Let’s talk dog food. If you’re thinking about switching your pet’s diet and opting for healthy raw food for Labradors, you’re at the right place. While switching your dog food comes with tons of thoughts at the back of your mind, sometimes that’s the only choice you have. But don’t worry about that! This article will help you find the best meals for your dog and know their health benefits over processed meals.
Is Raw Food Good For Labradors?
Whether raw food is good for Labradors or not has been a controversial topic because raw food has pros and cons. On the positive side, raw meals are easier to digest. They have no carbohydrate fillers, plus there’s less salt. Dry foods tend to have higher amounts of salt, which cause dogs to produce more waste. Canned food can also cause plaques due to the high amounts of preservatives and fats in them.
Labradors need dental activity to stay safe from gum diseases and other oral health problems. Feeding your dog soft foods won’t benefit it as much as tearing or biting raw meat and chewing up bones. Most importantly, you can have control over your Labrador’s diet, especially the quality of the ingredients.
On the other hand, raw foods can cost you more money. You’ll be looking for high-quality meat, and that’s more expensive than getting cans. Preparing these meals will take up a lot of your time, so that’s another factor to consider. Also, more bacteria in raw meat can lead to some serious issues.
What Is The Best Raw Food For Labradors?
Here is a list of all the options you can consider while choosing the best raw food for your Labrador.
• Meat and eggs
There is no need to look for a better source of protein and fats when you have meat and eggs. You can give your Lab beef, pork, chicken, fish, mutton, and scrambled or boiled egg.
Just ensure that your Labrador doesn’t eat any of these off your plate because when you’re cooking for yourself, you may add garlic, onions, spices, and oils. These ingredients are dangerous for dogs and should never be included in their diet.
• Whole grains
Whole grains go well with Labradors. You can switch between millet, wheat, rice, quinoa, oats, and barley when you prepare meals for your Lab. These grains provide nutrients that help your dog stay healthy. However, if you opt for meat, consult a vet before doing so because some dogs are allergic to it.
If it’s safe for your dog, you can give it in the form of whole wheat pasta or Indian wheat bread. Other than wheat, you can try adding some brown rice to boiled vegetables. But you’ll have to mash the veggies first.
• Vegetables and fruits
Vegetables and fruits contain loads of vitamins, fibers, and minerals. Just like humans, they’re highly beneficial for dogs too! They’ll boost your Labrador’s energy levels and keep it healthy. They will also lower the risk of heart diseases, high blood pressure, and some types of cancers.
You can make a blend of fruits to make the meal more interesting and delicious. If you’re adding apples, remove the seeds as they contain cyanide which is poisonous for dogs. NEVER put in grapes or raisins. They are highly toxic for canines and will cause irreversible kidney damage.
As for veggies, you can give your Lab any of the following:
• Cucumbers
• Carrots
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• sweet potatoes
• green beans
All of these are filling and good for health. Still, you have to give these in moderate quantities. Otherwise, you may end up upsetting your fuzzy friend’s stomach.
Healthy Raw Food Recipe
As a bonus, we have added an easy recipe that you can follow. However, you should know that the way such meals benefit your Labrador varies from dog to dog. That’s why you should consult your vet beforehand.
Ingredients
• 2 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 4 oz. chicken livers
• 1/2 cup baby spinach
• 2 whole eggs (with the shell)
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 small apple (cored)
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
Preparation Method
• Use a food processor to finely chop the carrot, baby spinach, and apple.
• Add in the rest of the ingredients aside from the beef. Process them until they are completely combined.
• Put your mixture in a large bowl and add in the beef. Mix it well.
• Make palm-sized patties out of the mixture and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
• Freeze the patties. You can put them in a storage container to keep them frozen and save space in your freezer.
• When you plan on feeding them to your Labrador, take them out and allow them to thaw in the refrigerator.
If you plan on altering the recipe in any way, make sure that the substitutes or additional ingredients you’re using aren’t harmful to your pet.
There are certain things that your dog shouldn’t be eating because they can result in health problems. We have listed a few of them here:
• Onions
• Chives
• Almonds
• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Garlic
• Apple seeds
• Avocado
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Corn on the cob
• Mushrooms
Conclusion
Healthy raw food for Labradors can be a good option when switching from canned food. Eggs, meat, grains, vegetable, and fruits are the best choices for your Labrador’s meals. Still, there’s no harm in getting some advice from your vet before you start doing this. Your dog may be allergic to certain foods, or canned food might be better, depending on your dog’s health. It’s better to be safe than sorry!