As September brings us back to routines and fresh starts, many pet parents are taking a closer look at their furry family members' nutrition. If you've ever considered raw feeding but felt overwhelmed by conflicting information – especially if your vet seemed hesitant – you're definitely not alone! 🐾
We've been hearing this story more and more at Creature Comfort Pet Emporium: pet parents excited about raw feeding, only to face pushback during their next vet visit. Here's the thing – this hesitation often comes from a place of genuine care, but sometimes lacks education and understanding about quality raw food companies and the science behind properly formulated raw diets.
Our Raw Feeding Journey: Pioneers Since Day One
Here at Creature Comfort Pet Emporium, we were one of the first pet stores in the Kitchener-Waterloo region to start researching and carrying raw food products. Why? Because owner Chris Schaefer has been feeding her pets raw since 2003! Quality, sourcing, and manufacturing are standards we have never, nor will ever, compromise on. After all – we are pet parents too!
We only carry products that we know and love – not what brings the most profit, or what is trending. This commitment has guided us for over two decades, and it's why we stand behind every raw food brand on our shelves: Bold by Nature, Healthy Paws, and Iron Will.
Why the Veterinary Hesitation?
Many veterinarians express concerns about raw feeding, and honestly, some of these concerns are valid when it comes to poorly made products, or especially pet owners trying to make their own, resulting in improperly balanced nutrition. The issue is that not all raw companies should be lumped together! Quality manufacturers like the brands we carry have obtained certifications and follow incredibly strict protocols to ensure your pet gets a well-balanced, complete meal.
We recently came across this excellent article from The Star that perfectly captures what we've been saying for years about raw feeding. We completely agree with their message and encourage you to read it yourself – it addresses many of the common misconceptions and concerns about raw diets.
These companies source from federally inspected and certified suppliers who take tremendous care in manufacturing your pet's meals. It's a completely different world from the "DIY raw" approach that might worry your vet.
Getting Back to Biological Basics
Raw diets aim to replicate what your dog or cat would naturally eat in the wild. Think about it – our pets haven't evolved to process the heavily processed kibble that's become so common (We'll touch on this in a futute post). Raw feeding eliminates highly processed food, unnecessary fillers and provides higher protein and moisture content that actually makes sense for carnivores-which models our mission of making choices that make sense for our pets.
With Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF), we're talking about a specific ratio that mimics nature:
- 70% muscle meat for essential proteins
- 10% edible bone for calcium and minerals
- 10% organ meat for vital nutrients
- 10% fruits and vegetables for fiber and antioxidants
When proteins are rotated and quality ingredients like kelp, fish oil/Omega 3's, specific moderate vegetables for their vitamins/minerals, and species-specific probiotics are added, you get complete nutrition that supports your pet's health from the inside out.
Those Bone Fragments Are Actually Important!
One concern we hear from vets involves the bone content in raw food. But here's what makes quality raw different: these bone fragments are ground and uncooked, making them soft and easily digestible. They're not the dangerous cooked bones you might be thinking of!
These ground bones provide essential minerals and maintain proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratios. When left uncooked, they retain moisture and cartilage, making them perfect for healthy dogs and cats to digest and absorb.
Natural Variations Are a Good Sign
Don't be surprised if your raw food looks different from batch to batch – this is actually what you want to see! Unlike heavily processed foods that use dyes to maintain consistent appearance, quality raw foods reflect natural variations based on the animal's diet, activity level, and age.
Your salmon might be pink one week and more orange-grey the next. Your chicken could be white or even darker. These natural differences tell you you're feeding real, unprocessed nutrition – not artificially colored pellets.
Having Better Conversations with Your Vet
If you're interested in raw feeding, here's how to approach the conversation with your veterinary team:
- Come prepared with information about the specific brands you're considering. Share the safety certifications and quality standards of companies like Bold by Nature, Healthy Paws and Iron Will.
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Focus on your individual pet's needs and be open to monitoring their health during any transition. Also make sure that your veterinary team is educated regarding the fact that blood results are slightly different in raw fed pets because they are actually eating a species appropriate diet.
- Ask questions about what specific concerns they have, and see if quality raw food addresses those worries. You might even share The Star article we mentioned – it does a great job explaining the science behind quality raw feeding.
What We See Every Day
At Creature Comfort Pet Emporium, we've watched countless pets thrive on properly formulated raw diets. Pet parents tell us about shinier coats, better energy levels, improved digestion, and even better dental health. It's not magic – it's just getting back to feeding our pets the way nature intended.
Raw feeding isn't about following a trend. It's about providing nutrition that makes biological sense for our carnivorous companions. When you choose quality manufacturers and work with knowledgeable professionals, you can feel confident about making the switch.
Ready to learn more about raw feeding for your pet? We're here to help guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have! As one of the region's raw feeding pioneers, we've seen it all and are passionate about sharing our knowledge. When we know better, we can do better for our pets.
Visit us in St. Jacobs to explore our raw food options and speak with our experienced team about making the transition.