What is raw feeding?
Raw feeding is a term used for a type of diet for dogs and cats. It is based on raw ingredients that have not been heat-treated, meaning they are fresh or fresh-frozen.
The raw food produced today is often based on BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), a well-established feeding method that fundamentally provides an excellent description of the principles of raw feeding. These foods contain almost exclusively meat, offal, and bones, and the main idea behind it is to mimic what the ancestors of dogs and cats ate in the wild.
Why choose raw feeding?
Raw food is the most natural and least processed food to feed dogs and cats. It mimics their original diet as predators and provides energy and essential nutrients.
Cats are picky, obligate carnivores, and their health and vitality depend on the right type of food. Raw food is natural and species-appropriate food for cats.
Based on the dog's anatomy, it is clear that they are carnivores, but it is known that today's dogs are facultative carnivores. The dog's teeth, jaws, and digestion have evolved with a meat-rich diet as the starting point, and they primarily need easily digestible animal raw materials to meet their nutritional needs.
Risks of raw feeding
Raw food can contain bacteria that can cause illness in humans. It is therefore important to handle the food correctly to avoid the transmission of bacteria. Note that there will always be a risk of bacterial transmission when handling raw food, including when handling raw food for us humans.
To prevent bacterial infection, the best and most important measure you can take is to acquire sufficient and correct knowledge before starting with raw feeding - which is exactly what we are going to cover today!
When should you not feed raw?
These groups should avoid raw feeding and instead go for heat-treated food such as air-dried food or wet food:
- If you have infants and young children: Children are more prone to ingesting bacteria from a dog's mouth, bowls, or feces because they have poorer hand hygiene and more often put their hands directly into their mouths.
- People with a weakened immune system: People undergoing chemotherapy, suffering from chronic illness, or other conditions that make it dangerous to be exposed to bacteria should avoid raw feeding.
- Elderly people: Often have a higher risk of serious illness from infection.
First time feeding raw? Here is a guide.
Good to know: Dogs that eat dry food often have a slightly higher pH value in their stomach acid, usually between 2.5 and 5, while dogs that eat raw food usually have stomach acid with a pH value of around 1 to 2.
If you have a dog that has never eaten raw food, you should have a transition period of 10-14 days to avoid digestive problems. It is clearly a heavy burden on the digestion to suddenly mix in a lot of an unfamiliar type of food with the regular one, or to switch straight from one food to another.
A transition period can, for example, look like this:
-
Day 1 to 3: 10-15% raw food, 85-90% old food.
- Day 4 to 6: 25% raw food, 75% old food.
- Day 7 to 10: 50% raw food, 50% old food.
- Day 10 to 13: 75% raw food, 25% old food.
- Day 14 onwards: 100% raw food.
If the switch does not go smoothly, just go back to the previous mixing ratio for a few days to let the stomach settle before trying to increase the amount of raw food again. If necessary, take a break and start all over again. Consider giving supplements that support the gut, for example, pumpkin powder, which contains both soluble and insoluble fiber and helps regulate the firmness of the stool.
If the problem persists, contact your veterinarian. Persistent issues could be due to raw food simply not suiting your dog, or that something else should be checked.
Handling of raw food
Correct handling of raw food from the moment it is purchased until it is served is incredibly important to reduce the risk of bacterial transmission. Here are a number of points worth noting before you start with raw feeding:
1. Freezer storage
- Transport the raw food home as quickly as possible after purchase. It should spend as little time as possible outside the freezer to prevent bacterial growth. Long way home? Consider bringing a cooler bag with ice packs.
- Store raw food separately from human food. Preferably in a separate freezer or in a separate drawer/section of the freezer. If you share a freezer, store the raw food in the packaging it comes in and make sure the bag is closed!
2. Thawing
Thaw the raw food in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This is the safest way to thaw raw food and minimizes nutrient loss. Personally, we use an airtight glass container with a plastic lid (from Clas Ohlson or IKEA), which we put straight into the dishwasher after use.
REMEMBER!
- You must never heat-treat (microwave or oven) raw food that contains bone.
- Do not thaw raw food at room temperature before putting it back in the refrigerator. If you need it thawed faster, do it in a water bath (lukewarm water).
3. Shelf life in the refrigerator
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Usually, raw food has a shelf life of 2-4 days in the refrigerator.
4. Serving raw food
Do not leave raw food at room temperature for too long only to cool it down again. It promotes bacterial growth. Discard any leftovers that haven't been eaten within a reasonable amount of time (max 30 minutes at room temperature).
Above all, do not leave the raw food easily accessible to small children, if you have any.
5. Hand washing and post-work
Thorough hand washing is important every single time you are in contact with raw meat - it breaks the path of infection for bacteria. Hand sanitizer is not enough; hands must be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds!
When the pet has finished eating, remove the bowl and put it in the dishwasher or wash it with dish soap. Personally, we wipe down all surfaces that have been in contact with the raw food, i.e., the kitchen counter and the dogs' silicone mats, with kitchen spray and water.
Dedicated tools
It is recommended to have dedicated tools used only for raw food, including bowls, cutting boards, and cutlery. These must be washed thoroughly after each use, as should the surrounding surfaces.
Choose the right bowl
The choice of bowl you serve food in actually matters! Use non-porous bowls. Potential bacteria etc. will settle in scratches and damages if you use bowls made of porous material (such as plastic). Therefore, choose:
- Stainless steel
- Glazed ceramic
- Glass
- Food-grade silicone
Remember: Pick up the poop!
This is important regardless of what you feed! Even though the Dog Act does not directly forbid dog owners from leaving poop behind, it states that dog owners must ensure that the dog is not an unreasonable nuisance to people and the environment.
“But is it that important?” Yes!
It is important both because feces can contain viruses, bacteria, or parasites that can make other dogs, cats, and humans sick. For example, parvovirus can in some cases survive for several years outdoors. In other words, picking up the poop is a measure to prevent the spread of viruses, parasites, and, not least, resistant bacteria. Furthermore, feces along roads, paths, etc., is incredibly unpleasant.
Other useful facts
- It is completely normal for the pet to drink less water when fed a raw diet. This is because raw food contains approximately 70% moisture and little sodium, while in dry food the moisture level is at most 10%, which leads dogs and cats to drink more fluid.
- The pet will have less poop, and the reason is that most of the food your pet is now consuming is actually being digested and properly utilized by the body, resulting in less waste (feces).