It's not uncommon to see someone having breakfast, lunch, or dinner while browsing social media. But now pet owners are using apps like TikTok and Instagram to show what their furry friends are eating.
But it's not photos of croquettes -- the delicious bowls filled with raw meats like duck, beef liver and turkey thigh -- that have taken the internet by storm. The hashtag "Raw Dog Food" has been viewed 1.8 billion times on TikTok.
In September 2022, mobile groomer BarkBass conducted a survey of 1,000 dog owners and the results showed that 78% of Gen Zers made their own dog food and were more likely to try raw food for their friend than Four Paws.
Newsweek spoke to a veterinarian who listed the pros and cons of raw food, as well as a puppy owner who explained why he spends $350 a month on dog food.
© Instagram./canecorso_remi Dog food Instagram./canecorso_remiWhat is actually in dog food?
In the survey above, Los Angeles-based Bark Bass analyzed ten popular brands such as Pedigree, Purina Pro Plan, and American Journey. There were three main conclusions.
- 90% of brands contain "meat meal" which is basically animal waste that people don't eat.
- About half of the brands add barley to their dog food, making it difficult for the nutrients in the food to be digested.
- 80% salt is fine in small amounts, but large amounts can have a negative effect on a dog's kidneys.
Despite these results, 57% of the participants said the list of ingredients was the main reason for choosing their dog food.
© Zontica/iStock/Getty Images Plus image of a dog sleeping next to a food bowl. The results of the survey identified three problematic ingredients in dog food. Umbrella/iStock/Getty Images PlusWhat is a raw food diet for dogs?
This type of dog food includes organs and muscle meat, whole bones, decapitated heads and legs of poultry, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Newsweek spoke to Cindy Lee, 32, a Cane Corso owner. Cindy from Boston, Massachusetts dedicated her social media page to Remy's diet. One of the food videos has been viewed over a million times.
The dog feeder shown in the video contains chopped goose head, beef and chicken heart, canned oysters, chicken legs and thighs, and baked vegetables.
Is raw dog food good for dogs?
Cindy lists the following improvements for her dog Remy, who has been on this diet since he was 9 weeks old.
- Increasing energy levels
- Healthy skin and shiny coat
- Easy to control weight
- The smell of faeces is reduced
Veterinary integrator Neil Ostermeier spoke to Newsweek about the pros and cons of a raw food diet.
“One of the biggest benefits of the raw food diet is that it is based on whole foods and contains virtually no fillers. These foods are high in moisture, which is great for keeping your dog hydrated. Dogs with Certain Allergies or Digestive Problems Fewer problems with a raw food diet, they will have symptoms,” said Ostermeier, a spokesman for AKC Pet Insurance.
The Dangers of Feeding Your Dog Raw Food
Ostermeier says the main problem with raw food is the risk of contamination and bacterial infection for humans and dogs.
"Parents of pets who want to use raw foods need to be very careful about how they store, digest and feed this diet," she says. "Also, when dogs are fed 100% raw food for a long time, they eventually become intolerant."
© Instagram./canecorso_remi Lady Remington by Maximo Instagram./canecorso_remiCindy spends $350 a month to ensure her dog has fresh meat, fish and vegetables.
“Feeding a live dog is taboo, ” she told Newsweek . “Many people think that eating raw food makes a dog bloodthirsty and dangerous, but this is a lie and a myth. Raw food has a lot of value, which makes some dogs rich. C This is more a matter of behavior than dog food.
"I've also had reactions from strangers telling me that I shouldn't spend money on a dog because it's just a dog and all that matters is the food," she added.
How much does raw dog food cost?
Newsweek asked Jennifer Toth, 28, owner of What's Raw? Based in Chesterland, Ohio. He believes the only problem with the scheme is the price.
Cindy shares a breakdown to show you exactly what she buys and how much it costs per month.
- Organs (kidneys, liver, heart, spleen): $50.
- Raw meat bones (duck head, chicken head, chicken legs, duck neck): $85.
- Muscular meat (pork, chicken, ground beef, turkey): $150.
- Fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines): $30.
- Eggs: $20.
- Extras: $15
Total: $350 per month
He told Newsweek , “There are so many benefits to eating a raw food diet, the only downside is the cost. However, there are affordable ways to eat a raw food diet on a budget. Pets are our family and they deserve to be healthy and thrive!
"Our pets rely on us to provide them with only breed-appropriate food. One of them is pet ownership. You will be surprised by croquettes. Why fresh and clean food?
Is dry food good for your dog?
As the raw food diet becomes more popular, commercial pet food remains the preferred choice for many owners. In fact, Statista claims that food and pet food will have the largest market share in the United States by 2021.
The information also includes Nestlé Purina Petcare Co. It held the largest market share in 2022, accounting for over $2.2 billion in dry dog food sales.
© Rawpixel/iStock/Getty Images Plus A stock image of a cereal. Newsweek spoke to a veterinarian who knows the pros and cons of dry food. Rawpixel/iStock/Getty Images PlusHealth Benefits of Dry Dog Food
Grains, ground ingredients such as meat and grains that are ground into pellets, are a popular choice among dog owners.
“The benefits of pellets are that they are easy to eat, high in calories and more convenient,” Ostermeier says.
Pet information provider Woof Whiskers found that store-bought dog food can cost anywhere from $1.50 to $3.50 per pound.
The dangers of dry dog food
“The downside is that dry dog food is highly processed and contains less moisture,” Ostermeier said. “Because the kettle heats up to this temperature, the nutrients are lost and often splashed onto the food or have to be moved again.
“When choosing dry food for your dog, I recommend reading the label. Ideally, meat products and whole foods are the first ingredients. I also recommend avoiding long list foods."
How to mix wet and dry dog food
The raw food diet may not be for everyone due to its appearance and cost. But you can give your dog the best of both worlds to see if the benefits are real.
Cindy previously shared a video on her TikTok account @remithecanecorso suggesting mixing cuts of meat with meat options.
But what diet do you follow for your dog? Let us know in the comments.
Do you have funny and cute videos or photos of your pets that you want to share? Send a few details about your best friend to life@newsweek.com and he could be on the Pet of the Week list.
Related Articles
Start your Newsweek unlimited trial