Unleashing the Debate: Raw Food vs. Kibble for Dogs

The age-old debate on whether to feed dogs raw food or kibble continues to divide pet owners, with each camp staunchly advocating for its preferred diet. Both raw food and kibble have their merits and drawbacks, and the choice ultimately depends on various factors, including the dog’s health, lifestyle, and the owner’s preferences. Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of both raw food and kibble, supported by relevant research.

The ongoing question that many dog owners ask them selves, raw or kibble. What came first chicken or the egg? Following instructions of dog breeders, kennel clubs and show dogs or following the advise of veterinarians? Is raw food just a hype or better as preached? Is kibble as nutritious and without side effects as veterinarians preach?

READ MORE: Canadians love their Pets, new study shows

Let’s first put some hard facts on a list and compare those two types of dog food and compare PROS and CONS of each food type. Let’s add some research and real life dog owners experiences for comparing and making up our minds what food source might and possibly is better for your dog. Let’s start.

Raw Food Diet:

Advocates of raw food diets for dogs argue that it closely mimics the natural diet of their wild ancestors. A raw food diet typically consists of uncooked meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables. Proponents And literature claim several benefits:

• Improved Dental Health: Chewing on raw bones can help reduce tartar and plaque buildup, promoting better oral health for dogs. A study published in the “Journal of Veterinary Dentistry” suggests that feeding raw bones can significantly reduce dental calculus in dogs.
• Enhanced Coat and Skin: Raw diets are often praised for contributing to a shinier coat and healthier skin. Research in the “Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition” suggests that dietary factors, including omega-3 fatty acids found in raw fish, can positively impact skin and coat condition in dogs.
• Digestive Health: Some argue that dogs on a raw food diet experience improved digestion and smaller, firmer stools. A study in the “Journal of Nutritional Science” found that raw diets might enhance digestibility and nutrient absorption in dogs.

Kibble Diet:

Commercial dog kibble is a convenient and widely available option that comes in various formulations to meet different dietary needs. Advocates for kibble point to its convenience, affordability, and nutritional balance:

• Convenience: Kibble is easy to store, handle, and serve, making it a convenient option for busy pet owners. A study in the “Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition” suggests that the convenience of feeding dry kibble can contribute to better adherence to feeding guidelines.
• Nutritional Balance: Commercially produced kibble is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs. Research published in the “Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association” indicates that high-quality commercial dog foods provide balanced nutrition that supports overall health.
• Dental Health: While raw bones are often credited with improving dental health, some dental kibble formulations are designed to reduce plaque and tartar. A study in the “Journal of Veterinary Dentistry” found that certain dry dog foods can contribute to dental health by reducing dental calculus.

Comparing benefits and drawbacks

Raw food

Many high profiled dog owners, breeders and dog show enthusiasts claim that raw food diet will have na impact on overall appearance and especially big impact on coat. Is that so?

Overall appearance is debate on it’s own and is personal opinion. Most of pet owners don’t really go that deep into detail and have their pets based purely on love and compassion and not on competition or judges. Therefore if dogs health is number one on your list, advise on raw food should not matter to you.

Raw food gives your dog healthier and shinier coat! Its that so? Confirmed! Raw food will give your dog a shinier coat at least, not confirmed is the healthier coat but shinier and more appealing for sure! As dog owner with short coat dog breed, we feed our dog raw only with supplements and the coat is superb. We get compliments from veterinarian and dog owners alike. I must say, we have tried to add some kibble in dogs diet with well known kibble manufacturer and we researched the nutritional value, with our disappointment, dog was shedding more with kibble diet for some reason. Not sure why, maybe because the dog was used to raw, not sure.

Raw food is messier than kibble!? True! Many raw food supplier deliver dog food frozen and partially that food needs to taw before consumption, making the process of feeding more messier and time consuming compared to kibble. If you choose to give your dog raw food, it is not a big discomfort, just adjustment.

Raw food can contain pathogens. True! Most of raw food whether your buy it from a branded supplier or you feed your own raw food bought from butcher, raw food is mostly uncooked and can have pathogens. Veterinarians don’t recommend raw food diet if small children are in the same household because dogs saliva or poop can contain harmful pathogens for small children or to adults with immune deficiencies.

Raw food contains same or less nutrition than kibble. Not confirmed and not proven! Raw food can have same, less or even more nutrients compared to kibble. Raw food will have many vitamins, amino acids and plenty of protein for your dog. The trouble starts if you feed your dog just chicken, just rabbit, just lamb etc. Balanced raw food will have great source of all nutrients your dog needs. Most of raw food suppliers have mixture of animal and plant based diet mixed including organs, meat and fruits. If you are not sure if that is enough there are plenty of supplements and regular vet visits will show if you are on the right track.

Energy level of dogs consuming raw food. Not confirmed! We feed our dog raw food and his energy level is like a Duracell battery but we have friends who feed their dogs kibble and we don’t see the difference in behaviour.

Raw food will provide better dental health! Confirmed! Raw food will not discolour your dogs teeth as kibble does, giving your dog raw bones will improve teeth health because chewing on bones will reduce tartar build up. Be careful with giving bones to small dog breeds, they have very gentle teeth and could be easily damaged when chewing on bones.

Raw food is cheaper than kibble. No! In contrary, pound for pound, raw food is more expansive than kibble, especially if you buy human grade raw meat from butcher. Raw can be expansive as meat prices are high in Canada.

Raw food can be and is great source of nutrition for your dog, yes it is messier and not as convenient as kibble but there are many benefits compared to kibble. Knowing the nutritional value of raw food you feed to your dog will help in providing best health to your beloved pet. Many dog owners who feed raw food combine different protein types with fruits and vegetables and even give their dogs supplements and omega-3 fish oil.

Kibble

Kibble is perhaps the most known and widely available dog food out there. Most of dog owners will chose to feed their dogs kibble because most veterinarians recommend this type of food and it is very simply to buy and serve. But is kibble really the better choice? For some type of dogs it can be while for others it simply has some drawbacks.

Kibble is cleaner way to provide food for dogs. Confirmed! Kibble is not as messy as raw food, it is compact, easily stored, dry and spill free. Just buy a bag of kibble and store it wherever you please.

Kibble has more nutrients than raw food. Not confirmed! Kibble is recommended by most veterinarians due to known nutritional value of the food, but is it so? Do we know how much protein, vitamins and all nutrients are actually in kibble? We can trust the manufacturers label but can not know actual value of the food. We simply can not know what is inside. Feeding rad food gives dog owners the knowledge on what the dog is actually eating. Feeding raw must come with knowledge of nutritions and portion sizes.

Kibble cleans teeth while eating. Not confirmed! Eating certain kibble will actually discolour dogs teeth and add more tartar buildup rather than raw food. Another drawback of kibble is that kibble can actually damage teeth of small dog breeds or can even contribute to loose some smaller teeth. While bigger dogs have stronger teeth and kibble will not damage it, caution needs to be taken when feeding kibble to small dog breeds.

Kibble is boring to dogs. Not confirmed! Dogs like kibble and many dogs actually prefer it over raw food. My dog will not touch raw sardines for instance, he will play with it but will actually not eat it. Kibble on the other hand comes like snack to him, he loves it.

Kibble is generally better than raw food. Not confirmed! Kibble might be great food source for dogs, but it is not generally better choice for dogs. Many kibble manufacturers add corn and wheat which is not healthy for dogs. Other manufacturers add fillers like rice and that is just gaining weight and having no nutritional value. If kibble then choosing a trustworthy manufacturer with history of good business practices and proven history of delivering top ingredients is a must. Believing a manufacturer based on big name is not a good way to keep your dog healthy.

For decades, dog owners have relied on kibble for a reason. Kibble is practical. There is no need for preparation, and it is simple to pour into your pet’s dish and store. Furthermore, there is far less chance of spoiling. Dogs’ dietary demands are taken into consideration while creating kibble recipes. Look for labels that claim to offer dogs “complete and balanced nutrition based on AAFCO feeding trials” when purchasing dog food. It’s important to understand that not all dog kibble brands are created equal. Particularly considering that there have been some eerily dark activities occurring in the realm of commercial kibble.

What is better Raw or Kibble?

Every diet has advantages and disadvantages. Finding what works for you and your dog is the most important thing. It is essential to speak with a veterinarian nutritionist before introducing your dog to a raw food diet. Unexpected dietary adjustments may cause uncomfortable stomach symptoms in your pet! You may still give your dog other meals as occasional treats even if feeding them kibble makes the most sense for you to meet their nutritional needs.

Make sure your dog is receiving the nutrients they require to live a robust and healthy life, regardless of the food you decide on. Speaking with your veterinarian is usually a good idea if you are unsure. Whatever works best for you and your dog is the ideal food plan! Knowing more always gives your options and better choices.