Chef's Secret Ingredients
It is important to feed a lot of variety in a raw diet, and using a range of different meats will have a good effect on your cats and dogs. Your cats and dogs would be less inclined to become a picky eater, and will be more flexible should you have to switch protein sources. Your cats and dogs will also be getting a wide variety of different nutrients.
*Please note, all raw ingredients are subject to seasonal changes and availability.
Game Meat (Venison)
South African game meat is 100% natural – free range – and comes from game farms where the animals roam free and are hunted on sustainable basis. All game animals are free of chemicals and hormones. Contains muscle meat, trimmings, sinew, connective tissue and fat from a variety game animals. Game animals include Black Wildebeest, Zebra, Springbok, Kudu, Eland, Buffalo, Impala, Blesbuck, Waterbuck and Blue Wildebeest. Game meat adds variety to your dog’s diet, whilst giving him or her the protein necessary to build strong bones and muscles. Game meat has fewer calories, less fat and more iron than any other type of meat. Game meat is also very high in B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium, zinc and copper.
Lamb Meat
Lamb, which is classified as a red meat, is packed full of heme-iron, helps support nervous system function based on its levels of B-group vitamins. Has loads of zinc to boost the immune system. Good source of omega fatty acids which assist heart health, skin and coats, hips and joints and brain functions as well as being a rich source of protein. In all, Lamb is considered a very good biologically appropriate meat source for dogs and cats.
Offal Meat
Although organ meats are valuable dog food, they are not required in huge amounts. They are a concentrated source of many essential nutrients and are particularly valuable during times of growth, reproduction and stress as a source of concentrated nutrients.
Liver
In this one product is a vast range of important nutrition. Liver is the most concentrated source of vitamin A and should be fed in small amounts on a regular basis. It also contains vitamins D, E and K in substantial quantities. Liver is an excellent source of the minerals zinc, manganese, selenium and iron. It also contains all the B vitamins, particularly B2, B3, B5, biotin, folacin, B12, choline and inositol. It contains B1 in adequate or smaller amounts and is a good source of vitamin C. Liver provides a source of good quality protein and the essential fatty acids, both the omega-3 and omega-6 type. It’s a fantastic food for your dog and always gives meals ‘Dog Appeal’.
Heart Meat
Excellent source of protein, B Vitamins and iron. They also contain essential fatty acids and Vitamin A. Heart contains appreciable levels of taurine which is an important food for maintaining a healthy heart.
Chicken
Sourced only from Free Range farms where the chickens are allowed to roam freely. No growth hormones and no routine antibiotics. Poultry builds lean muscle mass in and delivers Omega 6 fatty acids that help sustain healthy skin and shiny coats. Is is also a great source of essential amino acids and glucosamine which helps promote bone health.
Green Tripe
Raw green tripe is the entire unprocessed stomach of a cud-chewing animal such as a cow. It contains digestive enzymes and pre-digested green matter. Raw green tripe is packed with nutritional benefits promotes healthy digestion, boosts the immune, helps alleviate diarrhea and constipation, soothes GI upsets and infections and is packed with good bacteria for good gut health.
Krill
Krill – small, shrimp-like crustaceans, rich in Phospholipids and Astaxanthin. Antarctic krill can grow to six centimeters in length and weigh two grams. They live in large and dense swarms throughout Antarctic waters. Krill is a superior omega-3 source for your pet. Omega-3s are among the most researched nutrients They have demonstrated several health benefits for pets, including healthy organs, skin and fur. Just like humans, pets have only a limited ability to produce omega-3s. Krill is more that just Omega 3’s. It also contains Choline and Astaxanthin. Choline is essential for a healthy liver and important for brain health. Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant. Antioxidants are powerful compounds that are important for the ability for pets to fight off the harmful effects of free-radical oxidation and keeps their cells healthy.
Vegetables
Dogs have actually eaten vegetables the whole period of their evolution. As such, vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables should form part of the domestic dog’s healthy diet. They need vegetables because they contain many important health promoting nutrients. This includes difficult to obtain Omega-3 essential fatty acids, most of a dog’s vitamin needs, masses of enzymes and various anti-aging factors, including antioxidants and phytochemicals.
Carrots
The carrot is the king of the vegetables. It is the richest source of provitamin A carotenoids among commonly consumed vegetables. But unlike vitamin A, beta carotene and other carotenoids in carrots do not cause toxicity. Carrots have repeatedly shown to nourish the optic nerve and significantly improve eyesight.
Pumpkin
If your dog is prone to tummy trouble and experiences diarrhea or constipation, a diet that includes pumpkin will improve his intestinal health. It is loaded with vitamin A, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, helps to regulate blood sugar levels and promotes cardiovascular health.
Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the most nutrient dense foods. It is loaded with vitamin C, beta carotene, folic acid, calcium and fiber. It is also a good source of chromium. Other members of the cabbage family, broccoli has demonstrated remarkable anticancer effects. Broccoli is an excellent food for dogs because it is a low glycemic vegetable, meaning that it does not raise blood glucose levels. It converts to glucose very slowly, preventing the release of insulin that can lead to weight gain. Aside from broccoli’s nutrient-rich and cancer-fighting properties, it also features sulforaphane, a compound that helps boost the immune system.
Spinach
Spinach contains twice as much iron as most other greens. Like other chlorophyll and carotene- containing vegetables, it is a rich source of antioxidants. Spinach has long had a reputation of being very high in nutrients. It is a good source of fibre, calcium, potassium and vitamins A, B6 and K.
Fruits
It is not essential that dogs eat fruit because all of the nutrients present in fruit can be obtained from other sources. However, by adding a small amount of fruit to the diet, we ensure a wide variety of healthy foods. Scientists have discovered that the enzymes and antioxidants present in fruit, many of which have not yet been identified, keep the skin and indeed the whole body free of degeneration and old age diseases.
Whole Apple
Unpeeled apples are especially high in non-pro vitamin A carotenes and pectin. Pectin is a remarkable type of fiber that has been shown to exert a number of beneficial effects. Due to its gel forming fiber, it can improve the intestinal muscle’s ability to push waste through the gastrointestinal tract. Pectin also binds to and eliminates toxins in the gut. Apples are also rich in beta carotene and vitamin C as well as several vitamin B properties.
Whole Pear
Pears are an excellent source of water-soluble fibre, including pectin, which makes them useful in toning the intestines, Fresh pears contain potassium, which is necessary for maintaining heartbeat, muscle contraction, nerve transmission and carbohydrate metabolism. Pears can be particularly good for dogs who suffer from constipation or irregularity. The fibre found in pears promotes colon health by binding with bile salts and carrying them out of the colon.
BONES (only feed raw)
There are two types of bones you can feed your dog.
Edible Bones
These are the soft bones of birds such as chicken necks and chicken feet. They are soft, pliable, don’t contain any marrow and can be crushed in a meat grinder. We include ground chicken bones in some of our meals, but can also be fed separately as a treat. These bones provide calcium, phosphorus and trace minerals.
Recreational Bones
These are the big pork, beef or venison hip or femur bones filled with marrow. They don’t supply much nutrition, but provide great mental stimulation and oral health benefits. These bones should be gnawed on only, not chewed up and swallowed. When your dog chews on a raw recreational bone, his teeth get the equivalent of a good brushing and flossing. This helps to break down tartar and reduces the risk of gum disease.