Why Feed Raw
Cats and dogs have survived through the ages with paws and teeth that are designed for ripping, catching, and tearing of the animals upon which they prey. These, of course, are attributes of a carnivore. The digestive track of both cats and dogs are essentially identical to the species from which they have descended through the ages, allow for the rapid elimination of that which is digested, so the food moves through their systems quickly. Because they have the physiology of a meat-eater, the caregivers of cats and dogs should treat them like the carnivores that are found in nature. No matter how much we try we cannot change or improve on what comes naturally to our pets. It makes sense to duplicate what nature has designed in the interest of natural health for our companion animals. Raw food gives them what they need to thrive, which is just the opposite of the so-called “nutritious food” that comes in a can, bag, or pouch

Benefits
If you were told that by feeding your pet raw dinners you could:

Revitalize your animals’ organs and immune system;

Dramatically reduce or eliminate plaque build-up on their     teeth

Increase alertness and attention;

Produce healthier skin;

Create a softer shinier coat;

Enhance overall health and well-being;

Lessen or eliminate the need for poisonous flea-control     treatments;

...and Eliminate hairballs for cats;

you would likely ask, ‘Where do I sign up?’.

Let us assure you that these are just some of the benefits you can expect from feeding raw meals to your companion animals.
As a side note, let us also tell you that if you have allergies to cats and or dogs you may be pleasantly surprised to find that you are a lot more comfortable around animals fed raw food than animals fed a high in gluten diet.

The Myths About Feeding Raw

Aggression
There is no truth that a cat or dog becomes more aggressive after tasting blood in raw meat. In fact, just the opposite is true. Your pet will have a better attention span and will be calmer when maintained on a raw food diet because they will not be just “existing” on a high-in-grain/low-in-protein diet.

Domestication

Another myth is that cats and dogs have been domesticated so long that their bodies have evolved to the point that they can no longer tolerate the foods of their ancestors. 
What is the basis of this myth? 
We cannot be sure, but perhaps it originated with the commercial pet food industry that tends to offer pet owners foods that contain too many cereals and other undesirables. Regardless, though, no scientific evidence supports the claim that cat and dogs should not eat raw meat. 
(While it is true that they have been our companion animals for thousands of years, studies have proven that domesticated dogs are genetically related to wolves (Canis lupus) and domesticated cat are genetically related to the larger cat (Felis catus) of Africa.
Let us assure that, even though your pet may not consistently hunt for food, their physiology remains unchanged from their ancestors.

Bacteria and Parasites

Microbes such as bacteria, along with parasites and other biological organisms can be of a clear benefit in nature because they can metabolize/decay organic matter (materials that are or that were once alive).  Parasites and unfavorable bacteria and other organisms will not promote health in your cat or dog and fortunately many of those organisms cannot survive in an unfavorable environment.  The digestive tract of a healthy cat or dog includes organs that are acidic (low pH) environments that can kill bacteria and parasites.  Raw food makes the “terrain” unfavorable for bacteria and parasites, thus making that healthy animal an unfit host for those pathogens.  People tend to be healthier when their digestives tracts are generally alkaline (high pH).  Conversely, our companions having four paws are healthier when their digestive tracts are acidic.  And, their shorter intestines move the food through quickly so that the partially-digested food does not sit for hours in the gut, potentially acquiring or propagating viable bacteria growth.

The Different Approaches

1) There are several different approaches to the feeding raw diet philosophy.  One is called BARF, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.  This comes out of Australia from a veterinarian, Dr. Ian Billinghurst, whose philosophy includes using raw meaty bone as a large portion of a dog’s diet.

2) Kymythy Schultze wrote a book called NATURAL NUTRITION for DOGS and CATS. In her book she refers to species-appropriate foods that are described and listed. Ms. Schultze tells you how to duplicate a natural diet for pets by using ingredients found in most grocery and health food stores.

3) Hardcore enthusiasts use the “Prey Model,” which involves feeding whole carcasses to animals.  The philosophy behind this model is that animal carcasses are full of live enzymes and nutrients that are perfect constituents in the digestive tract of a naturally healthy pet. 

4) Lastly, let’s talk about one of the approaches that we use at RAW! 4 PAWS AND MORE.  Given today’s lifestyles and time constraints we suggest using prepackaged meals.  Our experience dictates that some of the models described above, perhaps particularly the Prey Model, are not found to be acceptable to some pet caregivers or they don’t fit the lifestyles of some caregivers and therefore, practically speaking, we cannot expect that those models will be used in all homes with pet companions.  RAW! 4 PAWS AND MORE believes that we provide an alternate that is practical, convenient, and affordable so that all pet caregivers can maintain their pets on raw food diets.

We want to tell you, though; it is good to experience these different approaches at least once.  There is a lot of pleasure in watching your cat or dog enjoying the experience of being who they are, and the changes in them will be enlightening to you.  Most certainly, using any of the models described above are better alternatives to feeding commercial pet food to your companion.  Not only do you know exactly what is in the food that you are feeding your pet, you know your animal is getting live enzyme-rich nutrients. 
Who wants to intentionally feed DEAD food?

Getting Started

For most cats and dogs transitioning to raw should be done gradually at first.  This would be a good time to read the “I’m thinking about putting my dog and or cat on a raw food diet” section of the FAQs.  You should take the time to figure out how your animal is going to respond.  We don’t want you to potentially sabotage a successful transition to a raw food diet by suddenly putting down a plate of raw food for your pet without a gradual phase-in period. 
Rather, we suggest that you eliminate any surprised reactions by your pet by “testing the waters” first.  We recommend placing a teaspoon or tablespoon of raw meat or chicken on top of your animal’s dinner food that you have typically used in the past.  See what she/he does with it.  See if she/he eats the sample of meat along with the other food, and if so then proceed with the suggestions shown below.  Note that if your animal is not attracted to the raw food sample, call us or e-mail us and we’ll share our experiences with you about how to convert reluctant animals. 

For Young and Healthy Dogs
Day One
Substitute ¼(25%) of the normal dinner amount of regular food with raw food and see what the reaction is. If the meal is consumed in a normal amount of time you should be very encouraged.

Day Two
If by the next day's dinner there is no unusual reaction you should mix ½(50%) the regular food amount with 50% raw food.

Day Three
If there is no unusual reaction to this raw food increase you should substitute ¾ (75%) of the next day's dinner amount with raw food added to the ¼(25%) of the amount of regular food.

Day Four
On the fourth day the entire dinner amount (100%) will be raw food. If your experience does not go smoothly refer to the FAQs section, give a call, or email us and we will give you some suggestions to help with the transition. We are very good at paw holding.

For Dogs Who Have Or Have Had Health Issues

Please refer to the “Things to Consider Before Transitioning” and “How Do I Transition My Animal..." in the FAQs Section.”  This is not the place to start for an animal with a medical history that includes the administration of one or more medications.  The “gut” has to be repaired first.

For Some Cats

For cats that are reluctant to even try new food we recommend placing a minute amount of raw food right next to their regular food at meal time.  At first, your cat might ignore the new food.  But eventually, your cat will realize that you want her/him to try the food and she/he will give it a try.  Be patient.  This can be as simple as who is more determined.  You are the instructor who is teaching your cat to eat something different than what she/he was previously taught to eat.  A cat's survival depends on their resistance to a change in diet.  This is how Nature intended them to be for their own protection.  Do not label this instinctive behavior “finicky,” as doing so may only add to your frustration, if in fact you find this transition frustrating.  Sometimes organ meat can be very helpful in this process since cats love the smell of organ meats, so for them the stronger the odor of the food, the less the resistance to trying it.  Although it may not feel like you are in charge, but in fact you are, because you bring home the food and in their world, that makes you the alpha cat.  So we suggest that you play the part confidently.  No fretting or stressing out over the conversion to raw.  Know that you will win in the end if you persist.  Please refer to the FAQs for some encouragement, and again, call/email if you have comments, questions or concerns.

With A History of Being on Medication

Present day medication protocols tend to make a cat's or dog’s “gut” unable to tolerate raw food and therefore if your companion is on medication then you will have to make efforts to heal the digestive track before or when starting to feed raw.  In this process probiotics and digestive enzymes or stomach acid have to be utilized to help with the healing.  Sometimes the fresh food has to be cooked until the “terrain” has improved.  The selection of the protein source has to be considered as well.  Many times these animals cannot tolerate red meats in the beginning.  After the healing process, though, they can tolerate raw food as well as red meats without a problem.  In cases like these animal homeopathy can be a lifesaver.  Several times, we have seen medications, which were not previously effective (or perhaps were causing harm), begin to work after the introduction of homeopathic remedies.  Life is great when you see the relief on an owner’s face or hear it in their voice when the blood test reveals that the system is working better than before the medication was needed.  These are unique situations that call for case specific approaches.  You will need to talk to or email us directly so your individual needs can be addressed.  Animal Homeopathy is a natural alternative that will help to restore your confidence and belief in what we are all trying to accomplish–naturally healthy companions.

Ask yourself, “How important is this to me and my animal?”  Is it important enough to commit to it for three weeks, three months, three years?  Is it important enough to step out of my comfort zone and ultimately improve my companion’s quality of life?  Converting your companion’s diet is not for the faint of heart.  Our animals are very perceptive and will sense any reluctance buried beneath our exterior continence.  Therefore any lack of commitment will forestall a successful outcome.  Decide how long you will commit to this project.  The rewards will be great.  Your companion will quickly show the benefits.  Once you get into the flow of feeding raw food it will be as natural as mixing up an already prepared salad…just add some water (dressing), a little this and a little that, mix, and serve.
Cats and dogs thrive on the same raw meat and vegetable dinners, although, some cats and small dogs seem to prefer the higher ratio of meat to vegetables (10% veggies to 90% meat).  You may have to adjust the ratios until you find a combination that works for both of you.  Some animals will need special ratios for their specific needs.  Most are just fine on the prepared meals sold in stores, which is a ratio of 25% veggies to 75% meat.  For the most part, cats and dogs thrive on the same recipe of fresh raw meat dinners.  Try to use organic meat and veggies whenever possible.  If organic is not accessible conventionally grown is still far better than commercial pet food, which by any practical definition is fast food.
The other thing about changing diets is that for most animals it should be done gradually.  Just like people our companions have different likes, needs, and personalities.   There are always exceptions.  For example some animals are just fine converting to raw in a short space of time.  Others will not eat the raw food at first.  But until you figure out that your situation is unusual follow our suggestions. 
It is not necessary to speed through the process; it certainly doesn’t have to be that dramatic.  A gradual back and forth—with your companion’s assistance—will keep everyone happily on the same page.  Throughout the entire process, watch for signs of your companion’s body attempting to detoxify, symptoms of which would include diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, weepy eyes and/or runny nose, and unusual amounts of itching.  Again, a gradual approach makes life easier for all concerned.  Raw food, though great for our companions, can be a shock to their digestive track.  If you existed on only processed food, you too would likely experience withdrawal and/or detox symptoms once you started a “fresh food” diet.  Converting is a matter of weaning our companions off their present food onto their species appropriate diet gradually.
If after the conversion process you have an animal that eats the food sometimes and not at other times or an animal that is not always hungry at meal time, then eliminate all treats and any other food sources.  Smaller animals may be especially prone to fill up quickly on treats.  Animals are smart and it is true that they can be reluctant to eat their meal when they can depend on filling up on treats later. 
Cats that are indoor/outdoor animals have already experienced raw food because they are natural hunters.  Nature has a way of protecting these animals that kill for sport.   They will only eat what they are taught to eat.  This fact can make indoor cats a challenge to convert to raw.  Be patient.  You’ll be happy with the results once you see the difference raw food makes in their quality of life.
By feeding raw food dinners we are trying to duplicate what our companions would eat in the wild.  There they would consume most if not all of their prey.  They would eat the skeleton as well as the fur.  In our attempt to mimic Nature we have to add calcium or ground bone to the dinner.  Raw meat is high in phosphorus.  Calcium is needed to balance out all that phosphorus.  Enzymes and probiotics are needed to ensure your animal is assimilating all that good food you are feeding.  Animals in the wild would get this from the gut of their prey.
Cows graze.  Cats and dogs do not.  Feed an adult cat/dog only once per day unless the animal is sick or underweight.  Cats and dogs are designed to gorge when there’s food and fast when there’s not.  Feed your adult companions at a time convenient for both of you.  In contrast, we all know puppies and kittens need to eat multiple times throughout the day because they are growing fast and they have to consume amounts of food that will facilitate their continuous growth spurt.  They need lots of calcium to support the accelerated growth of those bones. 
A healthy adult dog needs to eat once per day and fast for 24 hours every week or two.  We fast our adult dogs on every Sunday so their digestive tracks can rest and detoxify.  It helps to have a pattern because then they know what to expect and they are satisfied with the fasting period.  Note that your companions should always have plenty of clean fresh distilled water to drink.  Sometimes you can give them a bone to chew on to make yourself feel comfortable.
Some dogs will skip a day of eating on their own.  These are usually single animal households since these dogs are not under pressure to consume their food before their “house mate” eats more than one’s share.  Don’t be alarmed.  If they are acting normal, then there’s no reason to be concerned.  They will eat eventually.  If they are lethargic and not acting like themselves, then it is time to be concerned.  Personality changes are good indicators that something is wrong.
Cats are different.  They are much more independent than dogs. 
You DO NOT want your cat to stop eating.  Sometimes cats just need exposure to different food.  For example, we recommend that you consistently put down a tiny amount of the new food at meal time right next to their regular food.  And, eventually they will naturally investigate it.  If you’re trying to speed things along, you might use a treat or some other type of bait (preferably a favorite food mixed into the new) to coax your cat into trying a new food.  If your cat will not eat, is lethargic, and or starts to hide, then you should be concerned.  It is part of their nature to only eat what they are taught to eat, so be aware that cats are very comfortable resisting dietary changes.  That’s why we feel it is very important to get them use to changes in their diet from when they are very young.
Now don’t get overwhelmed with the details.  One step at a time, get your companion transitioned to eating fresh wholesome raw food.
We recommend feeding organic meat and veggies whenever possible.  Sometimes organic is not readily available in your area.  Don’t let that stop you.  It is far better to feed raw meat and veggies whether they are organic or the meat and veggies sold at most grocery stores.  RAW! is the operative word here.  

Calculator and Weekly Planner  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Is raw food safe for my dog or cat ? 

Yes, it is safe.  Dogs are the same physically as their wild counterparts, wolves. Cat are the same physically as their wild predecessor, African wild cats.  They were designed to thrive on a raw food diet. 
They have not changed physiologically over the years as the pet food industry would have us believe.  They can survive on kibble but their quality of life and life span will be compromised.

I'm feeding the best food money can buy right now. How do you improve on that?

Cost does not guarantee nor replace nutrients.  There is no “daily value” (vitamin-mineral- protein) standard for pets.  On the contrary, the standard of the industry is to use extremely high temperatures to heat proteins and fats to kill off bacteria.  This allows rendering plants to use any and all sources for their proteins including any dead animal and discarded road kill.  So unless your pet food is 100% Human Grade fresh meat and vegetables, you can’t be positive what’s in it.

What can I expect from feeding a raw food diet? 
Because you are feeding food rich in nutrients your animal/s will stay young longer. Degenerative diseases are not the norm with a raw meat and veggie diet. You can expect your animal to have a more youthful behavior, a shinier coat, and an improved immune system-not to mention a more focused demeanor. Also expect a longer life span with a better quality of life for your animal.
Another plus would be fewer poops to pick up. Animals utilize more of the raw food since it has more to offer than empty "fillers". They eat less of the raw food since it is rich in nutrients. They don't eat the same amount each day and they eat less in hot weather that in cold weather.
Right after transitioning to raw some animals act like they are overeating. They are just trying to get nutritionally satiated. Once that balance occurs, they naturally cut back the amount of food they are consuming.

Can my animal get parasites or e-coli from the raw food? 

Again, domesticated cats and dogs have the very same digestive track their wild ancestors used to break down their food.  I’ve never read about one of them hunting down a can of food or a bag of kibble.  They never heated their food up in a microwave oven and they still flourished.  Isn’t it amazing how they have managed to survive, in fact flourish, through the ages without the pet food industry (which is now a 16 billion dollar a year industry that’s only about 70 years old)?  A healthy immune system should keep the parasites and bacteria in check.

I'm a vegetarian. Can I feed my dog/cat a vegetarian diet? 
Our Companion animals are carnivores not herbivores. They will not thrive on an animal protein free diet. They may survive but their bodies will break down sooner without the proper nutrients.

I've always been concerned about what exactly is in commercial pet food. I've been cooking food for my animal for years. Is that as good for him as the raw diet? 
No. Heat denatures nutrients naturally present in food. Many people feeding raw, fed their companions cooked homemade meals prior to being introduced to raw. Take it a step further since you're going to the trouble of fixing cooked meals. Experiment some more. Continue preparing the food, just don't cook it. Make life easier and healthier for you and your animal.

I tried feeding raw and my cat /dog had diarrhea... I'm afraid to try it again.

Understandably, there is no need to rush the process of converting your animal to a fresh food diet.  Diarrhea is a means by which the body can eliminate something it finds toxic, and therefore part of the detoxification process.  We suggest that you slow down the conversion to fresh food and, by doing so, you will slow down the rate of detox.  Use smaller amounts of fresh raw meat.  Leave out the veggies at first.  Introduce one thing at a time so you know what is causing the reaction.  Don’t be afraid to back up to the previous combination of processed food and raw meat that did not cause a reaction.  Maybe change the protein source and see if that slows things down.  That’s why it is important to decide before hand how long you will commit to the process. (See...things to consider). However long transitioning takes, it will be worth your time.

I have a kitten/puppy. How old does she/he have to be before I can feed him a raw diet? 
If she/he can eat the food when offered she/he's old enough to eat it. Obviously "mother's milk" is the best choice for a kitten/puppy. Sometimes it is not available for whatever reason. If the kitten/puppy eats the raw food when you offer it, your companion is old enough to have it (approximately 2 ½ to 3 weeks).

How do I get rid of hot spots? 
There is no quick fix. Detoxify the elimination organs. You need patience, persistence, and perseverance. Homeopathics work beautifully to bring relief and speed healing of the skin while going through detox. A natural organic diet is a must. Veggies that reduce body heat are a must.

Give us a call or send us an email and we will walk you through the process of “cooling off” the body.

What do I do for chronic ear infections? 

We suggest that you support the immune system.  No matter the source of the infections—foxtail, yeast, bacteria, and or parasites – the immune system is responsible for maintaining a “healthy” balance.  First and foremost, change the diet to fresh food.  Food is the best medicine.  Fresh raw food has more nutrients to offer than processed!  Homeopathic remedies can be very helpful in a situation like this because they can get at the underlying contributor to the imbalance as well as provide relief during this process.

How much do I feed my cat or dog? 
Take a look at the calculator in the previous section. (link)Put in your particulars and it will calculate an answer just for your situation.

I'm feeding a raw food diet to my animal. Why do I have to feed supplements? 

The concept behind a raw diet is to mimic our companions’ ancestral diet in the wild.  There she/he would consume most if not all of her/his prey.  That includes the skeletal structure as well as the fur/skin.  Supplements are part of this attempt to mimic the entire consumption of their catch.  Calcium (bones) balances out the phosphorous in the raw meat.  Still further, digestive enzymes would be present in the stomach of their prey.  Probiotics would be in the gut.  A “fresh kill” would be loaded with all kinds of good “stuff.”

My cat /dog will only eat chicken/beef. Why do I have to worry about rotating the protein source? 
Your animal will eventually stop eating the protein that she/he is eating right now.  It makes sense to stay ahead of the situation by acclimating everyone to a daily rotation. Companions will tire of the same thing every day and can develop allergies to that particular food.  Why wait for that to happen?  Also each food brings different nutrients to the bowl.  Eating the same thing exposes your animal to a limited resource of vitamins, enzymes, and minerals.  It makes sense to offer as full a spectrum as possible by expanding the available options, doesn’t it?

How do I transition my animal to a raw food diet? 
Start out by substituting part of the typical size meal with raw meat or chicken. Remember, you are using their regular quantity of food as a guide or starting point.

(Diagram days 1-3) On days 1 to 3, place a ½ teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of raw ground beef or raw ground chicken on top of your animal’s regular food serving and see what she does with the raw food.
With your cat or small dog the ground texture will be helpful. If you dog is medium size and up, chunks of chicken or beef will be just fine. The quantity of food will be governed by the size of your companion.

(Diagram days 3-6) If all goes well—that is, if no detox signs are apparent—then on days 3-6, increase the amount of raw food to ¼ the total amount of food decreasing the total amount of commercial food by ¼.




(Diagram days 6-9) Again if no signs of detox on days 6-9, then increase the amount of raw meat to ½ the total amount of food decreasing the total amount of commercial food by ½.
Yet another change is coming. For days 9-12, add in some veggies now that we know your companion likes the raw meat. We suggest that you start with a small amount of grated or mashed veggies. No frozen vegetables because they have a high sodium content. Eeuw! You can start out by sharing some of your steamed veggies if you like. You will need such a small amount of veggies at first, a ½ teaspoon to 1 tablespoon depending on the size of the animal and the total amount of the meal.

(Diagram days 9-12) On days 9-12, the increased amount of raw food will include a small portion of vegetables. At this point you are up to ¾ raw to ¼ commercial foods.

(Diagram days 12-15)  So on days 12-15, with very little signs of detoxification, your companion should be having a complete meal of fresh foods, consisting of 75% to 92% meat with 25% to 8% veggies respectively. 

Most books say 25% vegetables to 75% meat.  Cats and small dogs are fine with the smaller percent of veggies and the larger percent of meat.  Medium and large dogs are fine with larger amounts of veggies because the serving size of their meal is bigger so they automatically get more meat in their diet.  Let your animal guide you.  Play around with the ratios of protein to vegetable until you hit a level that works for both of you.  Some animals need special ratios for their specific needs.  But most are just fine on the prepared meals sold in stores, which are typically 25% vegetables to 75% meat.  Now is a good time to acclimate them to a calcium supplement.  By now, you know the drill.  Start out with a small amount at first then increase from the introductory amount gradually.  The instructions on the package will be helpful in determining the amount of calcium supplement to work towards.

Is it ok to combine chicken with beef? 
No, the combination will be taxing on the system.  The stomach wants to manufacture one type of digestive enzyme at a time.  Each food needs its own enzyme to be digested.  The stomach will not continue to accommodate the multiple enzymes needed at the same time. So do your best to serve chicken with chicken and beef with beef.  Ideally, you want to feed one protein source per meal.  Sometimes it can’t be helped.  For example you have food left over from two previous meals but not enough of one protein by itself so you might have to serve what you’ve got on hand.  Perhaps you have to use up the leftovers from two days before they spoil.  The thought about “mixing protein sources” here is try to serve fowl with fowl and red meat with red meat, that would be chicken and turkey at the same time or beef and lamb at the same time if you just had to mix protein sources.  Do your best not to, but if you “gotta you gotta”.  Get the picture?

Is it ok to leave the raw food meal out all day? 
No, to add to the fun, you should never leave the raw food out all day.  Set a timer.  Put out the food for 20 to 30 minutes.  If some of the food is not consumed, pick up the leftovers, wrap it up and put it in the refrigerator until the next meal or the next time you serve that protein source.  Remember, the meat will spoil in the refrigerator if you wait longer than 2 to 3 days to serve it again.  

Is it ok to serve "leftovers" with newly defrosted food so as not to waste food?
Yes, but do not mix old food with new food in the same dish.  For example, you have leftover chicken but not enough for another meal.  You defrost more chicken to complete the amount you need for dinner.  Do not mix in the “old” food with the newly defrosted chicken.  Once you mix old with new you will end up with all old chicken.  If your animal wasn’t hungry for chicken that day because they were mixed together the shelf life of the new food is now equal to the shelf life of the old food.  Just serve them in separate dishes so you can prevent mixing old and new.  Be sure to serve the old food first because it has to be consumed this time or you’ll have to throw it away.  When it’s consumed you can now put down the dish of newly defrosted food.

My Cat/Dog cannot eat a container of meat before it spoils if I rotate protein sources. Can I refreeze the rest of the meat?
No, refreezing cannot remove the bacteria buildup that occurred during defrosting.  We suggest not defrosting completely in the first place!  “Get the meat” to a place where it is “pliable” or starting to defrost but not completely so it is still hard and “icy”.  Now take a knife and fork and cut the “meat” into serving sizes.  For example, a one pound container of chicken is four meals for your Cat/Dog.  So cut the “starting to defrost-icy” pound of chicken into four sections then wrap-up each section individually.  Place these quarter sections in a bag labeled chicken so you know what bag you need to take from on a “chicken day.”  Store the bag in the freezer.   Perhaps you can purchase the meats already in serving sizes?  If not, follow the preceding suggestion with all of the different meats your animal consumes.

Summary
Lastly, a word about rotating the proteins and veggies in the dinners: It may be easier to continue to feed the same combination everyday but eventually your animal will tire of that combo.  Plan ahead.  Convert them to 3 to 5 raw meat protein sources and vegetables as well.  You would not continue to enjoy the same food day after day.  There are nutrients you would be missing out on as well.  The same goes for your companion animals.  They need a rotation of 3 to 5 protein sources and 3 to 5 vegetables. See Weekly Planner 
Take it one day at a time.  Call us if you need clarification.  We will be glad to explain any point.  We know we’ve made a lot of them in this section.  There are nuances that are too lengthy to include here.  Feel free to call or email your questions or concerns for that matter.  We are always happy to promote raw feeding for your Companion Animals.  Thank you in advance for the opportunity.


POST SCRIPT:

The next section is to help owners make an informed decision about whether or not to feed non commercial food to their animals.

(Click here to read article)