Frozen raw dog food is closer to your pup’s natural diet and offers several advantages. It’s easier to digest, making it ideal for sensitive stomachs, and typically produces less waste than kibble does.
Vital Essentials freeze-dried raw meals are an ideal choice for your pup. These frozen patties have been specifically formulated to mimic the ALPHA Prey Model and feature a balanced combination of meats, organs and bones that provide essential nutrition.
Contents
1. Freshness
Raw dog food is becoming an increasingly popular option for pet parents who want their pups to receive a natural, nutritious diet. It’s typically easier for dogs to digest than kibble and can lead to healthier coats, softer skin and improved oral health.
Raw diets for dogs typically consist of a balance of muscle meats and organ meats as well as bones and vegetables. Furthermore, some raw diets may include plant material, fatty fish, and other beneficial nutrients.
However, if you opt to feed raw meat to your family members, be aware of the higher risk of bacterial contamination than commercially manufactured products. This may be especially detrimental in households with small children or elderly members who could become ill from eating unedible meat.
If you choose to feed your dog frozen raw food, be sure to thaw it thoroughly before serving. This is especially critical if the pet has any type of immunocompromised condition.
2. Nutrients
Raw food is considered healthier than cooked foods and often sold as a supplement to traditional pet food. Raw diets consist of meat, bone and organs with additional nutrients from fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Although raw diets are thought to be healthier for dogs, a recent European study discovered that frozen raw dog food can contain harmful bacteria and parasites. Testing 60 commercially available frozen raw dog foods revealed all of them tested positive for various pathogenic bacteria including Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Enterobacteriaceae.
When purchasing frozen raw dog food from either the grocery store or a factory that processes meat into commercial raw diets, there is an increased risk of contamination. The chopping, mixing and processing steps involved can allow harmful microbes to enter into the center of the meat during processing.
3. Cost
Frozen raw dog food is an ideal solution for those who want to try a raw diet but lack the time or funds to purchase all ingredients. You can purchase frozen recipes that include meat, vegetables and fruits in bulk from frozen vendors.
The price of these meals varies based on the protein used. Leaner cuts of meat and higher-protein grinds tend to be pricier than fattier cuts of meat or lower quality ground meats.
When handling frozen raw dog food, it’s essential to know how to do so safely. Without proper handling and sanitation, bacteria and other pathogens could enter your home; by properly handling food, cleaning surfaces, and separating human and pet bowls and utensils from each other, you can help minimize risks.
4. Preparation
Frozen raw dog food can be a convenient option for pet parents looking to add raw meat into their pets’ diets. However, this method has some drawbacks such as ensuring the quality of ingredients and preventing food-borne illness.
When prepping frozen raw food, the first step is to thaw it out before feeding. One way of doing this is by placing the tubes of frozen food in a sink filled with room temperature water.
Once the tubes are covered, you can leave them for up to 30 minutes until they begin to soften. At that point, you can cut off a small portion for your dog’s dinner.
To keep your pet safe from bacteria, disinfect all surfaces and utensils used for feeding raw dog food. For instance, if you use plastic bowls or other containers, clean them with a mixture of vinegar and water – this is natural, pet-safe, and will effectively kill bacteria and other microorganisms.
