Raw Meat for Dogs & Puppies

For busy people who want no fuss but the very, very best for their pets.

4 Reasons Why Dogs Need A Balanced Raw Food Diet

1. Teeth

Dogs are carnivores. Their teeth have evolved to help them hunt, kill and eat prey. They are also used for self-defence and grooming. The incisors at the front of their mouths are designed to nip and bite while the sharp canine teeth tear and shred flesh. At the back of the mouth, the pre-molar and molar teeth are designed to grind and chew. Dogs can only move their jaws up and down so they can’t chew food in the way that we can.

2. Stomach

Dogs stomachs are highly acidic. They are designed to break down raw protein such as meat, bone, organs, and gristle quickly. Dogs do not have the enzyme amylase in the mouth to break down carbohydrates such as kibble before it gets to the stomach

3. Immune system

The immune system is the first defence for fighting off infection, which is why it’s so important to keep it in tip-top shape. Providing complete and balanced nutrition is essential to help our dogs’ immune systems.

4. Improved digestion

A balanced raw food diet enables dogs to absorb more nutrients quicker as it takes only one or two hours to digest. As a result, the dog will poop less frequently, and their stools will be smaller and smell less pungent

Health Benefits of a Raw Food Diet

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Healthier & shinier coat and skin

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Improved breath and oral health

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Improved digestion

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Smaller and less smelly poops

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More excitement at mealtimes

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The increase in oral hygiene also leads to reduced chances of heart, kidney, and liver disease

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Better concentration with commands

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Better muscle tone and body fat balance

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Reduction or elimination of allergies due to food intolerances. ie, less itches

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Stronger immune systems that are more resistant to disease and ill health

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Less visits to the vet

Maintenance of lean mass and healthy weight

According to some, a raw diet balances dogs’ systems, helping them lose or gain weight as needed.

No more allergies

Allergies are often caused by the cereals and preservatives contained within kibble. See Allergies.

There are numerous arguments over the health effects of feeding commercial pet foods. An increasing number of pet owners claim to have noticed a significant increase in overall health after switching to a prey model diet.

Healthier guts, whiter grins and increased energy are just some of the positive changes common in pets who switch to prey model feeding programmes. After just a few weeks, owners report a noticeable improvement in their pet’s health. After a few months, the benefits are incredible and can include:

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Increased mental stimulation, not least because the pet is required to figure out how to attack and consume their new foods.

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Stronger immune systems that are more resistant to disease and ill health

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Shiny, healthier coats

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Less visits to the vet

Transitioning your dog or puppy to raw food

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If your dog has been on a dry kibble only diet, then it is wise to introduce our raw meat blends and meaty bones gradually. Some dogs take to it straight away, but some dogs may need a gradual approach.

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We recommend you start off with a few days of Green Tripe which acts as a detox, getting them ready for a raw diet and because tripe is a bit smelly it usually is a winner with dogs. Learn more about Green Tripe.

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We advise that you do not mix dry kibble and raw food together and feed at the same time as it may cause a rumbly tummy, loose stools and/or wind. If you want to feed kibble and raw then you are best to have one meal raw and one meal kibble.

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If your dog needs to lose some weight, then we would suggest the “wild” blends such as possum, venison, hare, rabbit, wallaby & goat.

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White meats such as rabbit, chicken and turkey are blander white meats making them easier to digest and less likely to cause upset stomachs whilst your dog adjusts to the change in his diet.

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Puppies typically adapt to a raw diet quicker than older dogs who may have become set in their ways. The key to success is patience: it might take some time, but don’t give up! Bear in mind that the long-term health gains you will see after transitioning your dog to a raw diet will be a worthwhile reward for your persistence.

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Allow your dog to help set the pace of the adjustment and use common-sense to ensure a stress-free transition:

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Checking the firmness of your dog’s stools will allow you to track how well your canine is coping with his or her dietary shift. Keep in mind that there may be a period to start with where the stools become loose as the inferior food leaves the system, and the body gets used to the new diet.

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Adding some high-fibre vegetable matter such as spinach or kale (raw or lightly steamed) can help with regulating stool consistency during the change-over period. Similarly, kumara and pumpkin are good roughage and tend to be popular with dogs.

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Puppies will need to be weighed regularly as they gain weight fast. You will need to make sure you are feeding them enough as they get bigger.

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We recommend that you weigh your dogs before you start them on a raw diet this will enable you to monitor whether you are feeding enough or too much.

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Every dog and puppy are different. Some are “couch potatoes”; some are athletes, and some are somewhere in the middle so one diet does not fit all!

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Although each individual dog will usually like some foods more than others, maintaining variety enables your dogs to get used to a wide range of foods and prevent them from becoming ‘fussy’. Raw meats sourced from different animals and animal organs also contain varying levels of nutrients and vitamins, so variety is very much also recommended for health reasons