20 raw feeding questions answered
Straight from the mouths of our raw feeding experts, here are 20 questions we’re frequently asked by first-time raw feeders, like you.
1. Does the food smell? If so, what does it smell like?
“But doesn’t raw food smell”, is the question we get asked the most. The answer depends on 2 things: your sensitivity to smell and the type of meat. If you have a strong sense of smell, you may find that raw smells slightly stronger than wet dog food. In any instance, our raw dog food has a similar smell to raw meat you get from the store.
Our meals that contain offal (e.g. tripe) will have a slightly stronger smell than chicken or turkey for example.
2. Will the food smell my fridge out?
No, as long as it’s stored in an airtight container. With your first delivery you’ll receive a free storage container that you can use to keep your dog’s defrosted meal in. For current customers, replacement containers can be added to your next delivery from the Extras section of your customer account.
3. Is the food slimy?
No, our food isn’t slimy. It has a moist texture, similar to that of raw mince.
4. Do I need to wear gloves when serving the food?
If you’re squeamish with texture, you may prefer to wear gloves, but there isn’t a need for safety reasons. If not wearing gloves, follow standard hygiene processes and wash your hands with hot, soapy water after handling our raw dog food.
5. Do I need to use separate utensils to serve the food?
This is entirely up to you. Some people prefer separate utensils for serving their dog’s food; others are happy to grab any spoon from the drawer. Of course, whatever you use, always clean it in hot soapy water after use.
6. What do I do with the bits of raw food my dog doesn’t eat?
You’ll probably find there’s nothing left of a raw meal. But, if your dog does leave some, you can cover it and pop it back in the fridge to form part of their next meal. If the defrosted food has been in the fridge for 4 days, it’s best to dispose of any food that’s left over and make their next meal a fresh tub of food.
7. What colour will the food be?
As we use fresh ingredients, there will be variances in the colour of meals, and it will also depend on the protein used. Typically, the inside of our raw food will be pinkish and the outside brownish – this is normal as the meat isn’t treated with preservatives.
8. I’m squeamish. Will the food have blood in it?
In some tubs of food (those containing red meat) you may see something that looks like blood, it is in fact myoglobin which is released as the food defrosts.
What the heck is myoglobin?
Myoglobin is a protein that’s stored in muscle tissues. When the meat is frozen ice crystals form in the muscle cells. When you defrost the food, the ice crystals melt and the myoglobin mixes with the water to form the reddish liquid.
Myoglobin contains lots of nutrients so mix it back into their food and serve.
9. What meals are best to start a puppy on?
Puppies can be weaned straight onto our raw puppy food, and most will happily eat all flavours from the start. Some puppies, particularly those with a sensitive stomach, will be better eating blander recipes like chicken and turkey first before moving on to richer recipes like lamb, beef, and duck,
10. I’ve read some dogs are sick when starting on raw. Is this normal?
We’ve been feeding dogs raw food for years and most transition without an issue, but a very small amount may have a sensitive stomach for a few days when moving from a different food type to raw.
The more common reasons for a dog vomiting when they start on a raw diet is they’ve eaten the food too quickly or the food is a little chilly for their tummies to handle. To warm your dog’s food, add a little bit of slightly cooled boiled water or warm bone broth to their meals.
Please don’t microwave our food as cooked bones are dangerous for dogs to digest.
If the vomiting persists, please speak to your vet.
11. I’ve got my first delivery, and defrosted a tub. There’s white bits in it. What is that?
The white bits in our food are raw bone, which is a natural source of calcium and phosperous, which is amazing for strong bones. The bone is passed through a grinder so it’s easy for dogs to digest.
You may notice slightly bigger pieces of white bits; this is cartilage. Cartilage is more flexible than bone and it can make it through the grinder in slightly bigger pieces. Don’t worry; these pieces of cartilage don’t pose a choking risk.
12. My dog grazed on kibble during the day. Can I leave raw food down for them all day?
You will probably find that a raw meal is gobbled up as soon as you place it down for your dog. But, if yours is a little more cautious, then giving them time to sniff and inspect the food can give them the confidence to eat it.
Our food can be left down for a couple of hours (less in warmer months), but as our raw food is made from fresh ingredients, it can’t be left out all day. In the first days/weeks, if your dog walks away from their food without trying it, it’s best to pick it up, cover it, place it back in the fridge, and try again later.
Our fussy dog guides give more tips and tricks on how to convert fusspots to raw food.
13. Food has been in the fridge for 4 days and there’s a bit left, can I refreeze it?
No, once fully defrosted and have been stored in the fridge for 4 days, any remaining food can’t be refrozen.
14. Can uneaten food be recycled in my food recycling bin?
Yes putting uneaten raw food into your food recycling bin is OK, but please check on your local councils website to see if they have any restrictions.
15. What do I do with the empty tubs the food comes in?
Our tubs are made from recycled material and in most areas, they can be popped in your home recycling bin to be recycled again. But, check your local councils website in case they have restrictions on what can be put in recycling bins.
16. What does it mean if a defrosted tub has bloated (with air). Is it OK to give my dog the food?
On occasion (very rare, to be honest), a tub of food may bloat with air while being defrosted. This tends to happen if the tub was defrosted too quickly. It may also happen if the tub has been defrosted and not opened – maybe because it’s been hidden in the fridge, and you didn’t realise it was there.
The best way to tell if it’s OK to feed is to smell it. If it doesn’t smell right, it’s best to dispose of it. Also, if you suspect it’s been defrosted for more than 4 days, don’t feed it to your dog.
17. What are the black bits I can see in the food?
Those black bits you can see in your dog’s raw food are blueberries which are stacked with potassium, antioxidants, vitamin E, and loads more goodness.
18. I’ve read that dogs don’t drink as much on raw. Is this normal?
It’s true and dogs may not drink as much on raw food. It’s totally normal and it happens because raw food is high in moisture so they’re getting most of the hydration they need from their food.
19. I’ve read that dogs can be a bit constipated starting on raw. Is this normal and what can I do?
Some dogs may experience a bit of constipation when they start eating a raw diet. This isn’t anything to be concerned about.
But why do some dogs become constipated?
Dogs absorb and use more of the nutrients in fresh ingredients than in processed food, which naturally means their poos are smaller, firmer, and less stinky. Our raw food also contains ground raw bone. This combination can mean some dogs will take a little longer to adjust to their new diet.
To help ease the flow in your dog, consider adding a little water, 1/2 or 1 teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar, or small mashed sweet potato or pureed pumpkin to meals. If the constipation continues, please speak to your vet.
20. What about bacteria? Is raw food safe?
Raw in the grand scale of dog feeding is still a relatively new thing, and because of that, there are lots of myths and misreported facts.
The truth is, raw dog food is the nearest thing to what dogs eat in the wild, but with the added reassurance that our food is made from high-quality ingredients from trusted suppliers. We’re one of a handful of dog food manufacturers who have their own factory because we’re obsessed with quality, hygiene, and safety. Just like it should be! And, we also test every batch of food for E. coli and Salmonella.
Our safety standards are so robust that we hold a RawSafe Accreditation – a mark of being the best in safety and hygiene procedures in the manufacture of raw dog food.
