Cotswold RAW: Give Your Pup The Best Start In Life

Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of a raising a healthy dog, and a raw diet is an excellent choice for young dogs, who need quality, highly digestible protein for growth. A natural and species appropriate diet will provide an abundance of nutrients to support your dog’s longevity and health as they age. 

What are the benefits?

• Healthy Digestion – Raw diets are highly digestible, with nutrients having a higher bioavailability than their cooked counterparts. This reduces faecal volume and odour, which makes cleaning up much more pleasant for owners!
• Healthy Skin and Joints – Essential fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega 6) within raw meat promote healthy skin and joints due to their anti-inflammatory properties; you will also undoubtedly notice a shinier coat. Bone and connective tissues in raw provide a wonderful source of glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen, which supports your dog’s joints as they age.
• Balanced Temperament - The majority of serotonin and dopamine are produced by commensal gut bacteria, which have a calming effect and help reduce anxiety. The gut microbiota is more diverse in raw fed dogs, and results in higher levels of GABA – a neurotransmitter linked to decreased hyperactivity.  
  Balanced and Lean Body Mass - The high protein and moisture content in raw diets aids with fat loss whilst maintaining a lean body mass.  
• Reduction in Inflammatory Diseases – Puppies fed on a raw diet have a decreased likelihood of developing skin allergies and otitis in adulthood, compared to those on processed diets (1,2).  
• Strong Gut Microbiome and Gut Barrier – Diet has a key role in balancing the gut flora. Dogs who consume a raw diet during puppyhood and adolescence have been shown to have a lower chance of developing chronic enteropathy (prolonged gastrointestinal disorder) than those on processed diets (3).
• Development of a Robust Immune System - Fresh, unprocessed ingredients in early life can enhance immune system maturation, due to microbial exposure (1).  

Why Cotswold RAW? 

Our 80/20 puppy mince is complete and balanced to FEDIAF standards, meaning that it contains all the nutrients that your growing puppy requires. Each meal is carefully crafted with 80% raw meat, offal and bone, and 20% fresh seasonal vegetables and natural herbal supplements. Each recipe also contains a dash of free-range eggs, milled flaxseed and wheatgerm for good measure! The puppy range includes Diatomaceous Earth, which is packed with minerals, helps support the gut on the transition to raw, and its gritty texture helps tackle pesky parasite burdens alongside other prevention methods.  

Our helpful team is also on hand for any advice you might need as you take the plunge into puppy ownership. You also have the peace of mind of knowing that quality is our top priority, and our products are continuously monitored for microbial contamination as per government regulations. We source our meat from local or regional abattoirs and farms, and we pride ourselves on the quality and traceability of our products. All our chicken is free range and organic and our approved farms fall in line with our strict protocols for biosecurity.  

How do I Feed Raw?  

Raw food should be stored frozen, then defrosted in the fridge when required. This will then keep in the fridge for 48-72 hours. As with any raw meat product, diligent hygiene practices should be followed. Raw meals should not be cooked due to the bone content. 

The general rule is to feed pups 2-3% of their estimated adult weight (or 8-10% of their current weight) until growth plateaus, at which point you continue with the 2-3% ration daily. Smaller breeds mature faster than larger breeds, so this should be considered when feeding. Younger pups should also have their daily ration broken into smaller, more frequent meals, starting at 4 per day from 8 weeks old and gradually reducing down to 1-2 during adulthood.  

Teething Top Tip!  

The teething period can be frustrating for both the puppy and owner. Offering raw chicken wings and necks are an excellent option for teething puppies, as they help dislodge loose teeth and massage sore gums, especially if given cold or frozen.  

Our puppy range comes in 3 tail wagging flavours: Chicken, Beef, and Beef and Tripe. Why not give it a try today and give your pup the best start in life!  

Cotswold Raw is available in our Berkeley, Cirencester, Dorchester, Frome, Penzance, Redhill, South Molton, Stamford and Worksop stores.

_References

1. _{Hemida, M.B.M. et al. (2020) ‘Puppyhood diet as a factor in the development of owner-reported allergy/atopy skin signs in adult dogs in Finland,’ Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 35, 2374-2383. Available here} 
2. _{Hemida, M.B.M. et al. (2023) ‘Early life programming by diet can play a role in risk reduction of otitis in dogs,’ Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6. Available here} 
3. _{Vuori, K.A. et al. (2023) ‘The effect of puppyhood and adolescent diet on the incidence of chronic enteropathy in dogs later in life,’ Scientific Reports, 13 (1830). Available here} 
4. _{Billinghurst, I. (2001) The BARF Diet (Book)}
5. _{Olson, L. (2010) Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs (Book)}
6. _{Lonsdale, T. (2001) Raw Meaty Bones: Promote Health (Book)}