why feed raw?

Dogs are facultative carnivores with a digestive system evolved over thousands of years to process raw meat, bone, and organ. Cats are obligate carnivores — they have a biological requirement for nutrients found only in animal tissue, including taurine, arachidonic acid, and pre-formed Vitamin A.

Commercial dry food (kibble) has been around for less than 100 years. Prior to that, pets ate table scraps, whole prey, and raw meat — and thrived. The rise of ultra-processed pet food is a relatively recent phenomenon, driven largely by convenience and commercial interest rather than nutritional science.

Many owners who switch to raw feeding report improvements across a range of areas:

• Coat and skin — shinier, healthier coat and less itching or dandruff
• Dental health — raw meaty bones naturally clean teeth and reduce plaque
• Digestion — smaller, less frequent, less smelly stools
• Energy and weight — better muscle condition and easier weight management
• Allergies and sensitivities — fewer ingredients means fewer potential triggers
• Hydration — raw food contains 65–70% moisture versus ~10% in kibble

The research on raw feeding is still developing, and it would be dishonest to claim every benefit is proven beyond doubt. What we do know is that ultra-processed diets come with their own well-documented risks — including links to dental disease, obesity, and inflammatory conditions.

Raw feeding done well — balanced across muscle meat, bone, and organ — aligns far more closely with a pet's biological needs than a diet of heat-processed, heavily supplemented cereal-based food. It's not a trend. It's a return to how animals are built to eat.

A complete raw diet needs to be nutritionally balanced — 80% muscle meat, 10% raw meaty bone, 10% organ (with at least 5% liver). Pre-made raw meals from reputable brands take the guesswork out, while a growing number of specialist shops can guide you on DIY feeding or a hybrid approach.