Raw food diets are rich in enzymes and nutrients that are normally destroyed during the cooking process. Pet owners who feed a strict raw diet report that their animals have healthier teeth, shinier coats, less allergies, healthier weight levels, higher energy levels, and better muscle tone. Most pets, after they get used to the taste of a raw diet, readily eat their food and seem to enjoy it.
Boredom is reduced at meal time when pets are fed raw meaty bones. Raw meaty bones serve as more than a meal; they provide a recreational activity and a jaw workout.
Raw pet food diets contain more water content than commercially prepared kibbles do, reducing the likelihood of bloating. Pets that eat kibble tend to drink large amounts of water due to the low water ratio in the food. Drinking large amounts of water at one time can lead to bloating in some pets.
Pet owners who prepare their pets' raw food diet have the security of knowing the source of the ingredients their pet is eating. A home prepared raw food diet can be specifically geared towards a particular pet's dietary needs. Human grade organic ingredients can be purchased to assure that the pet is receiving the highest quality foods available.
Home prepared raw food diets are time consuming. Depending where raw foods are purchased, a raw food diet may be more expensive than a commercially prepared pet food. Purchasing meats directly from the meat counter is a way to save money. Butchers often sell cheap scrap meat that is not popular for human consumption, but perfectly nutritionally adequate for pets.
Raw foods must be stored properly to prevent spoilage. Fruits and vegetables need to be processed in blender to make them digestible for pets. Because raw foods spoil quickly, food that is not eaten within a half hour should be discarded.