WE'RE HERE TO HELP...
Whether you're a seasoned DIY raw feeding pro or looking to switch your much-loved pet to a biologically accurate diet, Borders Raw is here to support you.
As a small, customer-focussed business, we've always got one eye on the practical ways we can help you, and the other on up-to-date studies and information. If you're new to raw feeding, you can get a quick introduction and some of the benefits below. If you're ready for a tailor-made feeding plan for your pet, we're just waiting to hear from you...
WHAT IS 'RAW FEEDING'?
Raw feeding is the process of feeding your animal a biologically species-appropriate diet. Cats are obligate carnivores and benefit from a meat only diet, where as dogs have been known to forage for fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables as well as eating meat. Reptile owners are often more familiar with raw or live feeding due to the nutritional needs of their pets offering less deviation from those options.
Raw diets for cats and dogs are usually made up of a composition of 80/10/10 which means their diet is made up of 80% meat, 10% bone and 10% offal, you may also find diets are listed as 70/10/10/10 which is 70% meat, 10% bone, 10% offal and 10% fruit and veg. At Borders Raw, we stock complete minces (full of everything your pet needs to thrive), and we also stock DIY ingredients, such as meat chunks, bones and, fish, for those who prefer to make up their pets' meals themselves.
THE KEY BENEFITS OF RAW FEEDING
REDUCTION IN ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
Good news for those whose dogs experience intolerances, allergies and itching. The physical symptoms of allergies reduce first, so you can expect to see less itching, followed by digestive symptoms (yes, that means no more stinky bottom burps) and finally immune-suppressed symptoms like ear infections.
STOOL IMPROVEMENT
Once fully transitioned to a raw diet your dog will poop less often. This could be as little as only once every two days! The thing to remember is less poop in, less poop out. When on a raw diet dogs are utilising all the nutrients. When they do have a bowel movement it will also be much smaller in size, have a reduced odour and be firmer to the touch – making clearing up after much easier and helping naturally express the anal glands.
DENTAL BENEFITS
Once fully transitioned to a raw diet there will be a visible reduction in plaque build-up without the need for dental chews or tooth brushing. Your dog’s teeth will be pearly white and their gums a healthy bright pink colour. The bones fed in a raw diet naturally scrape to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth.
SKIN & COAT IMPROVEMENTS
This is usually the first improvement noticed by pet owners – the ‘raw fed shine’ – and it can be visible within the first few weeks of beginning to feed a raw diet! Your companion will be soft and smooth to the touch, there will be no odour around them or their possessions, and their fur will shine (black fur becomes glossy and white fur glistens).