Passion for the health of our pets has led Raw Necessities on a journey to discovering the benefits of feeding raw meat and bones to our dogs and one willing cat. As the research progressed the difference was seen and, we wondered how we could ever have been so blinded and brain washed.
In our technology based lifestyles and sanitised homes its almost inconceivable for us to think that our pets should get raw bloody meat, but how quickly we have forgotten that our pets originated from the wild and not so long ago were domesticated from wolves and wild cats; predators who kill, rip and tear their prey.
We continually review our diets, knowing from science and experience that processed food lead to all forms of ailments, allergies and cancer. Chemicals in our food and in our home environment has been directly linked to causing cancer, yet we are willing to give our pets, processed, chemically preserved brown wheat based pellets promised by the supplier to be “balanced”
Raw Necessities Food for Dogs
Nature provides us with the ideal diet for domesticated dogs are the same as we find in wild relatives, like the wolf and wild dog which feed mostly on other animals. Their diet consists of meat, bones and some animal organs.
In our culture and suburbia it is difficult to feed as in the wild but we can get very close to this by feeding chunks of raw meat with bones and some organs, the ideal is to feed our dogs a variety of meat such as lamb, chicken and most other red meats and poultry.
South Africa’s raw red meat products are quite expensive and it is not possible for most people to buy a lamb or beef rib or neck for their animals but chicken is quite affordable and there are many success stories of dog owners feeding only chicken to their animals, table scraps are also fine but no processed foods or cooked bones as bones become brittle when cooked.
Why Raw Feed?
- Carnivores: Dogs are physiologically the same as wolves. They differ in their gene sequences by only 1 – 2%. Designed to eat various prey species they have very strong stomach acids (dogs have a pH of 1 with food in the stomach compared to a humans pH of 4 – 5) and a short digestive tract. The dog’s digestive tract is 1/3 to 1/2 the length of a human. This is because they are designed to eat raw meat and bones, not grains like an herbivore such as a cow, or an omnivore, such as a human. If dogs were meant to eat corn, wheat, soy or rice, they’d be built internally like a cow or sheep or even a human, with a long digestive tract.
- Enzymes: Raw food contains enzymes, cooked and processed food does not. Without digestive enzymes even the most nutritious foods will not be of any use to the body. Pet’s diets (full of processed food and foods unnatural to them) strain the digestive system. If our pets have inadequate amounts of digestive enzymes they will have a number of health problems including but not limited to; a weak immune system, arthritis, allergies, coat condition problems, lack of energy, excessive gas, osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, digestive disorders, food allergies, hot spots, loose stool, consumption of their own stool, foul breath, body odour and even cancer.
- Teeth and Gums: Chewing on chunks of meat is not only stimulating to your dog but clean their teeth and gums (Natures Toothbrush) and will prevent gum disease, in turn gum disease can lead to other organ damage.
What the Raw Meaty Bones Diet should consist of
Please do your own research, there are multiple websites available. Here are some of the basics food types and quantities for raw feeding.
- A meat to bone ratio is one of the most essential parts for successful raw feeding and excellent health for your animals as both protein and calcium are essential to a dog’s well-being.
- Whole eggs (include the shell to maintain the balance), fish, internal organs such as gizzards and liver (no more than 2 servings a week) and green tripe.
- Table scraps are also fine for your dog, but avoid cooked meat and processed foods, you can give the left over cooked veggies but we believe this is not necessary and please do not bulk your dogs much needed protein with vegetables.
- For adult dogs, feed 2-3 % of their body weight. Use your eyes, if your dog is picking up weight reduce the quantity, dependent on your dog’s lifestyle adjust accordingly.
- For puppies feed 2-3% of their ideal weight as adults. Puppies tend not to overeat when on the raw food diet
Raw Necessities Dog Food Available in Cape Town
The quality of our food is very important to us and therefore, we only source from the best producers.
All Our Chicken Products are:
- FREE RANGE
- ANTIBIOTIC GROWTH-PROMOTER FREE
- FISH MEAL AND ANIMAL BY-PRODUCT FREE
- STRESS FREE
- RAISED HUMANELY
- HALAAL
Animal Sense 