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All of our Dachshunds - puppies included - are fed on a raw diet.
After an immense amount of research and discussions with medical professionals, it really was a no-brainer that this is absolutely the best diet for our pets.
Benefits of a raw diet include:
🐾 Improved digestion
🐾 Healthier teeth and gums
🐾 Better weight management
🐾 Less allergenic risk
🐾 Firmer stools with little or no odour
🐾 Healthier looking skin and coat
🐾 Helps to calm down hyperactive dogs
Poor diet is the cause of many of the health conditions that vets see in your pets. Some of the food-related problems they see include diabetes, obesity, tummy upsets, bad breath, itchy skins, pancreatitis, and even cancers.
Dogs are natural hunters and are designed to eat a meat-based diet. We can see this in the shape of their teeth and jaws, the short length of their intestines and also just a natural preference for meat. We have domesticated dogs over the years and have chosen to feed them on an unnatural diet but if we want to see our pets really thrive and live long, happy healthy lives, a diet that is natural to them will always be best.
Raw feeding can seem daunting at first and many people are overwhelmed, but there is no need. When you get the hang of it, it just becomes second nature.
We hope that we can answer your questions with the answers below but please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns
1 - Does the meat need to be cooked?
No. A raw meat diet is designed to be fed just like that - raw. There is no need to cook, just simply thaw, portion and feed. Some pets prefer cooked food but cooking damages some of the nutrients so feeding raw is best. However, for picky pets, raw food can be flash fried if needed. Flash-fried raw food is always better than highly processed pet food.
2 - Can I feed bones to my pet?
Yes, you can. Bones must be given to your pet raw as cooked bones go brittle and can splinter. Always ensure that your dog is fed on a 100% raw diet for at least 3 -4 weeks before introducing whole bones.
We would always advise the following when introducing bones:
🐾 Do not cut or saw bones
🐾 Do not feed bones with small children present
🐾 Do not leave a dog unattended with a bone
🐾 When feeding bones in multi-dog households, separate them before feeding to prevent fights - bones have a remarkably high resource value!
🐾 When introducing bones, choose a bone which is appropriate to the dog’s age, size, breed, and experience with chewing bones
🐾 Inexperienced bone eaters should be started on soft meaty bones or cartilage. Chicken wings, duck wings, turkey necks and bovine tracheas are ideal for novices.
🐾 If storing in between chewing sessions, rinse the bone under cold water and store in a plastic bag or container in the bottom shelf of the fridge
🐾 Dispose of uneaten material after 24 hours post defrost
3 - How do I defrost, store and handle a raw meat diet?
Defrost in the fridge, on the bottom shelf in a sealed container - do not defrost in the microwave. Once the raw meat diet is defrosted it can be kept for 3-4 days (always check the packaging) and should be kept in the fridge until ready to serve.
Handle a raw meat diet in the same way that you would handle any other raw meat - wash your hands thoroughly before and after in warm soapy water and wash the equipment used in warm soapy water.
Bowls should be thoroughly washed between each meal.
4 - Will my puppy be weaned on raw?
Yes. Your puppy will have been weaned on raw as soon as they start eating. When it is time for them to come home with you, they will usually be eating 3 meals a day and they will come with a weeks worth of food. We will have discussed with you beforehand where to source their food from and ensure you have ordered it in already.
5 - Is feeding a raw diet dangerous?
No, it isn’t dangerous. Commercially available raw food brands are tested at source for pathogens. Basic hygiene measures as above will prevent the raw food from becoming contaminated.
In fact, there are more tests carried out on raw pet meat than human meat. This is because human meat is destined to be cooked, killing bacteria.
6 - Is there any reason not to feed raw food?
Not at all. All pets are different and what works for one pet might not for another but there is no reason why raw food can't be fed to a dog. They are carnivores after all!
7 - How do I store raw food for my pet?
Raw meat should be stored in the freezer and defrosted in a fridge, on the bottom shelf, thoroughly prior to feeding. Basic hygiene should be observed in the same as one would handle raw meat for human consumption. Wash your hands thoroughly after feeding your dog, wash all surfaces and bowls as soon as your dog has eaten. Do not refreeze defrosted food and store any remaining food in the fridge.
8 - Will my pet get sick from eating Raw Meat?
Commercially produced brands of raw pet food are guaranteed pathogen free. Just like when you're preparing your own meals with raw meat, ensuring you follow correct hygienic handling will prevent contamination of the food. In addition, a carnivore's stomach is very acidic, so bacteria are killed as soon as they enter the stomach.
9 - Can I mix raw food with dry food?
No. This often leads to tummy upsets because the way carnivores digest raw food and kibble is quite different. There is absolutely no need to feed your dog kibble alongside raw - the raw diet really is everything they need. You can however, add additional 'treats' such as vegetables and some fruits (berries etc).
10 - Can raw meat cure my pet’s allergies?
Yes. Pets often develop reactions to the colourants, preservatives, flavourings and non-meat ingredients (such as starch and gluten). Pure meat diets do away with all of these unnatural ingredients.
However, pets can develop reactions to the protein portion (for example, chicken protein or beef protein) of any food (raw or otherwise).There are a wide range of unusual raw meat proteins (e.g., duck, venison, lamb and goat) that can be fed in these situations.
11 - My vet is really against feeding raw, they tell me so many horror stories, what should I do?
More and more vets are seeing the benefits of raw feeding, but they are not nutritionists and, by their own admission, their training on nutrition is limited. What you feed your dog is not a subject that is up for debate with anyone, it's your choice. Many vets stock and sell the most poorly reviewed and rated dry dog food on the market, advising it to be used for health conditions, most of which have been caused by dry food in the first place. Diet and food are one area where you are in control - don't be scared by what you may be told.
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