Responsible Raw Feeding

Melanie Sainsbury RVN Dip. Animal Nutrition As.Mem. CBCNatures Menu Veterinary Team

Education Manager

Ethos

Natures Menu educate and promote…

Responsible Raw Feeding

What is ‘Responsible Raw’?

SAFETY

QUALITY

ETHICAL

SAFETY✓DEFRA registered✓ Evidence-based

microbiological protocols✓ Full traceability

QUALITY✓Complete and balanced✓Dedicated veterinary team✓ 36+ years of experience✓ Temperature-controlled

distribution

ETHICAL✓ High welfare standards✓ Supporting British farming✓ Farm assurance schemes

Common concerns:

Bacteria

Nutritional deficiencies Practicality

Parasites

Bones CostRanges & Alternatives

• Must be DEFRA approved to legally manufacture pet food in UK

• Zero tolerance to salmonella – legal requirement

• More than 50 pieces of EU legislation govern the manufacture of pet food in UK

• APHA and Trading Standards implement and monitor legislation

• Human grade meat – legal requirement

• Restricted list of materials – reducing bacterial risk

• Campylobacter – voluntarily tested for

• Raw material traceability

• UK vs. USA

Bacterial Concerns

Keeping things in perspective…

• No dog is sterile!

• All dogs have contact with bacteria during their everyday lives…

✓ Licking paws after a walk✓ Sniffing poop and urine✓ Eating grass✓ Grooming themselves✓ Drinking form dirty water sources✓ Rolling in filth (mainly poop!)✓ Eating poop – rabbit, horse, sheep, cow, dog, deer, etc…✓ Eating dead things✓ Licking their bottoms and bits✓ Licking other dog’s bottoms and bits✓ Generally being quite gross when we think about it!

Defrost raw food at the bottom of the fridgeUse within 24 hoursAlways store in a covered containerWipe down bowls, surfaces, utensils and feeding areasCommon sense when handlingTreat as you would your own food

Minimising the risk further…..

Parasites

Worrying terms such as;

o Trematodeso Cestodeso Parasiteso Worms

o Flukeso Nematodeso Roundwormso Tapewormso Cestodes

• Often used in negative articles discussing raw feeding

• Can be true of irresponsible raw feeding

• Dogs often exposed to parasites on a daily basis, no matter their diet

Worming protocols can remain unchanged, providing feeding responsibly

Freezing can significantly minimise the risk caused by Campylobacter, (Zhao et al 2003) storage at freezing temperatures can increase inactivation up to

98-99% (Sandberg, et al., 2005; Georgsson, et al., 2006)

Parasites

• Never feed cooked bones• Always supervise• Be hygienic• Appropriate choices, appropriately sourced• Consider life-stage and raw feeding experience• Dental benefits: Dental calculus in dogs shown to reduce by

over 80% (Australian Veterinary Journal, Raw beef bones as chewing items to reduce dental calculus in Beagle dogs 2016.

Marx et al.)

Bones

before after

• Keeping things in perspective…

Hayes – 2009 JSAP study

In a retrospective study of 208 1st opinion cases of gastrointestinal FBs requiring surgical removal:

• 63 latex teats were recovered• 38 plastic or rubber objects• 30 bits of string or rope• 19 Stones• 15 Balls• 9 corns on the cob• 5 bits of leather• 5 bits of metal or coins• 3 pieces of bone – non descript

Bones

Nutritional deficiencies

Raw can be complete & balanced

• Members of the Pet Food Manufacturing Association• All complete foods conform to the FEDIAF Guidelines • Complete and balanced meals available taking the

hassle and worry out of raw feeding• Puppy and senior varieties available• Easy to use feeding guides• Regular nutritional testing• Qualified Natures Menu Veterinary Division

Practicality

• Ready made complete & balanced raw meals

• Nuggets

• Easy & hygienic to serve

Research

• Studies performed by students at Writtle University College • Groups of approximately 50 dogs, randomly selected from the days’

consultations• Large variation in breed, size and age

➢ Salivary swabs revealed more than twice the amount of general bacteria in non-raw fed dogs compared to raw fed

➢ Salmonella only isolated in the non-raw fed group

➢Dental health-checks revealed raw fed dogs had little to zero calculus on their teeth compared to non-raw fed group

• Research projects continue

• General health & wellbeing• Improved skin & coat condition• Diabetics• Oral health• Improved palatability• Dietary sensitivities• Obesity management• Anal gland management• Fewer, less odorous stools• Digestive health – microbiome, less

flatulence etc...

Multiple Reported Benefits

Give raw a try and see the benefits for yourself!

Success Stories

Issue: Dog in rescue - atopic dermatitis and secondary skin infections. Severely inflamed

skin with obvious hair loss

Patient: ‘Toby’, west highland white terrier, approximately 4-6 y/o

Requirements: Grain free and single source protein food to reduce exposure to potential allergensSuggestions: Country Hunter venison complete and balanced nuggets and freeze dried treats for 6 week trial period

Results: dramatic improvement with hair re-growth and inflammation reduction. Dog

much happier and comfortable and has been re-homed continuing on raw diet.

Patient: Betsy, 8mth female Cavalier King Charles x Bichon Frise

Issue: Poor, dull coat with severe tear staining. No longer interested in dry foodRequirements: Highly palatable, easily digestible food with good levels of omegas for coat conditionSuggestions: Complete and balanced range of nuggetsResults: Healthy, glossy coat with no tear staining

Patient: Winston, 5yr male (n) Great DaneIssue: Diarrhoea (Great Dane sized!) and vomiting. Owner tried various maintenance and px diets in the past with no effectRequirements: Easily digestible, highly palatable, good quality, high value protein, complete and balanced foodSuggestions: Complete and balanced 300g raw blocksResults: No further diarrhoea, manageable, less frequent stools

Summary

• Regulated by an official body* FEDIAF/PFMA – nutritional standards* DEFRA/EU – microbiological standards

• Sourcing of raw materials• No excess waste following deliveries• Convenience/practicality• Hygiene in the home

What to look for in raw

Why not learn more about the benefits of raw and natural feeding

We want you to have the knowledge and expertise to confidently answer the questions your customers ask you with regards to raw feeding and our products.

Our Raw and True Instinct Advisor have been specially designed by our experts to ensure you are equipped with all the information needed to responsibly advise on and sell Natures Menu raw and raw inspired pet foods.

Benefits of gaining the qualification:

• Expert understanding of best practice raw feeding• Confidence to appropriately give advise on our range of products• In-depth knowledge on our products• Increased sales from improved education• Promote listings on our stockist page.

Further Education

FREE support and further training available online at: www.naturesmenu.co.uk/trade/trade-area

• Raw AdvisorSuitable for all as a beginner course, worth 1 hour of CPD

https://trade.naturesmenu.co.uk/trade/trade-area/raw-advisor-training

• Raw ExpertSuitable for professionals, ANAs, students, behaviourists, senior staff with an interest in raw feeding.

https://trade.naturesmenu.co.uk/trade/trade-area/raw-expert-training

Thank you

www.naturesmenu.co.uk

0800 0183770

customerservice@naturesmenu.co.uk

Any questions?