Whether it’s freeze-dried, frozen, dehydrated, or store-bought, there are a variety of options for feeding raw food to your dog or cat. From shinier coats and increased energy to improved dental health and so much more, feeding your pet raw food, treats, or both comes with a range of health benefits!
No one understand the benefits of raw feeding for pets better than the founder of Stella & Chewy's, Marie Moody. In 1997, Marie adopted a dog named Stella from a local animal shelter, and shortly after decided that Stella needed a companion: enter, Chewy. Unfortunately, Chewy was a very sick pup, so to help with his health issues Marie took the advice of her veterinarian and began feeding Chewy a raw diet. He quickly recovered and both he and Stella thrived on their new food, leading Marie to pursue her passion for pet nutrition and start her own business – Stella & Chewy’s.
Considerations Before Feeding Raw Pet Food
Before determining if your pet should be fed raw food or treats, you’ll want to consider the following 5 key factors regarding choosing the right diet for them:
1. Activity Level
Food is fuel, so you’ll want to be sure that your pet’s exercise schedule matches the amount of calories they consume in a raw diet. From low to high and everywhere in between, a raw diet can be fed in varying amounts for your specific pet’s activity level.
2. Taste
Just like people, your pet wants their food to taste good, too! Raw food can offer new proteins, flavors and textures for them to enjoy. If your pet initially struggles to accept their new diet, we recommend adding a tasty freeze-dried raw meal topper like our best-selling Marie’s Magical Dinner Dust to help.
3. Allergies
Allergies can cause a variety of issues including tummy troubles, itching, dry and flaky coat, and more. Raw diets are beneficial for many dogs and cats with allergies as they contain quality ingredients and natural oils to support healthy skin and a shiny coat. Stella & Chewy's also offers many single source protein recipes as well as novel protein options such as venison, pork, and rabbit.
4. Age and Size
Nutritional needs vary depending on your pet’s specific age and size, so portions will play a big role when it comes to feeding raw. As with any pet food, smaller dogs tend to eat less while larger adult dogs usually need to be fed more. Pregnant or nursing dogs and growing puppies, especially ones that will be over 75 pounds when full grown, have specific nutritional needs and usually need to be fed up to two times more than normal adult dogs; thankfully we have a complete guide on Choosing a Diet for Your Puppy here.
5. Health
Regardless of what route you choose to take, a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial in maintaining good health for your pet. You can always consult with your veterinarian to determine whether or not a raw diet makes sense for your specific pet if you’re feeling unsure, and our customer service team is always happy to help, too.
You know your pet best, and if you think an all-natural raw food diet is the way to go, then you’re in good hands with the #1 Raw Pet Food in the USA: Stella & Chewy's!
The Top 10 Reasons Why Raw Feeding is Beneficial
Raw food and treats are growing in popularity, and there’s a reason for it! However, not all pet food is created equal, and this is particularly true for raw dog and cat food. Keep reading to find out more about the reasons why, and What Really Makes a Pet Food Better.
1. Less is More: Bioavailability! Think of a salad: a big bowl of fresh, whole, often organic and uncooked ingredients that make up a balanced, healthy meal—that’s raw food! Because raw food diets like Stella & Chewy's are formulated to mirror an ancestral diet with wholesome ingredients, the nutrients are "highly bioavailable," or easy for your pet to digest.
2. Improved Coat
Feeding your pet a raw diet gives them a shinier coat, which is an immediate invitation for head pats and belly scratches. The oils and fatty acids found in raw foods and treats support a shiny coat.
3. Healthy Skin, Teeth, and Overall Oral Health
Raw food and treats can improve the quality of your pet’s skin while also strengthening their gums to ensure proper dental hygiene. Raw diets also include natural enzymes and probiotics that help prevent tartar build-up.
4. Increased Energy
Pets that are fed a raw diet tend to experience an increase in energy levels because a strong inclusion of meat, organs, and ground bone support lean muscles.
5. Palatability
The flavors and textures of raw food and treats are unique experiences that pets love, which can be especially helpful for pet parents with picky eaters!
6. Better Digestion
This harks back to #1: Because raw diets are formulated based on your pet's biological needs, these wholesome meals digest more gently and efficiently and can be helpful for dogs with stomach issues. All Stella & Chewy's recipes also include added probiotics to promote optimal digestion.
7. And with better digestion comes... BETTER POOPS!
Ok, yes, this one may be a little gross; but it's something every pet owner deals with every day. A natural side effect of better digestive help is healthier, more regular bowel movements. Once your dog is fully on a raw diet, you may even notice that their stools are less frequent—as their body is utilizing so much of the food, less is being eliminated.
8. Muscle, Bone, and Joint Health
Raw food diets are naturally high in protein, and at Stella & Chewy's are formulated to include responsibly sourced muscle meat, organs, and bone. These high quality ingredients are naturally rich in glucosamine, chondroitin, and L-carnitine that support healthy teeth, bones, muscles and joints.
9. Weight Management
Because raw food diets (remember: like a salad) have simpler ingredients and less fillers, they are easier to digest and help your pet use more of the nutrients from their food. This naturally helps your furry friends with weight loss and sustaining healthy energy levels!
10. Multiple Transition Opportunities
Transitioning your dog or introducing your cat to a raw food diet presents an exciting opportunity for new and improved food that’s going to help their health! And, at Stella & Chewy’s, we have a variety of food, treats, and toppers to make the transition a success, because adding even a little bit of raw nutrition into your pet’s diet is better than none at all.
Common Reasons for Not Going Raw
As all-natural pet food and treats become more popular, the number of questions surrounding the topic also increases. A few reasons why pet parents might not consider a raw diet include:
Health Requirements
When recommended by a veterinarian, some pets are unable to eat a raw diet because of specific health conditions.
Possible Contamination and Food Safety Concerns
Handling raw food or treats should be done with care and attention as to avoid any contamination during the preparation process. You’ll want to make sure that your home is equipped with the right space for raw products to be stored. Rest assured, at Stella & Chewy’s all of our frozen and freeze-dried raw products go through HPP (high pressure processing) to naturally destroy harmful bacteria while assuring the food’s nutritional value is not affected.
Preferences
While raw food is usually the most enticing option for picky eaters, many pets and pet parents can prefer to feed other types of diets. Especially for cats, wet food is also a biologically appropriate meal choice, while many dog parents choose to feed dry food (kibble) because it's more economical.
Raw and Raw-Inspired from Stella & Chewy’s
From freeze-dried raw dog food and dog treats to wet or dry cat food, and more - Stella & Chewy’s offers a wide variety of raw and raw-inspired pet food. For example, check out these tips for feeding your dog dental treats that have the irresistible flavor of freeze-dried chicken!
As always, it’s recommended to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s diet. Our team is also here to answer any questions, and you can learn more about products, updates, and more from Our Blog: For the Pet Obsessed.