Pet Nutrition

In November 2021, our in-house vet Dr Rebecca Brown presented at the RFVS Conference on “Should You Create or Formulate? The Great Debate.” She shared how Raw Essentials was founded on an evolutionary, species-appropriate approach: minimally processed, natural food as nature intended.

Ascophyllum nodosum (A.N.) seaweed is a brown kelp harvested in Canada. Kelp is a great source of many vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Kelp is also a well known source of iodine.

Feeding variety ensures your pet eats a great range of nutrients. Here, we have some handy advice for feeding your pet a variety of prey species.

People are encouraged to include fibre in their diets to promote gut health, and a diet with plenty of vegetables - a natural source of fibre - correlates with better health outcomes. But what does this mean for pets?

Cats evolved to eat small prey animals. They cannot utilise plant proteins to satisfy their nutrient requirements. Wild cats eat a meat-based diet: high protein, moderate fat, minimal carbohydrate and a high moisture content.

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they have nutritional requirements that can only be met with a diet based on animal tissue. The macronutrient profile for cats is high in protein and fat, consistent with a meat and bone based diet.

Dogs are sometimes referred to as omnivores, because they have the ability to survive on a diet which includes plant material. Cats are usually referred to as 'true' carnivores.

Professor David Raubenheimer is a world-renowned nutritional ecologist (and a Kiwi). He has developed a model investigating the interaction of macro-nutrients (carbohydrate, fat and protein) in various species, including primates and carnivores.

We may suggest higher energy products for super-lean pets who struggle to keep weight on or for high activity and overly energetic dogs. Or leaner products for pets with certain health conditions or need to manage their weight.