Potential Health Benefits to Feeding a Raw Diet. . . Cancer, UTI/stones, Weight issues, Diabetes, Allergies, Yeast, Joint issues, Dental/Gum issues, Canine Seizures, Kidney and Liver Disease, Heart conditions
It's good for Cancer Prevention and Treatment- According to the National Canine Cancer Foundation, canine cancer accounts for 50% of all disease related pet deaths each year, and accounts for almost half of the pet deaths for dogs over the age of 10. Commercial pet foods (especially dry foods) are cooked at high heat temperatures for long lengths of time creating known cancer causing carcinogens Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) from the meat proteins to be present in the foods. Prey model raw diets being uncooked, the meat proteins will not contain these carcinogens.
Cancer Vet Dr. Demian Dressler
http://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/latest-on-dog-food-and-cancer/
Vet Dr. Karen Becker
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/05/27/cooked-meat-carcinogens.aspx
Scientific Study Done on Commercial Pet Food confirming presence of HCA's in pet foods.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12948828
Commercial processed dog foods like Purina with grains, have been found through testing to contain cancer and liver disease causing aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are molds that grow when the grains poorly grown, or are kept in storage, the high heat cooking processes of commercial dogs foods does not kill it, so if contaminated the dog food can make a dog sick with continual daily ingestion. Raw diets don't contain ingredients like grains.
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cancer-causing-aflatoxins-found-in-dog-foods/
In scientific research done by Vet Oncologist Dr. Gregory Ogilvie, when he was head of medical oncology and director of the Medical Oncology Research
Laboratory, Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University it's been shown that cancer cells thrive and live with glucose (sugars including carbohydrates). The cancer cells use the sugars as a form of energy, they produce a waste product called lactate that can weaken the body and allow the cancer to grow stronger. Scientific tests that have been conducted have shown that a dog with cancer's ability to metabolize carbohydrates and fats (lipids) properly is altered, unlike dogs who do not have cancer. Dr. Ogilvie recommends feeding limited amounts of carbohydrates and feeding more healthy fats (omega 3's) if your dog currently has cancer. Prey Model Raw Diets are very very low in carbohydrates, only trace amounts are found in the organs, like liver, and muscle tissue fed, and contain raw fats that still have enzyemes present to help aide with lipid digestion.
He also recommends high quality proteins that contain amino acids arginine (enhances the and glutamine that enhance the immune system and aide in maintaining digestion tract health. Prey Model Raw Diets contain lots of raw protein, amino acids are not destroyed because there is no high heat cooking like there is with commercial pet foods. This makes the raw protein in the diet high quality with all nutrients and enzymes still present.
***Dogs currently with cancer may want to do a commercial raw diet that has gone through high pressure pasteurization (HPP) to eliminate bacteria concerns with weakened immune systems because of the cancer/cancer treatments. Brands of frozen raw pet food like Nature's Variety, Stella & Chewys are HPP.***
http://www.caninecancer.com/nutrition.html
Vet Dr. Jodie Gurenstern
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/how-to-help-your-pet-beat-cancer-a-tribute-to-blue/
It's good for UTI/some Bladder Stone prevention- Raw meats are 65-75% water inclusive, so raw diets are very high in moisture for your pets in comparison to commercial dry foods which are about 10-12%. High mositure is important to help flush out the kidneys when a UTI or kidney issues is present. Carbohydrates alkalize your dog's PH making it less a acidic and create a better environment for bacterial overgrowth that can cause UTI's. Meats are very acid producing, so a raw diet with lots of fresh meat protein will lower the dog's PH and keep it at a healthy 6.0-6.5. Some raw diets can also be lower in oxalates than commercial dog foods.
Vet Dr. Karen Becker
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2009/10/22/these-3-things-may-indicate-your-pet-has-a-bladder-problem.aspx
Vet Dr. Bruce Syme
http://www.vetsallnatural.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=99
Vet Dr. Peter Dobias
http://peterdobias.com/blogs/blog/11014185-bladder-and-kidney-stones-and-urine-crystals-in-dogs-natural-approach
It's good for Weight Loss and Obesity/Diabetes prevention/Treatment- Scientific studies done on canines have shown that diets higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates have been shown to enhance weight loss in dogs. Higher protein has also been shown to help keep a dog losing weight less likely to loose muscle mass. Carbohydrates in commercial dog foods can also spike blood sugar levels, where a raw diet with very little carbohydrates which will keep blood sugar levels more consistently stable which can be helpful for dogs with diabetes. Raw diets are high in raw meat protein, so they contain a lot of the amino acid L-carnitine, which has been shown to help burn fat.
Scientific Study
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/134/8/2087S.short
Animal Nutritionist PhD Dr. Richard Patton
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/dog-obesity-starch/
Pet Nutrition Blogger Rodney Habib
http://www.rodneyhabib.com/blog/2014/08/29/carbohydrate-epidemic-0
Vet Dr. Karen Becker
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/06/09/why-heavy-dogs-are-becoming-the-norm.aspx
Vet Dr. Jeff Feinman
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/weight-loss-weight-control-with-a-natural-diet/
Vet Dr. Bruce Syme on diabetes
http://www.vetsallnatural.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104&Itemid=111
Vet Dr. Peter Dobias on diabetes
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/causes-canine-diabetes/
It's good for Food Allergies/Food Sensitivities- Raw diets usually have simpler ingredients than commercial dog foods, homemade raw diets can offer more control over choice of foods and food quality used, making it easier to avoid foods that can cause a reaction. In recent commercial dog food studies, some commercial foods had ingredients that were not listed on the label due to manufacturing errors or possible cross contamination in manufacturing. This can be a big concern for any pet owner who's dog may be severely allergic to a food ingredient. Raw foods, being raw, still contain enzymes, which aide in the digestive process and degradation of food proteins, so they are smaller and less likely to cause a reaction. Raw diets may provide an allergic or sensitive dog to eat more foods than they can on commercial dog foods. This is because high heat cooking processes destroy food enzymes, denture proteins, and change the chemical structure of foods, sometimes dog's that are allergic to a food like chicken, can still eat the raw version of it without a reaction. Raw diets, being nutrient dense, may also help to balance the immune system and help with environmental allergies.
Today News article on Testing that showed Mislabeled Commercial Pet Foods
http://www.today.com/pets/dog-cat-food-products-are-mislabeled-study-finds-1D80249283
Vet Dr. Karen Becker
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/26/mislabeled-dog-foods.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7weEkUuhhk
It's good for Yeast Infection Prevention and Yeast Treatment- Do your dogs have stinky, itchy ears or skin? Yeast thrives on any type of sugar, including natural sugar from fruits, and starchy carbohydrate from grains, potatoes etc. Raw diets are usually mostly raw meats, raw organs, raw bones and or non starchy veggies, so they can be suitable to keep current yeast levels in check or help to reduce the overgrowth of yeast by not providing lots of sugars, which is food for the yeast.
Pet Nutrition Blogger Rodney Habib
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/grain-free-dog-foods-solving-yeast-and-skin-issues/
Vet Dr. Karen Becker
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/05/03/eating-these-foods-can-make-your-dog-itch-like-crazy.aspx
It's good for Joint Health and Prevention/Treatment of Joint Issues like Arthritis- With raw bones and raw cartilage being fed from raw chicken feet, raw chicken thighs, raw oily fish, raw heart, etc., Raw diets contain highly absorb-able, food sourced, joint health nutrients like Calcium, MSM, Omega 3, Collagen, Elastin, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin. Since raw diets are very low in carbohydrates, they may also help to reduce inflammation in the joints, as carbohydrates (broken down sugars) have been shown to help create inflammation.
Vet Dr. Bruce West
http://blog.barfworld.com/2012/09/10/your-dog-arthritis-and-joints/
It's good for Dental/Gum health- Vet statistics have said that 8 out of 10 dogs have dental issues by the age of 3. Some believe that crunchy commercial dry dog food helps to clean teeth, but accoding to some vets that is a myth, and that the dry food wouldn't clean teeth any better than eating crucnhy crackers cleans teeth. However Raw Meaty Bones and Recreational Bones fed properly with the vertical movements of their jaws can help to scrape off tartar and shred the raw meat between the teeth and gums like dental floss. For more info on feeding raw bones properly, check out
http://pugglerawfeeding.blogspot.com/2012/10/feeding-raw-bones.htmlThe Natural Dog
http://rawfeddogs.org/benefits.html
Vet Dr. Bruce Syme
http://www.vetsallnatural.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=134&Itemid=151
Dog Food Advisor
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/choosing-dog-food/dry-dog-food-cleaner-teeth/
Vet Dr. Peter Dobias
http://peterdobias.com/blogs/blog/11626453-the-right-raw-bones-can-save-your-dogs-teeth-and-thousands-in-dental-care
It may be helpful for some Canine Seizure Disorders-It's been theorized that one cause for some seizures is nutritional deficiencies. Phytates found in grains, soy, and peanuts can block absorption for some nutrients like iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium, the phytates are not always gotten rid of by cooking/soaking methods. High heat cooking can also have cooked commercial diets missing nutrients, especially certain amino acids which might increase susceptibility to seizures, as it has been found in some studies. Amino acids like Taurine and Carnitine can have a great affect on brain function, blood sugar levels, and the central nervous system. A proper balanced raw diet with lots of variety may help ensure all nutrient needs are met. In some small human studies a ketogenic diet (high fat, very low/no carb diet) has been shown to stop or reduce epileptic seizures. Raw diets can be made to be similar to a ketogenic diet since they don't include carbohydrates.
Canine Epilepsy Site
http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/healthydiet.html
Pet Owner Sandra Demer
http://www.darwinspet.com/pet-health/how-dog-food-affects-seizures-canine-epilepsy/
Vet Dr. Karen Becker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVnaIujDzqE
Vet Dr. Dobias
http://peterdobias.com/blogs/blog/10933929-common-causes-of-epilepsy-in-dogs-and-treatment-part-2-epilepsy
It may be helpful for Kidney Disease or Liver Disease- While you may have to reduce protein after blood BUN and Creatine amounts reach a certain number. Early chronic renal failure may benefit from moisture rich, high quality protein sources like those found in a raw diet. Liver Disease may benefit from a diet with less toxins that can be found in some commercial processed pet foods like GMO ingredients, artificial flavoring, coloring, or preservatives (BHA, ethoxyquin, etc.) aflatoxins, protein denture agents, sugar etc.
Dogs Naturally Magazine
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/canine-diets-for-kidney-failure/
Vet Dr. Peter Dobias
http://peterdobias.com/blogs/blog/11014997-why-a-liver-cleanse-for-your-dog-may-extend-the-life-expectancy
It may be helpful for Heart Condition Prevention/Treatment- Since raw diets can be high in Taurine and CoQ10 (feeding raw heart), and can be lower in sodium compared to commercially processed dog foods, they may benefit dogs with heart conditions and prevention of heart conditions. Clean teeth and gums from eating/chewing raw bones can help keep dental issues that can contribute to heart problems.
Truth about Pet Food article
http://truthaboutpetfood.com/salty-dog-and-salty-cat/
Daily Mail Article
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2542207/Its-dogs-dinner-Pet-foods-containing-huge-amounts-salt-sugar-oils-fats-leading-canine-obesity-expert-warns.html
