Pet Food & Food Safety

At Raw Essentials, we understand that many pet owners have questions about food safety, including how parasites and other naturally occurring organisms are managed in raw feeding. Here, we explain some of the main parasites people ask about, how they are transmitted, and the steps we take to minimise risk.

Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has received significant global attention in recent years, particularly the H5N1 strain.

On 15 July 2026, H5N1 was detected for the first time in New Zealand in a single brown skua found at Petone Beach. At the time of writing, there have been no detections of H5N1 in New Zealand’s commercial poultry industry.

At Raw Essentials, we are monitoring developments closely and reviewing what they may mean for our pets, products and supply chain.

Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know about toxoplasmosis - what it is, how it’s transmitted, and the steps we take to minimise risk in our raw feeding process.

Product quality is our priority. We have strict regulations for sourcing, and sustainable wild harvesting practices that ensure top-notch quality. We also adhere to stringent food processing regulations, guaranteeing the safety and quality of our products for your pets.

Raw and processed pet food both carry Salmonella risk. This article explores the bacteria, its spread, and how safe handling of products reduces the risk for pets and owners, by following these guidelines, you can safely raw feed your pet.

An overview of pet food standards, product labelling and their dietary requirements, and how heat treatment through the manufacturing process impacts the nutrient profile of processed pet food.

Learn how to safely handle and feed a species appropriate raw food diet to prevent foodborne illness for you and your pet! These common sense safe handling tips apply to all raw meat, including raw pet food and meat for human consumption.

Both raw and processed diets come with risks. As pet owners, you have to weigh these up and decided what is best for your pet. At Raw Essentials we chose to raw feed because we believe that feeding a highly-processed, high carbohydrate diet to our domestic carnivores carries risks.

We are regularly asked for advice on raw-feeding by people who are unable to access our products. A growing number of raw food options have become available in the supermarkets and in large pet-store chains, but there are issues that buyers need to be aware of.

As more and more consumers cotton-on to the fact that dogs and cats do best on a species-appropriate diet, pet food manufacturers rush to release products that have the appearance of being species-appropriate, but that can be made on the cheap. Most products in the U.S. are now marketed as 'natural', and now one in every two new products introduced to the market is sold as 'grain-free.'

It is commonly thought amongst veterinarians that raw-feeding poses a significantly greater risk, and on the basis of this, they warn against raw-feeding. This article analyses the 2012 AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) statement on raw-feeding.

Many people think hard about their food choices and we've become a nation of label readers. The information here will help to simplify the reading of pet food labels. But be warned - the current system of pet food regulation is ineffective at informing consumers and protecting pets.

An overview of common 'natural' marketing trends seen within the pet food industry, and what they mean.

An overview of the various preservatives found in processed pet-food and how they impact animal nutrition.

Antibiotic resistance has been a problem for at least 70 years. Agricultural and medicinal overuse and misuse of antibiotics has caused the issue. We discuss the role that raw feeding cats and dogs could play in this issue.

More information on the important of organ meats and the excess of cadmium (a heavy metal found in soil) which can enter the food chain via fruit, vegetables and organs of livestock.

All our products are processed through facilities which meet MPI-requirements for the production of pet food. These requirements include safe guards against the spread of sheep measles, and the resurgence of hydatids in New Zealand.