Cooked Vs Raw Dog Food, Which One Is Best?

Cooked Vs Raw Dog Food, Which One Is Best?

• Introduction to Raw vs. Cooked Dog Food [00:00]
  • Discussion of claims from both raw and cooked food advocates.
  • The goal is to determine what science and vets say, and what works best.
• Defining Raw and Cooked Diets [00:23]
  • Raw Food Diet [00:35]
    • Components: raw meat, meaty bones, organs (eyes, spleen, lung, liver, pancreas).
    • Two main raw dog food camps:
      • 80/10/10 (80% meat, 10% offal - 5% liver, 10% bone), no vegetables. [00:53]
      • 80/20 (80% meat with offal and bone, 10% fruit/veg). [01:09]
  • Cooked Diet [01:26]
    • Gently cooked, steamed, or dehydrated ingredients to preserve nutrients.
    • Caution with cooking bones. [01:35]
    • Can be homemade or commercially available fresh/frozen. [01:53]
  • Distinction from Kibble [02:01]
    • The comparison is between prime, gently processed ingredients, not ultra-processed kibble.
• Nutritional Differences [02:20]
  • Raw Food [02:20]
    • More bioavailable nutrients due to lack of cooking.
    • Higher live enzymes, less nutrient loss from heat.
    • Risk of imbalances if not varied. [02:50]
  • Cooked Food [03:09]
    • Reduction in some vitamins (B vitamins) and antioxidants.
    • Improved digestibility for some nutrients. [03:17]
  • Key takeaway: Formulation and balance with variety are crucial for both. [03:27]
• Safety and Bacterial Risks [03:51]
  • Raw Food [04:06]
    • Higher risk of bacterial contamination (salmonella, listeria, E. coli).
    • Emphasis on proper handling, hygiene, and responsible pet ownership. [04:22]
    • Dogs' GI tracts are typically acidic and short, designed to handle raw meat. [05:05]
    • Considerations for households with toddlers or those uncomfortable with raw meat. [05:13]
  • Cooked Food [05:27]
    • Much safer from a human hygiene perspective.
    • Bacterial risks affect humans too, especially in hot climates. [05:35]
• Scientific Evidence and Anecdotal Reports [05:51]
  • Limited long-term studies comparing raw and cooked diets. [05:56]
  • Anecdotal reports from raw feeders: shinier coats, better stools, less itchiness. [06:14]
  • Fresh food (raw or cooked) is generally better due to higher meat/protein content and lack of common kibble additives (sugar, wheat, barley, corn, soy, cereals). [06:23]
  • Some cooked/raw foods may contain grains, which the speaker advises against. [07:09]
  • Both raw and gently cooked are superior to ultra-processed kibble. [07:22]
• Veterinarian Perspectives [07:34]
  • Many vets are wary of raw due to lack of nutrition training or fear of liability.
  • Some pet owners may not properly formulate raw or cooked diets. [07:47]
  • Increasing number of vets support or feed raw/cooked diets to their own dogs. [08:18]
• Which Dogs Do Best on Each? [08:32]
  • Cooked Food [08:32]
    • Dogs with sensitive stomachs may do better with pre-digested food. [08:39]
    • Sick or senior dogs might prefer gently steamed/cooked food. [09:30]
  • Raw Food [08:50]
    • Active young dogs may thrive on raw.
    • Raw meaty bones support dental health effectively. [09:06]
  • No one-size-fits-all answer; depends on dog's age, breed, and health history. [09:38]
• Availability [09:47]
  • In the UK, cooked food is often subscription-based.
  • Raw food is currently more widely available in pet shops. [10:29]
  • Availability of gently cooked foods is expected to improve. [10:38]