Why Natural is Best

Here at The Urban Pet Store, we believe in providing only the best nutrition for your canine companions. One of the most beneficial ways to ensure your dog thrives is by feeding a raw diet! Raw feeding mimics a dog’s natural ancestral diet, promoting better health, increased energy, and overall wellbeing.

If you’re considering switching your dog to a raw diet, you might wonder, “What makes raw food so beneficial?” In this post, we’ll dive into the many advantages of feeding raw, as well as the many benefits of feeding natural treats too.

1. Improved Digestion and Nutrient Absorption

Many commercial kibble brands contain artificial and low quality ingredients, fillers, and grains that can be difficult for dogs to digest. A raw diet, on the other hand, consists of fresh, whole ingredients such as muscle meat, organ meat, bones, and fresh vegetables.

Raw dog food is often purchased as an 80-10-10 complete mince (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ). This means it’s already pre-packaged, complete, and easy to serve, eliminating the need for messy DIY prep. Since raw food is more biologically appropriate, your dog’s body absorbs nutrients more efficiently, leading to fewer digestive issues such as bloating, wind, or loose stools.

2. Smaller, Less Smelly Stools

If you’ve ever dealt with large, smelly dog poop, you’ll likely appreciate this benefit! Dogs on a raw diet produce smaller, firmer and less frequent stools. With kibble, dogs often consume a high amount of indigestible carbohydrates and fillers, which their bodies cannot fully process. Since raw food contains no fillers, grains, or artificial additives, your dog’s body absorbs more nutrients and produces less waste. Less waste also means less odor - an added bonus for dog owners!

One of other changes that becomes noticeable not long after switching to raw, is the coat becoming softer, shinier, and healthier. This is because raw food is rich in quality protein and essential fatty acids, which help nourish the skin and fur. Many kibble diets lack these beneficial fats, leading to dry, flaky skin and excessive shedding.

3. Stronger Immune System

Raw food contains natural enzymes, antioxidants, and vitamins that help boost the immune system. Dogs on a raw diet are less prone to allergies, infections, and chronic diseases. Without artificial preservatives, additives, or low-quality fillers, your dog’s immune system can function at its best!

4. More Energy and Vitality

Have you ever noticed how some dogs seem sluggish or lethargic after eating kibble? That’s because highly processed dog food can lead to energy crashes. A raw diet provides natural, high-quality protein and healthy fats that sustain energy levels throughout the day, keeping your dog active and playful. If your dog is older and aging gracefully, you may notice they suddenly have more energy - becoming the playful pups they once were!

5. Healthier Teeth and Gums

Dental health is often overlooked, but it’s crucial for a dog’s overall wellbeing. Processed kibble leaves starchy residues that contribute to plaque and tartar buildup, leading to bad breath and potential dental disease. Meanwhile, the 10% ground bone in an 80-10-10 recipe, along with chewing on raw meaty bones (if you choose to feed them), naturally helps clean a dog’s teeth, strengthen their gums, and lower the risk of dental problems.

6. Leaner Body and Better Weight Management

Many commercial dog foods contain carbs and fillers that can contribute to weight issues. Since a raw diet is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, it helps dogs maintain a healthy weight. Dogs eating raw food tend to have better muscle tone and less excess fat, reducing the risk of obesity related conditions such as diabetes and joint issues.

7. Supports Joint Health

Raw food contains natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin, which are crucial for joint health. These compounds help to keep joints lubricated and reduce the risk of arthritis, particularly in senior dogs or large breeds which are prone to hip and joint issues.

8. Better Hydration

Kibble is extremely dry, often leading to dehydration in dogs. Raw food naturally has a higher moisture content, which helps keep dogs hydrated whilst supporting kidney function. Dogs on raw diets tend to drink less water because they get more hydration from their food.

9. Fewer Allergies and Sensitivities

Many dogs suffer from itchy skin, chronic ear infections, or digestive issues due to food allergies. Common allergens found in kibble include grains, artificial preservatives, and low-quality protein sources. A raw diet eliminates these allergens and provides clean, wholesome nutrition that helps reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms.

For dog owners trying to identify potential allergens, an elimination diet is much simpler with raw food. By rotating a single-source protein each week, you can closely monitor your dog for any allergic or sensitivity reactions. Since raw diets contain limited, natural ingredients, it's easier to pinpoint allergens compared to processed kibble, which often includes multiple proteins, grains, and artificial additives. This structured approach makes detecting and eliminating food sensitivities much easier.

Why Natural Treats Matter on a Raw Diet

If you’re feeding your dog raw food, it’s just as important to choose natural treats to complement their diet. Feeding treats that contain grains, artificial flavourings, derivatives and preservatives can counteract the many digestive benefits of raw feeding.

Best Natural Treats for Raw-Fed Dogs:

• Freeze-dried treats
  
• Dehydrated treats
• Air-dried treats
  
• Single-ingredient chews
• Raw meaty bones

Click here to shop our natural selection of treats and chews!

Treats to Avoid on a Raw Diet:

• Predominantly grain-based biscuits
• Treats with artificial additives, colourings or flavourings
• Highly processed treats with 'filler' ingredients such as corn, wheat or soy
• Treats that have 'meat and animal derivatives' written on the ingredients list

By sticking to natural, high-quality treats, you ensure that your dog’s diet remains wholesome and beneficial without counteracting the goodness of raw food!

Here at The Urban Pet Store, we are passionate about providing only the best natural food and treats for your pets. If you’re considering making the switch to raw and would appreciate some guidance, get in touch or visit us in Garforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire. For more information on the raw food we stock in-store, check out our page on raw feeding here.

Nourish the ones you love, naturally!