Natural food vs kibble, which is better for your dog?

If you have a furry friend at home, you might want to know more about the best eating habits for your pet: whether to give them kibble, mix it with chicken, or switch their diet to a natural or raw diet with BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). Below, we share more information about this:KibbleAll dogs require balanced diets in proteins, fats, fibers, minerals, and vitamins, depending on their age, size, daily physical activity, and any specific health issues they may have.There are several trends in the types of food we should offer our pets. Many people tend to combine kibble with broths or proteins, such as chicken, to meet their needs and keep them happy. However, Karla Delgado, a veterinary pharmacist, states: For me, kibble is the best option for feeding your pets, as there is a lot of technology and scientific studies behind its formulation to ensure it is a balanced food that meets all their needs. Mixing it with other foods can be harmful to your pet in the medium term, as it increases their nutritional requirements; for example: by giving them chicken, you increase their protein intake. You can do this as a treat, but not as a regular part of their diet, as it can lead to obesity, gastritis, and even kidney damage. Another advantage of kibble is that it helps clean their teeth and is excellent for dogs allergic to proteins.”Although the recommendation is to give them kibble, Karla suggests checking the formula on the packaging before choosing an option. “There are many commercial brands where the first ingredient you will see in their formula is a cereal flour, and only in the fourth or fifth position do they include protein flour. Giving your dog a premium kibble will help keep them healthy, so you should check the packaging to ensure that the first ingredient in the formulation is a flour made from protein, whether it's chicken, meat, or fish.”Once you choose the kibble for your dog, which often offers special diets for their age and size, you should always follow the portion recommendations on the packaging. Another important tip from the veterinarian: you should only give them two servings per day, which you must leave out for only 15 or 20 minutes before removing them. This will help discipline them with their eating habits.Natural and Raw Diets Another point to consider is that kibble is a relatively new creation. In the United States, it was introduced about 60 years ago, and in Mexico, approximately 35 years ago. Hugo Campos from the Holistic Veterinary Center points out that these are ultimately processed foods and can cause metabolic issues for our pets, as even though they are balanced for their species, not all dogs digest them well or process them in the same way.For Hugo, the ideal diet is based on natural foods. “Dogs are omnivores and can consume proteins from animal sources, cereals, vegetables, and fruits, but the portions and types of food we give them must be supervised by a veterinarian, so we can provide them with the exact portions according to their weight and build, as well as offer them the exact percentage of protein and energy. Feeding your pet a natural diet is a personalized exercise and requires a lot of experimentation to see the metabolic process they have with different foods and ensure they receive adequate nutrition.This type of diet is based on what their diet would be in the wild and from there develop a personalized menu for your dog. If you want to give your pet a natural diet, you must prepare it at home to ensure the safety of their food: cook it well, keep it in the cold chain, and portion the servings.Another even more recent trend is the BARF diets for pets, especially for those that are overweight. This consists of raw foods with animal proteins, fruits, and vegetables, which for its advocates means more benefits for the pet due to its natural composition. Hugo does not recommend this type of diet, stating, “Although raw foods are good, they do not have the appropriate safety for pets and there is a high risk of bacterial or hormonal poisoning because they are not subjected to a heat process that eliminates bacteria.How to Change Your Dog's Diet? If you have decided to change your dog's diet, Karla recommends making this transition gradually to avoid affecting their digestive system. The rule for changing their food is as follows: “you will start with 100% of food A and 0% of food B, then you have to give 75% of food A and 25% of food B, then 50% of A and 50% of B, later 75% of food B and 25% of A, and finally reach 100% of food B. Consider three to four days between each change.What type of food do you prefer for your pet? Let us know in the comments.