FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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• Can a raw diet improve the health and longevity of my pet?

  • Yes! Wild ancestors of our now-domestic dogs and cats ate a raw diet in the wild, and their body chemistry is designed to digest, assimilate, and utilize all the nutrients of a raw diet. Simply put, they thrive on such a diet. For comparison's sake, let's look at human diets. It is well known that eating fast food and junk food (equivalent to the lack of pet appropriate nutrition in many commercial foods) will contribute to many diseases, including things like heart disease or kidney disorders. Our ancestors did not have fast food to clog their arteries; our bodies were not designed to eat this type of food. The same is true of our dogs and cats.  Processed, by-product filled food is a recent invention and doesn't prioritize our animals' health. In contrast, it is proven that a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fiber can reduce heart disease, increasing lifespan. The same goes for our pets – a natural, raw diet is the most health-promoting, readily absorbed food for pets. Healthy food DOES equal a healthy pet! 

 

• Can I feed my pet raw food and kibble?

  • Yes! The important thing is to start by separating these meals by at least 8 hours. Kibble can take up to 16 hours to digest, whereas raw only takes about 3 to 4 hours. Mixing them is not always initially recommended, as the variance in digestion times could cause upset to the stomach/GI tract. No body likes to come home to accidents in the house! If you choose to feed both, we generally recommend kibble in the morning so that your pet can digest during the day when you might not be at home. Then they can enjoy a raw meal for dinner. This is applicable for both dogs and cats.

 

• Does feeding a raw diet require a lot of extra work?

  • Actually, feeding raw does not take a lot of work and it can be very easy! First of all, food for up to four days can be defrosted at the same time (stored in the fridge), so you don’t have to take food out of the freezer every day. Many products we carry do not need any mixing, it’s just thaw and serve the appropriate amount! There are many different ways to feed raw. Ask us for advice if you need help finding the right method for you and your pet.

 

• How is “feeding raw” different than just buying meat from the grocery store?

  • Feeding a proper raw diet is not just raw meat. Raw diets for dogs and cats are made up of meat, bone, organ meats, vegetables, and and some supplements. All of these elements are needed in proper proportions to ensure your pet maintains their health. Additionally, most raw diets that Tail Blazers offers are made from hormone and antibiotic free meats, a bonus that is not found with standard grocery store meat.

 

• Is it true there is a lot less stool when a pet is fed a raw diet?

  • Yes, this is true! Because raw food is so easily digested, there is a lot less waste, therefore less stool. The stool is more compact, odorless, and will disintegrate very quickly. Color will vary, depending on the kind of meat consumed. Additionally, stools are harder which helps keep the anal glands properly cleaned, so hopefully you can have fewer uncomfortable visits to the vet to have your poor pups glands expressed!​

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• Are raw bones dangerous for my pet?​

  • A suitably sized/shaped raw, meaty bone can be perfectly safe and great for oral health. We always recommend starting with easily chewed on and digested bones, such as ribs or necks, which have more meat than bone oftentimes. Weightbearing bones, such as hocks or femurs should only be fed to dogs with experience chews raw bones and should be taken away if excessive pressure is being exerted. Always supervise your pet when chewing bones, and never cook them as the cooking process can make them more brittle, prone to splintering, and harder on the kidneys.

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• How often can I change my pets raw food?

  • Many raw feeders will rotate their animals proteins and even their brands at least once a month. Others will thaw something new every few days. This comes down to how much space you have in your freezer, if your animal has any protein allergies and if they have been fussy in the past. Generally, we recommend that customers try out different brands and proteins on a regular basis, as rotation is one of the best ways to ensure your animals nutritional requirements are being met. ​That's why we have a twelve door walk in freezer, to better supply our customers with a large variety to choose from!

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