Carnivora - Whole Animal Diets

Along with meat, dogs and cats require bones to maintain their health. Bones in a whole animal carcass act as a source of fiber, but more importantly, they supply calcium, which in cooperation with phosphorus in meat builds and maintains bones and teeth. Calcium plays many other roles in your pet's body including muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and proper blood clotting.

Whole carcasses supply other key dietary components. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a group of natural substances found in and around the cells of cartilage, joints, tendons and organs that contribute to normal joint function. Some of the more commonly known GAGs are chondroitin, glucosamine and hyaluronic acid. A whole animal carcass also contains various classes of fats that provide energy, form hormones, and, regulates temperature and normal nerve function. Fats also supply fat-soluble vitamins and various fatty acids crucial to your pet's skin, coat, and immune system.

When provided a whole animal diet, dogs and cats have the ability to produce their own antioxidants. Whole animal carcasses support this production with nutrients like vitamins A, C, E, and the minerals copper, zinc, and selenium. Another group of disease-preventing nutrients called zoochemicals are provided from iron, coenzyme Q10, and the fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA).

The ingredients, nutritional info and guidelines can be found at Carnivora's website.

SAFE RAW FOOD HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS:

• Keep food frozen and thaw in refrigerator until ready to use.
• Raw food must be used within 3 days after thawing
• Return unused food back to the refrigerator after serving.
• Serve in stainless steel or ceramic dishes.
• Wash all work surfaces, utensils, serving spoons and hands with hot water & soap after handling raw meat & poultry.