Commercial Raw Brands - Pros and Cons

[dweamgoil]

For all those who feed commercial raw, can you share what brand you use and why you chose it?

I am thinking of replacing some of the canned I currently feed with a lighter version of raw since one of my cats has digestion problems will full raw at night. I am hoping since the food is ground, it would take less time to digest and she will be able to tolerate that.

I researched some brands, but it seems to be a give and take. The one I have read about I like the most is Darwin's ingredient wise, but I'd like to hear the feedback of others, who are currently using these foods.

[dweamgoil]

OK, so don't everyone jump in at one time...lol

I researched Haretoday.com. They have different blends of proteins like Llama, goat, venison, goose, etc. that I might want to try and see how that goes. I was always reluctant to order from them because of the high shipping cost, but if it's under $25, that's not too bad for a chest full of food. I like the idea that they are proteins I can't source locally so they will serve to mostly supplement what I already give them. I will also buy Taurine to add to the food, just in case.

I am still weighing the options so any feedback, particularly on the commercial raw will be very helpful...thanks

[MowMow]

I have tried Nature's Variety and found that MowMOw couldn't keep it down. I tried another brand (the name escapes me, but it's sold locally in the Pacific NOrthwest) and he couldn't keep that down either.

Now, this might be a change in him because a few nights ago I gave each of them some raw beef chunks (I was making stew) and MowMOw brought it RIGHT back up.

I didn't have Shepherd Book(to see if it bothered him) when i tried the commercial raw so it may just be MOwMOw and not the brands.

I found both the commercial raw to smell...strange.... maybe the store I bought it from didn't store it properly or something...

[Auntie Crazy]

Funny you should bring this up at this time, Dweamgoil. I've been doing some research into commercial raw lately - including calls to individual manufacturers - and I'm just about ready to post the results on CatCentric.org.

What surprised me the most is the variation on meat / bone / organ / other stuff percentages between manufacturers.

As I've worked with folks to get their cats transitioned to raw, I've noticed a couple of things of interest. One, if fed alone and not in a rotation with other products from other manufacturers, Nature's Variety seems to have the potential to lead to constipation. At 15% bone (which you have to call the company to find out), I'm not surprised.

The second, it seems to make a difference how the animals that become the food are fed. In other words, corn-fed beef have the potential to cause a negative reaction that won't be seen when feeding grass-fed beef. I've seen folks thoroughly convinced their cat can't tolerate chicken or beef, only to find out - after much cajoling and some trial and error - that they don't, in fact, have a problem with the protein source itself, only with what that animal was fed.

If you're interested in the spreadsheet, Dweamgoil, I'll send you a link when it's up (should be late today or tomorrow).

Best regards.

AC

[dweamgoil]

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

If you're interested in the spreadsheet, Dweamgoil, I'll send you a link when it's up (should be late today or tomorrow).

Yes, yes...gimme!!!

From the research I have gathered so far, the one I like the best is Oma's Best, but they do not sell it anywhere I can get it locally and they don't ship anything under 400 lbs. They only sell to distributors, not retail.

This is why now I am leaning more towards the Hare Today ground mixes, but I can't wait to see what you put together.

Thanks, AC!

[Fran]

FYI I use a powder mix called Feline Instincts, which is designed to be mixed with fresh raw meats or poultry. I have used it for about two years now, (available online from the manufacturer only.)

For a short while, they were only selling a reformulated mix that includes calcium, i.e. for use with boneless cuts of meat only. Gracie has had a little trouble with the amount of calcium in the newest formulation, so I have had to be more careful for her. Once you blend up the meat and mix, you are meant to freeze it into portions - when thawed the mix thickens to a gravy-like consistency which sticks to the meat chunks. I take off the excess so that Gracie takes in a little less calcium.

I just checked back to their website, however, and they have reintroduced a formula without calcium, so that you can use it for bone-in poultry and meat.

Fran

[dweamgoil]

Thanks, Fran, but I feed frankenprey primarily. I feed them about 2 oz at night of canned usually, but am looking to eliminate the canned with something my one cat with digestive issues can digest. If I was going to feed full ground, I would definitely use your suggestion, but they will only be getting a few ounces at night so I think with the extra Taurine they should be ok nutritionally.

[beckyhiker]

Just wanted to put in that I buy some of my meat from hare-today and am very satisfied with their products. My cats aren't much into ground raw any more, but I still buy some, basically the rabbit, for my allergy cat to eat for breaksfast which is when the others usually get canned.

[dweamgoil]

Thanks, Becky...good to know.

[Ritzpg]

RadCat is a good commercial raw brand, single source protein I believe. Good consistency with a fair amount of blood. Not sure where in New York you live, but I would think you could buy some commercial raw at your local high-end pet stores.