Why Incorporating Some Raw Food into Your Pet's Diet is Better Than None

While completely making the switch is the only way to fully reap the benefits raw food has to offer your pet, adding even some raw food, treats, or supplements to their existing diet provides essential nutrients and can reduce the number of soluble carbohydrates they’re consuming.

Why and how you can add it to your pet’s diet

More Raw Food, More Protein

Because Vital Essentials products are made from only meat, bones, and vital organs, they are higher in protein than traditional dry kibble. Vital Essentials raw pet food contains a minimum of 50 percent protein, while comparable traditional products have about 27 percent protein.

That means adding raw food to your cat or dog’s kibble not only increases the protein in their diet, it also reduces the number of carbohydrates they’re eating. One downside of traditional kibble is that it creates excess soluble carbohydrates due to fillers like grains, corn, flavorings, or rendered byproducts, which can lead to several negative health effects. Learn more from our video with expert animal nutritionist Dr. Richard Patton. He discusses the effects that excess soluble carbohydrates have on your pet.

Health Benefits

Vital Essentials raw food helps reduce the risk of obesity in cats and dogs by eliminating excess carbohydrates, and our treats and supplements offer health and wellness benefits, too. Vital Essentials freeze-dried treats for dogs, for example, offer an added boost of vitamins, protein, and stimulation, while helping keep their teeth strong and healthy. We also have options for your feline friends—Vital Essentials freeze-dried Toppers™  boost their metabolism and immune system.

By eating raw food, your dog or cat also get Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, taurine, iron, and other essential minerals. Explore all Vital Essentials dog products or cat products to discover which would best work for your pet.

Ways to Add Raw Food

You don’t have to choose any way to add raw food to your pet’s diet or completely switch over. There are a few different options, and you can mix and match.

1. Mix Raw Food with Dry Kibble

A lot of pet owners go this route because it makes it easier to fully transition their dog or cat to raw food once they decide to do it. Their pet is already used to eating it and might even prefer it over their dry kibble.

But, if you’re ready to make a complete switch to a raw diet for your cat or dog, make it gradual, so you don’t upset your pet’s digestive system. Introduce small portions of the new raw food to their existing kibble diet, for example, increasing the amount of raw and decreasing the current food over 10 days.

2. Add Supplements and Toppers

Vital Essentials has a variety of supplements and toppers for dogs and cats. Vital Essentials beef tripe patties are a favorite among dogs and an excellent source of probiotics, calcium, essential fatty acids, and, of course, protein. These supplements can help manage sensitive stomachs and reach even the pickiest eaters. Tripe can be added to their dry kibble or given separately between meals.

Vital Essentials freeze-dried beef, chicken, and turkey meal toppers give both dogs and cats a taste of real meat for dinner and can be used as a full meal, supplement, or mix in with their diet, giving you a variety of options in terms of how much you want to add. Mix the products with the existing food according to the feeding guidelines for your pet’s weight. For a complete and balanced meal, simply mix the Topper with water, bone broth, or other liquid to the consistency preferred by your pet and serve.

3. Give Them Treats

You know how much your pet loves treats, and with Vital Essentials, there are plenty of options you can choose from to easily (and affordably) add raw food to your cat or dog’s diet. And, with Vital Essentials treats, you don’t have to worry about junk ingredients. Our treats are all-natural.

Adding freeze-dried minnows is a great way to appeal to your cat’s instincts, and your dog can gnaw on a freeze-dried pig ear or a moo stick instead of a bone, giving her essential nutrients, better dental health, and even calm an upset stomach. Raw treats are a great way to give your pet increased nutrition and satisfaction between meals without having to fully transition to raw pet food.

For more information on Vital Essentials and our full product line, follow us on TikTok and Instagram. And if you have any questions, be sure to check out our FAQ page for answers. Together, we can ensure your pet gets the proper nutrition they deserve.