If you ask a group of people what food they recommend for your dog, you’ll undoubtedly receive many different answers. Most of us simply feed what we believe is best for our dogs, while also considering our budget and individual circumstances. For many owners, dry dog food, commonly known as kibble, is the most popular choice. It is convenient, widely available and formulated to provide a balanced diet in a single product. Kibble has been developed over many years to meet established nutritional standards and, when fed correctly, can provide dogs with the nutrients they need to live healthy lives. However, like any feeding approach, kibble also has its critics. Some people question the level of processing involved in producing dry food, as well as the use of certain ingredients such as grains, fillers or by-products. Others prefer diets that more closely resemble what a dog’s ancestors might have eaten in the wild, which has led to the growing popularity of raw feeding. In reality, both kibble and raw diets have their advantages and disadvantages, and what works well for one dog or owner may not be the best option for another. Understanding the pros and cons of each approach can help owners make informed decisions about what suits their dog, lifestyle and beliefs about nutrition. In the sections below we’ll take a look at both sides of the debate, exploring the benefits and potential drawbacks of feeding kibble and raw diets. For decades we’ve been told that the small dry pellets we pour into our dogs’ bowls each day are the best possible food for them. They’re convenient, widely available and marketed as scientifically balanced. But when you stop and look at what’s actually inside many of these foods, highly processed ingredients, grains, fillers and by-products, it raises an important question: is this really the kind of diet dogs were designed to eat? More and more dog owners are beginning to question the traditional approach and are turning to raw feeding as a more natural alternative.
The Benefits of a Raw Diet Feeding a raw dog food diet has many notable benefits… Some of the benefits of feeding Raw Cleaner teeth and fresh breath. There have been many reports of improved health when chronically ill pets were switched from a commercial product to a raw dog food. A raw dog food diet is sometimes said to be less convenient than kibble. In reality, feeding raw simply involves weighing out the correct portion, which is no different from measuring dry food to ensure your dog is receiving the right amount. Another commonly discussed concern is bacterial contamination. Bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli can occasionally be present in raw meat. However, it’s worth noting that dry dog food has also been subject to recalls due to contamination with the same bacteria, so this is not an issue exclusive to raw feeding. Dogs also have digestive systems that are shorter and far more acidic than those of humans. This acidic environment helps break down raw foods and makes bacterial infections relatively uncommon in healthy dogs. The greater risk of food-borne illness is typically for humans handling the food, which is why good hygiene and proper food handling practices are important when preparing raw dog food. In reality, this is no different from handling raw meat for our own meals at home. When raw food is stored correctly and handled safely, the risks are significantly reduced. I would advise care when buying from local suppliers who produce their own raw dog food. While many are reputable, quality and storage standards can vary. I have personally experienced a situation where food delivered by a local shop had not been frozen which raised serious safety concerns. Always ensure raw food is delivered frozen and stored correctly. After years of trying different suppliers, I have found Solihull Raw and Benyfit Natural to offer reliable, consistent quality. They also deliver on a subscription basis, which means the food arrives automatically and I never have to worry about running out. |
| Raw Feeding Dogs – My Personal Experience
For many years I fed my dogs what I believed was a good quality kibble, supplemented with fresh meat, vegetables and the occasional fruit, egg or sardines. Over time I began questioning some of the ingredients found in many commercial dog foods. Lists often include items such as brewer’s rice, wheat, corn gluten meal, beet pulp and chicken by-product meal. While these foods meet nutritional standards, they are often heavily processed and include fillers that dogs, as carnivores, do not necessarily need. Kibble is often marketed as scientifically tested and nutritionally complete, but much of this messaging also comes from large pet food manufacturers. After doing my own research, I decided to explore feeding my dogs a raw dog food diet. Raw feeding aims to mimic what a dog’s ancestors would have eaten in the wild. A common approach is the 80/10/10 raw diet, which consists of:
Many owners also add extras such as raw eggs, sardines, fruit or small amounts of vegetables. When switching to raw feeding, it is usually recommended to start with one protein source (often chicken) for the first week and gradually introduce other meats. After researching and speaking with experienced raw feeders, I decided to try a 60-day trial. Some commonly reported benefits of raw feeding include: Improved coat condition - Fresh meat and natural fats support healthier skin and a shinier coat. Better muscle tone - Raw diets are high in protein and lower in carbohydrates, helping dogs maintain a lean body condition. Better dental health - Raw meaty bones can help naturally clean teeth and reduce plaque and tartar. Less waste - Raw food is easier for many dogs to digest, which often results in smaller, firmer stools. Raw bones can provide both nutrition and dental benefits. Dogs eating a raw diet typically have a very acidic stomach environment, which helps break down raw meat and bones and destroy many harmful bacteria. Cooked bones should always be avoided, as they can splinter and cause digestive problems. A typical meal for my dogs includes an 80/10/10 raw mix, sometimes with extras such as:
I also occasionally add bone broth or goat’s milk powder to support hydration and digestion. Despite how neat meals may look in photos, the reality is that the food goes straight into a bowl and disappears in about 20 seconds. Some raw feeders avoid vegetables completely, but I occasionally add small amounts such as carrot, courgette or green beans. Vegetables can provide fibre, antioxidants and additional nutrients. Research has even suggested that certain vegetables may offer protective health benefits for dogs. Did I see a difference, in short, yes. One of my dogs, who sadly is no longer with us, had been on steroid medication for around two years due to a suspected allergy or immune issue. She required regular blood tests to monitor her liver and kidney function. After switching her to a raw diet, I gradually reduced the medication within two weeks and was soon able to stop it completely. She had no further problems and, for the first time in three years, even came into season again. For me, that was one of the clearest signs that the dietary change had made a real difference. I often hear people say what they feed doesn't contain additives, just look at the ingredients to check, you will find they often have beat pulp, and maize etc, and some contain very little meat.
RAW VS KIBBLE - WHICH IS BETTER FOR YOUR PET - The Science behind the Raw versus dry biscuit kibble debate FEEDING YOUR PREGNANT BITCH ON RAW If you are raw feeding, a pregnant bitch can generally be fed in the same way as normal, with a few adjustments as the pregnancy progresses. During pregnancy she simply needs more of everything, as she is growing puppies that require the same nutrients she does. Muscle meat supports muscle development, cartilage supports joints, bones support skeletal growth, and organ meats contribute to organ development. For pregnant bitches, the diet should include around 10–15% organ meat. For the first half of the pregnancy, feed her as normal until the pregnancy is confirmed. From around six weeks, increase the amount of food by roughly 30%, increase the fat slightly and begin reducing the amount of bone. By eight weeks, she may require 50–75% more food than usual. At this stage it is best to remove bone from the diet completely during the final 2–3 weeks before whelping. Many people switch to boneless mince during this period. Once the puppies are born, bone and calcium can gradually be reintroduced. This may include items the bitch is already used to such as chicken necks, carcasses, wings or even crushed eggshells. Adequate calcium after whelping helps support milk production and prevents conditions such as eclampsia. The reason bone is reduced before birth is that calcium stored in bones can affect the body’s natural calcium regulation. Before labour, the body draws calcium from the skeleton to support the puppies’ development and to help the uterus contract effectively during whelping. Feeding excessive calcium during the final weeks of pregnancy may interfere with this process. Just before birth, Dr. Ian Billinghurst, author of Give Your Dog a Bone, recommends increasing cooked vegetables while reducing bone content. The vegetables can have a mild laxative effect, helping the bitch empty her bowels and potentially making whelping easier by allowing more room for the puppies.
The benefits of feeding raw green tripe HERE
In the next section, we’ll explore the alternative approach to feeding raw, including the potential benefits and considerations for owners who choose this method.
Kibble remains a popular and practical feeding option for many dog owners. While there are many brands and formulations available, understanding ingredients, protein sources and nutritional balance can help ensure you are choosing a food that supports your dog’s health. As with any feeding approach, there are both advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice will ultimately depend on your dog, your lifestyle and your personal views on canine nutrition. However, not all kibble is created equal. The quality of ingredients, the protein sources used and the overall nutritional balance can vary significantly between brands. Understanding how to read a label can help you choose a better quality food for your dog. Protein is one of the most important nutrients in a dog’s diet. It supports muscle development, tissue repair, immune function and overall health. When looking at kibble, it is not just the amount of protein that matters, but also the source of that protein. Ideally, the main protein source should come from named animal proteins, such as: Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Turkey and Fish, these ingredients should ideally appear near the top of the ingredient list. Some foods contain meat meals, such as chicken meal or lamb meal. Despite the name, these can still be good protein sources because the water has been removed during processing, making them more concentrated. However, some lower quality foods may rely heavily on plant-based proteins, such as pea protein or corn gluten meal, to increase the protein percentage. While these contribute to the protein level on the label, they do not provide the same biological value as animal protein. Dog food ingredients are listed in order of weight before cooking. This means the ingredients at the top of the list make up the largest portion of the food. A good quality kibble will usually include a clearly named meat or fish source, health fats such as chicken fat or fish oil, a small amount of carbohydrates for energy with added vitamins and minerals to balance the diet. It can also be worth taking a closer look at the ingredient list on a bag of kibble. Many owners are surprised to discover that the actual meat content can be lower than expected, with a significant proportion of the food made up of carbohydrates such as grains, rice, or other plant-based ingredients. While these ingredients can provide energy, checking the source and percentage of protein can help ensure that the food contains a good level of quality animal protein to support your dog’s overall health Ingredients that sometimes raise concerns include large amounts of fillers, artificial preservatives or vague ingredient descriptions such as “animal derivatives”. It is worth remembering that some ingredients which sound unfamiliar are often simply added to ensure the food meets nutritional standards. In recent years, grain-free dog foods have become extremely popular. Many people assume that grain-free automatically means healthier, but this is not always the case. Grains such as rice, oats and barley can provide digestible carbohydrates, fibre and important nutrients for dogs. Many dogs digest grains perfectly well and have no issues with them. Grain-free foods often replace grains with ingredients such as, Peas, Lentils, Chickpeas and Potatoes. While these can still provide energy and nutrients, they are not necessarily superior to grains. In fact, recent research has suggested that some grain-free diets may be linked to certain heart conditions in dogs, although studies are ongoing. For most dogs, the overall quality and balance of the food is far more important than whether it contains grains or not. When selecting a kibble, it is helpful to focus on the overall nutritional balance rather than marketing claims on the packaging. Look for foods that:
Every dog is different, and factors such as age, breed, activity level and health conditions can influence which food suits them best. Kibble remains a popular and practical feeding option for many dog owners. While there are a wide variety of brands and formulations available, taking the time to understand ingredients and nutritional content can help ensure you choose a food that supports your dog’s health and wellbeing. HOME COOKED DIET A home-cooked diet is another option some dog owners choose when deciding how to feed their dogs. Preparing meals at home allows owners to have complete control over the ingredients used and can be particularly appealing for those who prefer to avoid heavily processed foods. While home cooking requires time and planning, it can offer several potential benefits when done correctly. One of the biggest advantages of a home-cooked diet is knowing exactly what your dog is eating. Owners can select fresh meats, vegetables and other ingredients themselves, avoiding artificial additives, preservatives or ingredients they would prefer not to include. This level of control can be particularly useful for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies, as specific ingredients can be easily removed or substituted. Home-prepared meals often include fresh meats, vegetables and healthy fats. These whole foods can provide a wide range of nutrients and are generally less processed than many commercial dog foods. Some owners feel more comfortable feeding meals that resemble real food rather than processed products. Cooking for your dog also allows meals to be adjusted to suit their individual needs. Factors such as age, activity level, weight management or specific health conditions can all be taken into account when preparing meals. For example, an active working dog may benefit from higher protein levels, while an older dog may require adjustments to calorie intake. Many dogs find freshly prepared food more appealing than dry kibble. The smell and taste of freshly cooked ingredients can encourage dogs with poor appetites to eat more readily. This can be particularly helpful for elderly dogs or dogs recovering from illness. Home cooking allows owners to introduce a wider variety of ingredients into their dog’s diet. Rotating different meats, vegetables and healthy fats can help provide a broader range of nutrients and keep meals interesting for the dog. While home-cooked diets can have benefits, it is important to ensure they remain nutritionally balanced. Dogs require specific levels of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, and these can be difficult to achieve without careful planning. For this reason, many veterinarians recommend using balanced recipes formulated by veterinary nutritionists or including appropriate supplements to ensure nutritional needs are met. A home-cooked diet can be a good option for some dog owners who want greater control over their dog’s food and enjoy preparing meals themselves. However, like any feeding method, it requires research and careful planning to ensure the diet remains complete and balanced. Ultimately, whether feeding kibble, raw food or home-cooked meals, the most important goal is providing a diet that supports your dog’s health, wellbeing and quality of life. It is also worth noting that for owners who like the idea of a home-cooked diet but may not have the time to prepare meals themselves, there are now several companies that provide freshly prepared dog meals. Brands such as Years and Butternut Box produce gently cooked, ready-made meals designed to offer the benefits of home-cooked food with the convenience of delivery straight to your door. There is also Forthglade, which in my opinion is an excellent food choice with some of the flavours having 90% meat content.
Sources: Dogs Naturally Dr Conor Brady Dr Billinghurst My own experience
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