It's RAWGUST! We can't think of a better time to talk about feeding a raw diet to our dogs and cats.
In this blog we'll talk about raw feeding safety!
When you hear the words "raw feeding" what do you think of? Many peoples' first thought is "what about bacteria?" That's a great question, and we're here to talk about bacteria and all things raw food safety!
Safe Handling & Serving Techniques
When handling raw pet foods, treat the food just as you would any raw meat. Here are some basic tips to follow:
1) Frozen raw food should be kept in the freezer until you're ready to feed your pet. Frozen food may be thawed in the refrigerator or counter before feeding. After thawing, raw food stays about four days in the refrigerator without significant nutrient loss. After four days, any remaining thawed food should not be served.
2) Wash your hands after preparing and serving a raw food meal.
3) Use a dedicated container for storage and a dedicated bowl for feeding. We prefer to use glass or stainless steel containers/bowls when storing AND feeding raw food. These materials are non-porous and easy to clean.
4) Clean any surface the raw food has touched during preparation, and clean the bowl after your pet eats.
More on Bacteria
Next, let's talk more about that bacteria. Simply put? Any raw meat (for human or pet consumption) has the potential to contain bacteria and other pathogens. Cats and dogs are biologically designed to handle these bacteria, often naturally having them in their systems. In reality, the question of food safety is more for the pet parents than for the pets themselves. Many canned and dry foods can also contain bacteria. That is why we encourage our pet parents to use safe food handling techniques regardless of the pet food they are feeding. So how are bacteria handled by raw food companies? Read on to learn!
High Pressure Processing (HPP)
High-pressure processing or "HPP" is a nonthermal (cold) food preservation technology that uses water and high pressure to inactivate foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, including salmonella, e.coli, and listeria among others. HPP inactivates pathogens without the use of heat, which means the raw food retains its nutrients and benefits.. The use of HPP makes raw pet food safer for pets and pet parents, removing most of the risk of contact with bacteria and other pathogens. Most of the brands of raw food we carry utilize HPP in their food-making processes.
Foods Made Without HPP
Raw pet foods that are made without the utilization of HPP are still safe to feed. Again, this is because cats and dogs are biologically designed to handle bacteria that exist in raw food. Studies have shown, and some nutrition specialists believe that the bacteria present and unchanged without the use of HPP is very beneficial to a healthy gut biome for dogs and cats.
If you'd like to "dive into" the subject with further, schedule a nutritional consult with one of our certified nutrition specialists here:
Thanks for joining us for our first RAWGUST blog topic. There'll be more blogs about raw food during the month of August. Don't forget to shop the best raw pet food deals in Omaha, NE Green Spotters!