Raw Feeding FAQ's

We have all heard the myths that raw feeding isn't safe for one reason or another but the truth is, they're just that...MYTHS!

Many in the pet food industry would have you believe that feeding a raw diet poses a potential health risk to both you and your pets, with bacteria such as Salmonella being quoted as the biggest risk. When in reality raw food poses no additional risk to us than that of any other raw meat that we purchase for our own consumption.

The EU has some of the most stringently regulated raw pet food producers in the world, who regularly have microbe tests conducted on them as part of their licensing agreement to produce and sell raw food. More often than not, our pets food has gone through more vigorous testing than our own food. These tests and licensing conditions help to ensure that the raw food that you buy has been sourced, handled, prepared and stored correctly and is safe to feed to your pets.

Ultimately after all this testing, once in our possession the health and safety aspect regarding feeding raw comes down to our own hygiene practices. So as long as you follow the tips below, raw feeding poses no additional risks to you, your family or your pet.

• Store in a freezer at -18 degrees
• Use separate utensils for raw dog food
• Defrost all meat in a container in the fridge, do not defrost in a warm environment
• Once defrosted, use within 4-5 days
• Open and dispose of packaging carefully
• Keep raw food in a sealed container at the bottom of the fridge
• Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling
• Wash your dogs bowl after every use
• Clean all work surfaces and utensils after use

If you are fortunate enough to have a vet who is pro-raw then count yourself lucky! Unfortunately here in the UK, our veterinary professionals aren't as willing to support a raw diet as we would like.

One thing to remember is that although vets are incredibly well educated and knowledgeable in the anatomy of our pets, they are not nutritionists and are often misinformed.

In the UK there are only seven universities that offer degrees in veterinary science, where often nutrition only comes up as a topic of study two or three times in the five years of education. Due to a lack of funding many universities take 'sponsorship' deals from the leading kibble companies, whereby the university agrees for the kibble companies to deliver the courses nutritional education phase in return for funding, despite the obvious conflict of interest.

With this is mind it is easy to see why a large proportion of veterinary professionals in this country advocate against feeding a raw and natural diet. Even though as a professional body this leads them to be at odds with the vast amount of evidence, research and science that actively supports the implementation of a raw diet.

Fortunately pro-raw vets are on the rise and this is something we are very excited about. To find out more information on where to find a pro-raw vet near you, visit Raw Feeding Veterinary Society

Raw feeding being expensive is another myth that does the rounds but the truth is, raw feeding doesn't need to be expensive.

We frequently get asked what is the cheapest way to feed raw so I will include a brief breakdown of the different brands that we sell and what they cost per kg for you to compare.

DAF

Beef - £2.92/kg

Chicken - £2.51/kg

Lamb & Lamb Tripe - £3/kg

Turkey - £2.71/kg

Paleo Ridge

Beef Tripe & Chicken - £4.55/kg

Essentials Chicken - £4.38/kg

Lamb Tripe & Chicken - £4.55/kg

Essentials Turkey - £4.38/kg

The Dogs Butcher

Ox (Beef) & Chicken - £4.10/kg

Chicken & Tripe - £3.50/kg

Lamb Tripe & Turkey - £4.10/kg

Purely Turkey - £4.80/kg

Overall Durham Animal Feeds (DAF) is the cheapest brand to feed both in regards to minces and bones and chunks.

This is a topic full of myths, harking back to the original 'You shouldn't feed dogs bones'.

This is a rather antiquated view and whilst cooked bones should never be fed, due to the risk of splintering, feeding raw bones is very different. Raw bones remain soft and are easily broken up when chewed.

Research has shown that raw fed pets have a naturally higher stomach acidity in comparison with kibble fed pets, which means it is perfectly suited to aid the digestion of your pets meat and bone. However it is worth noting that some pets that are given whole bones too early in the transition process, can vomit it back up a few hours later. This is perfectly normal and occurs because the stomach acids have not yet sufficiently increased to properly digest bones. If your pet is sick but is fine otherwise then they may just require a little more time for their stomach to adjust.

Not only does chewing on bones provides a great source of mental and physical enrichment for your pet but they were actually built to do just that. Your pets naturally have evolved to have the correct type heads, dentition and digestive system to chew and digest bone very easily. 

We know that feeding bones whole can be daunting, so while whole bones are great for dental hygiene, you don't have to feed them in that way, you can instead feed them via minces that include bones.

Please be aware that too much bone can cause constipation and could lead to impaction if fed in excess so, feed bones sparingly or alongside a boneless meal and always under supervision.

One of the great benefits of raw feeding is that raw fed pets do not drink as much water as they did when on kibble.

This is because raw food has a naturally high moisture content. If you have switched from kibble, the reduction in water intake can be quite noticeable but do not worry, this is perfectly normal.

That being said, a bowl of fresh water should always be available to your pets.

Another great benefit of raw feeding is that raw fed pets poo much less, both in volume and frequency.

When initially transitioning to raw, it is normal if your pet goes a day or two without pooing at all. This is because raw is rich in moisture and highly digestible, so the body is able to absorb and utilise all of the nutrients resulting in minimal waste.

Any waste that is produced is typically much smaller and pellet like. It is normal if your pet only poos once a day or even skips a day. As long as your pet is otherwise healthy and happy, then there is no cause for concern.

You can find more information regarding the varying colours of your pets poo in our guides section of the website.