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A raw food diet is not typically a good diet for Biewer Terriers. It comes with many risks and concerns. However, it can help a Biewer Terrier with a sensitive stomach. If you do choose to feed your Biewer Terrier a raw food diet, make sure you know how much to feed your pooch and how to safely prepare their meals.
Understanding what a raw diet is
A raw food diet for a dog is where only uncooked foods are given to a dog to eat. The raw foods usually offered are:
- Raw Meat: This forms the primary component of the diet. It can include various types of meat such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, venison, and more.
- Raw Bones: Raw bones provide essential minerals and nutrients. They should be appropriate for your dog’s size and breed. Avoid cooked bones, as they can splinter and pose a choking hazard.
- Organ Meats: Liver, kidney, and other organ meats are rich in vitamins and minerals. They are a crucial part of a balanced raw diet.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Some advocates of raw diets include fruits and vegetables for added vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Common choices include carrots, apples, spinach, and broccoli. These should be finely chopped or pureed to enhance digestibility. Always make sure the fruit and vegetables are safe for dogs.
- Eggs: Raw eggs, including the shell, are often included for additional protein and nutrients. Ensure the eggs are fresh and come from a reliable source.
- Dairy: Some raw diets include dairy products like yogurt or raw milk. However, not all dogs tolerate dairy well, so it’s essential to monitor for any signs of intolerance.
Is A Raw Diet Safe for a Biewer Terrier?
There are arguments for and against the safety of feeding dogs a raw food diet.
I’ve had a good look online and there’s very little scientific research which supports feeding dogs, including Biewer Terriers, a raw food diet.
Many sources say that a raw diet improves a dog’s coat, dental health, immune system, and reproductive health. But most of this ‘evidence’ comes from dog owners rather than scientific studies.
There is one 2019 piece of research that’s written by a veterinarian. Dr. Lea Stogdale says that, in her experience, a raw food diet can be advantageous because:
- It improves immune function
- Is higher in antioxidants than ready made dog food.
- Is ancestral
- Gives dogs a healthy body condition.
So, does this mean that a Biewer Terrier can eat a raw food diet?
Well, it’s best not to.
One of the biggest risks comes in the forms of bones. Biewer Terriers are small dogs with small mouths and digestive systems. It’s very easy for bones (even a tiny piece of a bone) to get stuck in the Biewer’s mouth. If it does manage to swallow the bone, it could cause damage inside the body.
Is raw dog food healthier for Biewer Terriers?
Raw dog food isn’t necessarily healthier for Biewer Terriers and other breeds of dog.
But the one benefit of a raw food diet for a Biewer Terrier is that it can help with gastrointestinal issues.
Biewer Terriers often have sensitive stomachs that causes long-term GI issues. One treatment option is to put your Biewer Terrier on a hydrolyzed diet. However, the UK Kennel Club says that a raw diet can provide relief and ease symptoms in dogs with GI issues as it’s easier to digest.
How to give raw food to a Biewer Terrier
The Raw Dog Food Company advises the 80/10/10 method. This is where 80% of the food given is muscle meat, 10% is bone, and the remaining 10% is offal and/or organ meat.
If you choose to give your Biewer Terrier a raw food diet, make sure you don’t over or underfeed them. The amount of food a Biewer Terrier needs is just 2 to 3% of their body weight.
Related Post: Safe & healthy fruits for Biewer Terriers
Things to consider before feeding a Biewer a raw diet
A lot of concerns have been raised about raw dog food.
A screening of dog food by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) found Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes present in raw dog food.
Salmonella is a serious condition that puts dogs at risk of dehydration, sepsis, death. Whereas, listeria monocytogenes causes GI issues in dogs. Both conditions can also be passed on to humans.
Due to concerns such as these, the American Veterinary Medical Association opposes the unregulated feeding of raw foods and discourages “the feeding to cats and dogs of any animal-source protein that has not first been subjected to a process to eliminate pathogens, because of the risk of illness to cats and dogs, as well as humans.”
Should I or should I not?
Ultimately, the decision whether to feed your Biewer Terrier a raw diet is one only you can make. If you do wish to go down this route, it’s best to speak to your dog’s vet so you can ensure you’re fully informed and that your dog gets all the nutrition that it needs.
You also must follow strict health and safety procedures when handling and/or preparing raw food in the kitchen. This includes washing your hands before and after handling, and decontaminating all surfaces that the food has touched.
