What is the disadvantage of raw dog food

When we stand in front of the supermarket freezer, holding onto the bright red chicken breast packaging and feeling the urge to provide our dogs with a "natural diet", behind this seemingly simple choice lies a complex game of life and health. Raw food feeding is not simply a "return to nature", but a professional topic that requires scientific knowledge and a cautious attitude. Our love for dogs should not be a reason for blind experimentation - every untreated piece of raw meat can be a breeding ground for bacteria; Every impulsive feeding can be a foreshadowing of health risks.

Raw meat purchased from supermarkets may carry deadly pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, there are over 5000 cases of zoonotic diseases caused by raw dog food each year. I once treated a Pomeranian dog who was infected with Salmonella after consuming raw chicken, and experienced high fever and bloody stools. The treatment cost was as high as 12000 yuan. What is even more concerning is that these bacteria may contaminate the home environment through the excrement of dogs, posing a threat to the health of children and the elderly. A young mother once cried and told me that her two-year-old child was infected with Campylobacter due to contact with a dog fed raw food, and spent a thrilling 72 hours in the intensive care unit.

The digestive system of dogs is significantly different from that of wolves. Modern dogs require 18 essential amino acids, 9 essential fatty acids, and 13 vitamins. Single raw meat cannot meet these needs: beef lacks vitamin C, chicken has an imbalanced calcium phosphorus ratio, and pork may contain parasites. I once conducted a blood test on a golden retriever who had been consuming raw meat for a long time and found that its vitamin D level was only 15% of the normal value, leading to severe osteoporosis. What is even more heartbreaking is that a owner, in pursuit of "wildness," deliberately made his dog bite the flesh and bones, resulting in a fractured jawbone and requiring surgical treatment.

The controversy over raw food feeding not only concerns health, but also involves ethics and law. The British Society for Animal Behavior (ABTC) points out that long-term consumption of raw meat may lead to increased aggression in dogs, as the smell of blood can awaken their primitive hunting instincts. I once dealt with a Rowena dog that exhibited severe protective behavior due to feeding raw food, and even bit its owner's hand. In addition, 23 countries around the world have legislated to restrict the feeding of raw food. Although there is no clear law in China, many animal protection organizations have called for the regulation of raw food. In a typical case, the owner caused a neighbor's child to be infected with Salmonella by feeding raw meat, and ultimately paid a compensation of 500000 yuan.

The economic cost of raw food feeding is far beyond imagination. The monthly cost of raw meat for a large dog can reach 800-1200 yuan, which is 2-3 times that of high-quality dog food. A more implicit cost is medical expenses: I have previously calculated that dogs fed raw food have an average annual medical expenditure 47% higher than those fed dog food. In addition, the environmental problems caused by raw meat production cannot be ignored: animal husbandry is one of the main sources of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the carbon footprint generated by each kilogram of beef is equivalent to driving a car for 250 kilometers.

Commercial fresh grains (such as The Farmer's Dog) and freeze-dried rehydration grains (such as Stella&Chewy's) provide safer options. These products have undergone irradiation sterilization and scientific nutritional ratios. I once changed the freeze-dried diet for an elderly dog, which significantly improved its joint flexibility and also improved its tear mark problem. For hosts who adhere to the "natural" concept, cooked chicken breast and salmon paired with nutritional supplements can preserve flavor while killing pathogens.

When we tear open the packaging of raw meat for dogs, we should not only see the beautiful appearance of "nature", but also think about the responsibilities and risks behind it. I once rescued a Schnauzer dog infected with Listeria monocytogenes from raw meat. Looking at the undulating curves on the monitor, I deeply realized that true love is willing to make scientific efforts for its health, rather than gambling on life in the name of "for your own good".