If we gathered up all the food that Mr. N has rejected, it would feed a Lab for a month. The same amount would probably feed Mr. N for a year or more. He is a picky, picky pup. And yes, we have tried leaving down food for him and taking it away if he doesn't eat it. Little dog went on a hunger strike.
The problem with buying raw food for pets online is that you usually have to commit to buying large quantities at a time without being able to try it out. And well if Mr. N won't eat thirty pounds of beef, what are we supposed to do? Toss it out or fry it up for ourselves? Most shelters won't take unopened bags of kibble... I highly doubt I could find one that would take open bags of raw food. And returning it is not an option either.
If you're looking to try out raw food, Balanced Blends (a raw food company that delivers to your door) is now offering a starter pack where new customers can order five pounds of raw food with free shipping ($30 for chicken and $35 for beef) and no minimum order. There is also a smaller starter pack for cats. This makes it a great option for people who want to try a new brand of raw food or are experimenting with raw food for the first time.
Like many people, I worry about the safety of Mr. N's food after all the recalls and reports of contaminated pet food. Balanced Blends uses high pressure processing to eliminate food-borne pathogens, has their food tested by a third-party laboratory and does lot tracking so they can keep track of the ingredients that go in each batch.
To make sure their food has all the nutrients dogs and cats need and is species-appropriate (although Mr. N thinks he's a obligate carnivore and would happily eat just meat all day), the food is formulated by vets and a nutritionist. And they stand behind their food with a satisfaction guarantee.
We are assiduous label readers over here (for dog food anyway). The beef recipe includes:
Ingredients: Beef, Beef Livers, Beef Hearts, Cabbage, Carrots, Peppers, Bone Meal, Berries, Salmon Oil, Psyllium Husks.
Vitamins: Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, D-Calcium Panthotenate, Biotin, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12, Pyridoxine HCL, Folic Acid.
Trace Minerals: Salt, Iron Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate.
Balanced Blends is not only made in the USA but their meat and organic produce is sourced in the USA as well. The chicken is cage-free, antibiotics-free and USDA approved and the beef is grass fed when possible, antibiotics-free and USDA approved.
When I buy Mr. N's food, I always think about if I'd eat it if it came to a pinch and I'd definitely eat Balanced Blends if there was a zombie apocalypse. Provided we still had some way of cooking it. I do like sashimi and beef tartare but I generally prefer my food cooked.
Balanced Blends strongly believes that pets are family and they're hosting a holiday contest for you to show off your pets engaging in holiday activities. Does your dog (or cat) participate in holiday traditions? Do you have photographic evidence? If so, enter them in the holiday contest for a chance to win a starter pack of Balanced Blends Raw Pet Food. You can submit photos through Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Make sure to enter in the widget (link above) afterwards!
This post was sponsored by Balanced Blends. They are not responsible for the contents of this article. All opinions expressed are our own. We only review dog food or treats that Mr. N will eat.
I add a little raw meat to my dogs their dry food! I want to feed them all raw, but with 4 large dogs it's crazy expensive (James alone would need 2 kg /day)! James asked me, to ask you to send him all the food Mr. N doesn't want! Haha!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays April and Mr. N!!
Love
xx
Well if shipping was any cheaper to where you are.. Happy Holidays to you too!
DeleteSounds as though this is a good move towards a raw diet. We use a NZ sourced and made raw diet for those who will eat it. Local is best we think too!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good way for people new to raw to try!
DeleteMy crew would love to eat raw...well, maybe not my old lady cat (after 20 years, she's hard to change habits). But as with Valerie, Magical-Dawg is way big and eats so much. We do add raw here and there as a special treat.
ReplyDeleteYeah, with big dogs pre-made raw can get expensive fast. It's nice as a treat though!
DeleteWe're raw feeders and our cats are thriving on their diet. I love the starter pack idea for people new to raw feeding - it can be daunting at first!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's nice to be able to try it out first!
DeleteKilo would love this I think. Sounds a great way to start. Lucky Mr N. Happy holidays
ReplyDeleteHe would! Have you tried raw with him?
DeleteI give him freeze dried boosters and occasionally raw mixed with his kibble.
DeleteBalanced Blends is a really great brand for dogs. I love that their meats are antibiotic and hormone free. Way to go Mr. N
ReplyDeleteHe has discerning taste!
DeleteWe haven't jumped into raw feeding yet, but this is definitely something to keep in mind if we ever do.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot easier this way!
DeleteLove that the chicken is cage free and the beef grass fed! Ruby is not picky at all - she will eat anything and everything - and I mean everything.
ReplyDeleteMr. N is a tremendous food snob haha. Definitely a gourmet rather than gourmand.
DeleteI too think about whether or not I'd eat the dog's food in the event of a zombie apocalypse! You're right, one of the deterrents for us has been the commitment of buying a large quantity without knowing whether or not it will be eaten. Yoda will eat all the things but Bean is a picky diva.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience with this particular brand. We'll most certainly be checking them out!
We use raw dog food for our pup, too, ever since he was diagnosed with serious allergies. Since we have little kids in the house, though, we use dehydrated raw food and it has worked great so far!
ReplyDeleteTenThousandHourMama.com
I don't have pets but have friends who do raw food for their animals due to the amazing health benefits.... I always thought that it looked like a LOT of work. This certainly makes it easier!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried raw food with Prince when he was around but i see some cat owners that feed them like that and they seem to be in the pink of health
ReplyDeleteWe have been changing up our dog's food this last year, and it is amazing the positive changes it has made to her health and well-being.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good brand to try. I like that you can start out with a small amount. Unfortunately, because of Chester's stomach issue, I'm currently switching from Beef/chicken/etc to novelty proteins. My pocketbook says ouch! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't done the raw food much - just once in a while. I'm not that ambitious, nor am I a food-person, so ... But I love the idea of the starter pack for those that are trying it for the first time. It's a great way to try it out. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteHow great that they have a starter kit. Did Mr N. eat the Balanced Blends? TW would love to see if I would eat the raw foods but I'm a biter and she's always concerned any bacteria would infect my bites. She tried giving me a piece of raw chicken once and I walked away. We're going to bookmark this and perhaps try it someday.
ReplyDeleteWe checked into this when you told us about it - really nice! How did Mr. N like the Balanced Blends? We're thinking about giving it a try - we like to try new things and you make it sound pretty darned good!
ReplyDeleteI really am considering starting to try raw. I do like the idea of the starter pack so I don't have to commit to a huge purchase. I would probably have to have my husband do it as I am not great in the kitchen! Great tips.
ReplyDeleteTried doing raw ... even just "as seasoning" ... Montecristo went on a hunger strike. At 3.5 pounds that is not a good idea. So for all our trying ... he wants his meat at least browned on the outside. LOL his vegies too. LOL
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a really great way to try raw feeding. We may have to look into it. Thanks so much for sharing! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteOur Reese is a little madam when it comes to food, and she has even turned her nose up at several brands of treats!
ReplyDeleteThey all do however love their raw diet.
I love this, such a great way to try out raw diets! I will be showing this to a couple friends in particular, and would love to try and implement this in a future dog!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great way to see if a raw diet is right for your dog! Some dogs (and kids) are very picky eaters, which can be very expensive if you guess wrong. I'm glad that you don't try to make Mr. N cave and let him get too hungry.
ReplyDeleteBalanced Blends sounds like a great way to "try out" a raw diet. I love that it is nutritionally complete, so it takes the worry out of feeding raw.
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