Top Reasons Why You Should Feed Your Dog Fresh Food

“You are what you eat.” -Anthelme Brillat-Savari

Eating well or eating clean is not a concept for us humans only, but for your fur-babies too. If you want to keep your dogs in good and optimum health, ensuring that they eat clean, fresh food is one of the best ways to go.

Pet owners feed their dogs fresh food more often nowadays. The question remains though, what is fresh food? Why feed fresh food?

When dogs were undomesticated and lived in the wild, dogs ate small animals like birds, squirrels, mice and rabbits - mostly animals that are herbivores.

By eating these types of animals, not only do dogs eat their flesh, they also consume the internal organs of these small animals. This is where they get their “greens” from.

These greens have already been digested by the killed animal, making it an easy source of fibre which aids in the digestion of the dogs and gives them a healthy gut.  

History is proof that dogs have always been eating fresh food and are able to receive the needed nutrients in their diet through it.

Is fresh food better for dogs?

Since dogs have mostly been domesticated and are unable to “catch” their own prey, dog owners can assist by preparing cooked or raw food for their buddies.

Fresh dog food usually do not have added preservatives or chemicals.There are many benefits to giving your dog a fresh food diet such as:

1. Prevention of Disease 

A study by the American Veterinary Medical Association found that dogs who eat yellow-orange vegetables and green leafy vegetables about three times a week have lower rates of urinary bladder carcinomas.

Food produced from pet food factories may also contain low-quality ingredients or ingredients that are rejected for human consumption. This means you may be feeding your dog non-nutritious meals and setting their bodies up for sickness in the future.

2. Weight management

We all want our dogs to be at their most optimal state, and this can only be achieved if they are within their ideal body weight.

Commercial pet food is loaded with starch. Starch like corn, rice, and potatoes are often included in commercial pet food and this leads to weight gain.

Freshly prepared food, on the other hand, is packed with the goodness and wholesome nutrients that are needed by your dog. 

3. Increase lifespan

Fresh food is also said to increase your dog’s lifespan. Studies show that dogs that are fed with a fresh diet lived an extra two and a half years compared to their other friends that are fed with commercial dog food.

There are preservatives, dyes and synthetic nutrients present in commercial food, and this will eventually take a toll on your fur kids’ health.

4. Improves digestive system

When we feed fresh food to our dogs, we need to ensure that there is a good mix of vegetables and meat. The veggies provide good sources of fibre which aids digestion. 

5. Good sleep

Have you ever gone to bed only to toss and turn because you have a tummy upset? The same goes for your dog. If it keeps tossing and turning and breathing heavily, it’s a sign that there are issues with its digestion.

By feeding your dog fresh food, you can eliminate foods that can potentially upset your dogs’ stomach. 

6. Smarter puppies

Fresh food that is rich in antioxidants such as blueberries and blackberries are able to improve your dog’s brain health. The rich pigment in these foods prevents cognitive decline and enhances memory. 

7. Shiny coat

Who doesn’t want a beautiful mane? Just like us, our dog looks and feels better with beautiful skin and fur. Fresh food can help correct skin problems and give your dog a silky and thick coat because it eats nutritious fresh food.

What is the best fresh food for dogs? 

Now that we know that fresh food is one of the best diets for your dog, what are the best types of fresh food to feed it? 

Fresh food can be either given in the form of gently cooked meals or raw. As long the food contains all the needed nutrients, your dog is on its way to good health. Make sure to include a variety of flavours and different nutrients. 

Here’s a quick guide to a nutritiously yummy diet:

Meat:

•         Beef (ground beef, cheek meat, stewing beef)
•         Turkey (ground turkey, boneless thighs, breast meat, tenderloin)
•         Lamb (stewing lamb, ground lamb, shoulder or breast meat)
•         Pork (pork shoulder or butt, cushion meat, boneless rib meat, loin)
•         Chicken (boneless thighs, breast meat) 

Vegetables and fruits:

As pet parents, we understand the time constraint on all of us. If you need a helping hand, we are here to help. Check out Petcubes' gentle-cooked meals and raw meals which are made with fresh and nutritionally well-balanced food that are ready to be fed to your fur kids.

Is raw or cooked food better for dogs?

When comparing the two types of fresh food, both have their pros.

Raw food is basically a raw meat diet that is uncooked, unprocessed and whole. It is given as is, with no other added ingredients. 

Giving raw food to dogs can improve digestion, and weight control, give more stamina and strengthen the immune system. 

If you choose to give raw food, here is a guide to all that you need to know about raw feeding. 

Gently cooked food, on the other hand, is food that is heated or lightly cooked to kill pathogens such as salmonella and e-coli.

Although the food is cooked, the nutrition count in it still remains high as compared to highly processed dog food. Slow-cooked meals also provide a variety of food sources which you can choose from (meat, vegetables, fruits, grains). This helps keep your dog in an ideal weight and health.

This guide to gently cooked dog food can provide more details.

Both raw and gently cooked dog food have health benefits for your dog. You may alternate between feeding your buddies with raw and gently cooked food to gain all the wholesome benefits of a complete balanced diet. 

Is fresh dog food better than dry?

Definitely! Fresh dog food is better than dry and canned food. Fresh food contains all the natural nourishments that your dog needs. It has no additives, preservatives and fillings that can harm your pal in the long run. 

How can I keep my pet food fresh?

When you cook dog food, ensure that the food is fully cooled down before portioning it out into reusable containers. Fresh dog food that is cooked can be safely kept in the refrigerator for three days. If you have a larger portion, these foods can be placed in the freezer and defrosted as and when needed.

It is important to source for fresh meat when you choose to give your dog a raw diet. Remember that a variety of nutrients will be obtained only if you include different types of fresh raw meat.  

Final thoughts

As responsible pet owners, we must look into what is best for our pets. Research and sourcing the best types of food to give our dogs is always an ongoing process.

Each dog is different and each requires a different set of nutrition and diet, thus, whole fresh food is the better option as you will be able to control what goes into your pets’ body. What could be better than fresh food given raw or slow-cooked by pet owners, made with full of love?