Our take on Raw versus Kibble

With a plethora of options available, choosing what to feed your dog can be something of a minefield. With so many brands available, it can be hard to know where to start. Add to that the option of raw vs kibble and it’s no wonder that some dog owners are left scratching their heads. 

First and foremost, the most important consideration with any diet is choosing what best suits your dog. Certain protein sources suit some dogs better than others and any allergens obviously need to be avoided. But beyond this, what other considerations need taking into account?

Owners need to look at what suits their lifestyle. Raw has certainly become more popular in recent years and while many dogs certainly do well on this diet there are many things to consider.

Content

Raw diets are made up of raw meat, bone and offal along with fruit, vegetables, oils, nuts and seeds. Some choose to do this themselves, serving a homemade diet, but this comes with the risk of not meeting a dog’s nutritional needs. However, many people choose a commercial raw diet with the option of a nutritionally complete diet or a complementary raw diet which needs to be fed alongside another food source. 

By comparison, all types of Hoddy’s kibble are approved by a pet nutritionist to be a complete diet for dogs, meeting all their dietary requirements. So, you can be sure you're giving the best food to your dog, with no ambiguity around what’s in the product. Hoddy’s contains 50% meat content – higher than many alternatives on the market. Furthermore, all the meat we use is British, wild and organic making it exceptionally high quality. Plus, Hoddy’s has the added bonus of prebiotics for gut health, yucca for less offensive bowel movements and fish oils for joint care helping keep your best friend in top condition inside and out!

Grain free

Raw diets are generally grain free which is ideal for dogs with an intolerance or sensitivity to grains. Grain free diets can also improve digestion, help with constipation, and lead to a firmer stool. Other benefits you might notice include improved coat quality, better skin condition, more energy, and less gas! At Hoddy’s we agreed that these were benefits that many dogs and their owners would want and so all our kibble is grain free too.

Storage

As general rule, raw dog food is kept in a freezer until it’s needed. Many owners opt for a separate freezer as this allows them to bulk buy food and also store it separately to human food. 

By comparison, kibble can be stored in any cool, dry area in your home in the bag or a storage bin. It is also very easy to take with you when away from home or to send with your dog to a kennels or dog sitter. When someone else is looking after your dog, kibble also gives you peace of mind as it’s very straightforward to feed the correct amount.  

Preparation

Raw dog food needs to be fully thawed before feeding so should be left in a fridge for around 24 hours. When handling raw food, good hygiene should be observed, washing both your hands and any surfaces, implements or bowls that have been in contact with the food. 

At Hoddy’s we recognised the benefits of feeding quality meat to our dogs, but wanted to create a convenient way of doing this. Our kibble provides a quality dog food containing 50% meat content, using wild British protein sources that may otherwise go to waste that is quick and easy to weight out and feed, providing a nutritious and enjoyable meal for your dog.

Whichever option you choose, it’s essential that you feed your dog a quality, nutritionally balanced diet to ensure optimum health and wellbeing.