Feeding your pet a fresh, well-made human-grade food tailored to their specific needs provides a wide range of health benefits. Scientific research shows that such diets can promote longevity and improve key aspects of health, including skin, eyes, bones, and teeth. These diets are known to reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and enhance digestion. Many pet owners notice positive changes, such as increased energy, improved skin and coat condition, and less odorous stools. Additionally, pets fed fresh foods tend to have cleaner teeth compared to those on ultra-processed kibble.

So by choosing fresh food, you are not just feeding your pet - you are investing in their long-term health and vitality.

While most ultra-processed kibble meets the basic nutritional standards set by AAFCO or FEDIAF, its manufacturing process presents significant concerns.

The high temperatures used in kibble production can create harmful compounds known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which have been linked to various health issues, including cancer. Just as we avoid overcooked or charred foods due to their potential carcinogenic effects, feeding our pets kibble that has undergone extreme heat processes multiple times is cause for concern.

In addition to AGEs, the high-heat processing causes substantial nutrient loss, forcing manufacturers to add synthetic vitamins and minerals to compensate. This heavy reliance on artificial supplements underscores the limitations of kibble as a truly nourishing diet. Can additives and flavor enhancers really replace the essential nutrients that are lost in the process? It is akin to eating cereal for every meal, every day, for the rest of your life!

By understanding these factors, we hope you can make informed decisions about your pets' diets and prioritize options that offer real, wholesome nutrition.

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) advises caution when feeding fresh food, particularly raw diets, due to concerns about harmful pathogens, risks to vulnerable individuals, and nutrient imbalances from improper formulations. As a result, veterinarians often recommend ultra-processed kibble, which addresses these concerns in two main ways:

1. Pathogen Control Through Extreme Heat Processing: Kibble is produced using multiple extreme heat processes to eliminate harmful bacteria and parasites. While this effectively sterilizes the food, it also denatures proteins, reducing the overall nutritional quality.
2. Compliance with Nutritional Standards: Kibble manufacturers typically collaborate with veterinarians to ensure their products meet the basic nutritional requirements established by organizations such as AAFCO, FEDIAF, or NRC. To compensate for the loss of natural nutrients during extreme heating, synthetic vitamins and minerals are often added to the formulas.

At Tru-Raw, we take a different approach to address these same concerns while maintaining the natural quality of our food:

1. Human-Grade Ingredients Only: All our ingredients are human-grade and sourced from federally-inspected suppliers. Each batch undergoes rigorous pathogen testing, far exceeding typical standards in kibble production. Lab test results are available online for full transparency.
2. Versatile Preparation Options: Our products can be safely served raw or cooked. For those concerned about potential pathogens, the food can be lightly cooked or baked to ensure safety while preserving nutrients.
3. Veterinarian-Formulated and Approved: Our recipes are formulated and reviewed by veterinarians to meet the nutritional standards set by AAFCO, FEDIAF, and NRC, whether served raw or cooked. Complete nutritional analyses are readily accessible online.
4. Formulated With Whole Foods Only: We derive all our nutritional value from natural whole foods, eliminating the need for synthetic supplements. This approach ensures maximum bioavailability and absorption of nutrients.

We encourage you to discuss our products with your veterinarian to better understand how we address the concerns highlighted by the CVMA. Veterinarians are also welcome to reach out to us directly for more information about our processes and formulations.

Yes, pets can potentially contract Salmonella or other bacterial infections from raw meat, although their digestive systems are generally more resilient to these bacteria compared to humans.

To minimize this risk, we take extensive precautions. All our products undergo third-party testing for harmful bacteria, including Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Listeria monocytogenes, with results available online for full transparency. Additionally, our products can be safely cooked to eliminate any potential pathogens while still providing a complete and balanced diet.

For safe handling of raw foods, we recommend following the guidelines on the Government of Canada’s website: Food Safety and You

"Human-grade" food refers to products that meet federal or provincial standards for human consumption. This means the ingredients are of the same quality and safety as those intended for people. The entire process - from sourcing and manufacturing, to storage and shipping - must comply with strict sanitary and quality control measures.

However, the term "human-grade" is sometimes used loosely, especially because pet food is not regulated by the CFIA, which oversees food safety for humans. For example, ingredients may originate from a human-grade facility but become unfit for human consumption due to improper storage during procurement - such as inadequate temperature control that promotes the growth of harmful bacteria. Despite this, some companies may still be able to label their products as "fresh" if they employ a process of eliminating bacteria during manufacturing, even though the ingredients did not maintain human-grade status throughout the entire process.

To ensure true human-grade quality, always verify whether the product consistently meets CFIA standards throughout the entire supply chain, from sourcing and manufacturing, to storage and shipping.

Unfortunately, no. The quality and formulation of raw or fresh pet foods can vary widely between brands. Factors such as ingredient sourcing, nutritional balance, and manufacturing processes are all critical in determining the overall quality of the pet food. To ensure you are giving your pet the best, we encourage you to focus on these key elements when evaluating the food:

1. Choose brands that use human-grade, ethically sourced ingredients. The fewer synthetic additives, the better! A properly formulated diet should minimize the need for synthetic vitamins and minerals.
2. Ensure the food’s nutritional formulation is clear and meets the standards set by organizations like AAFCO or FEDIAF.
3. Was a veterinarian involved in creating the recipe, or is it simply a mix of meats, bones, and organs? Did you know fiber is essential in all types of diets?
4. Check for feeding guidelines tailored to the food’s specific caloric levels. Each food is different, and improper feeding could lead to overfeeding or underfeeding your pet.

By equipping yourself with this knowledge, you can make informed decisions that promote your pet's health and well-being.

No, this is a common myth. Aggression related to food is known as resource guarding, a behavioral issue that requires professional guidance. It is not caused by a raw diet. If your pet exhibits signs of resource guarding, consult a professional trainer or veterinarian for appropriate advice.