Page 113 - The Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgi Worldwide Magazine

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NUTRITIONAL CONTENT: DIGESTIVE BENEFITS:

A. Raw Diets – Whole Prey: A. Raw Diets – Whole Prey:

1. Natural Balance: 1. Dental Health:
• Whole Prey diets attempt to replicate the natural • The inclusion of raw bones in Whole
diet of wild canines by providing a mix of muscle Prey diets contributes to dental
meat, bones, organs, and other components in health by promoting natural chewing
proportions similar to what a dog might consume and reducing plaque and tartar
buildup (Luger et al., 2005).
in the wild (Billinghurst, 1993). 2. Gastrointestinal Health:
Dog Food: 2. Bioavailability of Nutrients: • A raw, Whole Prey diet may support
• This diet offers a broad spectrum of nutrients,
including essential amino acids, fatty acids,
a healthier gastrointestinal system,
vitamins, and minerals, contributing to overall
as it contains natural enzymes and
canine health.
beneficial bacteria that aid digestion
(Borrelli et al., 2017).
• Raw diets, especially Whole Prey, provide
nutrients in a more bioavailable form compared B. Raw Diets – Balanced Raw:
to processed kibble. This may enhance the dog's 1. Improved Stool Quality:
ability to absorb and utilize essential nutrients • Dogs on a Balanced Raw diet
(Schlesinger & Joffe, 2011).
often exhibit smaller, firmer stools
compared to those on commercial
B. Raw Diets – Balanced Raw: kibble, indicating better nutrient
1. Customizable Nutrient Profiles: absorption and digestion (Hooda et
• Balanced Raw diets involve carefully curated al., 2013).
combinations of meats, organs, bones, and
supplements to achieve a balanced nutritional 2. Reduced Risk of Allergies:
profile. This allows pet owners to tailor the diet to • Limited exposure to processed and
their dog's specific needs (Freeman et al., 2013). allergenic ingredients in Balanced
Raw diets may reduce the risk of
2. Reduced Processing: allergies and sensitivities (Crespo et
• Unlike commercial kibble, which undergoes al., 2017).
extensive processing, Balanced Raw diets retain
the natural integrity of the ingredients, preserving C. Traditional Commercial Dry
the nutritional value of raw components (Davies Kibble:
et al., 2004). 1. Digestive Challenges:
• Some dogs may experience
C. Traditional Commercial Dry Kibble: digestive issues, such as flatulence
1. Processed Ingredients: and diarrhea, when consuming
• Commercial dry kibble often contains highly commercial kibble due to the
processed ingredients, including grains, fillers, presence of allergens or poorly
and additives. The processing can degrade the digestible ingredients (Hart, 2018).
nutritional content and affect the bioavailability of 2. Dental Concerns:
nutrients (Knight, Leitsberger, & Osborne, 2016).
• Dry kibble may not provide sufficient
2. Concerns about Ingredient Quality: dental benefits, as the lack of natural
• The sourcing and quality of ingredients in chewing and the high carbohydrate
commercial kibble may vary, leading to potential content may contribute to dental
concerns about the nutritional adequacy of the problems (Verma, 2014).
diet (Golder et al., 2018).

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