The Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Smack Raw Dehydrated Dog Food

The Benefits of Feeding Your Dog a Raw Diet

In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward feeding dogs a raw food diet. This means providing your canine companion with raw, uncooked meats, bones, fruits, and vegetables instead of traditional kibble or canned dog foods. There are many purported benefits to switching your dog to a raw diet, but is it really better for your pet?

Proponents of raw diets for dogs claim it is more natural and healthier than processed dog foods. In the wild, dogs would hunt, catch, and eat their prey raw. Some of the components of commercial kibble, like fillers, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors, are considered unnecessary or even harmful by raw diet advocates.

Feeding raw can provide dogs with nutrients that may be lost during the cooking process for traditional dog foods. Raw meats contain natural enzymes and amino acids that can improve digestion and nutrient absorption. Bones provide calcium and other essential minerals. Fruits and veggies add vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.

Potential Drawbacks of Raw Dog Diets

While the idea of a more “natural” diet for dogs makes sense in theory, there are some potential concerns to keep in mind when considering a raw food diet.

Safety is one issue. Raw meat and other uncooked ingredients may harbor dangerous bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. Proper food handling and storage techniques are essential when feeding raw to avoid contamination and foodborne illness in both dogs and humans.

A raw diet must be carefully balanced to ensure it provides complete and balanced nutrition for your dog. Working with a veterinary nutritionist can help you formulate a raw diet with the right ratios of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals for your individual dog’s needs.

Feeding raw is more time consuming than pouring kibble into a bowl. Owners need to plan out menus, properly handle and store foods, and spend time preparing balanced raw meals.

There are also concerns that raw bones may pose a choking hazard or splinter and cause obstructions or damage to the digestive tract. To minimize risks, choose appropriate bone sizes for your dog and monitor them when eating.

Trying Smack Raw Dehydrated Dog Food

If you’re intrigued by the potential benefits of raw feeding but hesitant to take the full plunge, one option to consider is a dehydrated raw dog food like Smack.

Smack offers complete dehydrated raw meals designed to offer the nutrition and variety of a natural, meat-based diet with some added convenience. Their dog foods contain dehydrated raw USDA meats, bones, fruits, veggies, and select organic superfoods.

The dehydration process helps preserve the foods without compromising their nutritional integrity. Because the foods are dehydrated rather than cooked, proponents say they retain more enzymes, vitamins, and antioxidants than traditional kibble.

To serve, you simply rehydrate the dehydrated food with water. The resulting meal looks much like canned dog food in texture but contains raw ingredients never cooked above 118°F.

Benefits of Smack Raw Dog Food

Feeding your dog Smack’s dehydrated raw food offers several advantages:

• Made from raw, natural ingredients
• No rendered meats, artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors
• Nutrient-rich superfoods like coconut oil, turmeric, and seaweed
• Balanced nutrition in each recipe
• More convenient than preparing fully raw meals
• Dehydration preserves nutrients better than cooking
• Natural enzymes and probiotics aid digestion
• Comes in recipes for puppies to seniors

Smack offers raw food meal mixes for dogs in all life stages. There are recipes for active dogs, dogs with food sensitivities, picky eaters, and dogs needing grain-free or limited ingredient diets. With a subscription, you can have balanced raw meals conveniently delivered right to your door.

Tips for Transitioning Your Dog to a Raw Diet

If you do decide to try feeding your dog a raw food diet, some tips can help make the transition go smoothly:

Take It Slow

Gradually transition your dog to raw over a period of 7-10 days. Start by swapping 25% of their usual food with the new raw food. Then increase the ratio of raw incrementally until your dog is eating 100% raw meals.

Keep an Eye on Stool

Monitor your dog’s stool during the transition. Diarrhea or abnormal stools may indicate the new diet is not agreeing with them. Slow the transition and consult your vet if problems persist.

Be Consistent

Feed raw meals at consistent times each day. Feed puppies 3-4 times daily and adult dogs 1-2 times. Don’t mix raw and kibble together, as they digest at different rates.

Handle with Care

Always use proper food safety practices when handling, prepping, and storing raw ingredients and foods. Wash hands and utensils thoroughly before and after use.

Provide Balance

Work with your vet to formulate balanced raw meal plans. Dogs need the right proportions of meat, bones, organs, fruits, veggies, vitamins, and minerals.

Watch Their Weight

Weigh your dog weekly when first transitioning. Adjust portion sizes as needed to maintain an ideal body weight.

Transitioning to a raw dog food diet takes some preparation and adjustment. But many dog owners find the extra effort worthwhile to provide their pets with natural nutrition. Under veterinary guidance, raw diets can be a healthy feeding option for dogs. Products like Smack offer convenience without compromising quality raw ingredients.

FAQs

What is Smack raw dog food?

Smack is a brand of complete and balanced dehydrated raw dog food. Their recipes contain raw meats, bones, fruits, vegetables, and organic superfoods that are gently dehydrated to preserve nutrients.

Is Smack safe for dogs?

Yes, Smack uses proper handling and manufacturing processes to ensure their raw foods are safe for dogs. The dehydration process helps kill any potential bacteria.

How is Smack different from kibble?

Smack contains raw, minimally processed ingredients, while kibble is cooked at high temperatures. This better preserves the natural nutrients and enzymes in Smack’s raw foods.

Do I need to supplement Smack diets?

No, Smack recipes are complete and balanced. You do not need to add any supplements when feeding Smack according to package guidelines.

Is Smack a good choice for puppies?

Yes, Smack offers specially formulated recipes for puppies that provide the additional nutrients they need for growth and development.