Myths and Misconceptions

"My dog should eat only what my vet recommends."
Like human doctors, most traditionally trained veterinarians have little knowledge of nutrition. Many vet schools offer only one nutrition course with the content provided primarily by major pet food manufacturers. In addition, vets often sell commercial dog food as a way to increase their income. 

Northstar Natural Dog recommends you do your own research on what diet is best for your dog. Most holistically minded vets and dog breeders who have researched canine nutrition recommend a natural raw food diet.  


"Every meal my dog eats must be complete and balanced."
Like us, our dogs' nutritional needs vary according to levels of activity, age, stress etc. Balanced nourishment is obtained over time. Feral dogs will hunt and scavenge, acquiring what they need to survive over time. Our pet dogs rely on us for food and a varied diet mimics what they instinctually crave.


"Kibble provides everything my dog needs to live a long and healthy life and has stood the test of time."
Kibble has been around for less than one hundred years. Although dogs have been domesticated for approximately 120 million years, they remain almost identical genetically to their wild relatives the wolves. Their eyes are capable of focusing on prey animals. Their teeth and claws are designed to tear flesh and crack bones and their short digestive system is equipped with enzymes needed to digest raw muscle, skin, bones, organ and stomach contents. As scavengers, dogs can eat rotten meat, fruit and vegetables. While your dog can survive on commercial kibble, most people see a dramatic improvement in their dog's health when they switch to a raw diet.


"My dog should eat the same thing every day or he'll get fussy."
Dogs fed a varied raw diet are more likely to eat unusual foods in an emergency than a dog who has learned to eat only one substance. Since each dog's nutritional needs are unique, feeding a variety of meat and fish proteins as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, along with occasional healthy treats like cheese, yoghurt and eggs will increase his chances of obtaining the exact nutrition he needs to live a long healthy life.  If you have trouble grasping the " nutrition over time" theory or are worried about your dog getting all his vitamins, you can add a supplemental vitamin powder to the diet.


" 'Human' food is bad for dogs."
While no dog can remain healthy on fat and potato peels, high quality animal protein, fresh vegetables and raw bone is a much healthier diet than processed meat meal and chemicals. For thousands of years humans fed dogs offal and leftovers from butchering supplemented by what the dog could catch on its own. Although some human foods like chocolate and grapes can be fatal to dogs, even conventional vets often recommend boiled chicken and rice if your dog has a digestive problem.


"My dog will become vicious and want to bite people if he eats a raw meat diet."
Feeding raw will not affect your dog's temperament. Some dogs have a strong desire to chase and even kill small prey. That behavior is genetic and has nothing to do with what's in their bowl.

If your dog wants to bite people, consult a positive dog trainer to help with the problem.


"My dog will get salmonella and e. coli from eating uncooked foods."
Salmonella has been found in commercial pet foods and e coli has shown up in some cooked fast food but this is less of a concern for your dog than for you. Your dog's digestive system is short and acidic and designed to kill many types of bacteria. In addition, studies indicate that raw fed dogs are healthier, have a stronger immune system and are better able to fight off disease causing bacteria. (They can even survive an occasional fast food meal.)


"My dog should never eat chicken (or any) bones."
Your dog should never eat cooked bones. Cooking makes bones harder and more likely to splinter and become lodged in your dog's throat digestive tract. While chewing is a natural stress reducer for dogs, chewing on a rock hard cooked soup bone can break a tooth. Raw bone's are softer, provide a number of necessary nutrients and are a crucial component of a raw diet.

Always use caution when introducing your dog to whole raw meaty bones. Some dogs, especially those who are new to raw, may gulp their food and can choke on larger bones.Chicken necks are a good size whole bone product to start your dog on.

Feeding Northstar's chicken or turkey complete which includes ground raw bone safely solves this problem and provides your dog with the marrow, amino acids, fiber, enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals he needs. Whole ground bone is an essential part of the raw diet.


"Eating hard dry dog food will help my dog's teeth stay clean and white."
Kibble is only crunchy until it mixes with saliva, then it adheres to your dog's teeth and gums like sticky gruel and contributes to tartar and doggie breath. Many kibble fed dogs need to have their teeth cleaned regularly or develop gingivitis and related kidney problems. Tearing meat and gristle from a fresh raw bone on a regular basis provides exercise for your dog's neck muscles and helps keep his teeth clean, reducing the need to put him under anesthesia for dental cleanings.


"I don't know enough to feed my dog a healthy raw diet."
Feeding your dog a natural diet from scratch takes a bit of research but feeding Northstar Natural Dog makes it almost as easy as opening a bag of kibble. We can help get you started with sample meal plans and answer any questions you have along the way. You might be surprised at the number of people who are already feeding this healthy diet. Educate yourself by joining any of the numerous internet chat groups and sites or reading some of the growing number of books on feeding raw.