Short answer: it's appropriate, healthy and they love it!
The slightly longer answer:
Dog food or kibble, as we know it today, has only been around for the last 1
00 or so years. It started being produced just as World War I ended, where high quality food was scarce. Canned horsemeat began to be sold as dog food to dispose of dead horses, and we discovered dogs aren't as fussy as we are about what they eat.
By the 1940s, it was an industry already worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Pet food manufacturers recognised they could use all sorts of waste and by-products of the human food industry and sell it lucratively as dog food.
The uncomfortable truth is that this continues today. Grains that fail inspection, food waste and deceased or sick livestock are recycled, repackaged and rebranded as healthy options for our canine companions. This came into sharp focus in 2007, when food contaminated with Melamine caused the death of thousands of dogs across the US.
Manufacturers have since become much savvier in their marketing techniques. Words such as complete, balanced, premium and natural have become prominent on packaging, yet with little scientific backing. However, a look at the ingredients shows that not much has changed in those 10 years.
It also begs the question: how is this dry or heavily processed food 'natural' for our dogs anyway?
A walk on the wild side
Despite their appearance changing, biologically dogs haven't really changed from their ancestors - wolves. Their digestive systems are more elastic and higher in acidity than ours, which means they break down proteins and fats in a completely different way.
Pair that with a jaw structure and chewing technique typical to a carnivore and their gut flora, and everything points to the fact that dogs are still geared towards digesting raw meat.
A grain of truth
Look at your dog's dry food and you'll probably find it's marketed more to you than your pup. Whole meals like chicken casserole, or beef and rice feature prominently. If you look closer, you'll probably find it's packed with grains like corn and rice, or other fillers like bone meal, which are far from the natural diet of your dog.
Dry kibble in particular has been linked to a huge range of heath issues, including:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Allergies (skin & digestive)
- Early-onset arthritis
- Obesity
- Tooth decay
The Raw facts
On the other hand, a complete, raw diet filled with a range of proteins (meats), specific vegetables and fruit, and raw, meaty bones contains all the nutrients required for healthy growth and development.
In addition to helping prevent health issues associated with kibble, it:
- Is digested more easily
- Boosts energy levels
- Contributes to shinier coats
- Promotes a more active lifestyle for longer
Dr Ian Billinghurst, a leading Australian veterinarian, was one of the early researchers and thought leaders on raw feeding - sometimes termed BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food).
He noted that switching his and his clients' dogs to this way of feeding not only improved overall health and vitality but also reversedthe progression and symptoms of degenerative health issues.
We think that's pretty (P)awesome!
Our Promise
Here at CDK9 Raw, your pup is our passion. We have a long history of dog ownership and have fed both commercial and raw food over the years. We have seen first-hand the difference raw feeding can make to your dog's life.
One of the questions we regularly hear is: "Why should I change now? My dog seems pretty happy." Dog's are pretty resilient and naturally scavenge or eat opportunistically - which means they'll generally eat what's on offer. However, imagine if your dog was active and happier for longer, aged more gracefully, and spent a life eating the food their bodies are actually designed for.
That's what we're here for: to challenge the beliefs around dog food that have been perpetuated for decades by big pet food companies.
Our foods are:
- 100% natural with 100% human-grade ingredients (compared to many pet grade providers)
- Preservative and filler-free
- Specifically researched and designed to meet nutritional needs across all stages of development
- Vacuum sealed as soon as they're made, to preserve freshness
- Convenient and very competitively priced
- Delivered direct to your door
