What Does "Raw Food" Mean?
“Raw pet food” is made from minimally processed, uncooked ingredients, typically including raw meat, bones, and organs. The concept behind raw pet food is to mimic the natural diet of dogs and cats in the wild, as these animals are considered carnivores and have evolved to eat raw meat.
Reputable commercial raw pet food diets are designed to be nutritionally balanced and convenient for pet owners. Homemade raw diets require careful planning and prep to ensure pets receive all the necessary nutrients.
Benefits of Feeding Raw Pet Food
Embark on a journey towards optimal pet health by embracing the benefits of a raw pet food diet. Make the switch and witness the positive transformation in your furry companions’ overall well-being.
Honor Your Pets' Carnivorous Nature
As dedicated pet owners, it’s essential to understand that dogs and cats are descendants of carnivores, and their digestive systems are designed to process and absorb nutrients from animal sources.
In the wild, their diet predominantly consists of meat, which provides essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals crucial for their overall well-being. A raw pet food diet honors and supports their biological predisposition, ensuring they receive the nutrition nature intended.
The Pitfalls of Kibble
Commercial kibble falls short of meeting the nutritional needs of your pets for two key reasons:
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High-heat processing during kibble production degrades the nutritional value of the ingredients. Most kibbles are produced at temperatures above 300 degrees F. This hot, harsh environment destroys nutrients, enzymes, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and flavonoids. Low-quality foods compensate for the known lost nutrients by creating synthetic vitamin packs to restore the lacking nutrients.
- Cheap filler ingredients, such as grains and carbohydrates, are commonly used to bulk up the volume of kibble. AAFCO has not set a minimum requirement for grains because neither dogs nor cats have a nutritional requirement for grains in their diet. Cheap fillers lack the essential nutrients in real meat and may contribute to digestive issues, allergies, poor dental health, and obesity in pets.
How To Choose the Best Raw Food Diet for Your Pet
The best raw food diet for your pet is the one that delivers optimal nutrition while matching your lifestyle and feeding preferences. Here are some common feeding priorities for pet parents
Raw Nutrition, Familiar Routine
For pet parents who prioritize convenience, ease of use, and maintaining their pet’s feeding routine:
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Freeze-Dreid morsels, nuggets, meal mixers, bits, etc., delivers the same easy-to-feed, scoop-and-serve experience as traditional kibble without all the processed ingredients and in some brands, no synthetic vitamins and minerals. It is small and easy to serve. Simply scoop, hydrate and serve.
Hands-on Feeding for Personalized Meals
For pet parents who enjoy customizing meal portions, texture, and moisture:
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Freeze-Dried Nuggets or Patties: Crumble and rehydrate with water, goat milk or bone broth to serve—perfect for creating highly customizable meals
Feeding Large Dogs and Multi-Pet Packs
For pet parents with multiple dogs, especially larger breeds:
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Frozen Raw Patties are typically available in larger portion sizes. Patties are a perfect fit for large-breed and multi-dog families. They range in package size but are available a larger pack sizes (6 lbs. up to 30lbs).
Switching your dog or transitioning your cat to a raw food diet can take time, but the effort will be well worth it when you begin to see the benefits. Take it slow, and use goat’s milk or bone broth as needed to aid the process.