Do dogs live longer on fresh food

Study Shows Raw Feeding Extends Dog Longevity: Lets Talk About It

Today, we are thrilled to have a guest blogger, James Woller, owner ofRelease the HoundsandJet Pet Resort, write an article for us that further supports the reason why not to feed kibble but to go raw instead.

As per our company's mission statement, we are dedicated in educating pet parents the benefits of raw feeding, which ultimately contributes to your pets' well-being and longevity, so without further ado...

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Study Shows Raw Feeding Extends Dog Longevity: Lets Talk About It

There is no doubt that humans' eating behaviors have dramatically changed in the past century. The past 100 years have seen humans largely move away from farming and rural environments towards suburban areas, consuming enormous amounts of convenience foods: some of which would be unrecognizable to our ancestors just two or three generations back.

This same time period has seen a dramatic increase in the domestication of dogs, and the change in our eating habits has unavoidably caused a change in the way we feed our pets. But as we are now learning, dogs are no better equipped to handle cooked, processed foods than humans are. This new unnatural diet is causing dramatic negative repercussions for dogs' health, wellness, and even their lifespan.

Not only does a diet of processed food see dogs presenting with human-style health ailments like diabetes, cancer, and obesity, causing worried pet owners to search for tips to help your dog lose weight, studies have shown that switching to a raw food diet can measurably increase a dog's lifespan.

What Are Dogs Built To Eat?

Dogs existed and thrived in the wild for hundreds of years before becoming domesticated by humans. Descended from the wolf, dogs are clearly carnivores, with their internal physiology, gut layout, and teeth structure providing unavoidable and unambiguous evidence of this fact.

Historically surviving primarily off live prey, wild dogs could survive many days between feeds, with their internal physiology facilitating the consumption of a large amount of protein in a very short period of time. A dog's digestive system is simply not created to facilitate the slow digestion required when consuming carbohydrates, including grains and plant food: nor do dogs have the molar teeth required to adequately grind plants and complex carbohydrates.

Surviving, Not Thriving

That being the case, it seems baffling that the majority of commercial dry kibble is primarily made up of plant-based carbohydrates, with a very small quantity of low-quality protein. Historically, commercial dry kibble was largely carbohydrate-based during times of meat shortages, however, there is no need for this trend to have continued to the present day.

It's true that dogs are, for the most part, able to survive on a diet of commercially produced kibble. Or are they? Scientific studies are now starting to reveal what many have suspected for some time: that commercial kibble is causing a host of diseases and illnesses for dogs, while measurably decreasing their lifespan.

While a dog can technically survive on a diet of dry kibble, it can hardly be said that they are thriving.

When Raw Is On The Menu

A scientific and statistical study by Belgian researchers Bruno Sapy and Dr. Gerard Lippert looked at more than 500 dogs over a five-year period and conclusively proved that diet is one of the greatest factors that can affect a dog's lifespan. Further, while a dog's size and breed will inevitably affect their lifespan, these are obviously factors that are outside the control of a dog's owner. Family configuration and housing were also considered in the researchers' report, "Relation between the domestic dog's well-being and life expectancy," but were found to have no impact on a dog's life expectancy. That left sterilization and food as the only factors under the control of humans that have a measurable impact on a dog's life span.

Sterilization was shown to add as much as 15 months to a dog's natural life expectancy by reducing the chances of the dog suffering from cancer or other illness of the reproductive system.

It was a raw food diet, however, that had the greatest impact on life expectancy, adding as much as 32 months almost 3 years to a dog's life. Indeed, the statistical study showed that dogs fed with industrially processed food live an average of 10.4 years, while dogs fed with home-made food can reach an average age of 13.1 years.

Increased lifespan is just one advantage of feeding your dog a raw food diet. Let's look into the background and benefits of raw food for dogs:

• Natural weight control
• Fewer dental problems following cleaner teeth and fresh breath
• Improved mobility in later life
• Reduced chance of developing allergies
• Improved stamina and energy
• Potential savings, especially when you consider visits to the vet and the cost of the food itself. For more information, see raw vs dry commercialized kibble: cost per daily feed.

It can seem a cruel twist that dogs with whom we share our homes, our families, and our lives have a maximum lifespan that pales in comparison to our own. As a dog owner that loves your pet and wants the best for them, it makes sense that you would do everything you can to not only prolong your dog's life, but ensure they enjoy health and happiness during their limited years.

As we now understand, the type and quality of a dog's diet are directly related to their lifespan. Learning that feeding a raw food diet can increase your dog's lifespan by as much as three years potentially a quarter of your dog's natural lifespan should be incentive enough to consider making the switch to raw.

About The Author:

James Woller is a long-time dog enthusiast, and owner of Release the Hounds and Jet Pet Resort, professional dog walking and boarding companies in Vancouver, Canada. On his days off from running his companies, he enjoys learning and writing about topics that are of interest to caring pet owners.

11 Ways You're Shortening Your Dog's Life

According to theAssociation for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 53 percent of dogs were overweight last year. In addition to that, the association found that 95 percent of the owners of these obese dogs incorrectly identified their pets as being at a normal weight. As Dr. Shari Brown, a veterinarian in Chesapeake, Virginia,notes, letting your dog get too heavy can not only reduce his life span but also his quality of life. People do not realize that dogs do not process or break down food like we do, she explains.

For example, when a dog eats 1 ounce of cheddar cheese, it is equivalent in calories to a human eating 1.5 hamburgers or 3 chocolate bars. And its not just people food that presents the issuesome dogs are simply being fed too much dog food or treats. I tell owners to treat each treat like a candy bar. Would you give your child 8 candy bars a day? Im guessing not, Dr. Brown adds.

Solution: Dr. Brown adviseslimiting the amount of people food you give to your pup and makingsure that you are correctly monitoring his intake of kibble. She also recommends that pet parents increase their obese pets' exercise routines, even if that means getting creative. If it is cold outside or the owner is unable to exercise much, put a leash on your dog and take them for a few laps around your backyard or house. Or put a leash on them and take them for a tour around the inside of your house, says Dr. Brown. Anything to get him moving.

If the weight still isn't coming off, consult your veterinarian, as they may want to put your pet on a dietary program. Your vet may also be able to help identify an underlying disorder, like hyperadrenocorticism or hypothyroidism, that may be contributing to weight gain.

Feed Raw Dog Food For A Longer Life!

Feed Raw Dog Food For A Longer Life!

Feeding your dog a raw diet is one of the best ways to ensure your pooch will be around for many more trips to the park and long naps on the couch. You want to keep your best friend around for as long as possible, and that means making sure they are well provided for...mind, body and paws.

Raw diets have benefits and nutrients that freeze dried kibble or other traditional pet food varieties don't, plus your pup will think eating raw is absolutely delicious.

Here are some more facts about raw dog food to help you decide whether it is time to make the switch!

Why do we even feed our dogs kibble?

Convenience, I want to say kibble feeders do so for convenience. Maybe it is easy enough to just grab that 12kg bag and lug it to the checkout at Pet Barn or My Pet Warehouse before paying too much for it and then dragging it out to the car, into the house, etc etc.

In comparison, Raw is much more difficult. I get that.

In fact, homemade Raw is notoriously risky with more than 95% of home-made raw being unbalanced and nutrient deficient which causes huge problems as time progresses.

Rawmate was conceived to simplify this whole process. Let us take care of the prep, we will deliver your dogs total nutrition needs direct to your door.

Raw vs. Kibble

Way back when, before dogs were domesticated and turned into the loving companions we know today, their diets consisted mostly of protein and fat.

Check out our articles:

Hungry Like A Wolf

The Domestication Of Wolves

Is My Dog A Carnivore?

Most traditional kibble varieties contain at least 60% carbohydrates, which are not as easily digested or as nutritious for your pup.

Why Kibble?

Kibble was a cheaper alternative to feeding dogs fresh meat, especially so when rationing was in place throughout the war years making a meat diet for dogs difficult to source.

Aluminium, steel, meat and bones were in short supply, enter kibble as a cheaper option. In short, kibble was created out of necessity during times of economic decline.

The consequences of reducing a dogs diet to one heavily reliant on carbohydrates is clear.

Dogs that eat kibble tend to be more prone to degenerative diseases and often have shortened lifespans.

The rise in the popularity of kibble also led to a rise in obesity in dogs, diabetes and other related illnesses. These public health issues can significantly lower the quality of a dogs life such as premature joint pain and certain cancers in adult dogs.

Raw diets are comprised of mostly protein, fat and small amounts of vegetables and fruits to give your dog the added benefits of their nutrients without the grain or carbohydrate-forward filler.

A raw diet, as mentioned above, is more compatible with a dogs natural dietary needs.

Not yet convinced?

Look at a dogs teeth. Dogs have two large canines in the front, designed for ripping and tearing. These in combination with the rest of their teeth - all of which are pretty sharp compared to the flat grinding molars of herbivores - make them excellent eaters of fresh vegetables, muscle meat, offal and raw meaty bones.

Benefits of raw feeding dogs

As previously mentioned, dogs that consume a raw diet rather than a cooked or carb based one have fewer degenerative diseases throughout their lifetimes. But this doesnt just mean avoiding serious diseases like diabetes, a raw diet can impact every part of a dog's life for the better.

Raw feeders find that dogs on a raw diet tend to age more slowly, have shinier coats and have more energy. These benefits are due to dogs being given the proper nutrients found in vegetables, fruits, raw eggs, muscle meats and raw meaty bones. Some dog owners have even reported smaller poops after switching their dogs to a raw diet, everyone wants cleanup time to be a little bit easier!

You may also see an increase in your poochs energy because they are actually absorbing the nutrients from their raw food, which help their gut flora to thrive, giving them more energy for playing, training, working or just generally being a dog.

Prey Model Raw vs Rawmate Complete and Balanced

Prey Model Raw feeders lean towards a dog being a carnivore (hint: your dog is NOT a carnivore)

Rawmate is Complete and Balanced according to AAFCO requirements. You just cant balance raw properly without the veg. Getting this wrong puts your dog at risk of nutritional deficiencies and death.

Once you acknowledge the omnivorous nature of your dog. The requirement for some vegetables makes sense. Especially market fresh vegetables good enough to put on your own plate or your families dinner table.

Raw fed dogs live longer

The most significant reason for switching your dog to a raw diet is to ensure that you have as much time with them as possible.

Dr. Grard Lippert conducted a study published in 2003 starting in 1998 of over 500 dogs.

Some of these dogs were fed raw diets made to specific specifications, the others were fed a traditional dry/kibble diet. Unsurprisingly, the dogs being fed the raw homemade diet on average had a life expectancy of around 3 years longer than the dogs being fed a dry/kibble diet!

These results were evident despite the breed, age, size and sex of the dogs, and it is clear why. If your dog is eating the things their body needs in order to thrive and live a long happy life, they will thrive and live a long happy life.

How much would you pay to have another 3 years with your dog? Does the price difference to Kibble really matter today if you knew you could feed your dog something that could offer an average 3 years longer, healthier, happier life?

Many have speculated that the uptick in modern disease, in general, is due to disrupted gut micriobiomes.

All living creatures must provide their bodies with the proper nutrients in order to remain balanced, healthy and increase longevity.Naturally is best of course!

How to get started raw feeding

Putting your pup on the road to a healthier life and living longer will be immensely rewarding, but it needs to be done correctly.

If your pup is being fed a kibble diet it is important to slowly transition them onto raw so as not to cause upset stomach, diarrhea, or other discomfort associated with a sudden change in diet.

For some dogs, it may take a couple weeks to switch to raw, but eventually, your pup will be fully acclimated and the health benefits will start rolling in.

The team here at Rawmate will be able to walk you through this process and offer a tailor made, individualised raw dog food meal plan solution for your dog.

We deliver what we believe is the best raw dog food around to help you keep your four-legged bestie happy and healthy for many years to come.

Call To Paws

Did you enjoy this article?

Loved it? Hated it? Un-decided? Skim-read? What are you talking about?

Mind dropping us a comment? Wed love to get your take on the Kibble debate.

Maybe you are already a Raw Feeder, looking for an easier solution. Wed love to hear your story and how you came to believe what you believe. Please. Like, Share, Follow, Subscribe.

It truly does help us to be able to help you (and your dog).