Raw for my dog

WHY FEED MY DOG RAW?

We regularly get asked what ‘raw’ is about. Most pet owners traditionally feed their pets processed foods that are advertised as being of high nutritional value to a pet. But in reality, these products are heavily processed and are rarely as good as they advertise. That is why the FYPO range prides itself on being natural, healthy, and raw.

The difference between raw and cooked products?

There isn’t a “one size fits all” approach to pet nutrition. Each pet is unique and may have unique needs. Though we often hear the debate between raw and cooked pet food, the real nutritional differences are between fresh food and processed food.

There’s no compelling reason to pick one approach over the other. Instead, the decision should be made on a case-by-case basis. The general rule that may be applied is that the less processing that is done to the food, the better. And for most dogs, that is no processing at all (i.e., raw).

Having said that, there are some dogs with sensitive digestive systems that don’t handle raw food very well, and find cooked food easier to break down. And other dogs with compromised immune systems (or who live with people with compromised immune systems) for whom the risk of illness from pathogens is real. And still, other dogs who just prefer their meals cooked, for whatever reason.

Different pets will prefer different proteins. Keep track of which ones your pet enjoys so you can make sure you are buying the right raw food. So when making a choice, don’t get too fixated on the issue of raw or cooked. If you’d feel more comfortable lightly cooking your pet’s meals, go right ahead. The important thing is to feed fresh food, whether raw or cooked and try to minimize the use of heavily processed kibble.

Transition guide

Transitioning a pet from dry to raw food isn’t as difficult as it seems. Here are our top tips.

Stop free feeding
If you’re used to feeding kibble, you’ve probably left it out all day long. When you transition to raw, it’s important to have set mealtimes, just like most humans have – breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or just breakfast and dinner. Give your pet 30 minutes or so to eat, then remove the food.

A safe and comfortable feeding place
Mealtime for your pet should be a happy, relaxed experience. In a multi-pet household, this may mean separate eating areas. Just as we wouldn’t be expected to share a plate at dinner, we shouldn’t expect our pets to either! Find a safe space for each pet to eat so they can enjoy their tasty meal without the threat of other pets invading.

Incorporate raw food first if your pet is used to kibble
If your pet has been eating exclusively dry food, you may want to transition them to raw food on a gradual basis. Some pets don’t like change, so the differences in smell, taste, and texture can be overwhelming. Mixing a raw protein food with their dry food before moving onto straight raw may be a good way to help your pet adjust to the new sensations. Start with 1/4 raw to 3/4 kibble, then after a week move to 1/2 and 1/2, and then 3/4 raw to 1/4 kibble, until you can finally transition all the way onto raw food.

HOW MUCH TO FEED GUIDE

How much should my pet eat a day?
One of the best ways to keep dogs healthy is to feed them the right amount of a high-quality food. Feeding your dog too much or not enough can have certain health consequences. Giving your dog the right amount of quality food can help support your pet’s overall health and keep them feeling their best.

How to Find the Right Amount of Dog Food for Your Dog

First determine how active your dog is.
Activity levels can be described as follows:

Sedentary (2%): Very little activity. Mostly indoors. A dog should typically only have this low of an activity level if it’s elderly, injured or unwell.
Average (3%): 30-60 minutes of normal walking per day. Moderate play.
High (4%): A 60-minute walk per day, with energetic play.
Working (5%): Farm dogs, cattle and sheep herding dogs. Obstacle course show dogs. Police dogs, etc.

We recommend feeding your dog their required daily amount, divided over 2 meals per day as this is better for their digestion (and helps to avoid bloat in larger breeds). Feeding twice can also prevent begging between meals.

The below table has some suggested amounts to feed your dog.
Note that you can switch between standard recipes and leaner recipes to suit your dog as you observe their bodies over time.

% of Weight per Days

5kg

10kg

15kg

20kg

25kg

30kg

35kg

40kg

125g

250g

300g

400g

500g

600g

750g

1kg

150g

300g

450g

600g

750g

900g

1kg

1.25kg

200g

400g

600g

7005

1kg

1.25kg

1.4kg

1.6kg

250g

500g

750g

1kg

1.25kg

1.5kg

1.75kg

2kg

Please note: These amounts are a guide only. You are the best judge of your dog’s condition, and no two dogs are the same. Different breeds and different aged dogs have varying metabolisms and activity levels. This guide does not take into account other food and treats you may be feeding. Puppies require a fattier diet and pregnant and lactating mothers need significantly larger amounts of food. Please do research and consult your vet if in doubt.

STORAGE GUIDE

Our products are manufactured and packaged to the highest quality, standard and presentation. It is important to store your pets’ fresh food in a similar way to how we store our own. All fresh products must be refrigerated as soon as possible. Recommended Refrigeration Storage & Temperatures (CSIRO)