Raw Dog Blog

When it comes to determining whether something is good based on whether it is natural or not, it is important to note that natural does not always equate to safe for consumption. For instance, lead and arsenic are natural elements but are toxic and harmful to humans. In the same vein, there are several natural foods that are not appropriate for humans to consume, but other animal species depend on for nourishment and sustenance. For example, while soil and bamboo are not suitable foods for humans, they are the primary source of nourishment for earthworms and pandas, respectively. (Source: Science Daily)

The critical question, therefore, should be whether the food being consumed is biologically or species appropriate. Each animal species has specific foods that they are biologically capable of digesting and obtaining nourishment from, and feeding them anything outside of this range can have negative implications. For instance, herbivores such as horses and cows cannot survive on meat, just as carnivores like cats and dogs cannot digest plant material in the same way as herbivores or omnivores. (Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information)

While it is true that some plants have medicinal value for dogs, it is vital to note that dogs produce minimal amounts of the enzyme amylase needed to break down plant matter. As such, they can only benefit from small amounts of partially digested plant matter found in the stomachs of small prey animals. Moreover, many commercially available cat and dog foods contain high levels of sugar, grains, and plant proteins, which are not biologically appropriate for carnivores to consume. It is thus essential to seek out foods that are 100% species appropriate and do not contain high levels of inappropriate starches and other food ingredients. (Source: Veterinary Practice News)