“Since switching my boys to Cotswold RAW, the difference in their health has been amazing. Their digestion is so much more settled, with firm, healthy stools and no more stomach upsets.
Skin allergies that once left them scratching constantly have calmed down, and their coats have never looked better – glossy, soft, and full of life. They’re more comfortable, happier, and bursting with energy.
Feeding them Cotswold RAW has truly been a game-changer for their health and well-being.”
How Can a Raw Diet Support Your Dog’s Skin Health?
Raw diets are rich in high quality omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin due to their anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, you will undoubtedly notice a shinier, softer coat. In addition to fresh fats, raw is free of grains and legumes which helps provide the optimal omega-6:omega-3 ratio. Generally speaking, the lower the ratio the better, ideally the ratio should not exceed 10:1, with an optimum of 5:1. Processed dry foods can have a ratio as high as 30:1 due to the excess of carbohydrates, and poor quality animal fats. This can be detrimental to a dog’s skin health, due to the inflammatory effects exerted by Omega-6 when in the diet at high levels.
How Can Raw Support Dogs With Allergies?
Raw diets naturally have a high digestibility (~95%), which substantially reduces the potential of food antigens (proteins) to elicit an immune response. This is because effective digestion of proteins breaks them down into smaller molecules and individual amino acids, which are poor antigens. On the other hand, inadequate protein digestion exposes larger molecules, which are more likely to elicit an immune response. Food processing can have a negative impact on the digestibility (and subsequently, allergenicity) of a protein, as the structure of the protein is altered. The higher the temperature and duration of cooking, the more antigenic meat protein becomes.
Our raw meals are free of grain, which can be a common allergen trigger in dogs, and have a transparent ingredient list, so you know exactly what you are feeding. Raw diets also avoid additives, such as preservatives and flavourings, which can cause adverse reactions.
Feeding Raw In Puppyhood Supports Lifelong Skin Health
Research has found that puppies fed on raw diets have a decreased likelihood of developing skin allergies in adulthood, compared to those on processed dry diets. This was particularly linked to the consumption of tripe and organ meats. Tripe contains an abundance of commensal bacteria, which support a strong microflora in healthy dogs. The most important is Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is often used as a main ingredient in probiotic supplements. This demonstrates how gut health affects other parts of the body, such as skin condition. Additionally, raw organ meats are vitamin and mineral dense, providing a good source of quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Looking to enhance your pet’s diet? Take a look at Cotswold RAW’s range of raw dog food and raw cat food, including raw meaty bones, dried treats, and puppy food.