Meateaters
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FAQ

Raw Questions

  • How will my pet benefit from the raw food diet?

    By eating raw ingredients instead of processed kibble, dogs and cats are eating as nature intended and receiving better nutrition at the same time. Their digestive systems no longer have to work hard to obtain nutrition from processed food, and can instead focus their bodies on areas of improvement – a stronger immune system, more energy, a healthier and cleaner mouth, a decrease to skin problems and allergies, and an overall reduction to scents from both their coat and stool. Raw food diets have been known to help with various general health problems such as infections, digestive issues and even heart conditions.

  • Can raw food be used in a mixture with kibble?

    It is recommended to use a natural raw diet without any commercial processed foods. A dog or cat’s body digests the two in different ways, and a mixture can cause digestive problems. For example, digesting kibble takes almost twice as long as digesting raw food. Dry food can decrease your pet’s natural stomach acids, which work towards healthy digestion and preventing bacteria from growing. Combining the two puts strain on the digestive system and forces the animal’s body to constantly readjust to the two types of food.

    If it’s necessary for your pet to eat kibble in addition to raw food, it’s best to alternate meals between raw and dry food instead of mixing them.

  • Is raw food more expensive than commercial wet or dry food?

    The cost of a Meateaters raw food diet is comparable to the cost of a high quality wet or dry food diet.

  • Is it ok to cook the raw food for my pet?

    Meateaters recommends that pets be fed a raw diet, although some animals may have problems that prevent them from being able to handle raw food, in which case cooked meals may be the best choice. For most animals, however, cooking food destroys or otherwise alters amino acids, enzymes, minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids that are some of the main benefits of using raw food.

    If cooking food is the only way to go, avoid all bones that can splinter and form pointed edges. Calcium and phosphorus can be obtained with other supplements.

     

  • How long can I keep raw food in the fridge or freezer?

    Raw food should ideally be used within 2 days, and it goes without saying that it should be refrigerated when not in use. Any food remaining in your animal’s bowl 15 minutes after serving should be re-refrigerated and used later.

  • Is a Raw Dog Food Diet Safe for my dog?

    Many people worry about contamination and/or bacteria with a raw diet. The truth is, there is very little risk if the food is properly processed and then handled safely just as you would with any meat product. At K-9 Kraving, we use a cold-manufacturing method; all raw food components consistently remain below 28-degrees Fahrenheit throughout the entire production and packaging process.

    You basically have to follow the same, simple steps as you would when handling meat prepared for your family:

    1. Keep frozen until use
    2. Keep raw meats separate from other foods
    3. Wash working surfaces, utensils, hands and any other items that are in contact with raw meat, fish and poultry
    4. Refrigerate leftovers immediately or discard
    5. Keep raw food frozen and thaw in your refrigerator prior to serving

    Bacteria grow best at temperatures of 70° to 100°F and they will grow more slowly at temperatures above and below this temperature range. Your refrigerator should be between 34° and 40°F, because most bacteria grow extremely slowly, if at all, in this range.