Raw feeding vs commercial pet food: a deep dive into the world of animal nutrition
The nutrition of our four-legged friends is a topic that is close to our pet owners' hearts. In the eternal debate between raw feeding and commercial pet food, we often stand like oxen in front of a mountain - what is best for our furry friend? This article looks at both sides of the coin to help you make an informed decision.
What do we mean by raw feeding?
Raw feeding, often known as BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food), is not a new trend, but has become increasingly popular in recent years. This involves feeding fresh, raw ingredients - from meat and bones to fruit, vegetables and sometimes even certain supplements. Sounds pretty natural at first, doesn't it?
And what about commercial pet food?
On the other side of the ring is commercial pet food, a broad spectrum ranging from dry food to wet food and special diets. These products promise a balanced diet, developed by vets and nutritionists and packaged in a practical form.
The advantages of raw feeding
The supporters of the Raw feeding are convinced that this type of diet offers various advantages:
- Naturalness: It is close to the diet that an animal would have in the wild.
- Health highlight: reports of shiny coats, healthier skin and fewer allergies are doing the rounds.
- Dental health: Chewing raw bones can help to clean teeth.
The dark side of raw food
Of course, all that glitters is not gold. Raw feeding also has potential disadvantages:
- Bacterial contamination: The risk of transmission of pathogens such as salmonella to animals and humans should not be underestimated.
- Unbalanced diet: Without careful planning, nutritional deficiencies can occur.
- Time and costs: Preparing raw food is time-consuming and can be expensive.
Commercial pet food - convenience with quality?
Now we come to the advantages of commercial pet food:
- Balance: It is designed to provide a balanced diet, adapted to the life stage and health status of the animal.
- Convenience: No chopping, mixing or worrying about deficiency symptoms. Simply open the bag and put it in the bowl.
- Safety: Stricter control and standards can reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.
The other side of the coin
But even commercial pet food is not free from criticism:
- Ingredients: Critics often criticise the quality of the ingredients, including the use of fillers and synthetic additives.
- Individuality: What is ideal for one animal is not necessarily suitable for another. Some animals react sensitively to certain ingredients in ready-made food.
- Monotony: Feeding your pet the same product all the time can lead to boredom.
Raw feeding vs commercial pet food: Which is the better choice?
Both forms of nutrition are justified and can work - provided they are well planned and tailored to the individual animal. The important thing is
- Seek advice: Talking to your vet or a nutritionist can shed light on the situation.
- Try it out: Sometimes only time will tell what really works for your pet.
- Observe: Every animal is an individual. Look out for changes in behaviour, coat and general condition.
Whether raw feeding or commercial pet food - what counts in the end is that your furry friend is happy, healthy and full. And that's what really matters, isn't it?
FAQs
Why don't vets recommend BARF?
It has been proven that BARF rations can contain a high bacterial load - especially enterobacteria. Affected dogs excrete these bacteria, which are infectious for other animals as well as humans. This poses a significant health risk, which is why many vets urge caution or advise against this feeding method.
What is raw feeding?
BARF is the name given to a nutritional method in which pets are fed exclusively natural food, i.e. raw meat, raw fish, fresh offal and bones. The diet is usually supplemented with raw vegetables, fruit, nuts and cold-pressed oils. This type of diet is intended to ensure that the food is as species-appropriate and natural as possible.
Is barfing cheaper than ready-made food?
In comparison, the average daily price for dry food is around 2.74 euros, which corresponds to around 11 cents per kilogramme of body weight. The average daily price for BARF is around €2.28, which in turn corresponds to around 9 cents per kilogramme of body weight. This means that BARF is generally cheaper than ready-made food, but the price can vary depending on the quality of the ingredients and the individual needs of the animal.
Are dogs that are given kibble healthier?
Many proponents of BARF argue that dogs fed using this method live healthier lives. This is partly due to the species-appropriate diet, which is free from artificial additives and high grain content. The high-quality ingredients of BARF food, which the dog can optimally utilise, are said to reduce the risk of various diseases. However, it is important that BARF rations are carefully planned in order to avoid deficiency symptoms.
