3P Naturals has proudly provided raw pet food diets for dogs and cats for over 15 years. Over the years, we have witnessed the beneficial results of feeding raw. Our mission is to improve and enrich the lives of pets through biologically appropriate nutrition. Our team of veterinarians, educators, consultants, and staff strive to create the ultimate raw pet food diet for domestic carnivores.

The most commonly asked question is: “Why should I feed raw? What’s the difference?”

Genetically, the closest living relative to domestic cats is the African Wild Cat (Felis sylvesris lybica). The Lybica group, which includes the domestic cat, ranges throughout Africa and the Middle East except for the rainforests of western Africa. This wild cat inhabits deserts, woods, plains, and mountains. It has evolved in a desert climate and this is evident in behaviors of wild and domestic sub-species (e.g. their love of heat and sun exposure and their preference for burying feces in sand). This species (except for certain domestic breeds) does not do well in fog, rain, and snow, another indication that their original environment was a desert climate.

3P Naturals has proudly provided raw pet food diets for dogs and cats for over 15 years. Over the years, we have witnessed the beneficial results of feeding raw. Our mission is to improve and enrich the lives of pets through biologically appropriate nutrition. Our team of veterinarians, educators, consultants, and staff strive to create the ultimate raw pet food diet for domestic carnivores.

The most commonly asked question is: “Why should I feed raw? What’s the difference?”

In 1993, after DNA testing Canis lupus (the wolf) and Canis familiarus (the dog), the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the American Society of Mammologists re-named the dog as a subspecies of the wolf: Canis lupus familiarus. Wolves and dogs are so closely related, it is impossible to classify them as two separate species. The outer appearance of our canine companions has been modified through selective breeding programs but physiologically and anatomically, they are virtually identical.

Throughout their years of domestication, dogs have been bred to do specific jobs. These jobs have had an effect on the energy level and behavior of each breed. When determining what’s best for each breed, we can examine their ‘occupations’ to make the right decisions. There are seven groups recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club. Below each group and its nutritional requirements are discussed.

A NOTE ON BODY SCORE

Body score is a scale that gives us a scale for assessing the current bodily state of an animal. A body score of 3 is ideal. A scoring of three means that the ribs are easily felt upon palpation but are not easily visible. Body scores areas listed below:

Will raw dog food make my dog aggressive?

Aggression is a behavior that animals show to protect themselves and their pack mates, and ultimately ensure their survival. Aggressive behavior has many root causes. Some are behavioral and some biochemical. Below, the connection between aggression and diet is discussed.

Some pet owners claim that raw dog food made their dogs more aggressive. As mentioned above, aggression is a behavior that can arise when an animal is introduced to a new diet, however, there are several considerations that need to be made:

It is important for animals as it is for us to vary the diet. Offering variety ensures that all dietary requirements are met. Below, providing a balanced diet with all essential nutrients is discussed. For more information on balancing the raw pet food diet, see 3P Naturals Raw Pet Food Menu. If you are a dog owner, please also read our article on Breed-Specific Raw Diets for Dogs. Remember that all guidelines are not absolute and your holistic veterinarian should always be consulted on matters concerning diet.

Providing a balanced and varied diet for your pet is easy. It is important to simulate a “prey animal” and so varying food items will ensure that this is done. Basic guidelines are listed below:

Raw bones are an essential component of the raw diet, but the subject can be confusing to read about. Feeding bones to your pets should be done only after you have educated yourself fully on the subject. Raw bones must be fed safely and correctly. Below, we set the record straight on feeding bones.

Cooked Vs. Raw

Cooked bones and raw bones differ greatly. Cooked bones are dangerous and should never be fed to pets. As bones are heated, they become brittle and the calcium is extracted. Not only are they nutritionally compromised but they crack and splinter, forming sharp edges that are dangerous if swallowed. Cooked bones should be disposed of in a garbage can that is not accessible to pets. They are not edible.

Making Good Choices

Feeding a raw diet to your pet is as natural as it gets and it's important to understand the safest way to go about it. Any diet has its health risks when fed incorrectly so it's crucial to educate yourself before getting started. Proper food handling & storage and monitoring your pets' health are important parts of being a responsible pet owner. Following the guidelines below will keep you and your pets safe, healthy, and happy.

Quality Matters

Raw foods served to your pet should be guaranteed human-grade quality. It is unsafe to feed below human-quality meats. You cannot compose a balanced diet if you are not certain of what you are feeding. Ensure that all raw foods that you provide to your pet came from healthy, human-grade animals.