Raw Feeding Your Pet

The right choice for carnivorous cats and dogs

Why Feed Raw?

Simply put, dogs and cats are carnivores, and a raw meat-based diet offers the greatest nutritional value to a carnivore. So what makes a raw diet different from processed foods like kibble? Raw foods are rich with nutrients necessary to maintain a thriving pet. Alongside vitamins and minerals are enzymes and amino acids, and these are required in abundance for our pets' bodies to function appropriately. When pet foods are cooked at high temperatures and pressures, the enzymes are destroyed and the amino acids are broken down, changing their structure and making them harder to digest. Raw diets are also high in moisture, which dogs and cats require. Ideally they should obtain the majority of their water from the food they eat. When pets consistently eat dry foods, they are at greater risk for dehydration. Additionally, kibble requires a starch binder to hold the food together, which our pets do not produce significant amounts of the enzyme necessary to digest. Consuming foods with a high starch content leads to more plaque buildup on teeth over time as well as greater (and smellier) stool volume. Our pets deserve biologically appropriate diets, which traditional kibbles and canned foods are not.

Canine and Feline Dietary Requirements

Getting started with a raw diet can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. For beginners, it is often best to start with a pre-made, balanced diet to take the guesswork out of making everything yourself. That's where companies like Primal Pet Foods comes in. Primal is a Fairfield, CA-based manufacturer of fully prepared, human-grade raw foods and treats for dogs and cats. They only use humanely raised proteins, organic fruits and vegetables, and unrefined food-based vitamins and minerals in their products; nothing is synthetic. Head on over to the Primal Pet Foods homepage to see what they have to offer. If you would like to start transitioning your pet to a biologically appropriate raw diet but are unsure where to start, we would love to help!