Choosing a Raw Diet for Your Dog

When it comes to allergies or weight issues, the simplicity of ingredients in raw food can make it easier to keep allergens away from your dog and make it easier to ensure they’re getting just the right amount of food to keep them at a healthy weight. Raw food can also be easier for their system to digest. And let’s be honest, one of the best benefits of raw food is the disappearance of noxious gas and smaller, less-smelly poops. 

There are a few important things to consider if you’re thinking about switching your dog to a raw diet. Switching to raw is not as simple as grabbing some extra meat at the grocery store and tossing it in their dish. While you can make your own raw dog food, it’s more of a complex process than most people realize. Your dog’s diet needs to be balanced, so they get all the right nutrients in the right amounts. If you want to mix your own raw food, we urge you to consult with a holistic vet who has experience with designing raw diets. Otherwise, there are plenty of options available to choose from here at Mother Nature!

What to Consider When Choosing a Raw Diet for Your Dog

1. Be Prepared for Food Prep. Feeding raw is not as quick and easy as filling a bowl with kibble. You need to make sure you’re handling raw meat safely, washing your hands thoroughly after prepping or serving their food. Treat their food as carefully as you would treat meat for your family.

There’s an idea out there that raw food is more likely to carry salmonella or e.coli, but so can kibble! If your dog decides to give you some kisses right after eating, whether it was kibble or raw food, make sure to wash that saliva off as soon as possible!

2. Store raw food properly. Plastic containers are prone to cracking and scratches where bacteria can live. Glass, ceramic, or metal dishes for serving and storing are safer.

Only defrost enough for 1-2 days of feeding at a time. Do not thaw dog food on the counter. Thaw it in the fridge to lower bacteria risks.

3. Clean and sanitize everything. If you were cooking for your family, you’d probably carefully sanitize all the utensils, prep dishes, and surfaces in your kitchen after handling any raw meat. The same goes for your dog’s raw food. Sanitize counters, cutting boards, storage containers, and dog dishes after every meal.

You’ll probably want to have a few sets of dog dishes on hand. This way, you can toss one set in the dishwasher on a sanitize cycle and still have more for the next day’s meals.

Our Favourite Raw Food Brands

One of the bonuses of raw diets becoming more popular is that several companies have started developing high-quality raw food that you can buy from your local pet store. At Mother Nature, we carry the following raw dog food brands.

Crudo 

Crudo raw dog food is a high-quality mix of fresh meats, bones, organs, and vegetables. And the best part is, its made right here in BC! Most of their meat is sourced from within the province, but they do bring in duck from eastern Canada, and lamb and venison from New Zealand. 

Red Dog Blue Kat 

Red Dog Blue Kat is another excellent Canadian choice for raw dog and cat food. Their head office is based in Coquitlam. All of their meat products are sourced from ethical producers, as they place a high value on respect for the animals. They source meat from Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. In an official statement, they claim to “only use humanely raised meats, wild-caught fish, and certified organic vegetables in our recipes.”