Getting Started

With so much choice around, getting your pet started on raw food can be a daunting task to find what is right for our furry friends. We are here to make that process a little easier. We are always on hand in store to run you through the best plan for your pet. If you don't have time to come in, we hope this page can offer some clarity into making an informed decision on how best to start.

Why Raw Food

Better for overall health

We believe nutriment to be an excellent source of knowledge as one of the industry leaders, who have done endless research ,that we personally do not have the facilities for. We would highly recommend checking out their page for any extra information that we may not have included on here at https://www.nutriment.co.uk/

Better for digestive health

Unlike us people, dogs and cats have a very short digestive system which deals with their food intake quickly to greatly reduce the threat of bacteria. Thus, when we feed them heavily processed meat, grains and fillers, the dog’s digestive system is not built to deal with this. The pancreas is then put under a huge strain, working overtime to break down the foods the body is not designed to deal with. Raw food can be quickly and naturally digested the way their bodies intended.

Support oral health and hygiene

Around 80% of cats and dogs suffer from oral diseases requiring veterinary intervention. Your dog should be eating raw meaty bones that they have to chew through, thus scraping the plaque from the teeth and providing a gum massage leading to better oral health and better breath.

Healthier coat and skin health

The difference in your pet’s coat will show within two weeks on a raw diet. It will become softer, shinier and very silky. Animals will often detox through their skin, culminating in a greasy, smelly coat even though we tend to go nose blind to it after a while. However on a raw diet there will be a significant noticeable difference.

Manage allergies and intolerances

It is a sad fact that in recent years, more and more pets are showing signs of skin allergies. The grains, fillers and preservatives in a commercial dry food can culminate in this type of allergy. Pets may also become allergic to different types of proteins, so being able to pick and choose what protein to feed your dogs, through our vast selection of products will enable you to manage their intolerances.

Many pets suffer with severe itching all their lives as we have unfortunately experienced with one of our own pups. By managing her allergies with raw food she has come on leaps and bounds, that we would never been able to experience without raw foods.

Better bone and joint health

Arthritis and bone disease can be caused by genetics, but are largely due to an inappropriate diet, high in carbohydrates and low in essential fatty acids. It has been found that diets high in essential fatty acids and omega fatty acids, decrease the inflammation and ease the pet’s suffering. Raw diets are full of these nutritional benefits.

We all know that our little pups grow up fast but when puppies grow too fast, they will begin to experience structural problems. Many kibble diets are often too high in calories and certain minerals which can cause rapid growth spurts and uneven growth. This can potentially lead to joint disease such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Your dogs fed a raw biologically appropriate diet tend to grow more slowly and steadily without the growth spurs and uneven bone growth.

Higher natural energy levels

When we eat too many carbs we all feel a bit bogged down, this is especially true for our furry friends even more so as they are not part of their natural diet. A raw diet allows natural energy levels to restore in your dog or cat leading to a much happier and perky pet.

Healthier and less poops

Because raw meat, bones and vegetables are digested easier than cooked grains and meat, this means less waste. The stools will be smaller, fewer and harder as well as a lot less smelly, making it a lot more pleasant to clear up.

Puppy

The first year of a dog's life is critical to their long-term development, and this includes their diet. Strong teeth and bones, shiny coats and bright, alert temperaments are just some of the signs that your puppy is getting all of the nutrition they require. By providing a raw, biologically-appropriate diet, rather than most commercially available foods, owners can help to promote healthy growth and protect their dogs from unwanted health side effects such as poor digestion, bad breath or greasy coats.

Similar to babies, when puppies are weaning and still getting used to solid food, they can occasionally suffer from digestive issues which can produce smelly, unhealthy stools. A natural, raw diet, which conforms to BARF principles, is much closer to the natural eating behavior of dogs, which means their bodies are less likely to reject it or have problems breaking it down. Appropriate digestion helps maintain energy levels and also promotes optimal oral and overall health.

Our Puppy Collection

Adult

A fully-grown dog should be fed around 2-3% of their body weight, ideally split into two meals per day. Choosing to feed a balanced, easily digestible, nutritious raw diet is the best way to promote health and happiness for your dog.

Available in a wide range of complete foods and minces, but also single proteins, raw meaty bones, muscle meat, offal, fish and a range of supplements.

Our Adult Dog Collection

Senior

In general, dogs of seven years or more start to slow down, and as a result, their nutritional needs are different to those of younger dogs. Senior dogs are generally less active, sometimes with a slower metabolism, and so can be prone to gain weight. They may also require support for their ageing joints and immune system.

Poor digestion can be a cause of discomfort for many older dogs. Dogs are naturally designed to digest food in an extremely efficient manner. Commercially available dog foods tend to contain additives and artificial ingredients that are difficult for most dogs, and especially older dogs, to digest. This can lead to digestive issues such as gas, bloating and problems when going to the toilet.

Our Senior Dog Collection

How much to feed your dog?

Adult dogs are supposed to be fed 2-3% of their ideal body weight. You may have to monitor you dogs weight once they hit their ideal as if they are still losing weight whilst being fed 2% you may need to increase to 3% to ensure their weight stabilizes.

Take a look at our below charts to help work out the ideal amount to feed your dog. However these numbers are just starting guides. You will need to adjust up or down accordingly, depending on the individual needs of your dog.

A puppy should be fed 3% of their adult weight. If you are unsure of their adult weight we recommend to feed them 8-10% of their current weight instead with weekly weighing to adjust for fluctuations in weight or growth spurts.

Some Confusing Jargon

  • B.A.R.F

    Biologically Approved Raw Food. A biologically approved raw diet is all about feeding dogs and cats ingredients that mimic their natural diet, just as Mother Nature intended!

  • 80/10/10

    80/10/10 is a ratio of raw food that constitutes 80% muscle meat 10% bone and 10% offal (liver, heart and kidneys). However this doesn't constitute a nutritionally complete diet.

  • Complete

    A complete diet needs to meet the nutritional guidelines set out by the EU. It must contain a minimum and maximum set of nutrients deemed essential for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. Which must also include muscle meat, bone and offal.

  • R.M.B

    Raw Meaty Bones. They are edible bone covered in raw muscle meat and connective tissue. They provide calcium and other nutrients playing a vital role in digestive health. It is however important to make sure to only feed RMB that are safe for consumption.

  • Offal

    What is offal? It's not a great sounding word, but offal refers to organ meats of animals. It includes liver, kidneys, heart, tongue, cheek, stomach and even brain, pancreas and spleen. Offal used to be very popular in our diet as it is relatively inexpensive but a powerhouse of nutrients.

  • Novel + Game

    Novel proteins are rare or unique animal proteins, such as buffalo or camel, that are less common than the chicken or beef found in many dog food formulations.

    Game proteins are wild animals that are usually hunted. Examples of this include: Venison, pheasant, quail, rabbit and many more.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamin A

Enhances immunity, prevents eye problems and skin disorders. Important in bone and teeth formation. Protects against colds and infection and slows the aging process.

Sources

  • Chicken
  • Pork
  • Egg
  • Salmon
  • Haddock
  • Sardines
  • Liver
  • Kidney
  • Brain
  • Tuna

Vitamin B

There are a lot of types of vitamin B that your dog needs with different benefits for each of them.

Shared sources:

  • Rabbit
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Pork
  • Lamb
  • Goat
  • Ostrich
  • Buffalo
  • Egg
  • Beef
  • Salmon
  • Haddock
  • Sardine

Vitamin B1(Thiamine):

Promotes growth, improves mental attitude, aids digestion, helps strengthen nervous system and prevents stress

Individual B1 sources:

  • Liver

Vitamin B2(Riboflavin):

Needed for red blood cell formation, aids growth and promotes hair, skin and nail growth. Important in the prevention of cataracts.

Individual B2 sources:

  • Liver
  • Heart

Vitamin B3(Niacin):

Essential for proper circulation and healthy skin. Increases energy, aids digestion and helps to prevent migraines.

Individual B3 sources:

  • Tuna

Vitamin B5(Pantothenic acid):

Enhances stamina, prevents anaemia, helps wounds heal, fights infection and strengthens immune system.

Individual B5 sources:

  • Liver
  • Heart
  • Kidney

Vitamin B6(Pyridoxine):

Needed to produce hydrochloric acid. Also aids in the absorption of fats and protein. Helps to prevent kidney stones. Helpful in treating allergies, arthritis and asthma.

Individual B6 sources:

  • Liver
  • Heart
  • Kidney

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid):

Works to produce red blood cells and helps iron work properly in the body. Important in pregnant females to lower risk of birth defects.

Individual B9 sources:

  • Liver

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin):

Helps to prevent anaemia. Protects nervous system, improves concentration and aids digestion.

Individual B12 sources:

  • Liver
  • Heart
  • Kidney

Vitamin C

Helps with calcium and iron formation, enhances the immune system, helps to prevent cancer, aids in production of ant stress hormones. Its also an antioxidant required for proper tissue growth and repair.

Sources:

  • Liver
  • Kidney
  • Heart
  • Fish

Vitamin D

Dogs cant get vitamin D from sunlight like humans can so it will need to come from their diet.

Essential for calcium and phosphorus utilization, prevents rickets, needed for normal growth of bones and teeth, helps regulate heartbeat, prevents cancer, enhances immune system, aids thyroid function and blood clotting.

Sources:

  • Egg
  • Sardine
  • Liver
  • Kidney
  • Salmon
  • Tuna

Vitamin E

Your dogs body cannot create its own Vitamin E, so it is important to make sure you feed your dogs foods that give them the right amount as too much can also be detrimental.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant which helps prevent cancer, prevents cell damage, reduced blood pressure and promotes healthy skin and coat.

Sources:

  • Ostrich
  • Buffalo
  • Egg
  • Haddock
  • Sardine
  • Kidney
  • Liver
  • Brain

Vitamin K

Promotes healthy liver function, helps and repairs bone function.

Sources:

  • Egg
  • Halibut
  • Haddock
  • Sardine
  • Liver

Zinc

Promotes growth and mental alertness. accelerates healing, regulates oil glands, promotes a healthy immune system and healing of wounds.

Sources:

  • Rabbit
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Pork
  • Lamb
  • Goat
  • Ostrich
  • Buffalo
  • Egg
  • Beef
  • Salmon
  • Haddock
  • Sardine

Calcium, Phosphorus & Magnesium

Calcium and Phosphorus help in bone formation and protection, whilst helping with heart rhythm. Whilst Phosphorus in addition helps with Kidney function.

However too much of these minerals can be detrimental which is where magnesium comes in, preventing calcification of soft tissue also reducing and dissolving calcium phosphate kidney stones. Magnesium also helps to prevent birth defects and improves the cardiovascular system.

Shared sources:

  • Rabbit
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Pork
  • Goat
  • Ostrich
  • Buffalo
  • Egg
  • Beef
  • Salmon
  • Haddock
  • Sardine

Calcium and Phosphorus exclusive sources:

  • Lamb
  • Beef

Manganese

Minute quantities of this mineral are needed for healthy nerves, blood sugar regulation, normal bone growth and thyroid hormone production.

Sources:

  • Rabbit
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Pork
  • Goat
  • Ostrich
  • Buffalo
  • Egg
  • Beef
  • Salmon
  • Haddock
  • Sardine

Iodine

Trace amounts needed for a healthy thyroid gland and helps metabolize excess fat.

Sources:

  • Salmon
  • Haddock
  • Egg

Iron & Copper

Iron is essential for metabolism and production of haemoglobin.

Copper converts iron into Haemoglobin and protects against anaemia. Its needed for healthy bones and joints.

Shared Sources:

  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Pork
  • Lamb
  • Goat
  • Ostrich
  • Buffalo
  • Egg
  • Beef
  • Salmon
  • Haddock
  • Sardine

Iron only sources:

  • Rabbit

Omega-3

Vital for brain development and growth. Eye health, heart health, reducing inflammation and so much more.

Sources:

  • Eggs
  • Salmon
  • Sardines
  • Mackerel

Potassium

Regulates water balance and muscular function. Important for nervous system health and a regular heart rhythm.

Sources:

  • Rabbit
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Pork
  • Lamb
  • Goat
  • Ostrich
  • Buffalo
  • Egg
  • Beef
  • Salmon
  • Haddock
  • Sardine

Selenium

Selenium is an important trace element for male dogs prostate glands. It also protects the immune system and helps to regulate thyroid hormones.

Sources:

  • Rabbit
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Pork
  • Lamb
  • Goat
  • Ostrich
  • Buffalo
  • Egg
  • Beef
  • Salmon
  • Haddock
  • Sardine