{"id":510,"date":"2016-08-24T18:57:52","date_gmt":"2016-08-24T18:57:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qcpetacademy.com\/?p=510"},"modified":"2016-08-24T18:57:52","modified_gmt":"2016-08-24T18:57:52","slug":"pros-cons-raw-feeding-cats-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qcpetstudies.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/pros-cons-raw-feeding-cats-dogs","title":{"rendered":"Pros and Cons: Raw Feeding for Cats and Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][vc_column_text]There have never been more options of dog and cat food for our furry friends. Back in the good old days, dogs were fed whatever the humans didn\u2019t eat, and cats ate whatever they hunted down. Today, pet food is a multi-billion dollar industry.<\/p>\n<p>But is commercial pet food actually better and safer for Rover and Mittens? As more independent research is done into the health benefits of commercially processed dog and cat food, more pet owners and pet professionals are opting toward raw diets for their pets.<br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcpetstudies.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/pros-cons-raw-feeding-cats-dogs\/#What_is_a_Raw_Diet\" >What is a Raw Diet?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcpetstudies.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/pros-cons-raw-feeding-cats-dogs\/#PRO_Its_Natural\" >PRO: It\u2019s Natural<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcpetstudies.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/pros-cons-raw-feeding-cats-dogs\/#CON_Its_Inconvenient\" >CON: It\u2019s Inconvenient<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcpetstudies.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/pros-cons-raw-feeding-cats-dogs\/#PRO_Its_healthy\" >PRO: It\u2019s healthy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcpetstudies.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/pros-cons-raw-feeding-cats-dogs\/#CON_Its_not_regulated\" >CON: It\u2019s not regulated<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcpetstudies.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/pros-cons-raw-feeding-cats-dogs\/#PRO_Limited_Ingredients\" >PRO: Limited Ingredients<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcpetstudies.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/pros-cons-raw-feeding-cats-dogs\/#CON_Health_Risks_to_Humans\" >CON: Health Risks to Humans<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcpetstudies.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/pros-cons-raw-feeding-cats-dogs\/#The_bottom_line\" >The bottom line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Raw_Diet\"><\/span>What is a Raw Diet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;519&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][vc_column_text]It\u2019s called BARF: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, and it\u2019s a movement that\u2019s sweeping the pet industry. The idea is to feed your dog or cat completely un-processed raw meat (including the bones and organs therein) and occasional fruits, vegetables, eggs, etc. Some opt for ground-up raw food (kinda looks like raw hamburger but with bits of bone thrown in), others will simply toss Fido a chicken carcass, cow heart, or eggs at meal time.<\/p>\n<p>While some people have always fed their dogs this way, the raw feeding community has exploded in popularity over the past 5-10 years, and there are die-hard advocates on both sides of the argument.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a moment to consider both the pros and cons of feeding our dogs and cats a raw diet.<br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PRO_Its_Natural\"><\/span>PRO: It\u2019s Natural<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This one is hard to argue against. Dogs and cats are animals, and they evolved to eat this stuff.<\/p>\n<p>Commercial, processed dog and cat food contain fillers, byproducts, and preservatives that can actually be harmful to pets, since they did not evolve to eat those types of foods. Also, the processes by which a lot of commercial pet food is processed makes the nutrient content questionable.<br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;padding-7-percent&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;top&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;521&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;top&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;525&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CON_Its_Inconvenient\"><\/span>CON: It\u2019s Inconvenient<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Scooping a cup of kibble and pouring it into a feeding dish is as easy as it gets. Compare that to the daily chore of thawing out raw food, supervising Fido while he devours it, and then massive amounts of cleanup because you don\u2019t want bacteria growing everywhere\u2026 not to mention the extra freezer space required to store all that raw meat! There\u2019s no question that commercial dog food is far more convenient than feeding raw.<br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PRO_Its_healthy\"><\/span>PRO: It\u2019s healthy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When done right, a raw diet is incredibly healthy for our pets. The key here, is to do it right \u2013 to consult an animal nutritionist or holistic veterinarian and make sure that the raw diet you feed your pet contains all the proteins, fats, amino acids, vitamins, etc. they need in order to live a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doggroomingcourse.com\/2017\/09\/4-things-every-groomer-know-dogs-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">healthy lifestyle<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you compare a wholesome raw diet to a commercial professed diet, it\u2019s like comparing you eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables to one where you\u2019re eating hungry man dinners every day. You\u2019ll survive on either\u2026 but which is healthier?<\/p>\n<p>There are numerous independent studies which show that pets who are fed wholesome raw diets are at a much lower risk for serious health conditions such as cancer and auto immune diseases.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;top&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;533&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;530&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CON_Its_not_regulated\"><\/span>CON: It\u2019s not regulated<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Commercial dog and cat foods are strictly regulated and monitored. There are standards all pet food providers must adhere to, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doggroomingcourse.com\/2018\/06\/what-ingredients-to-watch-out-for-before-adding-products-to-your-dog-grooming-kit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">types of ingredients<\/a> their food can and cannot contain, and the nutrients that must be present in their food.<\/p>\n<p>Now, there are commercial brands of raw food that also follow these regulations. But if you feed your pet your own raw diet, it\u2019s important to make sure that 1) you\u2019re not feeding them anything dangerous and 2) the dog\/cat is receiving all the nutrients they need to live a healthy life.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PRO_Limited_Ingredients\"><\/span>PRO: Limited Ingredients<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doggroomingcourse.com\/2018\/05\/food-allergies-dogs-cats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Allergies in pets<\/a> are more common than they\u2019ve ever been, especially in dogs. When food allergies are suspected, the dog is put on an elimination diet to try and determine what he\u2019s allergic to. Elimination diets usually consist of highly expensive prescription dog food that is usually a commercial processed dog food made with a novel protein and only sold at vet offices.<\/p>\n<p>The problem is that even \u201climited ingredient\u201d commercial dog foods contain a substantial amount of ingredients, including fillers, preservatives, and grains that should be avoided. A raw diet can contain as little as one ingredient. This is often the best option for food-sensitive dogs and cats![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;top&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;536&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;padding-14-percent&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;top&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;539&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CON_Health_Risks_to_Humans\"><\/span>CON: Health Risks to Humans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Handling raw meat should always be done with care, whether the meat is used in cooking or in feeding your pet. If you\u2019re feeding a raw diet, you need to be much more vigilant about keeping prep and feeding areas clean and disinfected after each meal. This includes counter tops, feeding bowls, sinks, cutlery, and floors. Otherwise, humans in the household can become sick if they come into contact with contaminated surfaces.<\/p>\n<p>There are some controversial studies which show that dogs and cats who are fed a raw diet are more likely to transmit bacteria that can be harmful to people with weakened immune systems. Though these studies are not conclusive, caution is advised if the pet comes into regular contact with infants, the elderly, or any person in an immunocompromised state.<br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_bottom_line\"><\/span>The bottom line<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=&#8221;No Line&#8221; custom_height=&#8221;50&#8243;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;543&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][divider line_type=&#8221;No Line&#8221; custom_height=&#8221;50&#8243;][vc_column_text]Full disclosure, I feed my dogs raw as much as I can. And while I\u2019m a strong advocate of non-processed dog food, I also understand the reservations some people have about moving their pet to a raw diet.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve often looked at raw diets for dogs and cats as the equivalent of the paleo diet for humans. It\u2019s not for everyone, and certainly there are ways to screw it up\u2026 but when done right there\u2019s really no arguing the health benefits.<\/p>\n<p>The good news is, there is a middle ground. If you\u2019re not comfortable moving to an all-raw diet, there are some pet foods that are less processed, such as cold-formed kibble or dehydrated foods. These are less of a leap then moving to the raw food end of the spectrum. There\u2019s also the option of simply adding fresh ingredients to your pet\u2019s current diet. Every little bit of fresh food helps!<\/p>\n<p>What are your opinions on raw feeding? Let us know in the comments![\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=&#8221;No Line&#8221; custom_height=&#8221;50&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h3 align=\"center\">Did you know you can easily make your own dog treats at home? Check out these healthy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doggroomingcourse.com\/2018\/06\/7-homemade-dog-treats-for-your-professional-dog-grooming-kit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">homemade dog treat recipes<\/a>!<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; delay=&#8221;250&#8243;][recent_posts style=&#8221;default&#8221; category=&#8221;all&#8221; columns=&#8221;3&#8243; posts_per_page=&#8221;3&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you considering a raw diet for your pet? Make sure it&#8217;s an educated decision. Find out more with this list of pros and cons for raw feeding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11415,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[354],"class_list":{"0":"post-510","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health-and-safety"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.8 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Pros and Cons: Raw Feeding for Cats and Dogs - Sniffin&#039; Around<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you considering a raw diet for your pet? Make sure it&#039;s an educated decision. 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