Raw Food Companies

With the overwhelming positive response to feeding a species appropriate diet, there has been a drastic increase in companies offering several different kinds of “raw foods”. Not all are one and the same. It’s important to dig deeper than the main page of a product’s website or menu to distinguish between a reputable company and cheap inflammatory choices.

Understandably, the economy has taken a steep dive into higher costs for everyone and it’s stressful enough to feed our families appropriately never mind our pets, but we should still be making informed decisions that aren’t skewed by trendy marketing slang or false representations. This post is not intended to demonize, discredit or defame any brands in specific; it is meant to give the average pet parent the information they require to make educated decisions about the products they are purchasing. After reading this blog, we highly encourage you to investigate your current raw food company, their packaging, their website and the information available on their products!

It is not always easy to determine the true quality of a product in the pet food industry without a deeper understanding of the policies, practices and some guidance from industry professionals such as nutritionists or holistic health professionals. There are several pet bloggers, holistic veterinarians, nutritionists and other industry professionals speaking out against the poor quality products on the market today and how the ingredients and/or manufacturing processes of these foods, treats and toppers can negatively impact your pets health in the short and oftentimes over long term consumption. You may not always notice an immediate change in your pets when they consume something “bad” for them. Think of it this way; eating greasy fast foods every day for years will eventually lead to obesity, clogged arteries and other health concerns! The image below outlines some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a commercial premade raw food.

Now, everyone is going to have different opinions and expectations based on their personal needs. The purpose of this post is not to push you in any direction, but to inform you so you can make educated decisions. Before you settle on a brand, make sure you ask questions! Some examples of these questions would be: Do your blends contain AT LEAST 5% liver? What are the other organs used that comprise each blend and what protein source are they coming from? Do you ONLY use beef and/or chicken organs or is the whole animal used to accomplish a truly pure blend? Where do you source your meats from? Are they local/private farmers, factory farmed/inspected facility meats, ethically raised, scrap butcher meats? Are these animals pasture raised and fed wholesome foods (not GMO corn, soy, low quality feed, etc), Who formulates your blends? How can I (the consumer) be rest assured that my pet is receiving a quality and consistent product that isn’t being haphazardly thrown together without any professional experience? Do you sanitize your equipment properly between blends? How can I be sure that there is no cross contamination between blends especially for pets (or people) with severe allergies to chicken, fish,other proteins or fruits and vegetables? What methods do you use to ensure food health and safety? Do you use HPP (High Pressure Pasteurization)?, What nutritional guidelines do your formulas follow? Where can I see the full list of ingredients for each blend? What do we need to supplement your products with (if any) to ensure our pets are getting everything they need either daily or through balance over time? Who can I speak with about professional nutrition advice and not just product recommendations? Do you add synthetic vitamins or minerals to your blends?

Bottom line, your raw food supplier should be FULLY transparent. Every ingredient that goes into your pets food should be either clearly printed on a label, available publicly on their website or on some sort of handout with the food so you know it’s consistent. Major red flags should be raised if there is no information available about organ content and what is being used in each blend. The same applies for changes in a recipe. Customers should be notified IMMEDIATELY if something has changed; whether it be removed or substituted. We live in a day and age where it is incredibly easy to make contact with and share important information like this within a reasonable timeline so that the consumer can make informed decisions for their pets. Everyone has their personal opinions regarding manufacturing processes such as HPP. You can read more about this here as this blog is not targeting that topic. Not all raw food companies follow strict guidelines.

The most important of all, transparency. By now, it should be drilled into your head that you deserve to know exactly what is being used in your pets food, the same way you would if you were doing DIY and picking out muscle meats, bones and organs for yourself. You depend on these brands to be truthful and nutritious. Do not be afraid to ask questions. ESPECIALLY if you’re noticing issues with the current brand you are using! Any good company will own up to their mistakes and make it right. If you’d like to learn how to DIY your meals, check out Feed Real Institute’s calculator and their DIY workshop where they teach you how to curate your own meals for your pets using whole foods.