FAQ's
What should I feed?
80% muscle meat, 10% raw meaty bones, & 10% secreting organ meat (5% of which must be liver).
How much should I feed and how often?
Adult dogs should be fed approximately 2%-3% of their ideal body weight. Puppies can be fed at 3% of expected adult weight or fed according to current age and weight.
At what age can I start feeding raw?
Adults and Puppies can be switched to raw at any age, the sooner the better! One of my customer’s started feeding her dog at the age of 15, so it’s never too late.
Do I need to worry about bacteria?
The simple answer is no. Dogs are very well equipped to deal with bacteria. Their saliva has antibacterial properties. It contains an enzyme called lysozyme, an enzyme that destroys harmful bacteria. Plus, their short digestive tract is designed to push through food and bacteria quickly without giving bacteria time to grow.
Does raw feeding cause worms?
No. This is a common misconception. We recommend that all wild game, and all fish are frozen for a MINIMUM of three weeks (even fish that has been purchased from a supermarket/store as one can never be sure for how long it has been frozen). The acidic environment in the gut is a naturally hostile environment for intestinal worms. Many types of worm can be detected by a simple examination of a stool sample.
Can I mix Kibble and Raw?
We don’t recommend this. Feeding a mixture of raw and kibble means that the stomach acid can never reach the acidic level that kills bacteria. Raw meat requires a different acidic level than kibble. This will confuse the gut and there will be very little benefit to feeding raw.
Do I need to add supplements?
No. A fully balanced 80/10/10 diet with a variety of proteins and organs is all your pups will need unless specified by your vet for a particular condition.
What about organs?
The total amount of secreting organs is 10% of the total meal. 5% of that must be liver but the other 5% can be any other secreting organ such as, kidney, spleen, testicles etc.
Muscular organs such as heart, lungs, tripe etc. are fed between 15%-20% within the 80% muscle meat.
Why do I need to feed bone and is this safe?
Raw bones contain calcium and trace minerals. They also help to clean your pups teeth and also acts similar to flossing. DO NOT feed any cooked bone or weight bearing bones. Only feed appropriately sized bones. Our grinds have the appropriate amount of ground bone in them but we also sell without bone for those that want to feed bone separately.
Do I need to rotate proteins?
We do encourage this as not only does it prevent boredom and food intolerance's, it also provides a varied nutrient profile and a balanced diet. We recommend aiming for at least 4 different proteins in their rotation most being red meats. Variety can include single proteins, a mix of proteins or a change in raw meaty bones and organs. This can be on a weekly or monthly basis.
Are raw eggs good to feed?
Raw eggs are the super-food of raw feeding. They contain endless amounts of nutrients and benefits to your companions. They even can help with hairballs! When feeding raw eggs, it is important to feed the whole egg as in both the yolk and the white. Egg shells are also very nutritious, however we only recommend feeding the shell if you have purchased eggs from your local farmer, not store bought. The egg yolk and white can be fed from store bought eggs, but we recommend the best quality you can find.
Should I add any oils?
You can add animal based oils like fish or krill oils. Fish oil contains important omega 3’s that are anti-inflammatory. They also help the heart, improve the skin and coat and even help fight cancer. Hemp, vegetable or coconut oils are not recommended as they are not species appropriate and all three can actually cause harm to your pet.
What if my pet needs to lose weight?
A raw diet contains lean muscle meats. However, if your pup needs to lose quite a bit of weight it's recommended to feed at 2% of ideal weight to help drop some excess.
How long should I let the food stay out for?
We recommend no longer than 20 minutes if your pup hasn’t finished eating within that time-frame. Simply cover the food or put in a container and store in the fridge.
Can I refreeze meat after it's been thawed?
Yes! Refreezing won't do any harm to your pet. As raw feeders we defrost to prep and refreeze all the time. Refreezing won't have any effect on you or your companion.
How long is defrosted meat good for in the fridge?
Approximately 3-4 days.
I've just started and my dog/cat has diarrhea, what can I give them to help?
This is not uncommon but doesn’t always happen. Each dog is different. A change in diet CAN cause loser/softer stool and this is "normal" for a few days. Your dog is going through a detox period and it's best to let it sort itself out. If you find this to be continuing after 3 or 4 days, we recommend giving Slippery Elm.
Since we made the switch to raw my dog isn't drinking as much. Is this normal?
It most certainly is normal! As opposed to dry kibble that keeps them in a dehydrated state, raw is over 70% moisture.
Does raw feeding cause aggression?
No! This is an easy answer as it’s completely incorrect.