“There is a twinkle in Florence’s eyes in the past three years that wasn’t there before. Even the vet was impressed by the changes on Florence’s annual visit.”
Florence’s Story
“I’ve been documenting Florence’s life ever since she came to us. Looking at her old photos brings back good memories, but something was missing from them. Despite battling her fears and nervousness, Florence has always been a happy-go-lucky dog who loved the outdoors but always looked for reassurance. We knew her road to being a happy, confident spaniel would take time and patience, and we wanted to give her the best foundations possible.
Choosing the right food for her was an essential part of this. Florence “came” with a bag of puppy food; apparently, that one was the one she liked. It was from a big company; I won’t name it, but you can find it everywhere. Flo only ate it because she was starving, upsetting her stomach for days. We sought advice from a pet shop that sells a variety of upmarket brands and started a shopping spree, wasting hundreds of pounds on kibble that Flo either didn’t eat or gave her an upset stomach, bad breath, and a dull coat. She gained a lot of weight but hardly any muscles.
Eventually, we found a brand we and Florence were happy with. Flo was eating it; it didn’t cause her stomach upsets, but she was still gaining weight, had bad breath, and even though her coat looked better, it wasn’t looking its best. That’s when we decided to change Florence’s diet to Cotswold RAW and eliminate processed food altogether. At this point, she was four years old. The first raw dinner was a resounding success. I have not seen food disappearing from her bowl so quickly! By the end of week one, Flo’s bad breath was completely gone; she was doing a little happy dance every time we fed her, and her stomach issues were non-existent.
By the end of month one, her energy level had increased, and her tail wagged throughout the walks. In two months, her coat was shiny and soft again, something we had not seen in years. She went from 14.8kg to 12.5kg without being put on a diet, and we could clearly see her muscle definitions. Even the vet was impressed by the changes on Florence’s annual visit.
We have been feeding Florence Cotswold RAW’s 80\20 active range for three years. I wish we had started the raw diet sooner, but it proves it isn’t too late to change. Her overall well-being also impacted her behaviour. She is far more confident and inquisitive nowadays. There is a twinkle in Florence’s eyes in the past three years that wasn’t there before. The certain twinkle one gets from living a happy and healthy life and enjoying every minute of it.”
So, How Does a Raw Diet Support Health?
Body Condition
The high protein and low carbohydrate content in raw diets aids with fat loss whilst maintaining lean muscle mass. A high protein diet also offers significantly more satiety than other diets, ensuring pets feel full for longer, keeping dogs in tip-top shape.
Behaviour
Raw diets have been found to increase GABA production in dogs. GABA is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter which decreases certain activity in the brain, exerting a calming effect. Additionally, the majority of serotonin and dopamine are produced by commensal gut bacteria, which have a calming effect and help reduce anxiety. Thus, a healthy gut = a happy dog!
Skin and Coat Health
Raw diets are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin due to their anti-inflammatory properties; you will also undoubtedly notice a shinier, softer coat. Research has shown that puppies fed on raw diets have a decreased likelihood of developing skin allergies in adulthood, this was linked to consumption of organ meat and tripe (which are packed with Omega-3).
Dental Health
Feeding raw meaty bones help’s keep your dog’s mouth in tip top shape. Chewing on the bone and cartilage effectively scrape tartar from the teeth and massages the gums. Compared to carbohydrate-rich diets, plaque build-up is reduced, helping keeping dental diseases at bay.
Digestion
Raw diets are highly digestible, with nutrients having a higher bioavailability than their cooked counterparts. In fact, research has shown that dogs fed raw diets during puppyhood are much less likely to suffer chronic gut issues as adult. A higher digestibility reduces faecal output, which makes cleaning up much more pleasant for owners!
Joint Health
Meaty bones provide calcium and phosphorous which promote a strong skeletal system and support growth. Bone and connective tissues in raw provide a wonderful source of glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen, which supports your dog’s joints as they age.
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.