Switching from kibble to fresh food is the best way to give your pets a longer, healthier life. As we try to eat healthier ourselves, more pet parents are discovering that the same fresh food benefits apply to their furry friends as well.

Keep Your Pet Hydrated

Fresh foods naturally have higher moisture content than other dry or canned options, which help keep pets hydrated. Dogs and cats don’t get the hydration they need from kibble. One benefit of the higher moisture content in fresh food is that it helps to support kidney health. According to Dr. R. K. Goel, two of the top things you can do to prevent kidney disease in your dog is to assure hydration and feed a high-quality diet rich in nutrients.

More Nutrition Per Bite

Taking a fresh diet a step further, fresh, gently-cooked food like My Perfect Pet retains more vitamins and minerals than fully-cooked foods or dry kibble. My Perfect Pet cooks the meat to the FDA minimum temperature for food safety, eliminating pathogens while preserving nutrients. They then add the raw vegetables separately. Keeping the vegetables raw allows for higher nutrition since any heat-sensitive enzymes are not lost through the cooking process. The entire formula is then ground up to create an optimal blend of nutrients that is more digestible and easier to absorb. 

Reduced Allergies and Sensitivities

Allergies and food sensitivities are a very real concern for pet parents. At-home food sensitivity tests have become more popular, but the only reliable way to diagnose a food allergy is through a strict elimination diet. Pet food companies advertise limited ingredient diets to help with this and yet most of these ingredients are indecipherable. Some commercial dog foods have even been shown to contain meats that weren’t listed on the ingredients, which can make a strict elimination diet near impossible. Feeding fresh allows for truly limited-ingredient diets to help manage food allergies and sensitivities better.

Better Digestion

Fresh food diets keep more of their natural enzymes and moisture compared to processed alternatives. The moisture and enzymes make fresh food much easier to digest, decreasing tummy troubles. Pets on fresh food diets tend to have a more diverse and balanced gut microbiome, which is vital for nutrient absorption and immune function. A good digestive system helps pets extract all the nutrients they need from what they eat. These amino acids, vitamins, and minerals are vital for energy, growth, and tissue repair. Food that is also finely ground also makes for easier absorption.

Improved Skin and Coat

A healthy skin and coat is a reflection of a pet's overall health. Fresh foods like fish are rich in essential fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6, which play a major role in supporting healthy skin and fur. These fatty acids reduce inflammation, which help pets get some relief from allergy symptoms like dry skin and itching. A fresh food diet rich in these nutrients also supports the skin's lipid barrier, which keeps in moisture and keeps out irritants.

Lower Risk of Dental Disease

Some people stick to dry kibble because they believe it is beneficial to their dog’s dental health. Dry food does not actually prevent dental disease. In fact, it can contribute to the development of dental disease in dogs. Mike Sagman, founder of Dogfoodadvisor, says, “In fact, since most kibbles contain a higher percentage of refined carbohydrates, dry dog foods could ultimately increase plaque and tartar levels — and thus cause more dental problems than they supposedly prevent.” Since fresh foods do not include those refined carbohydrates, they do not carry that added risk.

Healthy Weight and Longer Healthspan

Species-appropriate nutrition can help pets not only live longer, but also spend more of their lives in good health. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that more than half of pets are overweight, which leads to chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis. Commercial pet foods include high carb ingredients to keep their products shelf-stable. A balanced diet that includes fresh, whole foods isn't weighed down by those extra calories. In addition to adding unnecessary calories, carbs that are broken down into glucose trigger the body's inflammatory response. Conditions like cancers and allergies are worsened by a glucose-fed overactive immune system.

Enhanced Flavor and Palatability

Lastly, dogs simply like fresh food better! All these health benefits mean nothing if you can’t get your dog to eat the food. Fresh ingredients are more appetizing, making healthy, nourishing meals a treat for your dog.

Feeding your pet a fresh food diet offers significant improvements in your pet's health and longevity, which makes it a worthwhile consideration. By choosing a complete and balanced fresh food diet, you're investing in your pet's long-term well-being and happiness.