Raw food diets have always been a standard for working dogs, but lately, the trend has become popular for companion dogs too. The idea is that a dog should be fed a diet more aligned to their evolutionary ancestors. Raw food diets generally consist of uncooked muscle meat, organ meat, vegetables, fruits, and bones (either whole or ground).

The raw food diet has proven to be a controversial topic among vets and dog owners alike. There are benefits for raw food, but risks can be involved too, so its important to understand what research has shown to be the various pros and cons.

Supporters of raw dog food generally claim the following:

• Cleaner teeth
• Healthier skin
• Increased energy
• Shinier coats

Exponents of raw food diets sight risks mainly associated with home made raw meals. These threats include unbalanced nutritional contents that can leave the dog with deficiencies and excesses. Another detraction from raw meals is the higher risks of bacteria, and the potential for bones to be ingested and causing damage. These two worries are again mainly associated with home made raw food.

At Paddington Pups we stock three brands of healthy raw dog food. These brands are all formulated to be balanced and nutritional meals. Because of the ease of simply thawing out the portion needed for your dog’s meal, they are safe from the concerns of bacteria that home made raw dog diets are susceptible to.

The Complete Pet Company is a local business that makes a brand called Complete Meal for Dogs. This brand is quite popular for its use of ‘ethical meat’. Jenny and her team at The Complete Pet Company only source their meats from farms which meet their high quality of animal care standards.

Woah Nelly! is also a local brand of raw dog food. While quite new on the scene, Woah Nelly! Has become very popular with high palatability among our customers’ dogs.

BARF is a brand of that has been praised as being among the first to endorse the raw dog food trend commercially.

When switching a dog over to any new diet, it should be done gradually. This is to avoid digestive troubles or tummy discomfort. The transition is made by mixing your dog’s current food with their new food. Make the transition by gradually decreasing the amount of the current dog food while increasing the amount of new dog food. Of course, it’s always important consult your vet before changing your dog’s diet.