Why Raw?

As our pets’ main care giver, companion, and sole source of food, we must ask ourselves how we would feel if we were forced to eat dry cereal every day that consisted of low-quality ingredients, extremely high carbohydrate content, cancer-causing preservatives, by-products from the agricultural and bio-diesel industries, and synthetic nutrients from unregulated sources.  Would we be thriving or would we be barely surviving?

It's important to understand that our dogs and cats have evolved from wild ancestors and still share a great deal of traits with them, both physically and mentally.  Our canines (canis familaris) closest living relative is the gray wolf (canis lupis). In fact, they share 99.96% of their DNA and are able to mate and produce viable off-spring. Wolves eat very little to no grains and starches in the wild – usually in the form of stomach contents of their prey – and it is our belief, through education and experience, that your canine should not have a diet that has an abundance of grains or starches either.  In the case of our feline friends, they have evolved from desert-dwelling cats and are still categorized to this day as an obligate carnivore, meaning that they need meat to survive.  In fact, outside cats spend an average of 70% of their day hunting small rodents and birds for food.

For 99.9% of dogs and cats’ evolution, they have been eating a raw, fresh, whole food diet.  It has only been within the last hundred years that humans have completely altered the diets of their pets from a protein-based, high-moisture diet to a carbohydrate-based and low-moisture diet, all for the sake of convenience and profit.

We are now starting to see the dangerous effects this is having on our pets health, with 60% of dogs and cats in the U.S fighting obesity, with periodontal disease, and yeasty, oily, smelly coats. The number of dogs and cats with compromised immune systems and damaged microbiomes are at an all time high, and cancer now affects over half of all dogs in the US and one out of every three cats. Dogs now have the highest rate of cancer than any species on the planet. The average lifespan of humans has increased as we become more advanced and learn more about diet and nutrition, but at the same time, the average lifespan of our pets has decreased as large pet food manufactures continue to see their profits grow. 

Fortunately, we can change this. We can make a difference! Through diet alone, replacing highly processed dog and cat food with fresh, raw, whole food diets, you can not only increase the quality of your pet’s life, but also the length of their life. You get to keep your best friend happier and longer! Who wouldn’t want that?!

There are a number of benefits of feeding your dog or cat a raw, species-appropriate diet. Some of the major ones are listed below. We invite you to come by our shop to learn more and to help transition your pet to raw foods and start them on the path to health and happiness!

The Benefits of Raw Feeding

  • Raw food contains live enzymes that create healthy flora in the mouth, while also controlling plaque and  tartar buildup. Have you ever noticed that wild canids (wolves, coyotes, etc.) have healthy, pearly white teeth?

  • Raw foods contain live enzymes that help your pet break down their food and absorb more nutrients without stressing the pancreas.  It is raw food that provides these enzymes.

    Improved digestion leads to smaller waste because their body is now utilizing more of the foods they are consuming.  Their stool will be smaller, more firm, and not nearly as smelly! 

  • Did you know that corn and wheat are the top food allergens for dogs? Quality raw diets eliminate these chemical stressors. Also, there are no processed and denatured proteins that their bodies will reject.

  • On a raw diet, your pet is not just meeting AAFCO's minimal requirements, they are receiving optimal nutritional requirements that they need to thrive. 

  • Raw food consists of appropriately balanced omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to regulate inflammation, amino acids to assist the protein function of skin cells, and other important oils that nourish the the hair follicles from the inside.

  • There is nothing in a raw diet that is not being utilized by the animal, like corn, soy, peas, rice hulls, etc. Without these fillers, our pets can more easily achieve and sustain their optimal body weight.

  • Without an excessive amount of carbs in your dog’s diet, your companion will no longer suffer energy spikes and crashes as the carbs turn to sugar.

  • A healthy microbiome and gut, both teaming with beneficial bacteria, helps to create a strong immune system.  Your pet is now primed to heal fast and to fight off infections.

  • A species-appropriate diet contains an abundance of fatty acids and promotes the normalization of the animal’s PH balance, both of which work to reduce inflammation. Also, glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen are all naturally found in raw diets.

Why don’t dogs live forever?

Are we doing enough for our pets? Rodney Habib is a voice for dogs around the world. After one of his dogs, Sammie, was diagnosed with Cancer, Rodney went on a journey to discover why? What he learned along the way will surprise you and leave you with an idea that will change the way you look at your animals.

Rodney Habib is an award winning pet nutrition blogger, podcast/radio show host, magazine writer, and, most importantly, a pet parent and advocate.

His popular website and blogs posts have allowed thousands of dog owners worldwide join him in his search for answers and to share the discoveries he has made in natural dog care and trying to get his pets to ‘live forever’!

Rodney believes strongly we all need to be the change we wish to see in the world, a value very much in alignment with our event and one we are proud to support and share for you all.