Every once in a while, we realize that what is, is not always what has been, and the reality of what was, should not have been forgotten.

On my grandparents’ ranch grew many things. Most every thing they ate, everything they fed their dogs, was grown on that ranch. It occurred to me one day that no where on the ranch was there a field growing bags of dog food. So what did those dogs eat? Meat. Come to find out: dogs were actually created to eat meat. Sometimes they eat old meat. They eat organs, and raw bones.

My question was prompted by my sister, ever the source for out-of-the-box thinking, who discovered a small, but growing movement to return to a natural diet of raw food. (Not to be confused with the bag dog food that prints “all natural” on the outside of the bag.) We quickly joined her in this transformation.

If we move past the realization that commercial brand dog food was just a convenient way to feed urban dogs, we can choose the best options for the health of our dogs.

Also interesting to note: dogs were not created to eat corn meal or any of the other filler that composes most of bag dog food. If they were not created for it, then why would we feed it to them? Or a better question: if they weren’t created to metabolize that filler, what does the body do with it? Turns out, most of it ends up in piles in your yard.

As a foster family, we have had several occasions to bring in a dog who has gone from bag dog food to a raw diet and have witnessed the transformation in their health. After a month or so on the diet God intended for them their teeth are cleaner, the coat is smoother and softer. The piles in the yard are smaller and disintegrate in a short amount of time. Furthermore, dogs fed a natural diet have much lower incidents of bone, joint and health problems.

In short, we raw feed our dogs because it’s the best way to keep beloved dogs active and part of the family for the longest time possible. It’s easy, inexpensive and good for them.

The real question: why would we not raw feed?