kibble and raw together?

There is debate on this subject. Few reasons why it’s not a great idea to feed these two meals together. The main reason is that the pH of kibbles eaten in the stomach is higher than raw meat and bones digested in the stomach. 

As a result, combining kibbles and raw meat raises the stomach pH, which may have consequences. 

In reality, with a higher pH, not only will raw meat and bones not be adequately digested, but there will also be a danger of bacterial contamination since an acidic pH plays a crucial role in destroying germs present in raw food.

That being said, another body of work suggests that the digestive system is able to cope perfectly with this mixture. If you want to be very safe, feed the raw and kibbles at different times.  

Best raw food for dogs

Here are some examples of the best raw food that can be added to your canine’s diet:

• Chicken 
• Venison 
• Duck 
• Kangaroo 
• Beef 
• Rabbit 
• Carrots 
• Potatoes 
• Broccoli 
• Raw eggs

What to look for in raw dog food?

Organ meats, muscle meats, whole or ground bone, raw eggs, dog-safe fresh fruits and vegetables, and a dairy product like yoghurt are common ingredients in a raw diet.

Homemade, store-bought freeze-dried, or dehydrated raw dog food are all options. But if you’re looking to buy the freshest raw dog food that is ready to serve, opt for flash frozen dog food from Petcubes. It is a pre-made balanced raw diet that uses the best industrial-grade flash freezing technology to lock in the freshness, with no preservatives added.

Besides that, there are a few things you can keep a lookout for to ensure you get the best raw meal for your dog. They are:

• Check to see if the packaging has been tampered with.
• Only purchase items that are in good condition.
• Ensure the expiration date is at least six months from the date you bought it.
• Avoid buying packages that have been opened or broken.

Is it more expensive to feed raw?

Even though it is more expensive to feed raw, the benefits it will give your dog will be worth spending the extra cash. This diet is natural and will help your pet live longer and healthier lives.

Furthermore, spending more money on what your pup eats will ultimately save you tons on veterinarian bills as you will visit them less. Read all about whether it really is more expensive to feed raw for your dog here.

Concluding remarks 

At the end of the day, it is totally up to you which diet you want to feed your dog. Just remember that a raw diet will keep your dog healthy and happier. Also, consult your local vet before starting anything new.

Reviewed by: 

Dr Francis Cabana

Dr Francis is one of the top wildlife nutritionists in Asia. Originating from Montreal, Canada, he left at 21 to pursue his Masters and subsequently a PhD in wildlife nutrition at Oxford Brookes University. Instead of taking the path of common animal science to learn about farm animals, or through the veterinarian space and taking a certificate in nutrition, he took the road less travelled to dive deep into the world of animal ecology, metabolism and nutrition.