Why do some owners believe in a raw diet while others do not?

Some pet owners may shy away from feeding raw for a variety of reasons. They find that it is too dangerous, too complicated, too expensive, too much extra work, or not convenient when travelling. They may figure that the raw meat simply cannot be healthy. Let us address some of these concerns by showing you that it is just as easy as pouring a bag of kibble! Humans, by nature, avoid change. Stepping out of our comfort zone makes us uncomfortable and insecure, so we would rather stick with what we know. But you might find out that changing to raw diet is not such a big deal. After all is said and done, your pets will thank you for the change.

Are you sure that feeding raw is healthy?

Yes. In the wild, nobody cooks for the animals. A pack of coyotes will feast on a freshly killed bison or elk for a few days until it is gone, and then go hunting again. Dogs are related to the coyote. Even though they have been domesticated for a very long time, their digestive systems have not changed.

Domesticated dogs do not evolve after living in a different climate for centuries. The Saluqui (sometimes referred to as Turkish Greyhounds) for example, are desert dogs that were imported to England centuries ago. They have not changed appearance, grown a thicker coat or become more tolerant to cool, damp climate. The coat has not been able to adapt over centuries. How then, could a pet’s digestive tract evolve to thrive on unhealthy kibble foods in a century?

Why do you ask us to sign up for a free seminar before purchasing from you? We’ve been feeding raw for years…





I am a vegetarian because I feel sorry for the animals that get killed for food. Can I feed my dog a vegetarian diet?

No. Feeding a vegetarian diet is extremely unhealthy and cruel to dogs and cats. They need meat, bones and organ meat on a daily basis for staying healthy. If you are a vegetarian and you find it difficult to feed your dog or cat a proper diet, why not get a pet that thrives on a vegetarian diet? Hamsters, Bunnies, goats and horses make great pets! You wouldn’t feed a pony or chickens meat, or a dolphin grains or a horse fish… why feed dogs and cats something on a daily basis that is indigestible and will end up causing you vet bills?

If rice, grains, carrots, peas, corn, apples, pumpkin, potatoes etc where digestible for the dogs, their stools would be much smaller, healthier looking and odourless than they are when you feed those ingredients. Kibble food mainly contains a variety of those plant materials, and you can see (and smell!) for yourself when your dog has a bowel movement, how much comes out the other end. We urge you to treat dogs and cats with the respect that they deserve and provide them with the nutrients they need.

See the pictures below. The first one is a poop comparison: A one hundred pound German Shepherd eats an Extra Large portion of 992g/two lbs 2oz (for example Lamb in the picture) per day. On the plate beside it you see the amount he poops IN A DAY! Usually, with kibble stools, if you feed four cups per day, three and a half come out as poop. How much nutrition can your dog absorb from half a cup?

The second picture shows a stool after one of our Saint Bernard puppies ate an apple that fell off the tree in the backyard. You can clearly see the chunks of apple in the poop, which demonstrates that none of the nutrients an apple contains were absorbed by the dog. The digestive tract of dogs and cats simply does not support the feeding of fruit, veggies and grain.

Aren’t raw bones dangerous to feed?

Raw bones are easy for our pets to chew and digest. It is the cooked bones that present a health risk, as they are brittle and can splinter, causing damage in the digestive tract. Take a raw chicken with bone and bend it. You will notice that it is soft and pliable, and easy to break without any sharp ends. There is always a risk when feeding bones to pets however, we have not seen any damage to our pets. The same can be said of all the other people we know that feed raw.

Dangerous items we have found in the stools of dogs at daycare have included ladies’ underwear, pantyhose, tennis ball pieces, parts of Barbie dolls, Lego, rolls of thread, cooked (!!) chicken bones and chewed hard plastic toys with sharp edges. These are a much bigger health risk than raw meaty bones, which our pets are designed to eat.

Even young puppies like the eight week old Saint Bernard babies in the picture below are already able to chew through chicken and turkey bones without leaving any pieces behind. If this wasn’t meant to be, nature would have provided Marmalade and Marigold with a different food source and different teeth!

Why do I have to feed bones… can I not just feed meat?

Feeding only meat results in your pet having diarrhea. A bone content of 20-40% (depending on the individual pet) is very important to create the perfect stool.

What about Salmonella?

Research on healthy dogs and cats shows that their digestive systems and immune systems are designed to process even the most rotten meats without getting diseases. Salmonella might affect humans; healthy dogs and cats use enzymes to pass the bacteria through their system without any problems.

We only purchase human-grade meat that is handled properly and could theoretically qualify for human consumption. Although cases of salmonella do occur in the human food chain, they are rare. We are more concerned that kibble foods on the shelves may have been exposed to salmonella, other bacteria or cancer-causing chemicals, than the raw meat we buy from our suppliers.

My doctor or naturopath says that feeding raw to my dog is unhealthy when I'm pregnant or if we have an ill family member. Is this true?

Doctors and naturopaths know very little about kibble and canned food, as well as about safe raw diets for pets. Generally, they don’t even know about nutrition for humans either. It is simply not their field of expertise. We suggest to use caution when trusting professionals when they talk about topics that they have not been trained on. The amount of Salmonella, mould, bacteria and chemicals present in most commercial pet foods is disturbing and can be a risk for your entire family.

If you do a “google search” on dog food recalls and illnesses, you will be shocked to see the number of cases! Keep in mind that the most expensive part of buying kibble or canned products is the BAG it comes in! What goes in the bag is neither regulated nor quality in many cases. Hence the dogs shed a lot, have eye, ear and bladder infections and allergies.

However, it is of utmost importance – at any time, not only when you’re pregnant or have an ill family member in the house – that you buy top quality grade human consumable raw diet for your pets. If you look at your purchased raw food for your dogs, and it came from a smelly and dirty store or it has expired, or you would not consume it yourself, we suggest to not feed it to your dogs either. Usually, like with everything else in life: You get what you pay for. Our quality raw comes from Ontario plants where the big grocery stores and butchers purchase for human consumption, we eat it ourselves!

If you are concerned about the dog licking your face after a meal, we suggest to use a damp cloth and wipe his face with it. It is not necessary to go overboard and use disinfectant wipes. Remember the killing of bacteria in our environment and the lack of healthy exposure to it will cause us more health issues in the future. Growing up 30 years ago, we played in puddles, ate dirt cakes at the park, and were sent outside with a band aid after a scratch without using antibacterial and antibiotic for everything right away.

We survived, and on average, our immune systems are much stronger than those of the children today! It is ultimately your choice to be comfortable with your decision, but we urge you to decide on the least amount of chemicals to keep your entire family healthy longer. Don’t let health practitioners lecture you on raw diet if they have no expertise on it!

I'm completely new to raw, how do I start?

First of all, we applaud you for taking the big step to learn more about a raw diet and considering it for your dog or cat! Be prepared to have a very happy and healthy pet soon.

We invite you to attend a free seminar with your dog at out store to introduce you to the benefits of a raw diet. These are offered on a regular basis at our store. Feel free to register by email at info@CaninesLoveRaw.com or sign up in the store. We will send you home with enough information for you to think about the switch and to plan meals for your dog. We will discuss weight, exercise, age, temperament, breed to estimate portions size and monthly cost. Of course, you’re welcome to buy your doggo’s first two weeks worth of meals right after the seminar.

After the first seminar, we welcome you to bring your dog to the store so we can record her weight and determine what size portion would be best for him or her. Over the next few months we would like to see your dog again to see if the portions are appropriate, how the coat looks, what has changed and to discuss any questions you may have. We will be here for you all along the way to provide information on feeding and products.

My dogs are on raw but on all or mostly ground diet. Is it safe to switch them to your diet?

Yes, absolutely! And the faster the better. We only recommend to feed ground meats to puppies who cannot chew yet, and elderly dogs who cannot chew anymore. All other dogs with healthy teeth and gums can easily chew through our complete meals. Feeding whole meats and bones is much more satisfying for your dog than feeding the ground stuff that dogs just swallow and inhale.

It is important for mental and physical stimulation to eat a full meal like they would in the wild. Have you ever heard of a momma wolf or coyote pre-chewing her hunt of the day for her pups? We have many senior dogs visiting at our doggie daycare who have been on raw for years and don’t have any plaque on their teeth. Your dog will be much more content eating complete, natural meals instead of ground. Also beware that some companies add fruit and veggies as filler to their ground mix or even mix several meat proteins together in one meal. As you will learn when reading on, this is something we do not recommend, as it may cause allergies for your pet.

Please note: due to availability of suitable bones (i.e. beef bones can be quite hard with the exception of brisket bone) our portions may contain a small amount of ground meat and bone.

As with all other Canines Love Raw products, the ground meat and bone comes from AAA, provincially-inspected, human-consumable meat and we never source from sick, injured or dead livestock or floor sweepings of slaughterhouses.

I think my dog's current daily portion is between two of your portion sizes. What size should I choose?

We recommend choosing the smaller of the two sizes for five days a week using the less expensive proteins (i.e. turkey, duck, beef) and two days in the larger size of our best-priced protein (i.e chicken, pork). In the wild, coyote would never get the exact same portion size day after day (or even have food daily!) and his intake would vary. Your dog is no different and would benefit from having a smaller meal some days (maybe on a less active day) and a larger one on days of high activity. Keep an eye on your pet’s weight (we recommend bringing him in periodically when buying food for a free weight assessment) and if you find he’s losing weight, increase to the larger size and vice versa.

Depending on your budget, you may want to consider substituting some meals with our premium proteins (i.e. duck, goat, lamb) as a treat. Depending on the breed, size, and activity level, you may find a smaller size will suffice.

What is the cost of raw compared to "premium kibble"?

The cost of raw is very comparable to a so-called “premium kibble”. However, since your pet will less likely to get illnesses such as ear and bladder infections, hot spots, allergies, skin problems etc., you will save a lot of money in vet bills in the future. A raw diet will keep your pet healthy longer and most likely extend his life span. At our daycare we keep meeting many puppies under a year of age who already had three infections (bladder, ear or skin) and the answer has been antibiotics every single time. After a switch to a raw diet none of these pups had an infection again and their immune system stayed strong and healthy.

Can I feed kibble with raw?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! It is very dangerous to mix raw and kibble in the same diet, and that includes feeding kibble in the morning and raw at night or switching from one day to the next. Please make a decision to only feed one or the other.

Note that the digestive tracts of dogs and cats are much shorter than those of humans. Raw foods travel through quickly in pets and do not rot in the colon. Kibble (especially the ones containing a lot of grains and fruit) take a lot longer to process and pass through the intestines. It will start to rot and grow bacteria in the pet’s system causing diseases, illnesses (i.e. bloat) and allergies. If you feed kibble in the morning and raw at night, or kibble today and raw tomorrow, raw food gets trapped in behind the slower travelling kibble and starts to rot. This causes a health risk to your pet and could even lead to death! Please make a decision to either feed one or the other.

Why does my dog eat dog poop (his own or others')?

Dogs on a kibble or canned food diet generally don’t get all the nutrients they need through the food. Those dogs are often looking for more food or feces to fulfill their nutritional needs. Most dogs on a raw diet lose interest in dog feces once they begin eating well-balanced meals, get only one meal per day at different times of the day and are at a healthy weight. The chemicals in kibble that make it smell attractive for dogs to eat in the first place remain present in the stool afterward, and therefore smell delicious to a hungry kibble-fed dog. Once your dog is on a healthy raw diet the need will stop, however keep in mind that rabbit, geese, horse or cow droppings are always considered an exotic delicacy for most canines which is almost impossible to stop.


Stool eating typically begins when a puppy is still in the litter. At this stage, it is natural for the mother to eat the stool of her puppies. She does this both to keep the “den” clean and to protect the puppies from predators that might be drawn by the scent. The mother does this from the time the puppies are born until they are weaned, and since puppies are in the process of learning how to be dogs, they are naturally going to follow her lead and do what she does. Once you become “Mama” dog, it is important to establish a healthy raw diet and this behaviour should disappear as your dog matures. In addition to a poor diet (kibble) there are a few other reasons for this behaviour which might include boredom. stress or attention seeking. If that is the case, talk to us and we can recommend some training options to help your dog move past this stage.

When I switch my dog to Raw, can I still feed treats like dog biscuits?

Once you switch to raw, your dog will have all the balanced nutrients to live a healthy life and additional treats won’t be necessary. While we would recommend to discontinue treats (ideally your dog should only be fed once per day and the inclusion of treats may upset this routine). If you would still like to offer your dog the odd treat, we do produce and sell a variety of dehydrated treats such as duck and chicken feet, pork, beef and chicken liver, etc. Natural and preservative-free, our treats are a better solution.

Can I cook or microwave the food?

Absolutely not! For several reasons, you should never do this (including defrosting in the microwave). First, as all of our meals contain bones, it would be hazardous to your dog’s health to microwave or cook our products as bones will splinter when cooked and could cause damage to your dog’s digestive system including intestinal tears. Secondly, cooking kills the beneficial enzymes and denatures the vitamins present in raw food. Remember, in the wild, a coyote wouldn’t start a fire to cook its kill!

Can I feed frozen meals?

Again, frozen bones absolutely not, as they are too hard and there is a risk of bones splintering or causing damage to your pet’s teeth.

We do not recommend you feed meals frozen on a regular basis as is may upset your pet’s digestive tract and cause damage in the long term. Again, how many times a year do you think your pet would eat a frozen meal if living out in the wild? Most animals don’t hang their kill in the tree in the Winter time to make sure it is frozen before they eat it. They consume it immediately. Some leftovers may freeze overnight. However, on average, we would imagine that a canine living in the woods wouldn’t consume more than 10 frozen meals a year. Their digestive tract is not designed to eat meals frozen on a daily basis. We advise you to defrost you your pet’s meal the night before by putting it in a bowl, high up on top of the fridge or in a secure location so your pet cannot steal it overnight, and feed the next day when it has fully thawed.

Can I refreeze meals?

Yes! Because a dog’s digestive tract is much shorter than ours and they process food faster, they don’t face the same issues as humans eating re-frozen food and can safely eat meat that has been thawed and refrozen multiple times.

My dog is allergic to everything: What would you recommend?

If your dog has lived on kibble food all his life (and often pet owners unfortunately even feed the same brand for years), it is not surprising that your dog shows symptoms of allergies. A raw diet will help your dog to detoxify from the chemicals in the food and the immune system will be able to build strength and the symptoms of allergies will disappear. If you’ve heard from your vet that your dog is allergic to chicken, he’s most likely allergic to the chicken flavoured chemicals in the food, not to real raw chicken. However, we will discuss those allergies with you when we meet your dog and come up with a specific meal plan that will help your dog to get back to normal.

We adopted an 8-year old Weimaraner named Diesel for our daycare in the Summer of 2013, who came to us on a kibble food diet with $500 worth of monthly medications every day for his severe allergies and chronic ear infections. Despite the medications (steroids, antibiotics, antihistamines and anti inflammatories!) he had no hair left under his belly, legs and paws, his whole body was covered in pustules and his ears looked as thick as baseball gloves with thick brown discharge flowing out of them. The odor coming from this poor dog was so severe that almost nobody was willing to stay in a room with him for long.

We immediately started to wean him off the medications, started a holistic ear treatment based on olive- and lavender oils and fresh garlic, switched him to raw diet and salmon fish oil, and within a couple of weeks the pustules were crusting over and Diesel was starting to heal. He dove into each daily meal and you could tell that he realized, this is going to heal him! Diesel was a different dog within six months! No more medication, no more skin condition, no more allergies! No more vet bills!

How much do I feed my dog?

The daily portions and protein sources for your dog depends on age, breed, exercise, physical condition, health, eating habits and your budget. We will gladly customize a meal plan with you after meeting your dog and discussing needs. You don’t need to feed exactly the same amount every day. We often recommend to feed a larger size for the meals which are inexpensive, and use smaller size portions for the meats that are a bit higher in price on the days in between. This ensures that you still feed variety without blowing your budget. We’re here to help!

My dog only weighs 2 pounds. Is a raw diet right for him?

Yes! The breed, size and activity level will determine what portion size to feed you dog. We have a client with a 3 lb Yorkie for example, who buys mini portions for him and feeds half a meal per day. We recommend you bring your dog in so we can weight him, find out more about his activity level and put an individual meal plan together for him.

How often do I feed a day? What time of day is best to feed?

We highly suggest to only feed your dog once a day. It will keep your pet’s digestive tract healthy and maximizes vitality, health, longevity and mental balance. As much as you can, in your busy daily schedule, feed at different times every day to avoid what’s called the empty stomach symptom, meaning your dog has a fit at 5pm if not fed every day, because you created a habit for his stomach. After the initial retraining period, you will notice that your dog is much more emotionally balanced if only fed once a day.

It is important for the enzymes in the digestive tract to rest/fast before being activated again. Just like a coyote would not go hunting on a full or semi-full belly again, neither would your dog eat twice a day like clockwork in the wild. If that was planned for the canines in the wild, food sources would have been available much more regularly by nature than they are. In our experience, feeding once a day also greatly reduces the risk of bloat, as the digestive tract is not overwhelmed by having food sitting in it and needing to be processed around the clock.

We offer dog training classes as well, and the first suggestion for our students is to stop feeding twice a day and to stop giving treats all the time in between. Most students give us a look of doubt and disbelief… what does food have to do with training. But after 4 weeks of class they tell us how amazing this tip has been and how much the dog has improved in temperament since then. Try it for yourself!

Can I feed my dog the same meat/protein every day?

Over the years, we have encountered many dogs on supposedly “raw diet” who had allergies or medical conditions. We believe that this was mainly due to mixing proteins every day or feeding one protein almost every day because the owners had a cheap meat source somewhere, adding veggies, fruit or grains or yogurt or kefir to their every day diet. Often the “solution” offered by the pet store was: Add CBD oil to your dog’s diet. Why add another man-made ingredient if we can fix it a healthy way at lower cost? Those owners, who took our advice and started feeding one protein a day and no single protein more than twice a week in total, and left out the other ingredients, were able to improve their dog’s condition dramatically.

Why do I need to feed tripe frequently?

Tripe is the stomach of either goat, lamb or beef. We understand that it smells very strong and that some of our customers have difficulty feeding it due to the odour. However tripe and organ meat (offal), just as muscle meat and bones, contains vital enzymes, vitamins and minerals for the pets. It is crucial for your pet to get tripe with their diet. For convenience, we’ve included the right amount necessary for your pet in the daily portion already, so all you have to do is thaw the bag and feed the next day! Luckily, when buying from us, there is no need for you to touch tripe ever again.

Note: the tripe sold in grocery stores is not suitable for your pets! It has been bleached and all the beneficial enzymes have been destroyed.

Is heart considered an organ meat or a muscle?

That is a very good question that comes up quite frequently here at Canines Love Raw. We researched several definitions and for the most part, found definitions similar to this; “a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation”. So, it is both! Heart is a heavier and denser muscle than other muscles in the body and it contains many vital nutrients such as phosphorous, selenium and zinc and plays an important role in building muscles and healthy joints in our pets. We think it is important to include it in our meals whenever possible to help your pet enjoy a long and healthy life. Our focus is on providing you with meals for your pets for simply feeding “variety over time” just like canines receive when going hunting for themselves in the wild – without being militant about the exact terminology of the heart.

What about feeding grains and veggies?

In the wild, wolves and coyotes neither have access nor the need for vegetables, fruit and grains. Canines are carnivores, not omnivores like humans, and therefore do not need what we would consider necessities for our nutrition. Dogs do not have the necessary enzymes to properly digest veggies or fruit. By feeding your pet these fillers you may in fact be causing future problems such as diabetes.

Can my dog get trichinosis from raw pork?

No. At least not in the North America. Trichinosis is caused by a rare parasite called Trichinella Spiralisis which was once more common in pork. Today, the chance of commercial pork products carrying the parasite is almost zero and there are less than 12 human cases reported annually. In most cases, Trichinosis is caused when people eat undercooked wild animals such as boar, bear or mountain lion.

Just to be on the safe side, we always freeze raw pork for two weeks before feeding it to the dogs as part of their raw dog food diet. Freezing the meat will kill any trichinella parasites, according to Dr. Karen Becker on the web site HealthyPets.Mercola.com.

Will my dog get sick from raw pork?

Generally, no. Dogs can eat raw pork, however a dog could get sick from eating raw meat of any kind, but the chances are low. A dog could also get sick from eating dry dog food or canned food. As long as your dog is healthy and the raw meat is fresh and introduced properly, he should be fine. There are small risks to feeding a raw food diet for dogs, but in our opinion the benefits outweigh those risks by far for most dogs.

Do I need to feed my dogs supplements?

Our packages contain complete meals that do not require feeding supplements. Let’s get your dog healthy with our diet first, and then, if your dog has a specific condition or ailment we can revisit introducing a supplement. A balanced raw meal does not require any extras – less is more. Be wary of man-made supplements that come with a long list of ingredients that are questionable if you read the fine print.

Is my dog constipated? His stools are very little, hard and dry since switching to raw.

No, this is actually what your dog’s stool is supposed to look like. Be prepared for a different-looking poop when feeding raw. What comes out the other end looks of the size and shape of a walnut. These stools are very dense and dry. They turn white after a few days and when stepped on will crumble to dust. In fact, it is just leftover bone meal, since the pet’s body has absorbed everything else. You will also be excited to notice that stools are almost odour-free, compared to the huge, nasty, stinky poops left by pets on kibble. Now doesn’t that sound good?


I just brought home a new puppy. At what age can I start her on raw?

As soon as possible! Why feed poor nutrition at any age? Puppies can enjoy a raw diet, it just depends on the dog’s size, breed and general health. We recommend you bring your puppy in for a store visit so we can weigh her and put together a meal plan that slowly integrates a variety of proteins and textures for optimal health.

What is the quality of your food?

Our meat is sourced locally each week from Ontario and Canadian suppliers (except for Lamb & Goat from New Zealand) and is all AAA, human-grade quality. All our products are antibiotic and hormone fee. All food is packaged here at our facilities in small quantities and frozen immediately to ensure freshness. Although we do use a small amount of ground meat or meat with bone, as with all other Canines Love Raw products, any ground meat and bone comes from the same stock and we never source from sick, injured or dead livestock or floor sweepings of slaughterhouses.

Can I just come to the store or do I have to pre-order?

Either is fine during our open hours (please see below), however for your own convenience, we recommend pre-ordering after we’ve established a feeding plan with you so we can have your order packaged ready for you when you arrive.

Please note our hours:

Monday-Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday 11- 6pm
Friday 11- 6pm
Saturday 10am – 3pm
Sunday 10am- 3pm

Please note that Canines Love Raw is closed on Monday and Tuesday. However pre-orders for boarding guests getting picked up on Monday or Tuesday, received no later than a week in advance may be picked up on Monday or Tuesday from Mutt Lodge during regular pick up times between 4:30pm and 5:30pm.

Will feeding raw make my dog aggressive?

This is an urban myth. Dogs and cats are not vampires who turn vicious when they smell or taste blood. We have dogs and cats living together peacefully without ripping each other apart. They even share a piece of meat from the same bowl!

If a pet is food aggressive, the issue is not about the raw food, but about food in general and it needs to be addressed. All food aggression that we have experienced with dogs at the daycare is a result of where they have come from. Those pets were rescued from terrible conditions where they were starved or mistreated. You will hear many myths about feeding raw diet. Do your research.

Isn't kibble a balanced diet?

James Spratt from Cincinnati introduced the first processed food for dogs in the late 1860s. The biscuits were made of wheat, beet root, vegetables and beef blood. Spratt was not a scientist who carefully developed a recipe for quality pet food. His money-making idea came from watching crew members of a ship throw leftover ship’s biscuits to the dogs on the dock. It was a success. Quickly other companies followed. They developed packaged foods from the floor sweepings of slaughterhouses and grain mills and made a profit. There was no evidence that feeding kibble would be healthy for pets.

In thinking the history of pet foods, and watching how the recent pet food scandals rock the pet lover’s world, we find it interesting to note how quickly the manufacturers of the pet foods reacted, and started offering “holistic” or “grain-free” formulas. Since the pet food industry is unregulated, it is left to the consumer to do their due diligence and send a message to the pet food industry.

Buy only pet-appropriate foods. We have seen huge improvements in our older and rescued pets after switching them from kibble to raw diet, subjecting them to few or no vaccinations and skipping questionable heartworm, flea- and tick medications all together and replacing them with natural remedies. The younger ones that were raised on raw had few or no health issues at all.

My vet doesn't agree with raw feeding. How do I handle that?

First of all, when you get advice from people, consider the intent. Keep in mind that pet professionals can make a healthy profit on promoting certain products or services. The North American pet industry generates billions of dollars every year and everyone wants a piece of the pie. Just like the human medical profession, veterinarians like general practitioners are trained in broad-based health care and may not be specialists in all areas such as nutrition.

At first, you may get some push back in your diet choices from your vet as they can feel quite strongly about the foods they recommend. Once you have seen the benefits of a raw diet for yourself, you’ll feel more confident to discuss this and your vet will appreciate that you have done your homework.

Can I exercise before or after a meal?

We recommend you not exercise your dog for two hours before or after a meal to reduce the risk of bloat.

Why does my dog occasionally throw up the food and then wants to eat it again?

Sometimes a dog will eat too fast (when switching from kibble to raw or if he has food issues, i.e. possessive of food) and this will cause vomiting. If the dog is not feeling sick, she will generally try to re-ingest the food. Although it is not a pleasant sight, she should be allowed to do so. There are training methods to help prevent this binge-eating habits, just ask us how!

If your dog throws up her dinner and walks away, chances are she has an upset stomach, in which case the food should be cleaned up and thrown away. Dogs with an upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea should be fasted for 24 hours to give the digestive tract a chance to recover.

My dog has dental issues, what do I do?

We will assess the situation with you after meeting your pet. It depends on the dental issue, the age and the size of the dog. If there is a large amount of plaque but no underlying condition, feeding raw bones will take care of the plaque and odour naturally and within a few months your dog’s teeth will be white and stay white for the rest of his life if you keep him on a raw diet. If the situation is too severe for the dog to chew, we can prepare ground meals with bone, which is at least providing your dog with a healthier diet than feeding kibble food or canned. Make an appointment and bring your dog in, we will discuss options with you.

At our doggie daycare we see many dogs – some are just a couple of years old like the one in the picture below – who have rotten teeth already. Feeding kibble foods and canned foods leaves your pet with a layer of food leftovers on the teeth and gums after every meal. It doesn’t take long for the teeth and gums to built a thick layer of plaque and bacteria. Bad breath is usually the first sign that your dog’s teeth are rotting. Just like poor dental care in humans shortens our life span, the same applies to your family pets. Why not extend your dogs life span and enjoy healthy breath at the same time? By feeding a healthy combination of meat and bone teeth will stay white and healthy until the day your dogs pass away at a healthy old age of 18 years!

My dog doesn't like a certain ingredient in your portions, can you customize bags without?

Yes we can, if we receive notice in advance and you order from us on a regular basis. We can customize bags for your needs if you would like a certain ingredient left out.

We travel a lot with our dog, how will we manage on the road?

Travelling with pets on raw diet does not have to be complicated. Unless you travel long distances, you can just pick up what you need every day at a local grocery store. Some basic proteins are easy and affordable almost anywhere. You don’t have to be concerned about offering the usual variety during your trip, because the idea of raw diet is to feed balanced meals over time. You can go back to feeding tripe and organ meat upon your return home.

When travelling to remote areas without grocery stores, pack a cooler for your pets. A cooler with daily rations of meat may carry you for five days into your travels. If you go camping or canoeing, you can catch fish for humans and pets alike.

Do you sell gift baskets and gift certificates?

Got a birthday or special occasion coming up? We have the perfect solution, from individual treat bags and baskets to gift certificates (valid for any Mutt Lodge service or Canines Love Raw product). Treat bags start at $5.50, gift baskets at $17.50 and gift certificates are available in any denomination.

Can I pay by Credit Card or Cheque for my purchases?

We only accept cash, interac or electronic transfer (for pre-orders) in order to keep our prices as low as possible for you, our valued customer.

Prices are subject to 13% HST



Dogs are welcome to shop with you in our store, but please note that for safety reasons retractable leashes are not permitted on our premises. Please bring your dog on a secure collar you dog cannot slip out of and a nylon or leather leash. Should you forget your leash, please leave your dog in the car and come inside first, we will happily supply you with a leash to bring your dog inside the facility safely. Thank you.


Please note that 2591765 Ontario Inc. and all subsidiaries, staff and volunteers cannot be held responsible for our products after they leave our store. Unfortunately, we occasionally hear from our customers that they are handling the food and feeding process improperly, against our recommendations.

This includes, but is not limited to: Feeding treats, feeding twice a day and/or at the same time every day, feeding frozen meals, defrosting the food in the microwave or hot water, cooking the meals, adding inappropriate ingredients such as kibble, fruit, veggies, grains, yogurt and nut butter or (low quality) meats from other sources as well as human foods, feeding unsupervised, failing to check fish cubes for fish hooks before feeding, offering dangerous items such as pig’s ears, rawhide and other dental care products and over-vaccinating pets and agreeing to other unnecessary and often dangerous veterinarian products and advice by vets and other individuals who have not received training on dog and cat nutrition.

Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page and remember that we are here for you if you have any questions about species appropriate diet and feeding processes. However, we have no knowledge about what you are doing after the food has left our care and what else you do to and with your dog.

For dog daycare and boarding visit Muttlodge.com