Frequently Asked Questions, Safety Procedures at Stella & Chewy's, Handling & Feeding Guideline
**Frequently Asked Questions:**
Why feed pets a raw diet?
“Feeding raw is hardly a new concept...My own research, which continues after thirty years, shows that dogs fed raw and natural foods live longer and healthier lives than their counterparts who are fed commercial dog food. Dogs naturally have stronger immune systems and are therefore better able to resist disease and parasites.” - Wendy Volhard, author of Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog
A raw diet will not hurt your pet and will only IMPROVE his/her overall nutrition and physical condition. Dogs and cats are carnivores by nature, and should have meat in their diets for their development and balanced nutrition. Stella & Chewy’s provides exactly the kinds of food that dogs and cats would naturally seek out for themselves in the wild.
Is raw meat safe for my pet?
Properly prepared raw meat-based diets are in fact very safe for dogs and cats. Stella & Chewy’s is produced in a temperature controlled environment to prevent the growth of bacteria. In addition, the process of freezing reduces pathogens considerably. Dogs and cats have highly acidic digestive juices and their shorter digestive time does not allow harmful bacteria an opportunity to establish themselves. Dogs and cats are scavengers and can eat foods humans could never tolerate. Think of the bones dogs like to bury and unearth weeks later. For 99% of the history of dogs and cats, nobody cooked for them and they ate only raw foods; not only did they not get sick but they thrived and lived longer and healthier lives than our pets do today.
How Fresh is FRESH from the FARM?
Stella & Chewy’s is fresh-frozen or freeze-dried for optimal nutrients and bio-availability, rich in omega-6 fatty acids, probiotics, and free of hormones and antibiotics. Once prepared, Stella & Chewy’s is instantly flash frozen to ensure freshness and superior quality. Stella & Chewy’s is tested and temperature-controlled to ensure bacteria levels are neither excessive nor invasive. Commercial kibble pet food is processed at extreme temperatures (212 degrees or higher) that destroy both enzymes and amino acids that your pet needs.
What's wrong with dry kibble and canned food?
Commercial pet food is one of the most highly processed foods on the planet - chemical additives are used that increase the palatability, extend the shelf life, and improve the appearance of the food. These additives are dangerous to your pet's health.
Why is Stella & Chewy’s more expensive than most dry kibble and canned pet foods?
Stella & Chewy’s costs more because it is real food. Just as with humans, what you feed your pet directly affects his/her health. “Feeding conveniently and cheaply may cost you more in the long run - in veterinary bills” says Martin Zucker, in The Veterinarians' Guide to Natural Remedies for Dogs. Feeding your pet fresh, wholesome food is a smart way to prevent health problems. Your pet will be happier and healthier - now and in the future!
**Food Safety at Stella & Chewy’s**
Stella & Chewy’s has not been affected by any of the recent pet food recalls. The safety of their products has always been and continues to be of paramount importance. In light of this serious scare in the pet world, they are completely open about what they are doing to ensure that customers get exactly what they promise: premium quality pet-food products.
Stella & Chewy’s has recently opened their own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Wisconsin. They produce ALL their own products at their federally-inspected plant, own all of their own equipment, including freeze-dryers. The bottom line is that they maintain 100% control over the safety of our products from beginning to end
In fact, they follow the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) guidelines which is a prevention-based food safety system created by the FDA and the USDA. The purpose of HACCP is to identify and monitor specific food-borne hazards – biological, chemical, or physical properties – that can adversely affect the safety of the food product.
All of their farmers and suppliers provide “Letters of Guarantee” stating that their meats and produce are fresh, clean, and test negative for pathogens.
Stella & Chewy's is always striving to make the healthiest pet food. To that end, they work with top animal nutritionists and meat scientists from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. The university team continues to help them improve their already great diets with extensive palatability trials and nutritional analysis.
Everything is produced in small batches, and every batch is tested prior to shipping for salmonella and E. coli 0157:H7 at an independent lab.
**Handling**
Proper handling of raw foods is essential since some raw food may contain bacteria that could cause illness to you or your pets. Be sure to keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods. Wash hands prior to, and after handling raw food. Wash working surfaces, bowls, and utensils that come in contact with raw meat with hot, soapy water. Always wash your hands after cleaning your pet's waste; this includes litter boxes.
**Feeding Guideline**
Recommended daily portion, by body weight. Feed puppies and lactating females 2-3 times more. Please keep in mind that the chart represents the amount of steaks you would feed your dog or cat if using only Stella & Chewys Raw Food Diets. Some customers use a blend of raw and kibble and adjust the quantity accordingly (ie. 1/2 Raw - 1/2 Kibble).
-Dog Diets-
FREEZE DRIED STEAKS
10 lbs. - 3 steaks
20 lbs. - 5 steaks
40 lbs. - 9 steaks
60 lbs. - 12 steaks
1.5 oz. STEAKS (FROZEN PRODUCT)
10 lbs. - 3 steaks
20 lbs. - 5 steaks
40 lbs. - 9 steaks
60 lbs. - 12 steaks
8 oz. STEAKS (FROZEN PRODUCT)
25 lbs. - 1 steak
50 lbs. - 2 steaks
80 lbs. - 3 steaks
110 lbs. - 4 steaks
-Cat Diet-
FREEZE DRIED STEAKS
6 lbs. - 2 steaks
9 lbs. - 3 steaks
12 lbs. - 4 steaks
15 lbs. - 5 steaks
The Following Applies To The Frozen Product Only...
Keep steaks frozen until ready to use. When defrosting for use:
In the refrigerator, thaw overnight only the amount needed for the next day. Make sure to us a container that is designated for raw pet food. (There may be liquid at the bottom of the container when it thaws; this is normal).
If you forget to defrost ahead of time, you can "flash" defrost by placing the steaks in a ziplock bag and submerging them in COLD water for 30-45 minutes.
