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PUPPYLOVE FAQs

What are my delivery or pick up options?

→ Have your order delivered to your door locally *Queenstown, Arrowtown $5

→ Pick up for free at PuppyLove HQ on Lake Hayes from our Pick Up freezer on the studio deck.

→ Overnight courier in the Lower South Island - $15

If I am picking up from PuppyLove HQ, what days and times can I do so?

You can Pick Up from PuppyLove HQ on Lake Hayes from our Pick Up freezer on the studio deck - we understand you're all busy so the freezer is generally open 24/7.

We appreciate you picking up asap once your order is packed, we are space challenged🙏

What days do you do local delivery?

We do local deliveries around Queenstown and Arrowtown every Thursday.

If I am not happy with the product or my dog doesn't like raw food, do you offer a refund?

We understand that sometimes things don't work out they way we want them to - we are flexible and offer a refund if raw food doesn't fit with your dog. Please get in touch with us.

How does the raw transition work with My First Dog Food Bag?

When switching to a raw diet, we have to transition to a high-acid stomach (as processed food lowers stomach acid). This only takes 2 weeks and means that your dog can absorb the goodness of raw food with ease. My First Dog Food Bag is a 4 week transition. We use a mix of top-shelf, gentle mince mixes along with a probiotics in the first 2 weeks. In the next 2 weeks, we start feeding normally with whole, digestible bones. We are here to help you through this transition as we understand it can be a lot to take in!

Please see some of our questions under 'Raw Feeding FAQs' below for additional details on raw feeding.

I have a cat, can you feed them?

We might be called PuppyLove but we love cats and they love a raw meat diet too! We feed most cats who happen to share houses with our dogs. See question in the next section 'Can cats eat a raw diet?' for additional information.

MASTER IT

RAW FEEDING FAQs

How do I achieve a balanced raw meat diet for dogs?

Your dog needs raw meaty bones, organ meats, green tripe and pre-digested plant matter to eat a balanced diet. Dogs obtain their glucose requirement from protein and fat and while bones are an incredibly rich source of nutrients, they are not sufficient by themselves. The Puppy Love range covers everything you will need for a balanced diet!

The breakdown for optimal balance that we suggest is as follows:

   70% meat

   10% offal

   10% bone

   10% plant matter (vegetable and fruit)

If not feeding vegetables and fruits, the meat component is increased to 80%.

For a full discussion of the nutrient content of a raw diet click HERE.

Balance is achieved over time. Aiming for a complete and balanced diet at every meal is not necessary and should not be the goal. Think of us as humans - we balance our own intake over time, often eating different macros at each meal and eating seasonally.

Are bones dangerous for my dog?

As dogs are carnivores, their jaws are designed to chew, rush and digest raw, meaty bones.

Cooked bones can be very dangerous as they are brittle and can splinter which can perforate the stomach or gut. They can also cause constipation in dogs. For these reasons, cooked bones should not be fed to your dog. 

Tips for feeding raw bones to your dog:

Choose raw, meaty bones appropriate for the size of your dog to avoid them gulping them in one piece - dogs need to rip, tear and chew to get the full benefit of their raw meaty bones diet. 

Avoid weight bearing bones such as legs - these are harder than teeth and can crack or break your dog’s teeth. 

Go for soft digestible bones - all chicken bones, fish bones, brisket, ribs, neck and tails.

Is there danger from bacteria in the raw meat for my dog and for my kitchen?

Dogs have a very acidic stomach which does not allow harmful bacteria to thrive. They also have a short gut transit time, not giving the harmful bacteria time to colonise. When changing your dog to a raw meat diet it is best to stay raw to keep their digestion efficient. 

A grain-fed dog has a less acidic stomach which can allow the harmful bacteria to thrive. The carbohydrates from the grain ferment, leading to a sluggish transit time through the gut which gives the harmful bacteria the opportunity to colonise. Feeding a grain-fed dog the occasional raw bone can make them more likely to run into trouble. 

Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter are more likely to be a problem if your pet gains access to a carcass which has been allowed to 'ripen'. Dogs presenting with Salmonella or Campylobacter are often likely to have got into a rubbish bin and eaten last night's cooked chicken!

Take your normal precautions when handling meat in your own kitchen. Clean all utensils and surfaces with warm soapy water and always wash your hands before and after handling raw meat.

Will feeding my dog raw meaty bones make them aggressive?

Often a raw fed dog is calmer and more relaxed as they are not consuming additives, flavourings and food colours. A raw fed dog will take more interest in his food and may initially guard his food more as it really is worth guarding!

If you have more than one dog they may need to be fed separately. Children should not be allowed near any dog when they are eating.

Can cats eat a raw diet?

Cats tend to be fussy and it’s not always easy switching them but it can be done. The best way to start is by enhancing their biscuits with small bite size pieces of salmon or heart.

The amount to feed guidelines for cats are slightly different to dogs, please get in touch with us HERE and we can work out how much your cat needs.

How much should my dog be eating?

You can download our handy raw feeding guideline HERE. These are suggested and approximate amounts only. Please contact us HERE if you would like a tailor made recommendation. 

Where do you suggest it is best for me to feed my dog?

Outside is ideal if you can as this is the most natural environment for them. Otherwise, in the corner of the kitchen/garage/laundry/bathroom are alternative options. Feeding them in a crate can be useful if you have more than one dog. If you train your dog to eat on a towel or drop sheet then you can feed them anywhere!

When and how often should I feed my dog?

Feeding your dog must fit in with your routine so find a time that suits you and your dog will be more than happy. Ideally a dog will eat twice a day as it's a long time for a scavenging carnivore to wait if only eating once!

What about hydatids and sheep measles?

Historically dogs became infected with hydatids tapeworm by scavenging on sheep carcasses found dead in the paddock, not by eating raw meaty bones from the butcher. Meat passed for human consumption therefore poses no threat. New Zealand is now a hydatids free country, but because of the risk of reintroduction from imported live animals, controls have been maintained. The Puppy Love range has all been frozen before feeding to dogs and cats. 

Sheep measles are not a human health risk but are viewed as a quality defect in the meat. All sheep and goat meat should be frozen at -10 degrees or colder for at least 10 days before feeding it to your dogs. Domestic freezers are generally at least this cold.

Is feeding a raw diet expensive?

We believe feeding a raw meaty diet with bones saves you money in the long run as it is an investment in the overall health of your dog. While on a cost per day basis it may be a higher cost than alternative dog food options, our experience has been that the dogs eating a raw diet have a reduction in veterinary costs. 

The PuppyLove range is clean, wild and organic - no steroids, hormones, antibiotics, additives, preservatives, flavourings or food colourings. An investment in PuppyLove goodness is an investment in the quality of life of your dog!

Can I feed my dog table scraps?

Table scraps used to be an important source of food for our dogs. Wild carnivores eat small amounts of omnivore food, part digested, when they eat the intestines of their smaller prey. Our table scraps count as omnivore food.

Table scraps can provide important nutrition for your dog but read the FAQ below on what to avoid.

Are there some things I should avoid feeding my dog?

We recommend avoiding the following:

→ Highly processed food (e.g. chicken nuggets, pizza, fast food etc)    

→ Excessive meat off the bone (as this is not balanced)

→ Cooked bone (it is brittle and will cause problems)

→ Small pieces of bone (can be gulped whole and cause issues)

→ Starchy food like potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and sugary foods

→ Onions, leeks, garlic (in excess these can be toxic)

→ Fruit stones and corn cobs (these can get stuck)

→ Chocolate (can be toxic)

→ Grapes and raisins

→ Milk

→ Alcohol, coffee, tea, caffeine, xylitol sweetener

→ Mineral and vitamin supplements (can cause imbalance unless given under veterinary guidance)