Raw pet food
Responsible raw feeding
Raw feeding is providing a diet for cats and dogs made up of uncooked foods such as raw meat, offal and raw bone, along with other ingredients such as fruit, vegetables, oils, nuts and seeds.
There are two types of raw feeding:
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Homemade
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Commercially prepared
The pros & cons of homemade raw feed
Whilst homemade diets provide more flexibility for pets with very specific nutritional needs, they are challenging and require significant research and expert guidance to undertake with any success.
A fundamental concern, as with any homemade diet, is whether all the right nutrients are provided in the right proportions for healthy bodily function. Some proponents of raw feeding advise that dietary supplements are added to ensure all the essential vitamin and mineral requirements are met.
There is also the matter of safety when preparing a homemade raw diet, so pet owners must always source ingredients from safe and reliable sources to ensure food safety.
If you are considering a change in diet for your cat or dog, UK Pet Food can offer some key advice on feeding a raw diet responsibly.
'Raw feeding for cats & dogs' factsheet
Best practice guide to 'Handling commercial raw pet food'
Other reliable sources of advice range from your vet to UK Pet Food raw manufacturers and nutritionists. They’ll be able to discuss your pet’s needs, make suitable recommendations and give guidance on how to transition from one food to another.
Safety & standards in raw pet food manufacturing
As well as guidance for pet owners in the handling of raw pet food, we've developed the world-leading standard for the production of raw pet food, launching our UK Pet Food Raw Pet Food Standard in 2022.
Visit the 'Safety & standards' section of our Industry Hub, to find out about our Standard and which of our members are certified.