What is the difference between raw and kibble

Stella and Chewys Raw Coated Kibble Dog Food Review (Dry)

The Stella and Chewys Raw Coated Kibble product line includes the 13 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Stella and Chewys Raw Coated Kibble Wholesome Grains Small Breed Beef Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is beef. Although its a quality item, raw beef contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The second ingredient is lamb meal. Lamb meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh lamb.

The third ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.

The next ingredient is barley, a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The fifth ingredient is pork meal, another protein-rich meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh pork. Yet it can also be high in ash about 25-30%.

However, the ash content of the final product is typically adjusted in the recipe to allow its mineral profile to meet AAFCO guidelines.

The sixth ingredient is beef liver, an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The seventh ingredient is beef fat. Beef fat (or tallow) is most likely obtained from rendering, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Although it may not sound very appetizing, beef fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The next ingredient is pumpkin, a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.

The ninth ingredient is quinoa. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is not a true cereal grain but a plant prized for its gluten-free seeds.

Compared to most other grain-type ingredients, it is high in protein (about 12-18%), dietary fiber and other healthy nutrients.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Stella and Chewys product.

With 7 notable exceptions

First, this recipe includes chia seed, an edible seed nutritionally similar to flax or sesame. Provided theyre first ground into a meal, chia seeds are rich in both omega-3 fatty acids as well as dietary fiber.

However, chia seeds contain about 17% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

Next, we find sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3s, theyre considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.

Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.

There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, its impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.

In addition, flaxseed is one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber and contains about 19% protein.

Next, we note the inclusion of inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and typically sourced from chicory root.

Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, its also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dogs digestive tract.

We also note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.

Next, this recipe includes sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Stella and Chewys Raw Coated Kibble looks like an above-average dry dog food.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 31%, a fat level of 19% and estimated carbohydrates of about 42%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 35% and a mean fat level of 17%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 40% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 51%.

Which means this Stella and Chewys product line contains

Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the quinoa, chia and flax seeds, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a significant amount of meat.

Fresh Dog Food vs Kibble: Which Should I Choose?

Picking the right dog food for your pet can be a very overwhelming process. It seems like everywhere you look you see an ad for new pet food. Its easy to get overwhelmed by all of the options.

Recently, there has been a rise in the promotion of fresh dog food delivery services. But what is a fresh food diet and should you be feeding it to your dog?

The answer: It all comes down to the individual diet and your pets needs.

This vet-written article will provide you with information on the differences between fresh dog food vs kibble, as well as what to look for when picking your pups food.

What to Look For in a Well-Balanced Diet

The most important thing to look for when picking any diet is to make sure the product meets the AAFCO standards for diet formulation. AAFCO stands for Association of American Food Control Officials.

This organization establishes standards for nutritional requirements and ingredients in pet food. Because it is not a regulatory agency, AAFCO does not directly test or regulate pet food products.

Pet food that says it is AAFCO approved, simply means that the product meets the standards set by AAFCO.

There are currently 4 possible AAFCO statements that companies may place on their pet food regarding nutritional adequacy. The most trustworthy statement involves feed trials being performed and begins with the wording Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that

For more information on AAFCO and their role in pet food regulation, you can use the following link: AAFCO

You also should review the nutritional guidelines provided by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). They provide educational materials for pet owners to help choose the right foods.

Another important factor in picking a well-balanced diet is to find out who was involved with the formulation of the diet.

To ensure the diet meets all nutritional requirements and AAFCO standards, your dogs diet should be formulated with the help of a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist. Most pet food products will specify this on their label. However, the average veterinarian isnt capable of formulating a diet in the same way that a board certified veterinary nutritionist can. So, dont be easily swayed because a companys website lists a doctor as a member of their staff.

What is a Fresh Food Diet?

Fresh food diet is a very broad term that refers to less processed diets that do not contain preservatives.

While there is some debate as to whether raw food diets should be included in the fresh food category by this definition, I will only be referring to cooked food when I use the term fresh food in this article.

Raw diets can pose potential health risks to both you and your dog. If you would like to read more about the American Veterinary Medical Associations position on raw diets you can use the link: AVMA Position Statement

Why Consider a Unprocessed Meal Diet?

There are many reasons you may be curious to try a fresh food diet. Some of the most common reasons that owners switch to fresh food diets include the following:

• A desire to improve ingredient quality
• Desire to avoid preservatives
• Palatability of food
• Specific health conditions or concerns

More research needs to be done to determine if all of these reasons for feeding a fresh food diet are supported by science.

Learning more about the specific health benefits that fresh food can provide could be the most useful tool in helping you make an informed decision for your pet.

Some evidence suggests that dogs with certain food sensitivities have benefitted from fresh food diets where the problem ingredients have been eliminated.

A study on Scottish Terriers found that dogs who consumed specific fresh vegetables at least 3 times a week were less likely to develop transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Studies like this suggest there may be other potential health benefits to pets consuming more fresh ingredients.

As fresh food diets become more popular, veterinarians and researchers will continue to look at how these diets may improve your pets long-term health.

Special Considerations with Unprocessed Meal Diet

One thing to be aware of when feeding a fresh food diet is that these diets typically dont contain preservatives.

Because these diets dont contain preservatives, how they are cooked and stored is especially important. Food that is not properly cooked may contain harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and Listeria.

Food storage is also an essential component of food safety. Fresh food formulations are more susceptible to bacterial growth with fluctuating or improper food storage temperatures.

Freezing improperly cooked food does not eliminate the bacteria, and in some cases, refrigeration can even promote additional bacterial growth.

Feeding contaminated food can be harmful to your pet. Handling the food containing this bacteria can also pose a risk to your health.

Picking a Unprocessed Meal Diet

Making sure your homemade diet is balanced and meeting all of your pets nutritional needs can be a daunting task.

Many homemade diet recipes found on the internet do not meet nutritional requirements. One study evaluating these diets found that 95% of homemade diets did not meet the standards required to be considered nutritionally adequate.

For this reason, commercially made fresh food diets are a great alternative.

When picking one of the commercially available diets, you should use the same tools previously discussed to pick a well-balanced diet.

Because of the risks associated with preservative-free products, where and how the food is cooked and processed is particularly important for evaluating fresh food diets.

The Pros and Cons of Unprocessed Meal:

Here are the pros and cons of fresh food when comparing fresh dog food vs kibble:

Pros:

• Customization: Many of the subscription-based fresh food companies offer personalized meal plans. The company will ask you to fill out a short questionnaire about your dog. Based on your pets ideal weight, breed, and activity level the veterinary nutritionists can customize the diet to your pets needs.

• Portions: Many of the fresh food diet markets on the market are delivered in pre-portioned packages. This packaging is great for taking the guesswork out of how much to feed your dog. It is important to note that most companies provide a full days worth of food in each package, so make sure you divide your pups meals up accordingly.

Cons:

• Storage: Fresh food must be kept refrigerated or frozen so you need to make sure you have adequate room for storage.

• Safety: For most home delivery options, once the food is cooked it is shipped frozen to your door. Because the product contains no preservatives it is important to double-check the temperature of the product when it arrives. If you have any concerns, check with the company to make sure the food is safe to feed your dog.

Why Feed a Kibble Diet?

There are many reasons that kibble has long been a staple in the pet food industry. Dry dog food has many benefits including:

Dry dog foods contain preservatives that make them safe to store at room temperature for longer periods of time.

• Increased calorie density compared to wet or fresh food diets:

One of the biggest differences between kibble and fresh food diets is calorie density. As a general rule, for your dog to get the same amount of calories that they get from one cup of dry dog food, they will need to consume a larger quantity of fresh food.

Calorie content varies for every dog food formula. Every diet should contain a label that details the calories per cup or per kilogram of food to help you determine how much you will need to feed your dog.

Picking a Dry Food Diet

When picking a kibble diet, I prefer diets from one of the larger companies, such as Purina or Royal Canin. Hills Science Diet is another good one. This is not to say that smaller companies dont have quality products.

Purina and Royal Canin have a long-standing history and reputation for quality nutritional products, which is an important factor in my recommendations.

The larger companies tend to have more research behind their products, as well as experience with safety regulations and quality standards.

Just like evaluating fresh food, to pick the right kibble diet you need to look for the AAFCO statement and information on how the diet is formulated.

Whether its from one of these big names or a smaller company, always talk to your veterinarian if you are interested in changing your dogs food.

They can answer any questions you may have about the specific product and determine if its appropriate for your pup.

The Pros and Cons of Dry Food

Here are the pros and cons of a kibble diet:

Pros:

• Availability: Kibble is the predominant type of dog food available in local pet stores, although refrigerated fresh food options are available in some locations.

• Cost: As a general rule, kibble is significantly less expensive than fresh food.

Cons:

• Palatability: Although Purina provides a wide variety of flavor options, fresh food typically has a wet or semi-moist consistency. This makes fresh foods more palatable to most dogs.

• Processing: While more and more kibble brands are moving away from using artificial preservatives in their product, kibble contains more preservatives and is more heavily processed than fresh food.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your dog is consuming a safe and nutritious diet.

While some owners have seen that their pet has benefited from a fresh food diet, more studies need to be done to determine the full extent of these benefits.

Hopefully, this article will provide you with a better understanding of fresh dog food vs kibble, as well as the potential benefits and concerns.

As always, if you are considering making changes to your dogs diet, talk to your veterinarian to create a plan that is right for your pet.

Sources and additional reading:

Stockman, Jonathan et al. Evaluation of recipes of home-prepared maintenance diets for dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association vol. 242,11 (2013): 1500-1505. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.242.11.1500

Raghavan, M., Knapp, D. W., Bonney, P. L., Dawson, M. H., & Glickman, L. T. (2005). Evaluation of the effect of dietary vegetable consumption on reducing risk of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in Scottish Terriers. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 227(1), 94100. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2005.227.94