By Aimee Jurenka (The Lazy Raw Feeder)

Dry Kibble: Why It Is Bad for Your Pet

When I got my first dog I thought kibble was what to feed. I mean kibble is what dog food is, right? Dogs have been eating it forever and they are fine. Well, I was introduced to a raw diet for my dogs and will never go back. Below are the reasons why. Along with question I had, and I am sure so many of you have. Why is kibble bad?

The What, When, and Why of Kibble 

Well, the definition for Google is ground meal shaped into pellets. What we now know as kibble started during World War II rationing was introduced nationally.  Not having enough meat to feed yourself and your little humans and government advertisements to help the war efforts the idea of feeding your pets real food became unthought of. Made sense, at the time. 

The Excursion Process

In 1950 the makers of Chex cereal started using an extrusion cooker to make their Purina Dog Chow. This is when the over processing of low-quality ingredients really started to affect pet food quality. The process is to take the raw ingredients form them into standard size pieces, process them at a high temperature, then puffed up to improve palatability. The result is a meal pellet that is void of any nutritional value or flavor. That is not entirely true. It still has simple carbohydrates. For pet food, they then spray the pellets with synthetic vitamins and flavors.

What Kibble Doesn’t Provide Your Pet

Due to the high-temperature mass production that kibble goes through any of the natural nutrients or vitamins that wherein the raw materials are destroyed. 

For Dogs

• Living enzymes for gut health
• Moisture for urinary tract health
• Balanced whole foods to maintain weight

For Cats

• The moisture content needed for kidney function
• 100% meat-based protein needed due to them being obligate carnivores
• Living enzymes for gut health

Complete Nutrition Through a Raw Diet

When you incorporate or switch completely to a raw diet for your cat or dog you not only provide for the lists above you also take control of your pet's quality of life. Better, more complete, balanced nutrition has a list of benefits I can only start listing: allergy reduction, weight management, energy increases, less waste, healthier skin, shinier coat, cleaner teeth, and on and on and on...

Bio

Aimee Jurenka is the author of The Lazy Raw Feeder where she shares her tips on providing a natural dog lifestyle done simply and is passionate about having a healthy and happy life with her pack!