What is a Raw diet for dogs?
Our Raw Education Corner explains feeding raw diets, including:
- Feeding guidelines
- Raw feeding safety guidelines
- The possible risks (and how to overcome them)
- And more
Are there any risks of feeding my dog raw?
Have you ever wondered if feeding raw is safe? Read through the sections below to find out how to feed your dog raw in a way that’s safe for them and for you!
Bacteria and raw diets
Raw diets sometimes get a bad rap when it comes to bacteria. Bacteria is present in human foods that we consume daily and is imperative for our gut health and well being. It is the same with dogs. Bacteria is a very interictal part of their diet. Good and bad bacteria is present in many foods. In addition to meats and poultry, bacteria can be present in grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables that we also eat every day. A dogs system is built to break down and handle most bacteria. Your pup has an abundance of hydrochloric acid to facilitate this break down of bacteria. With that said, every dog is different. It is important to consult with your vet of any concerns you have. If you’ve prepared meat for your own family, you’re probably already aware of how to feed a raw diet to your dog safely.
To make sure you stay safe, follow these easy guidelines:
- After handling any raw meat, wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water
- Thoroughly wipe down any counters or other surfaces the raw meat touched with a disinfectant/cleaner.
- Wash any tools, knives, countertops, cutting boards that the food came in contact with (including the bowls you served it in and the container you defrosted it in) with hot soapy water. Be very careful to make sure all the soap is thoroughly rinsed off your dogs bowls as it can cause an upset tummy as well as runny poos !!!
- Keep your food frozen until ready to defrost and serve. Defrost all your Vibrant K9 in the refrigerator. Cover and store any unused food and keep separated from your human's grub in the refrigerator. Food will last approximately 3 days.