Walk into any dog run in Singapore today and you'll hear it: more and more pawrents are moving their furkids off kibble and onto fresh food. Some made the switch for a picky eater, some for an itchy tummy, and some simply because they wanted to see real food in the bowl. Here's what's behind the change, what the research says so far, and how to tell if fresh food is right for your dog.
What is fresh dog food?
Fresh dog food is made from whole ingredients you can recognise: muscle meat, organs, bone and vegetables, with nothing added to make it last on a shelf. Instead of being baked into dry pellets, it's kept frozen until mealtime. Fresh food can be raw or gently cooked. You may also hear raw feeding called BARF, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.
Our BigPupTub™ recipes, for example, combine one main protein with organs and real ground bone, plus celery, spinach, beetroot, carrot, pumpkin, oat, flaxseed, wolfberry and wakame. Everything is coarsely ground, so you can still see what you're feeding.
Why pawrents are moving away from kibble
Kibble is convenient, and many dogs live long lives on it. But it's heavily processed, very dry, and usually much higher in starch than a fresh recipe. Here's what pawrents tell us they want instead:
- Real ingredients. A short list you can read and understand.
- More moisture. Our tubs are about 70% moisture. Dry food is usually around 10%.
- Less starch. Our recipes are mostly meat, organs and bone, with only a small amount of carbohydrate.
- A bowl their dog actually finishes. Fresh food smells and tastes like food, which is why even fussy eaters often clean the bowl.
What the research says
Studies on fresh and raw feeding are still small, but a few findings come up again and again.
- Better digestion and smaller poops. In a 2017 study, dogs fed a raw meat diet digested more of their protein and energy and produced less poop than dogs fed a premium kibble. A 2018 University of Illinois study found fresh and raw diets were highly digestible too.
- A different gut microbiome. Dogs on fresh, meat based diets carry a different mix of gut bacteria. Scientists are still working out what this means for long term health.
- Healthy weight. Keeping your dog lean matters more than almost anything else. In a 14 year study of Labradors, dogs kept slim lived a median of 1.8 years longer than their littermates who ate more.
What we can't honestly promise is that fresh food cures allergies, prevents disease or replaces your vet. Every dog is different, and if yours has a health condition, please check with your vet before changing their diet.
Common questions
Is fresh raw food safe?
Raw meat can carry bacteria, for your dog's food and your own dinner alike. So treat it the way you'd treat raw chicken in your kitchen. Thaw it in the fridge, never on the counter. Use it within 2 days of thawing. Wash bowls, hands and surfaces after every meal. Our food is made in our ISO 22000 certified kitchen in Tamba-Sasayama, Japan, and travels to you frozen, delivered by our own team in Singapore.
Can puppies eat fresh food?
Yes, but growing bodies need calcium and phosphorus in the right balance, especially large breed puppies. Feed a recipe made for growth, split the day's food into at least two meals, and talk to us or your vet before you start.
Is fresh food expensive?
Fresh food costs more than most kibble because it's made from whole meat, organs and bone. Our bundles always work out cheaper than buying the same tubs one by one, and they make rotating proteins easy.
How do I switch?
Many healthy adult dogs switch straight over. If your dog has a sensitive tummy, mix in a little more fresh food each day over about a week. Our step by step guide to switching walks you through it.
Is fresh food right for your dog?
If you'd love to see real food in your dog's bowl, fresh feeding is a lovely place to start. Not sure where to begin? Try a rotational bundle so your furkid can taste a few proteins, or message us on WhatsApp. We're always happy to help you find the right fit 🐾
Sources
- Bermingham EN et al. (2017). Key bacterial families (Clostridiaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae and Bacteroidaceae) are related to the digestion of protein and energy in dogs. PeerJ.
- Algya KM et al. (2018). Apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, serum chemistry, urinalysis, and fecal characteristics, metabolites and microbiota of adult dogs fed extruded, mildly cooked, and raw diets. Journal of Animal Science.
- Kealy RD et al. (2002). Effects of diet restriction on life span and age related changes in dogs. JAVMA.
- U.S. FDA. Tips for safe handling of pet food and treats.