What are the benefits of fresh dog food?
Are you thinking of switching to fresh dog food?
Then you are in the right place. This article will guide you to make that important decision for your dog’s overall wellness.
The Pet food industry is jam-packed with different choices that can overwhelm you. Kibble is packaged with attractive marketing labels that may tempt you to make it your dog’s daily meal. However, the labels can be misleading.
Conversely, fresh dog food is made with real ingredients that you can see, and they come with loads of benefits for your dog.
Here are ten researched-backed reasons why you should go for fresh dog food:
Healthier body weight
Kibble is packed with fillers, preservatives, and other harmful additives that make dogs gain unhealthy weight, leading to obesity. Contrarily, adding fresh ingredients to your dog’s recipe helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
A healthy weight means fewer problems, as obesity is a recipe for heart problems, arthritis, urinary tract diseases, diabetes, low thyroid hormone production, liver diseases, and torn knee ligaments. Maintaining a healthy weight also lowers the risks of pancreatitis, which can be fatal if not treated early.
Feeding your dog fresh foods like lean proteins from chicken, fish, tofu, and fish and high-fiber vegetables like broccoli is an excellent way to maintain a healthy weight. Fresh proteins and fiber give dogs ideal weight as it makes them feel full faster for longer. Fresh fruits like blueberries, cucumber, and watermelon have lots of water, making dogs feel full from consuming less food.
Improved digestive health
Fresh fruits and vegetables are packed with fiber essential for smooth digestion. Fiber adds bulk to the stool, thus ensuring regular bowel movement. This lowers the risk of stomach upsets and diarrhea. The high-quality fiber in fresh food is fermented into fatty acids by the naturally occurring bacteria in your intestines.
The fatty acids help lower the risk of bad bacteria and ensure the colon recovers fast from injuries. Consuming fresh fruits with lots of water like watermelon and cucumbers also boosts your dog’s digestive wellness. Water eases digestion and eliminates toxins from the body. Fresh foods are also rich in probiotics and prebiotics which support the growth of healthy bacteria to promote bowel and gut health.
Kibble has lots of additives that are not easily digestible. Fresh dog food, however, is easy to digest and absorb. This also lowers the risks of digestive and gastrointestinal problems.
Improved cognitive functions
Fresh dog food is packed with antibiotics which boosts your dog’s cognitive wellness. (1)They improve memory and focus in old dogs and lower the risks of canine cognitive dysfunction. Canine cognitive dysfunction presents symptoms like anxiety, disorientation, confusion, loss of appetite, changes in sleep patterns, and decreased activity levels.
Fresh fruits and vegetables have loads of brain-boosting elements to lower the development of these symptoms. In puppies, fresh food promotes learning and alertness. It makes young dogs learn new skills and tricks faster. Consuming fresh foods makes training easier as it fuels your dog’s concentration levels.
Manganese, phytonutrients, vitamin C, and vitamin K in fresh dog food are important as they stimulate the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain resulting in improved concentration, higher levels of alertness, and proper focus. Fresh protein sources, including salmon, also boost your dog’s brain health. Salmon has omega fatty acids, which are critical for proper brain development and functioning.
Promote your dog’s skin and coat health
Unlike most commercial foods which are packed with fillers that have no nutritional value, fresh dog food is made with real nutrient-dense ingredients to boost your dog’s general wellbeing. Kibble is highly processed, thus depriving dogs of important fats and oils which nourish the skin and coat.
Consuming fresh dog food lowers the frequencies of a rough coat, scratching, itchiness, dry skin, and shedding. This translates to a shiny coat and lustrous skin (2)for an admirable physical appearance. Be careful with your dog’s skin, as some skin problems result from an allergic reaction. Some dogs cannot tolerate fresh chicken, which will reflect their skin and coat appearance.
Fresh protein sources, including fish, are rich in omega fatty acids and vitamin A, which give your dog healthy skin and coat. Water is also essential for a shiny coat, and fresh dog foods have a high water content compared to kibble.
Improves physical wellness and agility levels
Fresh dog food is packed with essential nutrients needed for healthy growth. Processing and high heating used to formulate kibble kill some important nutrients. However, fresh food goes through little or no heating thus ensuring maximum retention of crucial vitamins and minerals.
Therefore, a fresh and wholesome diet gives dogs immense energy (3)as they contain lots of nutrients. In addition, fresh dog food has loads of healthy fats which boost your dog’s stamina. Consuming fresh chicken or salmon ensures maximum proteins for dogs. Proteins are broken down into amino acids which are the building blocks of strong and thick muscles. A muscular dog is well-prepared for all physical activities and would hardly get injured.
A fresh diet also translates to brain wellness which boosts your dog’s energy levels and supports the production of happy hormones. Proper focus and concentration are also essential for physical activities.
Helps with picky eaters
Is your dog a finicky eater? Then you should switch to fresh food. For picky eater seniors, the soft texture of fresh dog food appeals to them as they can easily chew and digest. Fresh dog food is also richly-flavored to delight your selective eater’s taste buds.
Fresh dog food is packed with healthy fat that adds flavor to your dog’s food. In addition, fresh dog food mimics your dog’s wild food, thus appealing to their instincts. The high water content in fresh dog food is also a plus as it keeps dogs hydrated and softens the food. You can play around with various recipes to ensure that the food does not become a monotony. Serve fresh food frequently and say goodbye to your dog’s picky habits.
On the other hand, kibble is hard to chew and digest, and picky eaters get bored easily. Kibble also contains less fat than fresh dog food, thus lowering flavor.
Promotes sleep
If your dog cannot sleep well at night, it is time to switch to fresh dog food. Tossing and turning, sighing, and fast breathing are some of the signs of an upset stomach. It means your current dog food does not provide enough nutrients for digestive health.
Fresh dog food is packed with high-quality fiber, which plays an essential role in your dog’s digestive wellness. It adds bulk to the stool for smooth digestion and lower frequencies of tummy issues. This translates to better sleep with minimal or no disturbances. Fiber also makes your dog feel full for longer, thus sleeping for more hours.
Fresh dog food is also packed with antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, boosting immunity. A healthy dog sleeps peacefully throughout the night. Fresh food also contains lots of water to lower hunger pangs at night as it leaves dogs feeling full for longer. Proper hydration also promotes sleep.
Less waste and firmer stool
The consistency, texture, and amount of your dog’s stool depend on what you feed them. Consuming fresh food ensures smooth digestion that results in a firmer stool. Fresh food is easy to digest thus ensuring maximum absorption. This reduces the amount of waste as most food is used. This saves you time as pick-up becomes easier.
The high-quality fiber in fresh dog food also promotes proper digestion to give smooth and firm stool. In addition, fresh dog food lowers the pungent smell in your dog’s stool. Most dry dog food does not have anti-odor properties unless yucca schidigera is added.
The high moisture content of fresh dog food is also important as it makes the stool softer and easier to pass. This also means lower frequencies of constipation. Some unnatural ingredients in kibble take a toll on your dog’s digestive system leading to hard stool and even injuries in the anal area.
Protect against medical problems
Fresh dog food is nutrient-dense to help to protect dogs from medical problems (4). Fresh dog food is packed with antioxidants which are important as they protect dogs against free radicals which cause oxidative damage. Oxidative damage leads to chronic diseases like cancer which is fatal if not treated at its early stages.
Consuming fresh vegetables and fruits provides vitamin C. Vitamin C is responsible for improved immunity. It protects sick dogs from further infections and ensures healthy dogs stay healthy. Green, leafy, and yellow-orange vegetables lower the risks of urinary tract infections while vitamin A lower skin-related diseases and shedding frequency.
Fresh dog food is also rich in selenium and manganese, which protect dogs from inflammation. In addition, consuming fresh foods with calcium and phosphorus reduces hip and joint problems. Fresh food also promotes maintaining a healthy weight, hence lowering diabetes, pancreatitis, and heart failure risks.
Increases a dog’s lifespan
Do you want to enjoy your furry friends’ company for a longer time? Then the best solution is to switch to fresh dog food. Fresh dog food has healthy fats and proteins to boost your dog’s energy levels. An actively engaged dog lives longer as they exercise their muscles daily, thus ensuring they do not become worn-out early.
Fresh dog food is also packed with premium fiber. High-quality fiber lowers the risks of frequent digestive problems and vet visits. This also prolongs your dog’s life. Moreover, fresh dog food boosts your dog’s immunity, ensuring they are less prone to chronic diseases. This further lengthens your dog’s life. Fresh dog food is a recipe for a healthy weight and lower risks of weight gain. This translates to reduced frequencies of sic
Contrastly, dry dog food is made with loads of unhealthy fillers and preservatives which take a toll on your dog’s health.
Six Signs it’s Time to Change Your Pet’s Food
Here are six signs that will tell you it’s time to change your dog’s food:
Dull and flaky coat
This shows your dog’s current food has little or no fat and oils to moisturize the skin and coat. A dull coat means it is time to switch to foods rich in omega fatty acids and vitamin A which boost both the skin and coat wellness.
Weakness
If your dog’s energy levels are always low, then it might be the best time to switch to energy-boosting foods. You should, however, consult the vet to rule out other medical issues.
Unhealthy weight gain
If your dog is gaining weight quickly, you should switch to foods that promote a healthy weight and weight loss.
Gastrointestinal problems
Frequent gastrointestinal problems including loose stool and chronic flatulence call for a new diet. Go for recipes rich in fiber and probiotics.
Frequent itchiness
Frequent itchiness could signify an allergic reaction hence you should switch to a low-allergen diet. Be sure to consult the vet before switching
Seniorhood
Senior dogs need a diet that has fewer calories and is rich in chondroitin and glucosamine.
Do dogs get bored of the same food?
Yes, dogs get bored of the same food. Picky eaters need a constant change in their diets to boost their appetites. Serving fresh food makes it easier to adjust recipes.
Why do dogs stop eating their food?
Dogs stop eating their food when they are full, tired, or bored with the food. In addition, stomach problems like abdominal pain and nausea can make dogs stop eating their food.
How do I know if I need to change my dog’s food?
Your dog’s life stage, dull and flaky coat, frequent lethargy, constant itchiness, gastrointestinal problems, and unhealthy weight gain are the main signs of changing your dog’s food.
Do dogs need less food as they get older?
Yes, dogs need less food as they get older. This is because older dogs are less energetic; hence consuming lots of food leads to obesity which causes other health issues.
Should dogs eat the same food every day?
No, dogs should not eat the same food every day. Like humans, dogs need lots of nutrients that come from various foods. Consuming different foods is more nutritious.
Is it OK to switch dog food flavors?
Yes, it is okay. However, some dogs can be sensitive to certain flavors, thus calling for caution before switching. These dogs can have diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and other tummy problems.
Our Recommended Best Fresh Dog Food
Wrapping Up
There you have it. Fresh dog food has lots of benefits for your dog. Our 10 research-backed benefits are proof that fresh dog food is the best. From digestive health to proper immunity, fresh dog food boosts well-proven gains.
Whether you use it as a standalone meal or a topper, fresh dog food will always give you and your furry canine companion a reason to smile. However, your dog’s health needs and allergic reactions may dictate the type of food to serve. This makes it key to consult the vet before switching to a new diet.
