In recent years, the number of people raw feeding or considering raw feeding their pets has grown massively. From being considered a niche sector just a few years ago, the raw food industry made up about 13% of the UK dog food and 8% of cat food markets in 2023, and it’s rapidly growing. As people become ever more aware of healthy eating, that’s being extended to their pets, too.
Why should you consider raw feeding?
There are numerous benefits to feeding your dog or cat on a raw diet. The list of ingredients is short - and easily understood (no long words you can’t pronounce!) so you know exactly what you’re giving to your pet. We all know that a fresh and healthy diet, that’s as natural as possible is the best thing for our health, and that of our children - why should it be any different for our pets?
Healthy Digestion
Dogs and cats are natural carnivores—dogs are facultative carnivores, and cats are obligate carnivores. That means they’ve evolved to eat diets consisting mainly of meat, bones, and organs, and the diet that they’ve evolved to eat is easy for them to digest and absorb the nutrients that they need to thrive.
Healthy Weight
There is an obesity epidemic in today's pet population and that brings with it a host of health concerns, including joint issues, diabetes, and even some cancers. Raw food contains high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and low amounts of carbohydrates in the exact proportions your dog or cat needs. This means that they also get the correct amount of micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids - and when they get the nutrients they need, they’re less likely to overeat making weight control easier to manage.
The energy they get from protein provides them with energy, keeping them active, and helps to build lean muscle rather than fat.
We need to talk about the poo (sorry)!
One of the first things many pet parents comment on when they switch their pets to a raw diet is the poo! Small, firm, and much less smelly - and who doesn’t want that? As raw food is easy to digest and highly bioavailable, there’s less waste - and that means better poo. The litter tray of a raw-fed cat is a revelation! And picking up dog poo on walks is so much easier when it’s small and firm!
Healthy skin and shiny coat
Raw food contains plenty of lovely healthy fats and the amino acids that are involved in hair production - this means your pet's skin and coat are kept healthy, soft, and shiny. And the shine on the outside reflects the health on the inside.
Dental Health
Traditional pet foods are higher in carbohydrates than the average raw diet. Bacteria love carbohydrates - and that includes the bacteria in the mouth. Lower carbohydrates help to support better dental health.
Healthy immune system
A good diet is the basis of good health. We know if we want to keep ourselves healthy, we should be eating a variety of fresh food - and the same is true for our pets. All animals should eat a species-appropriate diet - that is, the one that they have evolved to eat, to maintain the best health. Raw food supports your pet's gut lining, and their microbiome, which in turn supports their immune system.
Preparing your raw food
Defrosting
Raw food is best defrosted in the fridge. How long that takes will depend on things like how many frozen tubs you put in at once, how full your fridge is, and how cold you have it set. Generally, in the average fridge with one or two tubs of raw food placed in to defrost at a time, it will take about 24 hours for the food to be ready to feed to your pet.
Depending on the manufacturer you buy from, and their processes, raw food will keep in the fridge for 2 - 4 days, once defrosted. Bella + Duke raw food is kept for up to 4 days.
Preparation for feeding
Once the food is defrosted, it’s time to feed it to your pet.
Open the tub, and measure out the amount needed for the meal (you can either do this by eye, or you can weigh it if you prefer - either is fine) You may want to slightly warm the food - particularly for cats, who prefer their food at ‘mouse’ temperature. To do this, you can add a splash of hot water to the meal or put the food into a freezer bag or even a little bowl and then place it into a bowl of hot water for a few minutes.
Once it’s ready, pop the food into your pet's bowl.
If you’re just starting out with raw feeding, you might need some help with getting your pet switched over - again, especially with cats who we all know can be stubborn! Bella + Duke has some great raw feeding guides on their website to help you with this.
How to handle raw food safely
While raw food manufacturers in the UK have to test their food for harmful bacteria, there are a few extra steps you can take to ensure that the food is as safe as possible. Look for manufacturers who are RawSafe and/or UK Pet Food certified as this is confirmation that they’re producing food to the highest possible standards.
Of course, it is still raw meat so sensible hygiene precautions should be taken - just as when handling any raw meat.
- Defrost in a sealed container at the bottom of the fridge to prevent any cross-contamination
- Wash hands, utensils, and bowls after preparing food and feeding your pet, and wipe down surfaces.
- Teach children not to play with the pet's food or bowls, and to wash their hands after touching the bowls. Teach them not to disturb your pets while they’re eating their meals.
Clean up any splashes or spillages immediately.
How the Lid-it bowl makes raw feeding easier
Having a bowl with a lid can reduce the amount you need to handle your pet’s raw food. Many of us have a pet who prefers to graze, and all of us will have a pet who goes through a picky phase (maybe they’re just not very hungry on a given day or aren’t feeling quite themselves - and that’s ok) but we don’t want to waste their food! Simply pop the lid on their Lid-it Bowl, put it into the fridge, and then try again later.
If you want to warm up their food slightly - which is recommended for most pets - you can pop it into the Lid-it Bowl, put on the lid and then float it in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. It's so simple and saves you from transferring it between bowls or messing about with freezer bags.
Why not try raw feeding today?
Now that you know a little bit more about raw feeding, why not give it a try? We’ve partnered with Bella+Duke to give you 40% off your first order, 30% off the second, and 20% off the third, just use our PUPKIT432 coupon code at checkout.
Bella+Duke raw food for dogs and cats are complete, nutritious meals with a variety of recipes to keep your pet healthy and happy. They’re RawSafe and UK Pet Food Certified so you can be confident they’re producing food to the highest industry standards, and are at the forefront of healthy pet nutrition. They also have plenty of articles if you’d like to learn more about raw feeding.
