Why Your Dog Deserves Real Food: The Benefits of Whole Ingredients and Gentle Cooking

If you love your dog, you want to feed them the best food possible. But what does that mean? Is it kibble, canned food, raw food, or homemade food? The answer may surprise you: it’s fresh food.

Fresh food is food that is made with natural, real ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, fruits, and grains. It is cooked gently to preserve the nutrients and flavor, and it is free of fillers, by-products, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Fresh food is the closest thing to what your dog would eat in the wild, and it has many benefits for your dog’s health and well-being.

Here are some of the reasons why your dog deserves real food:

Improved Digestion

Dogs have a short digestive tract that is designed to process meat and bones. They are not well-adapted to digest grains, starches, or processed foods that are common in commercial dog foods. These foods can cause digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting.

Fresh food is easier for your dog to digest because it contains natural enzymes and probiotics that help break down the food and support a healthy gut flora. Fresh food also has more moisture than dry food, which helps prevent dehydration and keeps your dog’s stools soft and regular.

Healthy Skin and Coat

Your dog’s skin and coat reflect their overall health. If your dog has dry, itchy, flaky, or irritated skin, or dull, brittle, or shedding fur, it may be a sign of poor nutrition. Commercial dog foods often contain low-quality protein sources that can trigger allergies or sensitivities in dogs. They also lack essential fatty acids that nourish your dog’s skin and coat.

Fresh food provides your dog with high-quality protein from animal sources that are rich in amino acids and easily absorbed by your dog’s body. Fresh food also contains healthy fats from oils or fish that provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that moisturize your dog’s skin and coat and reduce inflammation.

Increased Energy Levels

Your dog’s energy level depends on their diet. If your dog eats a diet that is high in carbohydrates or low in protein, they may feel sluggish, tired, or lethargic. Carbohydrates can cause spikes and crashes in your dog’s blood sugar levels, which can affect their mood and behavior. Low protein can lead to muscle loss and weakness.

Fresh food gives your dog a balanced diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Protein provides your dog with energy and helps build and maintain muscle mass. Fresh food also contains complex carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables that provide fiber and antioxidants that boost your dog’s immune system and metabolism.

Stronger immunity and disease prevention

Fresh food boosts your dog’s immune system and metabolism, helping him fight off infections and diseases. Fresh food can also reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are linked to chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and kidney failure.

To feed your dog fresh food, you don't have to spend hours in the kitchen or break the bank. You can simply order fresh food from a reputable company like Ollie, which delivers human-grade fresh dog food to your door. Ollie works with canine nutritionists to create personalized recipes for your dog based on their weight, age, breed, activity level, and allergies. Ollie's food is cooked at low temperatures in small batches in a USDA-regulated kitchen. Ollie's food is also pre-portioned and stored in the freezer for convenience. You should also consult with your veterinarian to determine the optimal portion size and feeding frequency for your dog’s age, breed, size, and activity level.

If you want to give your dog the best food possible, give them fresh food. Your dog will thank you with a wagging tail, a shiny coat, a happy tummy, and a longer life.