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CocoGabrielle 08-11-2014 09:01 AM
Best Frozen Raw Food
 
I am currently feeding Coco Freshpet Vital Complete Meals for breakfast and she loves it. However, after reading about it on here, I've found that one of the ingredients, Carrageenan, is controversial so I rather just find her something else to eat than to worry.

I think my best bet is frozen raw food. I've narrowed it down to 3, Stella and Chewy's, Primal, and Nature's Variety. I was wondering which one do you prefer? Also, this may sound silly, but what is the best way to thaw it? I was thinking about putting it in a zip lock in the refrigerator, but I'd feel like I would have to use a new zip lock bag each time and that would be wasteful. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts/opinions. Thanks! :)

mygirllacey 08-11-2014 09:54 AM
I was feeding Lacey Natures Variety Instinct Raw Chicken Medallions until they changed the formula and now she turns her little nose up at it. I switched to their beef and so far so good. I do use baggies. I thaw two days worth at a time in a fresh baggie. Lacey gets 2.5 medallions a day, so I am thawing 5 each time. When I forget to set some out to thaw, she gets Stella and Chewys freeze dried chicken. She adores Stella and Chewys freeze dried, but I find it messy when mixing it with water.

CocoGabrielle 08-11-2014 10:16 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mygirllacey (Post 4475893)
I was feeding Lacey Natures Variety Instinct Raw Chicken Medallions until they changed the formula and now she turns her little nose up at it. I switched to their beef and so far so good. I do use baggies. I thaw two days worth at a time in a fresh baggie. Lacey gets 2.5 medallions a day, so I am thawing 5 each time. When I forget to set some out to thaw, she gets Stella and Chewys freeze dried chicken. She adores Stella and Chewys freeze dried, but I find it messy when mixing it with water.
I wonder what they changed about the formula that she doesn't like it anymore. I'll keep that in mind because chicken is normally my go to flavor to try first. I bought her Stella and Chewy's freeze dried chicken yesterday for trips and the times I'm going to forgot to thraw her food. I gave her a little piece and she gobbled it right up. I didn't mix it with water, I gave it to her straight and she liked it.

Deb1 08-11-2014 11:38 AM
I feed Natures Variety raw Lamb formula. Mine love it and it thaws in minutes! I tried a different protein, but they didn't like it.

CocoGabrielle 08-11-2014 12:15 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deb1 (Post 4475909)
I feed Natures Variety raw Lamb formula. Mine love it and it thaws in minutes! I tried a different protein, but they didn't like it.
I didn't know they thaw that fast. Do you have the patties, medallions, or bites?

mimimomo 08-11-2014 12:22 PM
I put the nuggets in a pyrex glass tupperware & thaw it overnight in the fridge. I also feed them their raw food in a pyrex glass custard bowl. Glass or stainless steel is best when serving raw food as it doesn't harbor any bacteria.

I feed Primal and Stella & Chewy's, both frozen & freeze dried.

CocoGabrielle 08-11-2014 12:51 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mimimomo (Post 4475923)
I put the nuggets in a pyrex glass tupperware & thaw it overnight in the fridge. I also feed them their raw food in a pyrex glass custard bowl. Glass or stainless steel is best when serving raw food as it doesn't harbor any bacteria.

I feed Primal and Stella & Chewy's, both frozen & freeze dried.
Thanks for the advise. I have glass tupperware that I can thaw it out in. Any particular flavors that they like or do they like them all?

mimimomo 08-11-2014 01:01 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CocoGabrielle (Post 4475932)
Thanks for the advise. I have glass tupperware that I can thaw it out in. Any particular flavors that they like or do they like them all?
They enjoy duck, pheasant & rabbit. I rotate the proteins for every bag.

Verbena 08-12-2014 04:24 AM
Jenny gave you great advice. I am just feeding freeze dried Primal and Stella and Chewy. It is easy for me

Wylie's Mom 08-12-2014 04:36 AM
I feed both Primal and Nature's Variety in either Duck or chicken. To thaw, I place a few layers of paper towel in a rectangular tupperware container, then pour the frozen nuggets in the container (a whole bunch, a few layers deep)...and then set it on the cupboard to dethaw....when dethawed, I dispose of the paper towels and store the container in the fridge. I feed from that for about 4 days.

Deb1 08-12-2014 05:08 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CocoGabrielle (Post 4475920)
I didn't know they thaw that fast. Do you have the patties, medallions, or bites?
I use the bites.

CocoGabrielle 08-12-2014 10:20 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Verbena (Post 4476067)
Jenny gave you great advice. I am just feeding freeze dried Primal and Stella and Chewy. It is easy for me
I thought about doing freeze dried instead of frozen, but I've read that it's higher in fat.

CocoGabrielle 08-12-2014 10:27 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4476070)
I feed both Primal and Nature's Variety in either Duck or chicken. To thaw, I place a few layers of paper towel in a rectangular tupperware container, then pour the frozen nuggets in the container (a whole bunch, a few layers deep)...and then set it on the cupboard to dethaw....when dethawed, I dispose of the paper towels and store the container in the fridge. I feed from that for about 4 days.
Oohh so you use the paper towels to soak up the excess meat juices. Thanks for the tip!

mimimomo 08-12-2014 10:44 AM
Primal has great informative videos on their site: Feeding, Transition and Safety for Raw Dog Food Diets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4476070)
I feed both Primal and Nature's Variety in either Duck or chicken. To thaw, I place a few layers of paper towel in a rectangular tupperware container, then pour the frozen nuggets in the container (a whole bunch, a few layers deep)...and then set it on the cupboard to dethaw....when dethawed, I dispose of the paper towels and store the container in the fridge. I feed from that for about 4 days.
So you 1st dethaw on the counter? May I ask why? Just curious, maybe you know a secret.:D

I just transfer the Primal nuggets (that's what they usually eat for frozen) into the glass tupperware after their dinner. Put it in the fridge & it's already thawed in the am. There's no juices or anything, so I don't need to use any paper towels. I did notice that Stella & Chewy's gets a little juicy, but they lick it all up.

mimimomo 08-12-2014 10:58 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CocoGabrielle (Post 4476205)
I thought about doing freeze dried instead of frozen, but I've read that it's higher in fat.
Actually, the freeze dried does not have higher fat (than frozen). The freeze dried just has all the moisture taken out, so water needs to be added again. The frozen has all the moisture intact & when the moisture is taken out, the protein & fat levels also go up.

Comparing Pet Foods | College of Veterinary Medicine

I learned that the dogs & cats uses the fats as energy, they easily burn it up, not store it like us humans.

CocoGabrielle 08-12-2014 11:57 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mimimomo (Post 4476218)
Actually, the freeze dried does not have higher fat (than frozen). The freeze dried just has all the moisture taken out, so water needs to be added again. The frozen has all the moisture intact & when the moisture is taken out, the protein & fat levels also go up.

Comparing Pet Foods | College of Veterinary Medicine

I learned that the dogs & cats uses the fats as energy, they easily burn it up, not store it like us humans.
So frozen and freeze dried are equivalent as far as how healthy they are? Also, if I used freeze dried, I wasnt planning on putting water back in it. Coco is good about drinking water through out the day.

mimimomo 08-12-2014 12:18 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CocoGabrielle (Post 4476232)
So frozen and freeze dried are equivalent as far as how healthy they are? Also, if I used freeze dried, I wasnt planning on putting water back in it. Coco is good about drinking water through out the day.
They're the same, it's just that freeze dried is missing the moisture. Some people sprinkle the freeze dried on top of kibble...I guess you can give it dry if you'd like. The texture is better when mixed w/water, they can swallow it easier, just digests easier...moisture is good for their diet.

http://www.stellaandchewys.com/versus.php

Information on freeze-drying Freeze-drying is a process that enables us to remove the moisture from our products without cooking. The product is first frozen and then put into a freeze dryer. Inside the freeze dryer, powerful pumps create a vacuum and extremely cold temperatures. Very low levels of heat are applied to the shelves on which the trays of product sit, enabling the ice within the meat to "sublimate" directly into water vapor, skipping the liquid stage. The product changes from frozen to freeze-dried without ever being thawed or cooked, thereby retaining all of the nutritional value of raw meat, minus the water. With Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Dinners and Treats, you get the best of both worlds; the benefits of raw food with the convenience of a dry food.

janeno 08-12-2014 08:50 PM
I am feeding Stella's and Chewy freeze dried. She has been recently exclusively on venison due to her allergies. But I am thinking of changing to pheasant for a little bit because she is slightly getting tired of venison.

Wylie's Mom 08-13-2014 06:53 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mimimomo (Post 4476215)
Primal has great informative videos on their site: Feeding, Transition and Safety for Raw Dog Food Diets


So you 1st dethaw on the counter? May I ask why? Just curious, maybe you know a secret.:D

I just transfer the Primal nuggets (that's what they usually eat for frozen) into the glass tupperware after their dinner. Put it in the fridge & it's already thawed in the am. There's no juices or anything, so I don't need to use any paper towels. I did notice that Stella & Chewy's gets a little juicy, but they lick it all up.
I like to dethaw mine at room temp bc it's faster and I just think it dethaws them more thoroughly. I feel like when I dethaw them in the fridge, sometimes the middle still feels a bit hard/frozen...know what I mean?

mimimomo 08-13-2014 08:15 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4476453)
I like to dethaw mine at room temp bc it's faster and I just think it dethaws them more thoroughly. I feel like when I dethaw them in the fridge, sometimes the middle still feels a bit hard/frozen...know what I mean?
Gotcha!;) I know what you mean...I used to take out their next day portion b4 bed & it wouldn't be completely thawed in the am for their breakfast, so I take it out after I do the dinner dishes. It probably works for me bc I only take out the nuggets needed for the next day.

shelbysmom 08-13-2014 09:32 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CocoGabrielle (Post 4475882)
I am currently feeding Coco Freshpet Vital Complete Meals for breakfast and she loves it. However, after reading about it on here, I've found that one of the ingredients, Carrageenan, is controversial so I rather just find her something else to eat than to worry.

I think my best bet is frozen raw food. I've narrowed it down to 3, Stella and Chewy's, Primal, and Nature's Variety. I was wondering which one do you prefer? Also, this may sound silly, but what is the best way to thaw it? I was thinking about putting it in a zip lock in the refrigerator, but I'd feel like I would have to use a new zip lock bag each time and that would be wasteful. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts/opinions. Thanks! :)
The freshpet select roasted chicken does not have carrageenan in it. My dog loves it. Not rated as high because less meat protein but still a good quality food.

mimimomo 08-13-2014 09:49 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by shelbysmom (Post 4476546)
The freshpet select roasted chicken does not have carrageenan in it. My dog loves it. Not rated as high because less meat protein but still a good quality food.
:thumbup: Just FYI, fresh pet also has moisture in their foods, it's probably as fed basis (on the label). So, to calculate the dry matter basis, the moisture needs to be taken out & the %age of protein, fat, fiber etc will go up. This is a good thing, since healthy dogs & cats needs their protein.:D

CocoGabrielle 08-13-2014 02:43 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by shelbysmom (Post 4476546)
The freshpet select roasted chicken does not have carrageenan in it. My dog loves it. Not rated as high because less meat protein but still a good quality food.
Where did you get that from? I don't think I remember seeing it at Petsmart.

shelbysmom 08-13-2014 06:59 PM
Freshpet Vital is sold at Pet supply stores but Freshpet "select" is sold at grocery stores, walmart and target. I got it at Walmart, you can check the walmart website in your area to see if they have it.

Freshpet® Select Chicken With Carrots & Spinach Dog Food Recipe


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