Travelling With A Raw Fed Dog

We’ve all got used to staycations over the last couple of years through not being able to travel abroad. For many of us, this means being able to share our holiday time with our four-legged best friends as well as our favourite humans. But what do you do about that freezer full of raw dog food? You can’t unplug it and take it with you! Or can you? Whether you’re camping or renting a holiday cottage, read on for our top tips on travelling with a raw fed dog.

 

dog watching

 

Transporting Raw Food

Work out how many meals you’re going to need for the time you’re away (plus a couple extra in case of any disasters). If you’re using pre-made minces or sausages, create the portions before you go by partially thawing, cutting to size and then refreezing the meat. This stops you from needing to defrost larger quantities while you’re away. A cool box with ice blocks/packs will keep your dog’s food well frozen during your journey, but make sure you keep it separate from any food for yourself just in case. If you’re staying in a property, it’s worth enquiring about fridge/freezer space for meat before you go so that you know what to expect. If you’re camping, you can acquire small portable fridge/freezers, although these may not have much space inside. Don’t forget that tents can hold heat really well, so keep an eye on those temperatures!

Check out any local stockists in the area you’re travelling to; if you can stock up whilst you’re there, you don’t need to take as much with you!

DIY meals will be more difficult to transport due to the quantity of different ingredients. Unless you’re happy to work out your ratios and balances before you go, it’s probably going to be easier to rely on the convenience of pre-prepared packs of meat.

If these options don’t appeal to you or aren’t suitable to your circumstances, there are plenty of alternatives to raw food for a temporary swap. Any dietary changes should be made gradually over a few days before you go, to reduce any upset to the digestive system.

 

BorderCollieDogHoldsBowlInItMouthAndLooks

 

Alternatives to Raw Feeding

 

FREEZE DRIED FOOD

Freeze dried food, such as Nature’s Variety, contains all the goodness and nutrients of raw food because of the way it is prepared. The ingredients are gently dried, resulting in the majority of the moisture being removed. The food can then last just as long as normal kibble, but is far healthier. Some people choose to add water to freeze dried food to make it more filling, but this isn’t a necessity; it can be fed straight from the packet.

 

COLD PRESSED FOOD

Cold pressed food is very similar to freeze dried food, in that it has been slowly treated in order to preserve as many nutrients as possible. Heat changes the structure of ingredients  and can make them more difficult to digest, which is why cold pressed food is a very popular alternative to raw; it’s great for sensitive tums! We love the Forthglade and Tribal versions.

Both freeze dried and cold pressed foods are grain free and contain only natural ingredients.

 

WET FOOD

While the previous two food types are full of health benefits, they can be a bit more expensive due to their ingredients and the way they are made. If you’re travelling on a budget, wet food can be just as reasonable an alternative to raw feeding. Good quality foods like Forthglade, Lily’s Kitchen and Natures Menu Country Hunter will give your pup most of the nutrients they need, while being easy to transport and portion and less of a burden on the bank balance.

 

HIGH QUALITY KIBBLE

If your dog isn’t a fan of wet food, or you’re just looking for the most straightforward alternative to raw feeding on your holiday, you can go for a high quality dry food instead. A couple of weeks of kibble isn’t going to harm your dog, but you should make sure the food you choose is high in protein, grain free and full of nutrients, to avoid any stomach upsets. Brands like Orijen, Eden, and Carnilove follow Biologically Appropriate diets, replicating as close as possible the food your dog would eat in the wild. Edmondson’s is another high protein, grain free quality food. These types of food would be the closest kibble alternative to raw.

 

Hygiene

If you are continuing to feed raw while on holiday, don’t forget to maintain your food hygiene practices, keeping preparation surfaces clean and disinfected and ensuring you wash your hands after handling the food.

 

And finally…

Enjoy your holiday and make some memories!

 

BorderColliePlaysInTheBeach

For additional reading check out the guide on Driving with Pets here https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/content/a-guide-to-driving-with-pets/