All of our food products for dogs are a balanced diet of approx. 75% meat and/or organs and 25% fruit & vegetables and our food products for cats are a balanced diet of approx. 95% meat and 5% fruit & vegetables.

No. Feeding your pet Club Canine's pet food costs less than you might think. An adult 50 lb. dog eating our chicken, fruit & vegetable dinner will cost less than $3.00 per day. A smaller dog of 12 lbs. eating the same product will cost less than $25.00 for one month.

Ok, there is bacteria everywhere. Dogs have an amazing immunity system specifically designed to eat all manner of bacteria. A healthy raw fed fed dog manages those bacteria without problems. E-coli, salmonella, etc are found on raw chicken, but those bacteria are also found in your fridge, your sink, on your floors, in your backyard, at the park, and perhaps even in your own bed! Interesting to note is that commercial dog foods have resulted in dogs dying from e-coli or salmonella poisoning!

Risks are almost non-existent to healthy adult animals and mainly affect a pet which is already severely ill, severely stressed or with a compromised immune system due to an immune disorder or taking immuno-suppressive drugs such as steroids. We do not recommend that animals with these characteristics be fed a raw meat diet.

Dogs and Cats have digestive systems designed to handle and destroy many bacteria that are harmful to humans such as Salmonella and E. Coli. They have a short, harsh digestive tract which easily digests raw animal protein, fat and bones. Club Canine is a raw meat product and should be handled as such. (see Proper Handling of Raw Food below)

We recommend that every pet, be given a digestive enzyme with probiotics for at least 2 weeks prior to starting a raw food diet. This will help friendly bacteria colonize in the intestines of your pet and help build a stronger immune system before embarking on a raw food diet. You can use any human grade digestive enzyme and probiotics or purchase it from a health food store.

• Thawed food can be kept in the refrigerator for 3- 4 days
• Leftovers can be kept, but should be refrigerated immediately
• In the case of bones we recommend that the bone be discarded after use as old bones can become dry and brittle
• Keep the food frozen until you are ready to use it; do not refreeze thawed food products
• Wash your hands thoroughly after feeding your dogs, and even after cutting up meat for your own meals.
• Wash utensils and working surfaces with hot soapy water in the same manner you would handling your own raw meat for dinner
• Stainless steel dishes are recommended for your pet
• Wash feeding dish thoroughly after use

On occasion, when dogs (or people) make a switch to a more balanced, nutritious diet, they can sometimes display negative symptoms, such as (in the case of dogs) runny eyes, itchy skin, rashes and pimples, bad breath, and/or smelly ears. This is just a part of the healing cycle. In other words, they are mobilizing toxins, which have been stored in the cells of the body. These symptoms should pass over a period of time, usually a few days.

No! And if you forget to take the food out to thaw, we recommend placing the container in a dish of cool water in your sink. Best method to defrost is to allow it to defrost in your refrigerator.

This is a common myth. Our grandparents and great grandparents fed their pets with raw scraps from their own meals because, at the time, there was no such thing as bagged kibble and canned pet food. However, pets should NEVER eat cooked bones from leftover meals from their human companions.

Dogs and cats are carnivores and have the jaw structure to rip, tear and swallow prey animals. They do not have flat molars like humans meant for chewing things like grains and whole vegetables. Their digestive tracts are short and manufacture very harsh gastric juices meant to digest whole raw meat and bone and move it through their system very quickly. So in reality, feeding your pet our raw food is not feeding them human food per se, but in fact, feeding them a species appropriate diet close to what they would get when eating a prey animal.

It's possible. A switch to raw food may alleviate allergic symptoms your pet may be having. Many pets are allergic to protein in grains. These allergies can be seen in symptoms of chronic yeast infections, skin rashes and stiff joints or arthritic conditions. Long term exposure to large amounts of grains, for these animals, can be a precursor to more serious and permanent illness over time. But it is never too late to switch to a raw natural diet. Pets of any age can be given a new diet and benefit from it very quickly.

No.

Absolutely not. An old wives tale. If you notice any difference in the behavior of your dog, it will likely be for the better.

No. Definitely not recommended.

Every individual dog should be observed for weight changes and feeding amounts adjusted accordingly. Feed your dog based on their energy requirements. It will differ for how much work your dog does, and what their metabolism is like. Look at your dogs regularly - if they are looking a bit porky, then cut down on the fat in their diet. If they look a bit thin, then, an extra half a chicken carcass in the diet for a few days may be the solution.

These are guidelines only.

Puppies: (weaning - 12 months) and pregnant/lactating mothers should receive 5-7% of their body weight.
Adult Dogs: (12 months and up) should receive approximately 2% of their ideal body weight.

Click here for our Pet Calculators & Converters!

There are many ways to get started. Chicken or turkey are generally good starting points. Often people start with one raw meal per day and start with something like chicken necks, chicken backs, or turkey necks. If you decide to go completely raw to start, the prepared mixes are an good option. Then you make sure that your pet is getting the right mix of meat, bone, organ meat and vegetables.

Most pets will get all the calcium they need from bones but if they don't eat bones then you should add a commercial calcium supplement. Essential fatty acid oils help development of your pets hair, heart, joints, skin and much more. For dogs, you can use a combination of plant and fish based oils but for cats use only animal and fish based oils.

As with everything else, use common sense with supplements and remember too much can be as bad as not enough. If you are unsure ask your animal health care practitioner or nutritional consultant for advice.

You most certainly can. Of course, you won't want to feed that little puppy/kitten huge marrow bones! A little common sense is all that's needed.

This is one of the biggest myths of all time! Raw chicken bones are fantastic for your dog. They are soft enough so that they bend easily, and break well for the dog to digest. Never feed COOKED chicken bones!

So could a raw chicken bone kill a dog? Well I guess that anything is possible. Certainly scientifically you can't prove a negative argument. However what we do know is that dogs have died from inhaling kibble the wrong way and choking and suffocating to death.

No, this is completely expected. Totally Raw Natural Dog Food provides food in its natural state, the moisture necessary for digestion is contained in the raw food. Because kibble has had the water removed, dogs constantly have to drink water in an attempt to maintain proper hydration.

Yes, this is completely normal for a dog eating a biologically appropriate diet. The dog has less waste because the most of the food he is now ingesting is being digested and properly utilized by the body. The meaty bones account for it turning white. Another added bonus is the poop biodegrades at a much faster rate than when the dog is eating commercial food!

You will probably notice that you dog will no longer need to have their anal glands expressed. The bone component of the diet firms the feces, which in turn naturally squeezes the anal glands with every bowl movement - as natured intended. With a cooked, processed, grain based diet, the feces remain soft, allowing for the secretions to build up. This condition often results in an unnecessary, painful compaction and possible rupture of the glands.

We know that when food is cooked it loses much of its nutritional value. Vitamins are lost and many necessary enzymes (proteins) are destroyed. Enzymes are crucial to digestion, and without them the pancreas is forced to work harder and produce more digestive enzymes. This is not to say dogs should never be given cooked vegetables, but raw vegetables provide more nutrition - this is true for humans too!

At Club Canine, we puree the vegetables to a mush. The reason we puree is because plant walls are made up of cellulose and dogs cannot digest cellulose. Our pureeing process crushes the cell walls allowing the nutrients to be available to the dog. Chopping vegetables is not a satisfactory substitute as it only crushes the outer cell walls, leaving the inner parts nutritionally unavailable.

We believe in using a wide assortment of seasonal vegetables. Preparations are constantly changing, to provide as much variety as possible. Our mixed meals always contain a green leafy vegetable component since leafy vegetables contain most of the vitamins your dog needs.

We are always available to answer your questions and address specific nutrition issues. You can call or email us any time you need assistance. We aren't here just to sell products, we really care about your pets' health and well being!

For cats:
Start with 1/4 of the 'new' food, & mix with 3/4 of the 'old' food. Slowly increase the percentage of the 'new', as you decrease the 'old'. Remember, your cat's digestive system has spent years dining on over-cooked, dehydrated 'fast foods' - give it time to adjust. Every cat is individual. Patience, persistence, and 'creativity' will pay off in health dividends!

Feel Like You're Losing the Battle? - Here are Some Suggestions:

1. Slightly cook the meat (without bones!) 1st, then gradually decrease the cooking time until it is 'raw'.
2. Include raw meat, but mix in some enticement - a bit of tuna perhaps? Slowly decrease the enticement over time.
3. Fast your cat for a day or two (always have water available) before serving the new raw food. (Only if your cat is in good health & not overweight)

For Dogs:
Most dogs make the change from canned/dry foods to the raw prey diet with eagerness & ease. Dogs who have been 'kibble'-fed most of their lives, or dogs with 'easily upset' stomachs often benefit from having the raw food introduced gradually. Raw tripe is good transition meat - 99.9% of dogs LOVE the taste & SMELL! It contains 'friendly' herbivore bacteria & enzymes that aid digestion & help clean teeth.

Every pet has different tolerance levels and switching "cold turkey" may not be the easiest process for either you or your friend. A bit of patience and common sense will make the transition easier on all concerned. The following are some guidelines that you can follow but we always recommend that you check with your holistic veterinarian before switching your pet to a raw pet food diet.

Get Your Pet Ready
Help your pet get ready for the beneficial enzymes and bacteria in a raw food diet by introducing these elements to them in an easy to serve, easy to digest product like natural, unpasteurized yogurt.

Cat/Toy Dog 1/2 - 1 tbsp daily
Small Dog 1/4 Cup (4 tbsp) daily
Medium - Large Dog 1/2 Cup (8 tbsp) daily
Very Large Dog 3/4 Cup (12 tbsp) daily

Start a week before introducing raw food and taper off as your pet acclimatizes to their new diet. Check to make sure your pet can tolerate milk products. If they can't, then try commercially available probiotics (friendly bacteria supplements).

Gradual Transition or Cold Turkey?
Generally it is preferable to acclimatize your pet to the new raw food diet in a gradual fashion, but if your animal is healthy and not likely to be too stressed you can do a "hard" switch. Make sure there is lots of fresh water on hand and don't put out any food for 24 hours before starting the new diet. Be patient and positive. Your pet can sense your attitude.

7 Day Transition
Day 1 & 2 3/4 regular cooked diet - 1/4 new raw diet
Day 3 & 4 1/2 regular cooked diet - 1/2 new raw diet
Day 5 & 6 1/4 regular cooked diet - 3/4 new raw diet
Day 7 100% raw natural diet