Dry food or raw food?
When it comes to dog food, there are many different opinions. Should dogs be fed dry food or should they be fed raw food?
Feeding your dog has a significant impact on its health and well-being. Therefore, the decision should be carefully considered. But there is a huge range of dog food on offer and which food is really the best for my four-legged friend? Find out now about the advantages and disadvantages of dry food and the differences to raw feeding.
Contents
- Advantages and disadvantages of dry food
- BARF: Is BARF really that healthy?
- Study shows: the benefits of BARF
- Conclusion on BARFing dogs
Advantages and disadvantages of dry food
Dry food is a practical and inexpensive dog food. It is very easy to portion and store and is also a simple solution for on the go. Unfortunately, it also has disadvantages for the dog. Dry food can cause tooth damage, for example, as the dry food remains get stuck in the gaps between the teeth and can thus encourage plaque and tartar. Inferior ingredients and gluten in
Dry food increases the risk of food allergies and intestinal inflammation.
Another problem is the lack of natural nutrients that can arise from industrial processing. Many of the important vitamins and minerals are supplemented with synthetic substitutes, which is why a balanced and complete diet for the dog is not always guaranteed. Problems such as tooth damage, irritation of the stomach lining, allergies, changes in the intestinal flora or obesity can result. All of these are problems that can worsen the dog's health and thus its quality of life.
While the advantages for the dog owner, such as convenient handling and easier storage, outweigh the disadvantages when it comes to the dog's health. Grain-free dry food does not solve these problems either, as it still lacks moisture and often contains inferior ingredients.
If you want to feed your dog healthily and in a species-appropriate manner, consider alternative dog food. Dry food is convenient, but it cannot guarantee that the food will be nutrient-rich.
BARF: Is BARF really that healthy?
Now the question arises whether BARF is an alternative to
Dry food is. BARF is about feeding raw food, animal and plant components. BARF is closest to the natural diet of wolves in the wild. This form of feeding is considered to be particularly natural and healthy, as no additives, preservatives, colorings or flavorings are added. But is BARF also suitable for my dog and what advantages does it bring?
Just like in humans, the gut is closely linked to general health in dogs. We investigated this in a study and analyzed how raw feeding affects the microbiome of dogs. In the study, 101 dogs that had previously been fed exclusively dry food were switched to 100% raw food.
Study shows: the benefits of BARF
The study shows that after just 35 days, the diversity of bacteria in the intestines of the raw-fed dogs had improved significantly. More types of bacteria mean a healthier intestinal ecosystem, which in turn leads to better digestion and healthier bowel movements - all without additional probiotics.
In addition, a significant increase in SCFA-producing bacteria was observed after the test phase. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are crucial for intestinal and brain health. These fatty acids are produced exclusively by good intestinal bacteria and cannot be supplied through dietary supplements. SCFAs strengthen the intestinal mucosa, reduce inflammation and promote brain health.
BARF also showed an improvement in joint health. Since BARF-fed dogs have more intestinal bacteria, they can absorb chondroitin better. Chondroitin is a molecule that is essential for healthy joints.
healthier intestinal ecosystem
promoting brain health
improving joint health
Conclusion on BARFing dogs
After 35 days of raw feeding, it was found that the diversity of bacteria in the intestines increased, the dog's bowel movements improved and joint health also benefited from raw feeding. Accordingly, raw feeding offers an excellent way to feed dogs healthily and thus promote their well-being. The study shows that this diet not only has a positive effect on intestinal health, but also on the dog's joints and brain.
So if you are thinking about switching to BARF, it can be a very good decision for the health of your four-legged friend. In our BARF shop we offer you numerous products that make it easier to get started with BARF.
