Why Raw

Raw Made Easy

Whether you have a purebred, rescue, cat or dog, your furry friend is a massive part of your life, Keeping them happy and healthy for as long as possible is your goal and at Growlies we share that passion. That’s why we provide species-appropriate nutrition choices for all. We want to make fresh pet food easy. So, why raw?

Dogs are adaptable and opportunistic. They will eat pretty much anything to survive, but recent studies have shown that dogs are facultative carnivores, not omnivores. Dogs still share some of the genetic makeup of the gray wolf, its ancestor, and this is most obvious when observing their anatomy and physiology. Dogs have powerful teeth, acidic intestines and a short digestive system. The natural diet of the Timber Wolf, one of dog’s closest living wild relatives, is made up of deer as well as beaver, rabbit, rodents and other small animals. When food sources are lean, wolves and wild dogs can supplement their diets with eggs, fish, fruit, seeds, nuts and grasses until hunting is better. 

Kibble is a lifeless food made of denatured proteins, inactive enzymes and none of the natural and beneficial microflora required for a healthy GI tract. While dogs have evolved to gain nutrition from a variety of sources, much of the actual nutrition in kibble is cooked out of the food during the extrusion process. The high temperatures required to create kibble kill the essential amino acids and denote the proteins, as well as eliminate the good bacteria needed for healthy digestion. A diet filled with heavily processed food isn’t good for people, nor for our dogs. 

There are many characteristics you’ll notice when you switch your dog to a raw food diet, some are more apparent while others are not immediately obvious. 

- A smoother, shiner coat
- Decreased body odour
- minimized or eliminated bad breath
- Cleaner teeth- Smaller, less smelly, less frequent stools
- Improved energy levels
- Reduced allergy symptoms
- Improved digestion
- Better weight control
- Decreased thirst 

Did You Know Dogs are Facultative Carnivores NOT Omnivores?

A facultative carnivore is an animal that does best on a carnivorous diet

A facultative carnivore is an animal that does best on a carnivorous diet (one that consists entirely of animal tissue), but can survive, but not thrive, on a non carnivorous diet. How do you know dogs are facultative carnivores? Feed them a carrot. It will come out in chunks, completely undigested. This is because they have no ability to break down the cellulose using cellulase. They are nothing but fibre to them. Facultative carnivores will eat anything to stave off starvation, bu they need meat, bone and organ to be healthy and thrive. 

Their health and nutrition is important to you and important to us. 

Did You Know Cats are Obligate Carnivores? 

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Is a Raw Food Diet Healthy for Puppies or Kittens?

Yes! Puppies and kittens can start eating raw food as soon as they begin to wean from their mother. There are even raw brands that at have recipes that are specifically formulated just for puppies and just for kittens. 

How to Start Your Dog on Raw

To get started, select an easily digestible raw protein (we recommend Turkey or Rabbit) to feed for the first two weeks. Be sure to add puréed pumpkin and a slippery elm bark supplement to every meal for those first fourteen days to ensure a smooth transition. On the average fresh meats diet, an adult dog will eat 2-3% of their body weight per day. If your dog is overweight or less active, feed them a little less. If your dog is very active we recommend feeding a bit more. Switching is as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Feed your dog half of their regular meal for breakfast.

2. Time to make the switch! For dinner, feed your dog 1/2 off their recommended daily raw amount (plus puréed pumpkin + slippery elm).

3. Congratulations, your dog is now on raw! Continue feeding Turkey or Rabbit for the next 14 days and then we recommend rotating between 3-5 different proteins per month for optimal nutrition and supplementing for optimal health!

How to Start Your Cat on Raw

To get started, pick-up several cans of higher quality cat food and select an easily digestible raw protein (we recommend Turkey or Rabbit) to feed for the first two weeks. Cats require 2-4% of their body weight per day in raw food. If your cat is overweight or less active, feed them a little less. If your cat is very active we recommend feeding a bit more. Switching your cat can be easier Han you think! 

1. Add half a teaspoon of your selected raw protein to your cat’s canned food. Mix throughly and serve.

2. Add a full teaspoon of your selected raw protein to your cat’s canned food. Mix throughly and serve. 

3. Each meal, continue increasing the amount of raw protein and decreasing the amount of canned cat food until your cat’s meal is entirely raw! Once your cat has transitioned we recommend rotating between 3-4 proteins per month for optimal nutrition and supplementing for optimal health! 

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