Is raw or cooked dog food better for my Frenchie?
Given the contradicting information, choosing between these two food types can be confusing.
But, no need to worry, you came to the right place.
This article will dig deep into what these food types entail, including their benefits and drawbacks, to enable you to choose.
Let’s jump to it, shall we?
What is Raw Dog Food
Raw food, just like the name suggests, comprises any uncooked food, including:
- Muscle meat ( usually still on the bone)
- Organ meat like kidney, heart, or liver
- Whole or ground bones
- Dairy products such as yogurt
- Raw eggs
- Dog-friendly fresh fruits and vegetables like apples, blueberries, mangoes, broccoli, cucumbers, kales, and spinach.
Cooked Dog Food
Cooked dog food is food that has been subjected to heat. This involves frying, baking, steaming, frying, etc. Cooked food has lost some nutrients and is a lower nutritional value than raw diets. Cooking makes some foods easy to chew and digest.
Raw or Cooked Which is Better?
Both raw and cooked foods have their benefits and drawbacks. As such, the choice of either type depends on a dog’s nutritional needs, preferences, and health condition.
Have a look at the comparison of both foods in various aspects.
Nutritional value
Raw food offers more nutritional value compared to cooked food. While raw food still has all its nutrients intact, the heat interferes with and destroys some nutrients in cooked food.
Digestibility
Raw food is considered to be more digestible for dogs than cooked food. The rationale behind this is that raw food is in its original form without any extra ingredients and additives that can be hard for dogs to digest. On the other hand, Cooked food contains other additives like artificial flavors, colorings, and preservatives that dogs cannot digest.
Risk of contamination
Unlike cooked food, raw foods are prone to the risk of contamination. Raw meat and eggs have a high risk of contamination with several pathogens. This exposes your Frenchie to harmful bacteria, including salmonella, listeria, and E. Coli, which can lead to serious health issues.
Nutritional completeness and balance
If not properly formulated, raw diets are more likely to be unbalanced and lacking in some important nutrients. Cooked food is usually prepared to be balanced and nutritionally complete with the right amounts of all necessary nutrients.
Possible hazard
Raw bones pose a choking risk to dogs. When ingested, bones can get lodged in the digestive tract leading to injury or fatal obstruction.
Can you mix raw and cooked dog food?
Yes, It’s perfectly okay to mix raw and cooked dog food. You can add cooked food to a raw diet as a topping to make it more palatable for your dog.
Can you cook raw dog food?
Yes, you can cook raw dog food. However, this is not recommended unless your dog’s immune system is compromised or it has chronic illnesses. Cooking destroys vital nutrients and enzymes that are necessary for good health.
Raw dog food for beginners?
If you want to put your dog on a raw diet for the first time, you should first look for a completely balanced ground meal. Then, introduce it gradually by adding a small amount to cooked food. Gradually increase the portion of raw food over time.
Do I need to add anything to raw dog food?
If your dog’s raw food is completely balanced, you don’t need to add anything. However, if your dog has special dietary needs, you can add supplements to the raw food.
What can I mix raw dog food with?
You can mix your dog’s raw food with fresh vegetables and fruits, sweet potato, pumpkin, bone broth, oatmeal, and raw eggs.
Read our article on Dog-Friendly Snacks That Your Frenchie will Love Anytime
Do vets recommend a raw diet?
Most vets do not recommend a raw diet for dogs due to the potential high risk of contamination with harmful bacteria. However, a few still promote raw food as a more beneficial diet.
Can I give my dog a raw egg every day?
Yes, dogs can eat raw eggs every day. Raw whole egg yolks are high in biotin, an essential B-vitamin for good health. However, eggs are also rich in avidin, leading to large amounts of biotin deficiency.
Read our article on: Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs? What You Need to Know
What kind of meat should you never feed your dog?
Never feed your dog on meat from animal carcasses of sick animals and highly processed meat such as sausage, ham, and bacon.
Is it okay to mix raw and dry dog food?
Yes, it’s perfectly okay and safe to mix raw and dry dog food unless your dog has a susceptible digestive system or has a compromised immune system.
Why do vets push kibble?
Most vets recommend feeding kibble to dogs rather than raw food due to the fear of contamination that raw food comes with. They also believe that kibble is more nutritionally balanced than a raw diet.
What is better raw or cooked meat for dogs?
This depends on the health condition, nutritional requirements, or preference of individual dogs, as both types of meat have their benefits and drawbacks. However, raw meat has more nutrients than cooked as none is lost through cooking.
What do vets say about the raw diet for dogs?
Some vets recommend a raw diet to avoid harmful additives and preservatives that can be dangerous to dogs. They, however, warn of a possible risk of contamination with harmful bacteria.
Should you feed dogs raw meat?
Yes, you can feed your dog on raw meat. This is because it’s easy to digest and high in nutrients.
Final Thoughts
So, which is better for your lovely Frenchie, raw or cooked dog food?
Well, there’s all you all need to know about both types.
However, remember that each dog is unique with specific nutritional needs.
Thus find out what works for your dog and stick to it.
Always consult a vet before making any diet changes for your dog.