TRANSITION YOUR PET TO RAW FOOD
“How do I start my pet out on raw food?”
When you walk into our store, you'll know right away that you're in the right place. We have a giant, twelve-door, walk-in freezer, plus aisles and shelves of carefully selected dried food and treats. Most importantly, though, you'll find a team of staff dedicated to your pet's health. Raw food is our passion!
More and more pet parents are making the switch from conventional dry kibble to a fresh, raw style of feeding. Maybe a friend or family member recommended it, maybe you saw a beautifully plated dish on social media, perhaps you’ve been doing your own reading, or maybe a holistic vet sent you with some instructions to try out raw food for your animal's health. Whatever got you to this point, we’re happy to help you start your animal’s transition.
But first, you may want to hear some of the benefits.
Our companion animals are being plagued by numerous chronic health issues including but not limited to: diabetes, urinary tract disorders, allergies, yeast infections, irritable bowel syndrome/disease, pancreatitis, dilated cardiomyopathy, Cushing's disease, periodontal (mouth) diseases, leaky gut syndrome, and various forms of cancer. Every one of the above mentioned conditions can be prevented, managed, and often cured with a species appropriate diet with whole food supplements and a decent amount of patience.
Aside from health conditions, raw food is what your pet is meant to digest from an evolutionary standpoint. Certain members of the pet food industry love to tell you that cereal based kibble is all pets have ever eaten and what is best for them but the truth is, kibble was only invented in the 1950’s, less than eighty years ago. Evolution takes significantly longer than eighty years to change the very design of an organism's digestive system. Sure, pets can survive on dry kibble and a bowl full of water but we want your animals to thrive! On raw food, you will see your animals energy increase, their coat will become thicker and glossy, you will see less shedding, healthier teeth and gums and they will produce less waste. Plus, you are taking the preventative steps to lessen the chances of a chronic health issue.
A great starting point for a first time raw feeder comes in the form of a balanced, pre-ground, full meal.
FOR CANINES, you want to see muscle meat, organs and either ground bone or ground egg shell listed in the ingredients. This is what we consider a “diet” recipe, as canines also benefit from 5-15% fiber in their meals as they are omnivores. The best fiber sources are leafy greens, squash vegetables and berries. When a pre-ground meal also includes fruits and veggies, we consider this to be a “dinner” as it is closer to being fully balanced.
FOR FELINES, you are still looking for muscle meat, organs, and a source of calcium, but little to no fiber should be present (typically 3-5% at most). Felines are obligate carnivores, meaning they absolutely must consume animal based protein and have almost no use for any form of fruits, vegetables, or grains. There are incredibly limited exceptions to this that we can explain in more detail should the question ever come up.
Raw bones should also make up a portion of your pets diet; considered “nature’s toothbrush” they scrape away plaque on the teeth, increase blood flow to the gums, and provide some really good mental stimulation when your pet is feeling bored.
There's a lot more we can talk about when it comes to your pet's diet so if you have more questions, reach out to us or come see us in store. We're here to help!
