Can I Cook Raw Pet Food?

Why Go Against Nature? Why Cook What's Designed to Be Consumed in Its Natural State?

You might wonder why we'd answer your question with another question. The fact is, many pet owners are confused by the vast and often misleading commercial pet food landscape. Despite powerful marketing campaigns, commercial pet food largely lacks quality, especially compared to a raw diet from Nurturing by Nature.

A Glimpse Into Nature's Diet Plan

In the wild, both cats and dogs are predators. Their anatomy—sharp teeth to grasp prey and a strong, hinged jaw to crush bones—tells us they're naturally equipped to consume raw food. Their digestive system is designed to extract nutrients efficiently, minimizing the time they spend eating and reducing the risks associated with that. It's a survival thing.

The Commercialisation of Pet Diets

It's only recently that our pets have moved from the great outdoors into our homes. With this change came the advent of commercial pet foods, driven by both nutritional and commercial considerations. The commercialisation led to cooking, which, ironically, isn't the best way to meet your pet’s nutritional needs.

To Cook or Not to Cook: The Bone Dilemma

When it comes to bones, cooking changes everything. Cooked bones become brittle and can pose a real danger to your pet. They can splinter easily, risking harm to your pet’s digestive tract. In short, bones should never be cooked if they are to be given to your pets.

The Nurturing by Nature Difference

At Nurturing by Nature, we prioritise the health and happiness of your pets—and by extension, yours. Our raw diets are carefully formulated to provide the optimal nutrients your pets need. When you see your dog or cat getting healthier, the joy and peace of mind you experience are priceless. So why mess with a good thing by cooking it?

Conclusion: Trust the Nature of Nurture

There's a reason we’re the original raw food specialists. We understand what's biologically appropriate for your pet and offer raw pet food options that can transform lives—yours included. So, can you cook raw dog food? Technically, yes. But the real question is, why would you want to?

Choose a lifestyle that’s true to both you and your pet. Trust in Nurturing by Nature.

As a responsible pet owner, you might wonder if cooking raw pet food can make it safer or more nutritious. However, cooking raw pet food, especially bones, can do more harm than good. The process alters the nutrients that are carefully balanced in a raw diet and transforms bones into brittle hazards, risking injury to your dog or cat.

The Importance of Raw Nutrition

Nurturing by Nature advocates for raw feeding because it mimics the natural diet dogs and cats would follow in the wild. Raw pet food contains unprocessed, essential nutrients like enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that cooking destroys. These nutrients play a crucial role in maintaining strong immune systems, healthy digestion, and vibrant coats.

Raw feeding isn’t just about avoiding chemicals or additives; it’s about providing food that aligns with your pet’s evolutionary needs. Cooking the food undermines this goal, stripping away what makes raw diets effective—natural, whole nutrition.

The Dangers of Cooked Bones

One of the greatest concerns is what happens to bones during the cooking process. Raw bones are flexible and easier for pets to chew, but cooked bones become brittle, increasing the risk of splintering. Splintered bones can cause choking, intestinal blockages, or perforations, leading to potentially life-threatening situations.

Raw bones, when fed under supervision, are much safer for pets and provide dental benefits by naturally cleaning teeth and promoting gum health.

Keep It Raw for Optimal Health

While it may be tempting to cook raw pet food in an effort to sterilise it or improve safety, this approach contradicts the very principles of raw feeding. Trusting in the balanced, nutrient-rich formulas of raw diets, like those from Nurturing by Nature, ensures that your pet receives all the benefits that raw feeding offers. You’ll provide a diet that keeps them thriving, just as nature intended.

We know you are part of the Nurturing by Nature community and we know how dedicated you are to giving your pets the very best! But I'm sure you've also been faced with the same question we often hear is, “Can I cook my pet's raw food?” Well we thought we would support you with the answers, I'm sure you already know to confidently share with others: Raw is best served raw! Here’s why 

1. 
   

   Nutrient Integrity: Cooking raw food can alter its nutritional profile. Vital enzymes, vitamins, and amino acids can be lost during the cooking process—nutrients that are essential for your pet’s health. Let’s keep those natural benefits intact! 

   
   


2. 
   

   Nature Knows Best: Dogs and cats have evolved to thrive on raw diets. Their digestive systems are built to handle raw food, just like their wild ancestors. By feeding raw, you’re supporting their natural biology! 

   
   


3. 
   

   Complete & Balanced: Our raw pet food is formulated to be perfectly balanced right out of the bag—no cooking required! Cooking can disrupt this balance, potentially leaving out important nutrients.

   
   


4. 
   

   Digestibility Matters: Raw food retains natural enzymes that aid digestion, helping your pets absorb nutrients better. Cooking can destroy these enzymes, making it harder for them to get all the goodness they deserve. 

   
   


5. 
   

   Freshness & Quality: Raw feeding is all about fresh, high-quality ingredients. Our raw food is designed to be fed just as it is, offering a diet that’s closest to nature. ???? Not forgetting that Cooking Bones makes them dangerous to feed. That includes those dried bones often found in pet shops. Never Feed A Cooked Bone!!!

   
   

So, if you’re ever faced with the question or even wondering why you shouldn't cook it we hope that these answers provide the answers to anyone thinking about trying raw feeding but also wondering if they need to cook the food. As you know we recommend keeping it raw for the best results.

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