Raw feeding for dogs is gaining popularity, and many dog owners claim that it has improved their dogs' health. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of raw dog food in two different formats: minced (ground) and cubed (chopped into pieces).
So, let's explore which is better for dogs.
What is minced raw food for dogs?
It's a ready-made mixture of raw meat and by-products, often with added vegetables and fruits. Some variations include ground bones, various organs (by-products), whole grains, eggs, and/or fish, along with minced meat. Some brands offer fine ground food, almost like a puree, while others provide coarser options.
So, let's explore which is better for dogs.
What is minced raw food for dogs?
It's a ready-made mixture of raw meat and by-products, often with added vegetables and fruits. Some variations include ground bones, various organs (by-products), whole grains, eggs, and/or fish, along with minced meat. Some brands offer fine ground food, almost like a puree, while others provide coarser options.
Minced Raw Food For Dogs: Is It Beneficial?
Advantages of minced raw food for dogs:
Grinding bones eliminates the risk of choking, broken teeth, or digestive issues from sharp bone edges.
Minced food is rarely suitable for senior dogs.
In older dogs, issues like dental problems or complete tooth loss might make minced food viable. In these cases, minced food is preferable and won't cause issues.
Disadvantages of minced raw food for dogs:
Minced ingredients lose many nutritional benefits as the meat tissue and capillaries break down.
Ground meat is not an ideal format because the absorption of amino acids should be gradual, and the liver should process incoming substances in an organized manner. Feeding minced food can lead to an amino acid imbalance and excess strain on the liver.
There is no way to determine the content or composition of the ground mixture.
Dogs don't exercise their jaw muscles when consuming minced food, which is essential for oral health. They end up mashing the paste and swallowing it without much chewing. This can deprive them of the natural satisfaction of chewing.
Dogs tend to devour minced food, leading to a feeling of under-eating, accompanied by bowl licking and begging for more. Some owners misinterpret this behavior as hunger and overfeeding their dogs, leading to overnutrition and weight gain.
Grinding bones eliminates the risk of choking, broken teeth, or digestive issues from sharp bone edges.
Minced food is rarely suitable for senior dogs.
In older dogs, issues like dental problems or complete tooth loss might make minced food viable. In these cases, minced food is preferable and won't cause issues.
Disadvantages of minced raw food for dogs:
Minced ingredients lose many nutritional benefits as the meat tissue and capillaries break down.
Ground meat is not an ideal format because the absorption of amino acids should be gradual, and the liver should process incoming substances in an organized manner. Feeding minced food can lead to an amino acid imbalance and excess strain on the liver.
There is no way to determine the content or composition of the ground mixture.
Dogs don't exercise their jaw muscles when consuming minced food, which is essential for oral health. They end up mashing the paste and swallowing it without much chewing. This can deprive them of the natural satisfaction of chewing.
Dogs tend to devour minced food, leading to a feeling of under-eating, accompanied by bowl licking and begging for more. Some owners misinterpret this behavior as hunger and overfeeding their dogs, leading to overnutrition and weight gain.
We tend to feed our pets chopped meat
Cubed Raw Food
What is cubed raw food for dogs?
It's raw meat, chopped into cubes of various sizes, often served with a small portion of organ meat, vegetables, or fruits. The diet may include raw bones.
Pros and Cons of cubed raw food for dogs:
Advantages:
Cubed raw food contains more nutrients than minced food. Grinding meat destroys the tissues and capillaries, causing more blood, which is rich in nutrients, to be lost.
When grinding, more contact with air increases the risk of microbial contamination. Preparing cubed raw food requires attention to hygiene.
Chewing on meat cubes engages a dog's teeth and muscles during meals, enjoying them and satisfying their natural chewing instincts.
It slows down the eating process and affects the dog's behavior.
It's easier to spot and remove any ingredients that may cause irritation or allergies.
After thawing, you can see the products and assess the quality of the meat.
Disadvantages:
Since the meat is chopped into pieces, picky dogs may easily select the meat and leave other essential (but less exciting) ingredients behind.
One size of the cube doesn't fit all. Some commercially made raw products are more suitable for larger breeds than smaller ones, and vice versa. Large cubes can be challenging for tiny jaws, while little pieces may not allow larger dogs to chew correctly.
It's raw meat, chopped into cubes of various sizes, often served with a small portion of organ meat, vegetables, or fruits. The diet may include raw bones.
Pros and Cons of cubed raw food for dogs:
Advantages:
Cubed raw food contains more nutrients than minced food. Grinding meat destroys the tissues and capillaries, causing more blood, which is rich in nutrients, to be lost.
When grinding, more contact with air increases the risk of microbial contamination. Preparing cubed raw food requires attention to hygiene.
Chewing on meat cubes engages a dog's teeth and muscles during meals, enjoying them and satisfying their natural chewing instincts.
It slows down the eating process and affects the dog's behavior.
It's easier to spot and remove any ingredients that may cause irritation or allergies.
After thawing, you can see the products and assess the quality of the meat.
Disadvantages:
Since the meat is chopped into pieces, picky dogs may easily select the meat and leave other essential (but less exciting) ingredients behind.
One size of the cube doesn't fit all. Some commercially made raw products are more suitable for larger breeds than smaller ones, and vice versa. Large cubes can be challenging for tiny jaws, while little pieces may not allow larger dogs to chew correctly.