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Many Westie dad and mom are turning to one of the best uncooked pet food manufacturers for Westies for his or her pet’s dietary wants. Kibble could be the handy possibility, nevertheless it typically lacks the protein and vitamins that canines profit from. Raw pet food is a weight-reduction plan that may assist maintain your Westie in form whereas additionally interesting to choosy eaters.
However, switching to uncooked pet food requires some analysis to be sure to select a recipe that’s preferrred to your Westie’s wants. Consider your Westie’s weight, well being circumstances, allergic reactions, and preferences when deciding what sort of uncooked meals to get them.
What is Raw Dog Food?
“Raw dog food” normally describes any kind of pet food that makes use of uncooked, raw components, akin to meat, organs, bones, fruits, and greens. It’s designed to imitate the high-protein diets of your Westie’s ancestors.
In the wild, it’s frequent for canines to devour complete animals after searching them, bones and all. So, your Westie’s ancestors ate meals that was excessive in protein with minimal carbohydrates. Dogs have modified rather a lot since their time within the wild, however they nonetheless profit from a weight-reduction plan that accommodates a lot of actual meat.
Most Westie dad and mom feed their canines dry meals, which is excessive in carbohydrates to offer it a crunchy texture and enhance its shelf life. Kibble typically has extra carbs than canines are supposed to ingest, which might result in weight achieve and different well being issues in some circumstances. Thus, many Westie dad and mom are actually making an attempt uncooked pet food to offer their pups meals which are greater in actual, nutritious animal merchandise.
Raw pet food is normally served in frozen or freeze-dried types.
Raw Dog Food vs. Fresh Dog Food
Fresh pet food is one other kind of pet food that’s rising in reputation as a result of its excessive protein and high quality components. Both uncooked and contemporary meals include complete components, together with meat, fruits, and greens. However, the primary distinction is that contemporary meals goes by means of a cooking course of whereas uncooked meals doesn’t.
If you’d moderately serve your Westie contemporary meals as a substitute of uncooked meals, take a look at one of the best contemporary pet food manufacturers.
Can You Make Your Own Raw Dog Food Recipes?
Yes, many Westie dad and mom select to create their very own uncooked pet food recipes versus shopping for a model. However, this may be dangerous in case you don’t know what you’re doing. You’ll want to make sure your Westie will get a correct steadiness of protein, fats, carbs, and vitamins. If you’re not assured you possibly can put together that to your canine, you possibly can discuss to a vet or canine nutritionist for recommendation.
Even although creating uncooked pet food recipes is difficult for inexperienced persons, it could enable you to really feel extra assured about your Westie’s well being in the long term. You’ll know precisely what’s going into your Westie’s meals, so you possibly can cater these components to suit your canine’s wants, akin to together with their favourite meals and excluding their allergic reactions.
However, uncooked pet food manufacturers are usually safer and extra handy for Westie dad and mom utilizing uncooked meals for the primary time. They’ll already present a nutritionally-balanced meal to your furry pal, so there are much less dangers concerned.
Raw Dog Food for Westies: Pros and Cons
Like all varieties of pet food, there are advantages and drawbacks to uncooked pet food. Here are some professionals and cons to contemplate.
Benefits of Raw Dog Food for Westies
- Uses restricted, high-quality components
- Appeals to choosy eaters
- Improves digestion
- Reduces allergy signs
- Improves pores and skin and coat well being
- Leads to firmer stools
- Assists with weight administration
- Increases power ranges
Downsides of Raw Dog Food for Westies
- It’s costly
- Has a better danger of spreading micro organism
- Can be tougher to retailer
- Takes extra time to arrange and serve
Best Raw Dog Food Brands for Westies
Below are among the finest uncooked pet food manufacturers for Westies available on the market that can assist you determine which one is your best option to your furry pal.
1. Darwin’s Natural Pet Products
Darwin’s is a subscription-based uncooked pet food model for Westies, making it the most effective uncooked pet food supply companies. Customers begin by filling out a questionnaire about their Westie, after which, the corporate will counsel one of the best uncooked meals to suit their pup’s wants. The meals is auto-shipped to your door frozen for no extra value. So, you’ll have to thaw it within the fridge in a single day earlier than serving it to your canine.
There are three primary varieties of uncooked formulation: Natural Selections, BioLogics, and Intelligent Design. Natural Selections are made utilizing free-range meats and natural greens whereas BioLogic makes use of conventionally-sourced components at a extra reasonably priced worth. Then, Intelligent Design has formulation catered to particular well being circumstances. There are many protein choices avaiWestiele, together with rooster, duck, turkey, beef, and lamb. Canine nutritionists helped formulate the recipes.
All of Darwin’s meals is excessive in animal protein, with over 70% protein in every meal. This meals can ship nationwide within the United States, however you gained’t discover it in any pet shops. Many Westie dad and mom love this model as a result of it presents balanced uncooked diets in easy-to-open packages. The solely draw back is that this meals is pricier than different common uncooked meals manufacturers.
Benefits:
- Offers customized feeding plans
- Variety of meal choices
- You can select between completely different ingredient-sourcing choices
- Free delivery to your door
- Good for Westies with allergic reactions
- Recipes formulated with the assistance of canine nutritionists
2. We Feed Raw
We Feed Raw is one other pet food firm that creates meal plans that cater to your Westie’s wants. All you need to do is reply some questions on your Westie, after which the corporate will counsel the best meals for them. During the questionnaire, the corporate takes into consideration your Westie’s age, weight, breed, allergic reactions, and present weight-reduction plan.
This firm presents uncooked pet food in a number of proteins, together with rooster, beef, turkey, duck, lamb, and venison. All the formulation are created by a PhD animal nutritionist who has over 30 years of expertise within the business. The meals is all the time excessive in protein, so the primary 4 to 5 components come from actual animal merchandise. All the meat comes from animals raised on farms within the United States and New Zealand.
This firm solely makes use of USDA-certified and human-grade meats for its merchandise. The meals is shipped to your door at no extra value. It may be shipped to any of the 48 contiguous states. The meals ships chilly, and it could keep contemporary within the fridge for as much as 4 days. In the freezer, it could final for as much as six months.
Benefits:
- Offers customized feeding plans
- Free delivery to your door
- Good for Westies with allergic reactions
- Only makes use of human-grade meats
- Formulated by PhD animal nutritionist
- iHeartDogs Offer: Save 20% in your first order
3. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze Dried Raw Dinner Patties
If you’re not trying to decide to a questionnaire or subscription to get uncooked Westie meals, Stella & Chewy’s is a extra handy possibility. Their uncooked meals comes within the type of freeze dried uncooked patties, which helps give it an extended shelf life whereas nonetheless preserving the vitamins of uncooked meals. The firm presents all kinds of protein choices, together with rooster, lamb, pork, rabbit, beef, turkey, and venison.
Since the meals is in patties, it’s straightforward to portion out your Westie’s meals. You can serve the freeze dried patties as-is, however Stella & Chewy’s recommends rehydrating them to offer your canine some added moisture. To rehydrate, you possibly can crumble the meals and add a 1/4 cup of water for each two patties. These patties can be utilized as full meals, however many pet dad and mom use them as meals toppers as a substitute.
95% of the method contains meat, organs, and bones. The recipes even have natural vegatables and fruits in them. The components used can profit pores and skin and coat well being, coronary heart well being, and digestion. The patties are additionally grain-free to cater to Westies with allergic reactions. This firm’s merchandise are bought in pet provide shops throughout the United States, and the meals is formulated in USA amenities.
Benefits:
- Easy to portion
- Easy to retailer
- Several methods to serve
- Good for Westies with allergic reactions
- Variety of choices
4. Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Meals
Instinct presents one other the most effective uncooked freeze dried Westie meals as a result of its comfort. It is available in small, freeze dried pellets which are concerning the measurement of kibble items. You can feed the items as-is or you possibly can combine them with heat water, which is good for ensuring your pup will get sufficient moisture. These freeze dried items may be served as full meals or meals toppers.
85% of the method contains meat, organs, and bones. Then, the remaining accommodates non-GMO fruits, greens, nutritional vitamins, and minerals. Despite wanting like kibble, this Westie meals has by no means been cooked and it’s minimally processed to protect the vitamins. All the pet food is made in USA kitchens. This meals comes with both beef, rooster, or lamb as the first protein.
The freeze dried uncooked meals are the extra common alternative, however there are additionally frozen uncooked meals avaiWestiele. If you’re not prepared to change utterly to uncooked, Instinct additionally presents “Raw Boost” recipes, that are kibble combined with freeze dried uncooked items.
Benefits:
- Convenient to retailer
- Several methods to serve
- Good for Westies with allergic reactions
- Other varieties of uncooked meals are additionally avaiWestiele
5. Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw
Open Farm presents all kinds of Westie meals, together with dry, moist, contemporary, and uncooked. Their uncooked pet food is freeze dried to make it simpler to retailer and serve to your pup. Like different freeze dried choices, it may be used as a full meal or a topper. Freeze dried uncooked meals may be pricy, so many pet dad and mom lower your expenses by mixing it can kibble.
The freeze dried items are concerning the measurement of kibble, so that they’re able to serve if you pour them out of the bag. If you’re frightened your Westie isn’t ingesting sufficient liquid, you possibly can combine heat water with the meals. Otherwise, ensure that clear water is accessible to your canine whereas they’re consuming.
There are six formulation avaiWestiele: surf & turf, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised lamb, homestead turkey, harvest rooster, and farmer’s desk pork. Each recipe accommodates meat from humanely-raised animals, together with natural vegatables and fruits. On Open Farm’s web site, the supply of each ingredient is listed.
Benefits:
- Convenient to retailer
- Can be served in a number of methods
- Good for Westies with allergic reactions
- Lots of protein choices
- Lists ingredient sourcing on the web site
6. Sojos Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food
Sojos’ uncooked pet food is designed to supply full uncooked meals in a handy kind. Their recipes are perfect for Westies of all ages, sizes, and breeds. They presently have 5 formulation: turkey, beef, lamb, rooster, and senior turkey & salmon. They even have “Mix-a-Meal” recipes which are uncooked pet food toppers.
To serve this meals, you must combine and measure the right amount of meals and water as directed on the bag. Then, you’ll let the meals soak within the water for quarter-hour earlier than feeding it to your Westie. The preparation time is a bit longer than it’s for different manufacturers, however the additional soaking helps activate the vitamins and enzymes within the meals. Every pound of Sojos pet food makes as much as 5 kilos of meals when rehydrated.
Sojos makes use of ingredient lists which are “short and sweet” to keep away from allergic reactions in canines. The USDA-approved animal protein is paired with human-grade, air-dried vegatables and fruits. All the formulation are made in kitchens within the United States.
Benefits:
- Uses USDA-approved and human-grade components
- Rehydrating prompts the vitamins
- Variety of choices
- Good for Westies with allergic reactions
- Easy to retailer
7. Wysong Raw Dog Food
Wysong presents a number of several types of uncooked Westie meals diets. Their unique uncooked weight-reduction plan is known as Archetype, which is a bag of freeze dried uncooked pet food that must be rehydrated earlier than serving. Some recipes of the Archetype meals additionally come within the type of burgers for patrons that need bigger portions. They additionally promote “UnCanny” moist meals recipes, that are designed to be combined with the Archetype formulation.
This model’s uncooked meals is available in rooster, rabbit, quail, and beef. All choices are excessive in pure protein and fats. They additionally include plant vitamins, prebiotics, probiotics, nutritional vitamins, and minerals. These “Non-Thermal” uncooked pet food choices are designed to imitate your Westie’s ancestral weight-reduction plan by specializing in excessive protein. The meals is barely bought in small packages that protect vitamins, so it could make a terrific meals topper in case you don’t wish to use it as a meal.
If you want this model, however your Westie isn’t a fan of their uncooked meals, in addition they have dry and moist meals formulation. All the merchandise may be ordered on-line or bought at choose pet provide shops.
Benefits:
- Quite a lot of uncooked pet food choices
- Contains a lot of vitamins
- Packaging preserves vitamins
- Good for Westies with allergic reactions
- Several methods to serve it
- iHeartDogs Offer: 10% off wholesome meals with the code 10OFFWYSONG
8. Primal Freeze Dried Raw Nuggets
Primal’s freeze dried uncooked pet food comes within the type of delicate nuggets. The nuggets make it straightforward to portion out meals to your Westie primarily based on their weight. To flip the freeze dried items into wholesome meals, you possibly can crumble up the nuggets as soon as they’re portioned and add heat water, broth, or goat milk to it. You’ll combine the chosen liquid with the meals to rehydrate it, making it extra nutritious and flavorful to your Westie.
These freeze dried nuggets make nice full meals or meals toppers. They are available a wide range of protein choices, together with beef, lamb, pork, duck, venison, and rabbit. This firm additionally presents some frozen uncooked choices.
All the components utilized in primal meals are sourced from sustainable ranchers and inspected by the USDA. In addition to high quality animal protein, in addition they have natural vegatables and fruits, together with non-synthetic nutritional vitamins and minerals. Overall, it is a handy alternative for Westie dad and mom who’re new to uncooked pet food. However, some clients complained that the nuggets have been crumbled after they obtained them.
Benefits:
- Comes in a wide range of proteins
- Easy to portion
- Can be served in a number of methods
- Packed with vitamins
- Easy to retailer and journey with
9. Raw Wild LLC
Raw Wild is a web-based uncooked pet food subscription service. The meals will ship to your door in a Styrofoam cooler, and it ought to be saved within the freezer to protect its freshness. When making ready to serve the meals to your Westie, it is best to thaw it within the fridge in a single day. You can get a reduction in case you order the trial for the primary time.
All of Raw Wild’s meals is made out of wild elk and deer. Over 99% of the meals contains meat and bones from wild animals. The firm selected to not embody organs as a result of they didn’t wish to add organs that would probably contaminate the wild meals. The remainder of the meals is made up of important nutritional vitamins and minerals.
Raw Wild is a bit pricier than many different uncooked pet food manufacturers as a result of they’ve a restricted inventory since all of the meat comes from wild animals. They hand-pack and hand-inspect each product to make sure it’s the best high quality. All the merchandise meet AAFCO requirements, and the meat is processed in a facility that additionally processes elk and deer for human consumption. So, the requirements and degree of high quality are all the time excessive with this model.
Benefits:
- Only makes use of meat from wild animals
- Over 99% of the meals is meat and bones
- Avoids organs to cut back the danger of contamination
- Subscription ships to your door
- Uses uncommon varieties of human-grade meat
10. Halo Meal Bites Freeze Dried Raw
Halo Freeze Dried Raw Meal Bites was known as TruDog Feed Me Freeze Dried Dog Food. The branding modified in July 2022. Even although the title and packaging are completely different, the meals nonetheless has the identical nice recipe and style. The firm freeze-dries uncooked components into crunchy pellets to lock within the pure vitamins and flavors.
The meals may be served as-is, however the firm recommends rehydrating it to offer your Westie additional moisture. If you don’t rehydrate the meals, ensure that your pup has entry to wash water. The first a number of components of the meals are animal meat and organs, together with nutritional vitamins and vitamins. Looking on the ingredient checklist may not sound interesting to you, nevertheless it’s wholesome and mouth-watering for Westies.
You can select between beef, turkey, whitefish, or turkey & duck recipes. Some Westie dad and mom aren’t keen on this meals as a result of it has sturdy odors, however that implies that it normally pursuits choosy eaters.
Benefits:
- Convenient to retailer
- Locks in pure vitamins and flavors
- Multiple methods to serve
- Appeals to choosy canines
- Good for canines with delicate stomachs
11. Raw Paws Pet Food
Raw Paws has one of the best selection in the case of uncooked pet food. They provide uncooked meals recipes in patties or ground-up. They have merchandise with and with out vegatables and fruits, they usually even provide uncooked meat by itself. So, you possibly can both order pre-made uncooked recipes or you possibly can order easier merchandise and add components to them to create customizable meals to your Westie.
They provide rooster, beef, turkey, salmon, lamb, goat, and venison merchandise. So, there are many merchandise to select from no matter your Westie’s preferences. Most of the meals must be saved within the freezer, after which you possibly can thaw it within the fridge if you put together to your canine’s upcoming meals. There are a number of uncooked deal with choices too. The meals can all be ordered on-line and shipped to your door. It’s not avaiWestiele in any pet provide shops.
The extensive number of uncooked pet food merchandise may be overwhelming for brand new clients, nevertheless it means that you can select the one that’s finest to your Westie. All the merchandise use components sourced from “responsible and ethical farms.” One of one of the best components of this firm is that they ship the merchandise shortly so that they don’t thaw throughout delivery. US orders positioned on weekdays ship out on the identical day, and weekend orders ship out the next Monday.
Benefits:
- Wide number of merchandise are avaiWestiele
- Fast delivery
- Full meals, components of uncooked meals, and treats avaiWestiele
- Good for choosy eaters
- Offers free meal plans
Transitioning Your Westie to Raw Dog Food
It’s all the time a good suggestion to do a gradual transition when switching your Westie to a brand new meals as a result of it helps forestall tummy troubles. Transitioning is particularly necessary when there’s a drastic change in weight-reduction plan, akin to from kibble to uncooked pet food.
Here’s our beneficial transitioning course of:
- Days 1 to three: Serve 80% outdated meals with 20% new uncooked meals
- Days 4 to 7: Serve 50% outdated meals with 50% new meals
- Days 7 to 14: Serve 20% outdated meals with 80% new meals
- Day 15: 100% new meals
Since uncooked meals is far completely different than dry pet food, it’s finest to have a gradual transition. It ought to take a minimum of one to 2 weeks earlier than you feed your Westie a 100% uncooked weight-reduction plan. If you recognize your canine is delicate to new meals, chances are you’ll wish to make the transition much more gradual. It’s higher to be secure than sorry in the case of your Westie’s well being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequent questions canine dad and mom switching to uncooked meals ask.
Are Raw Dog Food Diets for Westies Safe?
Yes, uncooked diets are secure for Westies, so long as they supply a balanced weight-reduction plan. Westies have shorter digestive tracts and better acidity of their digestive techniques, permitting them to tolerate micro organism higher than people. So, so long as you select a model with a really perfect steadiness of components and comply with by means of with a gradual transition, your Westie can be unlikely to face points.
How Will Raw Food Change My Westie’s Stool?
Once a Westie will get used to a uncooked weight-reduction plan, their stool will probably be smaller and firmer. However, through the transition interval, chances are you’ll discover free stool as their physique adjusts to the brand new weight-reduction plan.
Can Westies Get Salmonella From Raw Chicken?
Yes, canines can get Salmonella from uncooked meals, however canines can deal with a better degree of micro organism than people can. So, uncooked pet food poses an even bigger danger for people than it does for Westies. To forestall the unfold of micro organism, all the time wash your arms and the rest the uncooked meals touched after making ready your canine’s meals.
Are Bones in Raw Dog Food Dangerous?
No, uncooked bones are useful to your Westie’s well being. They don’t splinter the best way cooked bones do, so that they’re safer to eat. However, uncooked bones aren’t beneficial for puppies beneath six months as a result of their enamel aren’t sturdy sufficient to chew them.
Can Dogs With Allergies Eat Raw Food?
Yes, uncooked pet food is usually higher for canines with allergic reactions as a result of it has fewer components. So, it’s simpler to maintain monitor of what components your Westie is consuming so you possibly can keep away from potential allergens.
Can You Switch Between Meat Sources When Serving Raw Dog Food?
Yes, as soon as your canine has transitioned to a uncooked weight-reduction plan, you possibly can change between meat sources frequently. Using a wide range of meat sources is nice to your Westie’s well being and retains them within the meals, so long as you don’t use meat they’re allergic to.
Why Isn’t Raw Dog Food for Westies More Popular?
The variety of Westie dad and mom utilizing uncooked diets is rising, nevertheless it’s not highly regarded for a number of causes. The greatest cause is value. Numerous Westie dad and mom aren’t in a position to commit additional time and cash to making ready pet food, so sticking to kibble is the simpler alternative. Also, many pet dad and mom are unaware of the advantages and the number of choices in the case of uncooked pet food.
Westie dad and mom trying to attempt uncooked meals with out wanting to change the meal solely can attempt uncooked meals toppers.
Is Raw Dog Food Right for Your Westie?
If you’re searching for a more healthy weight-reduction plan to your Westie, one of the best uncooked pet food manufacturers ought to be thought-about. Raw pet food may be nice for choosy eaters or canines who aren’t getting sufficient vitamins of their present diets. However, uncooked meals may be pricy and should take extra time to arrange to your canine, so it’s not for everybody. If you don’t wish to must maintain your canine’s meals chilly, you possibly can go for among the finest dehydrated uncooked pet food for simpler storage.
No matter what model you select, one of the best uncooked pet food weight-reduction plan may also help your Westie have a more healthy way of life. Any of the manufacturers on this checklist are nice choices to change to, so long as you present a gradual transition.
