Welcome to our FAQ section!
We're dedicated to helping you kickstart your pet's journey to better nutrition. We've compiled all the popular questions and answers to guide you through the process. If you have any further inquiries, don't hesitate to reach out to us via email or our assistant chat. We're here to support you every step of the way!
Why Wildfood is healthy food?
Wildfood is based on the predatory model of hunting, where predators in the wild feed on natural, unprocessed foods without carbohydrates, preservatives, and flavor enhancers. Predators have a protein-fat metabolism. Wildfood provides proteins, fats, and fiber in raw form for better
digestion or gently cooked for pets who are not ready to switch to raw food immediately after years of eating dry kibble. We cook Wildfood at low temperatures to preserve all the beneficial nutrients to the maximum.
How are Wildfood products different from other pet food?
At Wildfood, we pride ourselves on offering a unique approach to pet nutrition. What sets us apart from other brands is our commitment to providing natural, high-quality ingredients that are carefully selected to meet the specific nutritional needs of your pets. Unlike many other brands that use processed or artificial ingredients, our food is gently cooked and/or prepared to preserve nutrients and flavor, ensuring that your furry friends receive the best possible nourishment. Additionally, our recipes are formulated by experts in pet nutrition, with a focus on promoting overall health and well-being. With Wildfood, you can trust that you're feeding your pets a wholesome and balanced diet that supports their vitality and longevity.
Why is Wildfood more expensive?
Most well-known pet food manufacturers use by-products from the meat industry, ground tendons, bones, preservatives, grains, and flavor enhancers in their production.
More expensive brands may use higher-quality meat ingredients but add a large amount of peas, chickpeas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, quinoa, rice, or corn to make the product cheaper and more calorie-dense.
To produce Wildfood, we use only meat, organs such as heart, stomach, kidneys, liver, and necks (only for Raw MIXes), salmon, vegetables, and natural supplements for a complete balance of essential nutrients. All the ingredients are of human-grade quality, which you could eat yourself.
Meat is not cheap; just look at the price of 1 lb of meat in the supermarket and compare it with the price of pet food. How can a pet food that should consist of meat be so cheap?
What ingredients & nutrients do you use?
At Wildfood, we prioritize the health and well-being of your pets by carefully selecting high-quality ingredients packed with essential nutrients. In addition to the protein sources like chicken, beef, turkey, and salmon, which provide vital amino acids for muscle development and overall health, our recipes feature an array of beneficial components:
- Organ meats such as beef liver, rich in key vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin B12, and iron, crucial for supporting a robust immune system and promoting optimal vision.
- Omega-3 fatty acids from sources like beef kidney fat and salmon, renowned for their anti-inflammatory properties, supporting heart health and cognitive function.
- Natural sources of fiber like vegetables, supporting digestion and gut health.
- Laminaria and gracilaria, excellent sources of natural iodine and manganese, contributing to overall well-being.
- Eggshell in gently cooked options and chicken necks in raw options, providing a rich source of calcium vital for bone health.
- Beef gelatin, beneficial for joint and bone health, and brewer's yeast, a superb source of vitamin B.
- Chicken/turkey gizzards, beef, and chicken hearts, adding variety and a spectrum of essential vitamins to our recipes.
With this meticulously crafted blend of ingredients, we ensure that your pets receive the balanced nutrition they need to thrive and lead joyful, healthy lives.
Why don't we add grains, legumes, sweet potatoes, and potatoes?
All of these ingredients would make the food cheaper, but cats and dogs are predators; they can only digest and absorb proteins and fats, which are their primary sources of nutrients. Carbohydrates disrupt the gut microbiome, hinder the absorption of necessary substances, lower immunity, and can be the cause of developing diabetes. That's why we now have so many pets with sensitive digestion and gastrointestinal diseases that have been raised on industrial pet foods for generations.
As a valuable source of fiber for digestion in dog mixes, we use vegetables.
Cat mixes contain 1% psyllium or squash, which has no taste or smell and is more suitable for cats, who are more picky eaters than dogs.
Why should I feed raw and/or gently-cooked?
Feeding your pet raw or gently cooked meals offers several benefits:
- Nutrient Retention: Raw or gently cooked meals preserve more of the natural nutrients found in fresh ingredients compared to heavily processed commercial pet foods.
- Improved Digestion: The natural enzymes present in raw or lightly cooked foods can aid in digestion, leading to better nutrient absorption and reduced digestive issues.
- Healthy Weight Management: Fresh, whole ingredients are typically lower in carbohydrates and processed fillers, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight for your pet.
- Shinier Coat and Healthier Skin: A diet rich in natural fats and oils from fresh meats and fish can contribute to a shiny coat and healthier skin for your pet.
- Reduced Allergies: Many pets with food sensitivities or allergies may benefit from a diet free of common allergens found in commercial pet foods, such as grains and artificial additives.
Overall, feeding your pet raw or gently cooked meals can provide them with a diet that closely mimics what they would eat in the wild, leading to improved overall health and well-being.
Do I need to cook the food?
No, you don't need to cook our food! Our meals are already gently cooked or raw, depending on the product, to preserve their natural nutrients and flavors. Simply thaw the food if frozen, and it's ready to serve to your pet. This ensures that your pet gets the best of both worlds - the convenience of ready-to-eat meals and the nutritional benefits of fresh, minimally processed ingredients.
Do I need to add any supplements?
No, Wildfood mixes are fully balanced and they do not require any additional supplements.
But, we recommend diversifying your pet's diet with raw chicken or quail eggs 2-3 times a week, depending on the size of your pet.
How do I defrost the food? How long will it last?
To defrost Wildfood, simply place it in the refrigerator overnight or leave it at room temperature for about an hour before serving. Avoid using the microwave, as it can unevenly heat the food and compromise its quality. Remember to refrigerate any unused portions promptly and use them within 24 hours if you feed raw and 48 hours if you feed your pet gently-cooked meals. This helps prevent spoilage and maintains the quality of the food for your pet.
Do I need to consult my vet to use Wildfood?
Consulting your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's diet is always a wise decision. While Wildfood is crafted with natural, high-quality ingredients, your vet can provide personalized guidance based on your pet's specific health needs and any underlying conditions. We also highly recommend seeking advice from a holistic veterinarian, as they can offer a more comprehensive approach to your pet's well-being, considering factors beyond just nutrition.
What's the difference between Raw and Gently cooked?
Our Gently cooked MIXes are carefully crafted for pets accustomed to dry or canned food. They offer a gentle transition to a healthier diet, ensuring easy digestion and maximum nutrient absorption.
On the other hand, if your pet has been thriving on a raw food diet, our RAW Mixes provide the perfect continuation of their preferred feeding regimen. With all the nutritional benefits of raw ingredients, these mixes maintain the integrity of the natural nutrients, offering a wholesome and balanced meal for your furry friend.
How do I know if I am feeding the right amount to my dog?
To ensure you're feeding the right amount to your pet, follow these guidelines:
- Calculate the daily amount: Feed 2-3% of your dog's ideal weight per day.
- For puppies up to 1 year, feed 7-10% of their ideal weight.
Refer to the feeding chart based on your pet's age and weight:
Puppies up to 6 months:
- Up to 5 lbs: 2 packs per day
- 6 lbs and more: 3 packs per day
Puppies 6-12 months:
- Up to 5 lbs: 1 pack per day
- 10 lbs and more: 2 packs per day
Dogs 1 year and older:
- Up to 18 lbs: 1 pack per day
- 19-23 lbs: 1.5 packs per day
- 24-29 lbs: 2 packs per day
- 30-35 lbs: 2.5 packs per day
- 36-42 lbs: 3 packs per day
- 43-49 lbs: 3.5 packs per day
- 50 lbs and more: 4 packs per day
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your pet receives the appropriate amount of food for their age and size while maintaining freshness and safety standards.
Keep the food frozen and defrost in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for 1 hour before serving. Avoid using a microwave.
Refrigerate any unused portions for no more than 24 hours.
How do I know if I am feeding the right amount to my cat?
To ensure your cat receives the appropriate amount of food, follow these guidelines based on their age and weight:
- Kittens (up to 1 year old): Feed 7-10% of their ideal weight per day. For kittens up to 5 lbs, provide 2 packs per day. For kittens weighing 6 lbs or more, offer 3 packs per day.
- Cats (1 year and older): Feed 3-5% of their ideal weight per day. For cats weighing up to 15 lbs, provide 2 packs per day. For cats weighing 16 lbs or more, offer 3 packs per day.
Remember to keep the food frozen and defrost it in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for an hour before serving. Avoid using the microwave. Refrigerate any unused portions promptly and use them within 24 hours for optimal freshness.
What should I feed my puppy or kitten?
When it comes to feeding your puppy or kitten, it's essential to choose the right diet for their specific needs. Our gently-cooked dog packs are perfect for puppies, providing them with the nutrition they require for healthy growth and development. For kittens, our gently-cooked cat packs are suitable. It is always nice to consult a holistic vet before selecting a diet for your pet, as they can provide personalized recommendations based on your pet's age, health status, and dietary requirements.
What dog breeds can eat Wildfood?
Wildfood is suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes. Whether you have a small Chihuahua or a large Great Dane, our food provides the essential nutrients your dog needs for optimal health. From puppies to senior dogs, Wildfood offers a balanced diet tailored to meet the unique nutritional requirements of dogs at every life stage.
What cat breeds can eat Wildfood?
Wildfood is suitable for cats of all breeds and sizes. Whether you have a Maine Coon or a Siamese, our food provides the essential nutrients your cat needs for optimal health. From kittens to senior cats, Wildfood offers a balanced diet tailored to meet the unique nutritional requirements of cats at every life stage.
What are the delivery terms and how long do you deliver?
Our shipping days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (for orders from Florida), Monday and Tuesday (from other states).
We're shipping to Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina.
Your order will be delivered within 2-3 business days from the date of shipment.
Shipping and delivery times vary depending on the order date and delivery location.
How do you ensure your food stays fresh during delivery?
Orders are shipped using dry ice in insulated boxes to ensure that the food remains frozen all the way to your door. Please do not handle dry ice with bare hands and ensure it is kept away from your pets at all times.If your order arrives slightly thawed (but still cool), simply place everything back in your freezer to refreeze. There is nothing wrong with thawing and refreezing meat for pet food.
Why is my pet drinking less water and having fewer bowel movements? Is this normal?
Yes, this is normal on a healthy diet. Commercial pet food is dehydrated, so pets are forced to drink a lot to avoid dehydration. Raw and Gently cooked food contains about 70% water, so they get most of their liquid from food.
The pet's stool on a healthy diet becomes smaller in volume, has a less sharp smell, and its regularity is usually once every few days. This is actually evidence of proper digestive tract function; natural food is well digested and well absorbed by the animal's body, unlike commercial pet food, which contains many vegetable proteins that the predator's body cannot digest and absorb, so the animal's stool on such a diet is much larger, has a more pungent smell, and occurs more often.