How Do You Prepare Frozen Raw Dog Food?

Just like you might meal plan your weeks ahead, it’s a good mentality to have for your dog’s food too, especially when they eat frozen raw food.

Switching from dry or wet food to frozen raw do food is a transition for the owner as well as the dog, so it’s good to be prepared and understand the best ways to prepare your pet’s food.

The Best Way to Prepare Frozen Raw Dog Food

Preparation is key, and the best way to prepare your frozen raw dog food is to take it out of the freezer the night before and leave it in the fridge until serving time. Remember to place it on the bottom shelf to avoid cross-contamination with your food in the fridge.

Always make sure you have portioned the food out before storing it in the freezer as this will make it easier. To ensure you don’t forget before you get into a routine, you could start by taking out a few portions at a time – just remember to serve them in a couple of days and not leave them in the fridge for longer than that.

Food should be completely thawed within 24 hours.

FAQs About Preparing Frozen Raw Dog Food

I’ve Forgotten to Take It Out the Night Before – What Do I Do?

Don’t worry, you don’t have to leave your dog to go hungry! Try a cold water bath to defrost it; it should only take a few hours, but you need to keep an eye on it.

Make sure the frozen raw dog food is in a waterproof bag with no signs of damage so water can get in, and submerge it in some cold water. Change the water every 20 minutes or so until it is completely thawed. Remember it must be cold water, not hot water as this can slightly cook the outside of the food if it is too hot.

Can I Leave It to Defrost on the Countertop?

Leaving the frozen raw dog food to defrost on the countertop is a bad idea. Because it is not in a controlled cool environment, there is the danger of causing the food to spoil. The temperature of your home fluctuates throughout the day and if it gets too warm, bacteria will begin to grow.

This means it will be inedible for your dog to eat as they would become very poorly. You’re not going to cook this through once it’s defrosted to kill the bacteria, so the better option is to leave it in the fridge where it can stay at the right temperature to defrost safely. Don’t run the risk of the outside defrosting but not the middle, and causing your pet to get food poisoning.

Is a Microwave a Quicker & Better Option to Defrost It?

In all honesty, we wouldn’t risk this. In the same way leaving it on the countertop could spoil the food due to warmer temperatures, a microwave runs this risk too. Bacteria growth and actually cooking the raw dog food are all dangers of using a microwave, so if you’re looking for a quick fix, we recommend using the cold water bath instead.

How Long Can You Keep Defrosted Raw Dog Food?

Defrosted raw dog food in the fridge in an airtight container is safe for up to 3 days. Any longer than this, you run the risk of bacteria growing and spoiling the food, resulting in food poisoning.

Signs of Food Poisoning in Dogs:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• High Fever
• Possible Seizures

Frozen Raw Dog Food from Kiezebrink

At Kiezebrink, we offer an extensive range of natural raw dog foods. From rabbit to chicken, beef to lamb, and some recognisable brand products, we’ve got it all in our online shop. Take a look today and follow our guidelines to ensure you and your dog stay safe.