Question 1

What Is Grass-Fed Beef Tripe?

Accepted Answer

It's important to note that not all tripe is created equal. Most tripe sold for pets is made using only the stomach lining, but the tripe used in Real Raw also contains the partially digested vegetation from the cow's stomach. This significantly lowers the fat content, making it ideal for pets on a diet or with sensitive stomachs. By including the stomach contents, we also add a great source of fibre, minerals, and Omega-3s, which is missing from conventional tripe. Together, these nutrients aid in healthy digestion, maintain balance in the gut flora, and boost the immune system.

Question 2

What Is Whole Prey?

Accepted Answer

A whole prey diet involves feeding your pet the entire animal carcass, either ground or whole. With Real Raw, this means each patty includes muscle meat, bones, and organs, ensuring your dog consumes more than just trimmings and bits. They benefit from the complete animal, promoting balanced nutrition and an optimal phosphorus-to-calcium ratio!

Question 3

How Much Real Raw Should I Feed My Dog?

Accepted Answer

An adult dog will typically eat 2-3% of its body weight per day, though it's important to note that each pet is uniquely different in their weight, age, metabolism, and breed. Feeding amounts should be adjusted according to their weight. If you notice weight loss, up their food a little. If you notice weight gain, feed them a little less. It’s that simple!

Question 4

Should I Be Giving My Dog Supplements?

Accepted Answer

Whether your dog needs any extra supplementation is going to come down to their individual needs, but in general we recommend feeding your dog a variety of red and white meats to achieve a well-rounded nutritional balance. The tripe in Real Raw is already giving your dog a good dose of fibre, minerals and probiotics, so the only supplement we recommend broadly for all pets is a source of Omega-3's. You can incorporate some oily fish such as salmon or sardines into your pet's meals a few times per week, or you can add an Omega-3 oil on top of Real Raw. If your pet has a specific health concern you wish you treat, diet alone may not be enough and supplements might be necessary.

Question 5

What About Salmonella?

Accepted Answer

Salmonella is more of an issue for humans than it is for our pets. As long as safe food sourcing and handling practices are followed, salmonella is not a major concern for illness in healthy dogs and cats. Their bodies are adapted to eating raw meat, with enzymes in their saliva and highly acidic stomachs to kill pathogenic bacteria. After all, how many wolves do you see cooking their prey? 
Handle your pet's raw food the same way you would handle meat for yourself: wash your hands, utensils, and food preparation surfaces after handling your pet's food, and wash their bowl after every meal.

Question 6

Can I Give My Puppy Real Raw?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Puppies can be successfully weaned onto raw so it's never too early to start! Ensuring your puppy gets quality nutrition during their formative years is a great way to set them up for lifelong health.

Question 7

Isn't There A Difference Between Puppy And Adult Dog Food?

Accepted Answer

In nature, there is no specific food for puppies or babies - it's all just food. Growing puppies have higher energy needs than adult dogs, so they require more frequent meals and a larger proportion of food relative to their body weight. If you know your puppy's expected adult weight, feed them 2-3% of that weight. If you are unsure, start with 10% of their current weight for 8-12 week-old puppies and gradually decrease the amount until they are around 6-8 months old, when they will need about 5% of their current weight. As they mature, you can continue to decrease the amount until they reach adulthood, which is around 12-18 months depending on the breed.

Question 8

Can I Cook Real Raw?

Accepted Answer

We do not recommend cooking Real Raw as it contains ground raw bones, which can be difficult to digest and may cause issues when cooked. Additionally, the probiotics and enzymes in Real Raw cannot withstand high temperatures, so you would lose those benefits by cooking the food.

Question 9

How Long Does Real Raw Last In The Fridge Or Freezer?

Accepted Answer

Raw ground meats stay good in the freezer for up to 3-4 months. If you vacuum seal the patties, they can last a year or more with little to no change. When Real Raw is stored in its original packaging, you might notice some ice crystallization or oxidation on the outside of the patties due to air exposure. This doesn't damage the food or alter its nutritional properties; it's simply cosmetic and safe to feed. These changes are only surface-level, caused by the dry air of the freezer. Once thawed, raw food should be used within 2-3 days. Real Raw is conveniently portioned in 1/2 lb patties, making it easy to thaw only what you need for a day or two.

Question 10

Why Does This Batch Look/Smell Different From My Last One?

Accepted Answer

There will always be some variation between batches of Real Raw due to the nature of whole-prey processing. Made in small batches with fresh ingredients, each box you receive will likely come from a different batch. These variations stem from natural differences in animal composition, influenced by factors such as age, fat stores, and seasonal diets. The tripe used in Real Raw also causes differences in colour and odour between batches. Since our tripe comes from pasture-raised animals, the forage changes with the seasons. Different types of grasses, varying moisture levels, and the use of hay over winter all contribute to unique stomach contents. Nature is perfectly imperfect, and this is the beauty of feeding a diet crafted from nature rather than a fixed recipe.

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