Feeding Recommendations

Our food grinds are basics that assume the utilization of nutrient supplements for maximum flexibility and individuality.  Please consult your veterinary professional for guidance on your companion animal's individual needs and see our *nutritional supplements* and *probiotics information* pages for recommendations.  If you continue this diet long-term, as most do, it is simple and reassuring to have blood work done periodically to monitor your dog's nutritional status.  Talk to your vet about doing this.  This is something many people do routinely anyway.  Remember, there is no one canine complete formula that can possibly meet all needs and feeding programs.  We do have the ability to work with you and offer supplements to meet your and your animal's needs.

Transition
Transition is the most essential element of a healthy and safe change from dry kibble or canned wet food to a raw diet. We recommend making this transition slowly. Allow 1-4 weeks for your pet's digestive system to properly adjust from a highly processed diet to their new diet of human grade raw foods.

Begin by mixing Suzy’s Raw Mixes into your dog’s previous food at a ratio that your dog will tolerate (you can start with as little as 1/4 Raw Mix to 3/4 of your pet’s former food). Your dog may show some adversity to the temperature of the raw food when served directly from the refrigerator. To warm Suzy’s Raw Mixes, place the feeding portion into a zip lock, water tight bag and heat through in a bowl of warm water. Do not use water that is too hot, as this will potentially cook the food and reduce the enzymatic properties, as well as deplete the nutrient values of the raw foods.

Gradually increase the amount of Raw Mix until your dog accepts the raw diet without the addition of any kibble or canned food.

We recommend the addition of DogZymes Digestive Enhancer™ to every meal including the kibble, to better enable your dog to assimilate the proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals contained in our mixes, as well as kick start their beneficial flora for proper pathogen control.

To determine how your dog’s system is accepting the new diet, monitor their stool. As you change over to a raw diet, your dog’s stool size will be greatly reduced. Stools will become small, firm and void of any offensive odor. If your dog’s stool is soft or loose as a result of the transition, introduce the raw food more slowly.

After the transition period though, we do not recommend long-term mixing of raw and kibble.  The digestion rate for raw is much shorter than for grain based kibble and in time mixing the two could provide an environment for negative pathogens in the digestive tract which could result in illness.  If you plan to continue to feed both, please feed them separately.  [Such as, raw every other day or a kibble breakfast and raw dinner.]If at all possible a completely raw diet is the best way of feeding your canine or feline companion.

Portions
We recommend feeding your adult pet twice daily, so you should divide the total daily feeding weight in half and feed once in the morning and once in the evening.  Feed puppies the daily feeding weight over 3 to 4 meals daily until 6 months of age and then twice daily.

Feeding Guidelines

Puppies 2 – 6 months:
Oz/lbs feed 6 – 10% of body weight

Puppies 6 – 12 months:
Oz/lbs feed 4 – 6 % of body weight

Adults:
Oz/lbs feed 2 – 3% of body weight.

Factors such as level of activity, age, health, metabolism, and breed play a part in the necessary feeding quantities of all animals. Please be sure to monitor your pet’s dietary needs and adjust the feeding quantities accordingly.  Large breed puppies especially should be kept lean and firm to avoid any skeletal or joint problems from developing during the growth process.

When Serving
It is important to only serve Suzy’s Raw Mixes when completely thawed. Frozen foods can be difficult for dogs to digest. Also, always serve Suzy’s Raw Mixes raw for optimum benefit. Never microwave any pet food. Microwaves cause the fat molecules to radically change, making fats less digestible, and ultimately they can become harmful to your pet’s long term health. To learn more on warming Suzy’s Raw Mixes gently, see warming instructions above in the Transition section.

Detoxification
As you begin to introduce your dog to its new diet, you may notice changes in physical appearance. Do not be alarmed. This is simply the natural process by which dogs heal themselves by eliminating toxins from the body. Discharge from the eyes, excess wax in the ears, loss of coat, minor skin rashes and soft, loose stool are just a few of the common signs. By gradually transitioning your dog, you will allow their body to adjust properly. Keep a watchful eye on your dog, and take notice of any changes.

Puppies
Puppies of 8 weeks of age and older should be fed approximately 6 – 10% of their body weight daily in Suzy’s Raw Mixes. Factors such as breed, overall health and level of activity play a part in the necessary feeding quantities of all puppies. Please be sure to monitor your puppy's dietary needs and adjust the feeding quantities accordingly.  Large breed puppies especially should be kept lean and firm to avoid any skeletal or joint problems from developing during the growth process.

Standard Thawing:

• Suzy’s Raw Mixes will thaw in the Refrigerator in 24 to 36 hours depending upon package size.

Quick Thaw Tips:

• To quickly thaw, plug and fill your kitchen sink with cold water. Place mix package into the water and let thaw completely. Using this method, packages will thaw within 1 – 3 hours.

Safe Handling Instructions

• Keep our mixes frozen until ready to use.
• Thaw Mixes in refrigerator following our standard thawing instructions or use our quick thaw tips until food is completely defrosted.
• After thawed, immediately place into the refrigerator.  Use completely within 48 hours.
• We recommend feeding raw foods in a stainless steel bowl.
• Wash all work surfaces, utensils, hands and food bowls with hot, soapy water after handling raw meats and poultry.
• Keep raw meats and poultry away from children.
• Keep raw meats and poultry separate from other foods.