Raw + Homemade diets

Question 1

What is Raw feeding?

Answer 1

Providing a diet made up of:
1. Raw meat
1. Offal
1. Raw bone

Along with:

1. Fruit
2. Vegetables
3. Oils
4. Nuts
5. Seeds

Question 2

What are the 2 types of raw feeding?

Answer 2

1. Homemade
2. Commerically prepared

Question 3

True or False.

Commerically prepared raw food diets can come in Complete or Complimentary diets.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

List the potential concerns with feeding a raw diet

Answer 4

1. Whilst homemade raw diets provide flexability for pets w/specific nutritional needs, they are challenging + require significant reseaerch + expert guidance to create
2. Whether it has all the right nutrients provideed in the right proportions for healthy bodily functions
3. Some advise dietary supplements are added to ensure all essential vitamins + mineral requirements are met
4. Veterinary professionals do not believe it provides adequate nutrition

Question 5

What are reasons why clients may feed their pets homemade raw diets?

Answer 5

• Commercial diets are too processed
• Suitable for pets w/allergies + specific nutritional requirements
• More palatable for picky eaters
• Do not contain additives + preservatives
• Can calorie count precisely
• Easier to meal prep - made in bulk
• Less expensive + can serve pet leftovers
• Tailored specifically for health conditions
• Owner may feel they know exactly what is in the diet given to their pet

Question 6

List some counter arguments against homemade raw diets

Answer 6

1. Unbalanced
2. Expensive ingredients
3. Variation if different ingredients are used
4. Time-consuming
5. Hard to keep food fresh
6. May not be suited to correct: breed, age, medical condition
7. Risk of contamination
8. Takes up a lot of storage space
9. Wrong amount can be fed

Question 7

List 4 reasons why clients may feed their pets Homemade raw diets

Answer 7

1. More natural
2. Good for dental health
3. Alternative for pets w/allergies + GI upsets
4. Popular on social media

Question 8

List as many disadvantages for feeding raw feed diets as you can

Answer 8

1. Cause pathogenic bacterial infections + parasitic disease
2. Potentially unbalanced - Taurine deficient in Cats > Dilated Cardiomyopathy through cardiac tissue formation (In grain free preparations - Pea + Pulses)
3. Obstruction + blockages - require enema + sx
4. Unbalanced Calcium - pH levels if prepared w/o knowledge of nutritional requirements + utilization
5. GI upset due to changes + avaliability
6. Low quality Proteins - Biological value needs to be considered
7. Risk of Salmonella (Undercooked + handling cause illness to owner)
8. Risk of bacterial infection +/or parasite transmission to children

Question 9

How should you handle raw food?

Answer 9

• Use PPE
• Remove + carefully dispose of any uneaten pet food as soon as pet finished eating
• Clean + disinfect pet’s feeding area as soon as finished eating

Question 10

When defrosting raw pet food, what 4 pieces of advise should you give to owners when defrosting a raw diet?

Answer 10

1. Defrost in airtight, leak-proof container at the BOTTOM of the fridge
2. Never refreeze
3. Never discard the thawed juice, as this contains essential nutrients for your pet
4. Consult the manafacturer for further info on prep + storage