Dog Fancy March 2008

FEATURES
26 FOOD FOR THOUGHT: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO YOUR DOG’S DIET

There’s much more to canine nutrition than just kibble and canned food. Our experts explore it all to give you a well-rounded perspective. BY MARCIA KING

The Raw Food Diet

Question for the Experts: Does raw food, being closer to the natural diets of wild animals, offer better nutrition for dogs?

NO “There is no scientific evidence base that shows benefits for feeding raw food,” Becvarova says. “Conversely, multiple studies document that raw meats may contain harmful bacteria and parasites that may cause illness of pets.”

YES “Benefits include overall health improvements, including relief from allergies and anal sac problems, better oral hygiene, and improved skin and hair coat,” says veterinarian Carol Osborne. “My seven years of research, backed by double-blind clinical trials, showed that pets respond very well to a balanced, wholesome, natural diet. Whether a pet responds best to a raw food or a cooked homemade diet depends on the specific pet.”

Meet The Experts

Carol Osborne, DVM, is a veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and the creator of PAAWS: Pet Anti-Aging Wellness System. She has a special interest in longevity research and is the author of Dr. Carol’s Naturally Healthy Dogs.

Iveta Becvarova, DVM, is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist who treats patients at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Va.

Duane Ekedahl is the president of the Pet Food Institute, which represents the manufacturersof 98 percent of all dog and cat food produced in the United States and supports advancements in the quality of pet food and in pet nutrition