Should Dogs That Are Fed Raw Be Given Digestive Enzymes?

Over the past few years, there has been a growing trend among dog owners to feed their dogs a raw diet, which is the fastest growing sector of the pet food market in the UK. Raw food provides more digestive enzymes than processed pet food, but many animals still benefit from enzymes. Raw food diets aim to mimic the diets of carnivorous companions in the wild, and even raw-fed dogs may need extra enzymes.

Probiotics and digestive enzymes are great supplements to add to a dog’s diet to improve digestion and overall health. Many experts believe that dogs with a normally functioning pancreas don’t need additional enzymes to enhance digestion and overall health. However, food-derived enzymes are unlikely to reach the small intestine and affect nutrient absorption. Supplements can be beneficial during the transition to a raw diet and for maintaining overall health.

Raw puppy food should be protein-rich, low carb, grain-free, and high in digestive enzymes and probiotics. Digestive enzymes are especially beneficial for raw-fed dogs. Well-balanced, species-appropriate raw food is better, but supplements with digestive enzymes can help set your dog up for success on their new diet.

Can digestive enzymes help with raw vegetables?

VeggieGest™ contains a blend of twelve different enzymes, ten of which are designed to break down hard-to-digest carbohydrates like fiber and related polysaccharides.* One of the most important enzymes is alpha galactosidase, key in digesting the lectin-sugars in beans, grains and raw vegetables that create digestive discomfort.* On top of that, Enzymedica’s proprietary Thera-blend trade technology means that the enzymes found in VeggieGest™ will work throughout the entire pH spectrum found along your digestive tract. When other brands of enzyme formulas may fall short, in almost all acidic or alkaline environments, VeggieGest™ will be effective.

Do raw-fed dogs need probiotics?

Add Prebiotics, Probiotics, Fermented Foods, or Digestive Enzymes. Like with people, probiotics for dogs boost the type and amounts of good bacteria in the gut, which can help regulate digestion, defend against pathogens, improve immune system function, and more.

Prebiotics are a type of dietary fiber that feeds the healthy, probiotic bacteria, helping them flourish in your dog’s gut.

Fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi (as long as it doesn’t contain onions and is fed in small amounts) also add beneficial bacteria to your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Fermented foods also have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.

Do raw fed dogs need supplements?

ENCOURAGE SUPPORTIVE SUPPLEMENTS. If your dog is already on a raw food diet and you would like to support their health further, there are many options available that target joints, arthritis, digestion, circulation, immune support.

• Whole fish oil, which helps to promote a better skin and coat, heart, brain, eye and kidney health.
• Tumeric contains curcumin which has been used against ailments like arthritis, cancer, kidney and liver disease, gastrointestinal issues and many more
• Green Lipped Mussel is a natural anti-inflammatory which is safe and also rich in minerals, omega-3s and fatty acids
• Apple Cider Vinegar has a myriad of applications including disinfectant, anti-fungal, pest repellent, pH balancing.

Before you begin to incorporate any supplements yourself, we encourage you to use informed judgement because you know your dog best. If you think they need a supplements or want to give it a try, come talk to our Canine Nutrition Consultant at Iron Will Raw.

Should I give my dog digestive enzymes?

The pet dietary supplement market is valued at over USD $3 billion, and gastrointestinal supplements are a top seller. Digestive enzymes are a popular product for companies that manufacturer pet supplements; they are often promoted required for optimal utilisation of nutrients.

However, for healthy dogs and cats with a normal pancreas, there is no evidence that supplementing digestive enzymes provides any benefits.

A study by Villaverde et al. supplemented healthy adult dogs with either plant- or animal-sourced digestive enzyme supplements and measured the effect of the supplements on the digestibility of their food. The study found that the digestibility of the calories in the diet – as well as protein, fat, and carbohydrate – was not different between the two supplements, or when the dogs did not receive a supplement, meaning that there was no benefit seen of either supplement.

So – if your pet is healthy, we recommend giving the digestive enzymes a miss.

Do raw foods contain digestive enzymes?

As part of the digestive process, ‘Raw Foods’ are particularly important in providing the enzymes that are essential to our health.

The substances upon which an enzyme can act are known as Substrates. By the process of binding with particular substrates, enzymes act as catalysts, setting off reactions which allow substances to be converted into such a form with which the body is able to work. Enzymes have a specific role, hence there are many thousands of different types of Enzymes.

Raw foods have live food enzymes within them that will help break down that particular food. If you choose to make juice from your raw foods you will get many additional benefits, but, not as many digestive benefits as you will receive with digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes are more concentrated, potent and effective than raw food enzymes.

Is there a downside to taking digestive enzymes?

Diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramps, or nausea may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.

This medication contains digestive enzymes, which are natural substances needed by the body to help break down and digest food. It is used when the pancreas cannot make or does not release enough digestive enzymes into the gut to digest the food. Depending on the amount of enzymes in your product, it may be used for indigestion, as a supplement, or as replacement therapy (such as in chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, cancer of the pancreas, after surgery on the pancreas or gut). Some supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details about the brand you use. The FDA has not reviewed this product for safety or effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Take this medication by mouth with meals and snacks as directed by your doctor.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, diet, and response to treatment.

Is raw dog food harder to digest?

How does a raw diet compare to kibble for dogs?. Compared to kibble, a raw diet is easier to digest, contains more moisture, is more species-appropriate, uses higher-quality ingredients, and helps dogs maintain a healthy weight and clean teeth.

Can kibble be incorporated into a raw dog food plan?. Yes, kibble and raw can safely be mixed together for a more cost-effective way to incorporate the benefits of raw into your dog’s diet.

Why is it important to consider dog food for gut health?. 70% of your dog’s immune system resides in their gut, so gut health is closely tied to overall health. Raw dog food is significantly better for gut health than kibble and may help your dog live a longer, healthier life.

What supplements should be added to raw dog food?

What Supplements Should I Add To My Dog’s Raw Diet?Fish oil. Coconut oil. Apple cider vinegar. Calcium. Goat’s milk. Vitamin A. Vitamin E. Vitamin K.

Humans usually take a multivitamin every day as a supplement, or at the very least, keep track of which foods have more of which vitamins. But did you know that pet parents are also increasingly inclined to offer them to their pets? This article will share whether your dog requires such supplements and what makes them nutritious.

Do dogs on a raw diet need supplements?. Most dogs usually get all the nutrients they need from their diet. Nevertheless, the concern with raw dog food diets is that they may at times be unbalanced and are unable to meet all of a dog’s nutritional needs, especially if prepared at home.

Feeding a meal with too much muscle meat and not enough other ingredients that provide nutritional balance can lead to nutrient shortages, therefore not achieving their optimum health.

Why are enzymes important to the raw food diet?

Enzymes enable our bodies to digest the food we eat. They break down the various foods we consume proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins—into smaller compounds that the body can absorb. They are absolutely essential in maintaining optimal health. When digestion is not properly completed, partially digested proteins putrefy, partially digested carbohydrates ferment, and partially digested fats turn rancid. These toxins remain in the body, harming the system. Fermented toxins in the digestive tract can be absorbed into the blood and deposited as waste in the joints and other soft tissue areas. The results of enzyme deficiency include digestive disturbance, fatigue, headaches, constipation, gas, heartburn, bloating, colon problems, excess body fat, and problems as serious as cardiovascular or heart disease.

Two Major Problems With An Enzyme Deficient Diet. Now that you better understand the role of enzymes in your diet, the following will begin to explain what occurs in their absence.

A diet lacking in enzymes can actually do double damage to your health. First, the enzymes that exist naturally in your own body, the endogenous enzymes, are called upon by your vital organs to digest the food you eat, instead of doing the important job they were meant to perform—providing energy, fighting disease and ensuring the proper functioning of your cells. This inability to break down can rob you of vitality, make you feel listless, and lead to premature aging.

Why don t vets like raw dog food?

That they discourage feeding raw foods to dogs and cats because of salmonellosis risk and other infections to both pets and owners.

Cautioned regarding the health risks associated with raw feeding and recommended clients work with their veterinary surgeon to determine if feeding a raw diet is the most appropriate choice.

Do raw fed dogs need digestive enzymes?

Raw food certainly supplies more digestive enzymes than processed (canned or kibbled) pet food, but don’t be fooled, many animals consuming raw foods still benefit from enzymes. All raw food diets attempt to mimic, as closely as possible, what our carnivorous companions would be eating in the wild.