A Southampton pet food and accessory retailer has urged dog owners across the region to include unprocessed food, such as raw meat, in their dog’s diet. 

New research from the University of Helsinki, Finland, found that puppies who were fed mainly dog food, such as kibble, were more likely to suffer from gut health issues in later life, compared to dogs who were fed a raw food diet, or a mix of both. 

Deborah Burrows, MD of Healthy Pet Store, said that because raw food is unprocessed, it retains bacteria and enzymes which are needed for a healthy gut and strong immune system.

7000 dog owners were surveyed over a ten year period to find out what they fed their dogs. The caregivers were asked whether their dogs had experienced gut issues that lasted more than three weeks. 

It was found that dogs mostly fed dog food were 29% more likely to develop gut health issues such as vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss and loss of appetite, compared to dogs who ate mostly unprocessed food such as raw meat. 

Deborah added: “This study supports everything we believe in at Healthy Pet Store and has shown the importance of raw feeding for potentially protecting against gastrointestinal problems.There are also other proven benefits of raw food including improved skin, coat and dental hygiene to name a few. 

“Feeding your dog a balanced diet is key and there are easy ways to achieve this with home prepared meals. Even feeding your pet unprocessed food from time to time may offer many benefits for their health. I would recommend incorporating something unprocessed such as raw meat several times a week if you can.” 

The research found a strong correlation between dogs' diets as puppies and whether or not they developed gut problems in later life.

Healthy Pet Store based in Totton has been an advocate of raw-feeding since 2014. The store has one of the largest ranges of unprocessed foods in the region to allow caregivers to prepare varied and nutritious meals for their pets. 

For more information about raw feeding and Healthy Pet Store visit healthypetstore.co.uk.