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WHEN FOOD'S THIS GOOD, YOU FEEL IT ALL OVER. - Chuck & Dons

WHEN FOOD'S THIS GOOD, YOU FEEL IT ALL OVER. - Chuck & Dons

As the old adage goes, you are what you eat. For cats and dogs eating a raw diet that means healthy coats, increased energy and lots more. But why is raw food so good? In a word, biology.

ALL THE REASONS TO LOVE A RAW DIET.

THE DYNAMIC DUO OF DIGESTION

Raw foods are naturally rich in two building blocks of digestion: enzymes and amino acids. Enzymes make things happen. As a catalyst for chemical reactions, they may help break food down and aid in the absorption of nutrients. Some enzymes can even help to fight plaque buildup on teeth. Their counterpart, amino acids, are an essential aspect of healthy cell regeneration and growth.

INCREASED ABSORPTION & IMMUNITY

Organ meat is rich in bioavailable vitamins and minerals. This means that the nutrients in raw food are easily absorbed and used to benefit your pet and optimizing nutrient absorption means optimizing immunity. The long-term immune health of your pet can help reduce the risk of more serious disease as they age.

MORE ENERGY, FEWER ALLERGIES

A raw diet made with high quality meat is high in protein and low in carbs. This ratio helps to provide long-lasting energy and keep your pet feeling full for longer periods of time.    

Plus, the limited ingredients make it easy to avoid ingredients your pet may be sensitive to. A recent study even showed that dogs that eat raw food as puppies tend to have fewer seasonal allergies. Because what’s worse than going out for a walk only to return stuffed up and sneezy?

GOOD NUTRITION GOES A LONG WAY.

A raw diet is packed with nutrients to benefit your pet from the inside out.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

  • High-quality protein provides long-lasting energy
  • Low-carb food can help promote healthy weight

HEALTHY SKIN AND COAT

  • Bio-available nutrients foster healthy skin and coat

HEALTHY TEETH

  • Natural enzymes may fight plaque buildup and gum disease

HEALTHY JOINTS

  • Ground bone contains calcium and potassium to support healthy bone maintenance
  • Ground bone and cartilage supply a natural source of glucosamine for joint health

HEALTHY DIGESTIVE TRACT

  • Concentrated nutrients – smaller portions, meaning smaller poops!
  • Improved digestion can help prevent bad breath

REDUCED KIDNEY & URINARY PROBLEMS

  • High moisture content can improve hydration and help prevent urinary health problems

A little raw food goes a long way. So even when raw is used as a supplement to your pet’s diet, it’s doing them a world of good.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR (AND WHERE)

The best brands have thoughtfully sourced proteins, high standards for handling raw meat and species appropriate recipes for cats and dogs.


Our favorite raw brands include:

BUT IS RAW FOOD SAFE?

For centuries, cats and dogs have gotten their nutrition from raw food in the wild. Learn more about how to safely feed them raw at home, as well as the multiple safety procedures taken by pet food companies.  

Is raw food safe? You bet your pet’s sweet digestive tract it is.

Is raw food safe? You bet your pet’s sweet digestive tract it is.

RAW FOOD SAFETY FACTS

Your pet’s digestive tract was made for raw food. Literally. As carnivores, their digestive systems are designed for a diet that’s primarily meat-based. Their short, highly acidic digestive tracts break down and process raw food so quickly, bacteria and infections don’t have time to grow.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

AVERAGE TIME IT TAKES YOUR PET TO DIGEST FOOD:

3-6 hours for raw

6-8 hours for canned

12-24 hours for kibble

AVERAGE TIME IT TAKES BACTERIA TO GENERATE IN INTESTINES:

8-12 hours

 

TO COMPARE:

AVERAGE TIME IT TAKES YOU TO DIGEST FOOD:

24-48 hours

SAFETY FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD

HIGH PRESSURE PROCESSING:

Bacteria can’t survive high pressure. Utilizing this fact, high-pressure techniques process raw food at pressures five times greater than those found at the deepest sea level. This process is similar to how cold-pressed juices are made.

TEST AND HOLD POLICY:

Third-party lab testing ensures all raw food is negative for bacteria before being released for sale.

HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL CONTROL POINTS (HACCP) COMPLIANCE:

HAACP is a systemic approach to prevent biological, chemical, physical and radiological hazards from contaminating food. All of the raw food manufacturers we work with use this safety system established by the FDA & USDA.

SAFETY STARTS AND ENDS WITH YOU

Our Pet Foodies can help you with your first job—selecting the raw food that’s right for your pet. Once you get it home, here’s a handy checklist to ensure you’re handling it safely.

RAW FOOD SAFETY AT HOME

Always refrigerate or freeze raw food until you are ready to serve. Defrost raw in refrigerator.

Feed your pet in glass or stainless-steel bowls. Plastic and porcelain are porous and can trap bacteria over time.

Immediately throw out, or refrigerate any uneaten food.

For freshness and safety, serve thawed food within 3-5 days. Always refrigerate raw food.

Wash all surfaces, utensils, hands and food bowls with hot, soapy water after handling raw meats and poultry.

Use two different sponges - one for cleaning your dishes and another for cleaning your pet’s dishes.

Keep raw meats and poultry away from children or anyone in the house that is immuno-suppressed.

Keep raw meats and poultry separate from other foods.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR (AND WHERE)

The best brands have thoughtfully sourced proteins, high standards for handling raw meat and species appropriate recipes for cats and dogs.


Our favorite raw brands include:

Pet Poison Prevention Blog

Pet Poison Prevention Blog

GET TO KNOW THE HUMAN THINGS THAT COULD POISON YOUR PET.

Pets are curious creatures and as their humans, it’s important to be aware of the things we may have around that could harm them. We put together a list of everyday items that can be toxic to dogs and cats along with pet-friendly alternatives to use instead.

TRY THIS

NOT THAT

 

Pet-Friendly Peanut Butter

 

Choose an all-natural peanut butter without sugar, xylitol or artificial sweeteners.

 

Peanut Butter With Sugar or Xylitol

Many types of peanut butter (and other foods) contain xylitol, which can cause insulin release and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in pets, leading to liver failure.

Sugary peanut butters should also be avoided, as sugar can cause stomach upset, diabetes, obesity and other health issues for pets.

Healthy Treats With Fruits & Veggies

Give your pet a healthy dose of fruits and veggies with some tasty treats.

 

Grapes & Raisins

While healthy for humans, these fruits can cause kidney failure in pets. Veterinarians are starting to suspect this is due to the tartaric acid that naturally occurs in grapes, but more research is needed. Always avoid feeding grapes and raisins to dogs and cats.

 

Crunchy, Nutty Biscuits

They’re just as yummy as nuts but won’t give your pup any tummy troubles.

 

Nuts

Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and can last approximately 24 to 48 hours.

While most other nuts, including almonds, pecans and cashews, are ok in small amounts, they do contain high amounts of oils and fats. The fats can cause vomiting, diarrhea and potentially pancreatitis in pets.

 

Bone Broth

Keep them hydrated with a nourishing bone broth.

 

Drinks With Caffeine or Alcohol


Chocolate, coffee and caffeine products all contain substances called methylxanthines. These can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death in pets.

Beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death. Under no circumstances should your pet be given any alcohol.

If you suspect that your pet has ingested alcohol, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.

 

Flavorful Meals

Just like us, pets love a dish that’s packed with flavor.

 

Onion, Garlic & Chives

Kind of surprising, right? These vegetables can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage and anemia in pets. They are usually accidentally fed when pets get a taste of our soups, stews, sauces, casseroles and other dishes that may be seasoned or garnished with them.

 

Raw Pet Food

Boost their nutrition with balanced, protein-rich raw food made specially for pets.

Our favorite raw brands include:

 

Raw or Undercooked Meat Meant for Humans

The meat and eggs you purchase for you and your family at the grocery store are intended to be cooked as they may contain bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli.

Raw egg whites contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Egg whites should be cooked before feeding.

Pet food companies have multiple levels of safety procedures and checks in place to avoid bacteria reaching your home. They have a zero-tolerance policy for pathogens in raw food.

 

Cat Toys

Keep your cat busy with toys that bring out their natural instincts.

 

House Plants

Look but don’t touch. Many plant species are toxic to pets, especially cats. This includes leaves, flowers, roots and even pollen. Lilies are especially deadly to cats and very common in floral arrangements.

Check out a more comprehensive list here.

 

Pet-Friendly Dairy Products

Goat milk is gentle on your pet’s stomach and packed with nutrients.

 

 

Unfermented Cow Milk

Because pets can’t easily break down lactose, regular cow milk and many dairy-based products can cause an upset stomach. Flavored dairy products may also contain too much sugar for pets to eat safely.

 

Pet-Safe Products

Always choose non-toxic products for your home and yard.

 

 

Toxic Cleaners & Household Products

Since pets are likely to eat food from the floor and nibble on greenery around the yard, you should always be mindful of the products you use to spray and clean.

 

Certain cleaners and household products, including bleach and antifreeze, are highly toxic to pets. Make sure to use these products sparingly, if at all. And always store them out of reach from your pet. You can even use child safety locks on cabinets and drawers for extra protection.
Remember, before you feed your pet, be sure to do your research. And don’t leave out any questionable plants or products. If you have any questions, come visit us in-store to talk with our Pet Foodies or speak to your veterinarian.

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