The Benefits of Raw Feeding for Dogs: Why It Supports Health and Behaviour

If you have ever looked deeply into feeding raw dog food, you will know about the benefits, risks, and myths surrounding a raw diet. I have always observed the effects of raw feeding on health and behaviour and accepted it as a natural way for dogs to eat. Recently, I decided to look into the “why” behind raw feeding more deeply.

As many of my clients know, I have a dislike for high protein kibble when it comes to certain behaviour issues. High protein dry food can exacerbate nervousness, fear, aggression, and sometimes hyperactivity. However, raw feeding, despite being very high in protein, does not seem to have the same pitfalls. My research has been a real eye opener!

How the Gut Influences Health and Behaviour

Did you know that 90% of serotonin in dogs is stored in the epithelium of the gut? Along with dopamine, peptides, and enzymes, the gut lining hosts many hormones and neurotransmitters essential for physical and mental health.

This part of the body also processes vitamins, but only if the gut lining is healthy, which relies on beneficial gut bacteria. When the gut has the correct pH and is strong and flexible, healthy bacteria flourish. These bacteria wipes out the nasties or unwanted bacteria as well as boosting immune function.

Why Meat and Bone Are Essential for Dogs

So why is feeding raw meat and bones so beneficial? Simply put, dogs are carnivores. Their gut is short and designed to digest meat at a low pH (acidic). Saliva contains no amylase (the enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates), which is only produced by the pancreas.

Forcing the pancreas to continuously produce amylase and triggering insulin surges is not ideal, dogs are not designed for constant excesses of carbohydrate. Physiologically, dogs are made to tear off large pieces of meat and swallow them whole, letting the stomach do the majority of the digestive work. The stomach releases acid and grinds the contents efficiently exactly as nature intended.

Feeding kibble, on the other hand, can leave the gut “out of practice.” The acid is not released in sufficient quantities to digest cooked carbohydrates, the gut lining can become thin, and beneficial bacteria are crowded out. Over time, this can affect the villi in the intestines and reduce the effectiveness of nutrient absorption, impacting both health and mood.

Raw Feeding and Sensitive or Allergic Dogs

This explains why many dogs that are “sensitive” or “allergic” to certain foods often do very well on a raw diet. Even dogs with an apparent chicken allergy may tolerate raw chicken with no issues.

A weak gut lining from inappropriate feed can become “leaky,” prompting the immune system to react unnecessarily. Focusing solely on pathogens with antibiotics, steroids, or elimination diets can worsen a dog’s overall health and behaviour. A natural raw diet strengthens the gut and addresses the root cause, rather than just the symptoms.

Nutritional Advantages of Raw Diets

Raw food offers nutrients in their natural, bio-available form. Where raw is concerned, none of the nutrients can be broken down through heating, as with complete dry food, and the source of minerals, vitamins and amino acids. Raw meat and bones provide these nutrients naturally, rather than relying on synthetic supplements.

Why High-Protein Raw Feeding Doesn’t Cause Behaviour Issues

After research, I can partially answer the question: why does high-protein raw feeding not have the same pitfalls as high-protein kibble?

The answer lies in the gut. A healthy gut, rich in beneficial bacteria and essential chemicals, supports self-control, energy, balanced mood, and contentment. The gut-brain connection means that diet can influence mood directly, not just via the bloodstream. Feeding raw meat and bones enhances gut health, which in turn positively affects behaviour and overall well-being.

Hooray for a natural diet! By feeding raw, we support dog gut health, behaviour, and mood naturally. Raw feeding isn’t just a trend, it’s an approach rooted in understanding a dog’s physiology and needs.

Julia Langlands ACFBA