INTRODUCTION
Why should I serve my pet a raw fermented diet?
Biologically, pets need a diet containing predigested raw food. Fermentation pre-digests food by naturally breaking down nutrients, making it easier for pets to digest. Dogs have short digestive tracts, which can prevent them from fully absorbing nutrients in processed foods. This alone suggests that pets should have access to more than just processed food. Besides enhancing the nutritional value of raw food, fermentation also delivers micronutrients, healthy bacteria, and live enzymes that restore gut health and overall balance. Feeding cleanfood can be seen as a preventive measure against chronic diseases.
What is the best way to introduce Kure Pet Food?
We recommend starting with our liquid products: Raw Fermented Goat Milk, Raw Cow Milk Kefir, Fish Bone Broth with Fermented Sardines, or Chicken Bone Broth with Fermented Ginger. These products are rich in bioavailable, living probiotic bacteria and are an excellent starting point for a healthier diet. Begin with a small portion of the recommended daily amount and gradually increase the serving size as your pet’s digestive system adjusts to healthy bacteria.
Why do your Raw Fermented Meat Recipes not have an AAFCO certification?
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) specifications are not suitable for raw fermented diets due to the extreme bioavailability of nutrients in our food. AAFCO standards were designed for processed pet foods that are less easily digestible and don’t have the natural nutrient composition for complete absorption by pets. This necessitates the addition of synthetic vitamins and minerals to compensate for the lack of nutrients absorbed. Our raw diets are already formulated for balanced nutrition by a Master of Food Science and Holistic Nutritionist, and they naturally contain abundant nutrients. Adding AAFCO’s required doses of vitamins and minerals on top of our nutrient-dense, easy-to-digest food would lead to vitamin overdose in pets due to the food’s natural nutritional richness.
HOW TO STORE
How long can your products sit out in room temperature?
Our raw fermented milks and bone broths can sit out at normal room temperature for at least 12 hours. Kure’s meat recipes can be safely left out for at least 10 hours, and our raw cheese for about 24 hours. Raw fermented butter products can remain at room temperature indefinitely.
How long can your products be refrigerated once thawed?
Once thawed, our raw fermented milks and bone broths can be safely refrigerated for 30 days. Our meat recipe products can be refrigerated for 7 days, and our raw cheese products are good for 14 days. Raw fermented butter products can be kept refrigerated indefinitely after thawing.
Can I refreeze your products?
Yes, you can refreeze our products, although it’s nutritionally somewhat better to thaw once and use the products until finished. Many pet parents prefer to divide the food into smaller serving-size portions before refreezing for convenience.
My carton leaked a little. Why does this happen?
Our eco-friendly, recyclable cartons are not 100% leakproof. To prevent leaks, we recommend thawing them on a plate or in the sink to catch any drainage that may occur. For best handling and storing practices, once the carton is fully thawed, transfer its contents into a safe, airtight glass container and recycle the original packaging. We recommend using temperature-resistant glass storage containers to limit plastic exposure for the health of your pets and the environment.
HOW TO HANDLE
Are your raw foods safe to handle?
Yes, our raw foods are safe to handle. We always recommend following a safe and hygienic routine, which includes washing utensils and kitchen counters with hot, soapy water.
Why do you consider your raw foods safe?
We consider our raw foods safe due to our thorough approach. We source our ingredients sustainably and use regenerative farming practices to protect the environment, livestock, and the safety of our food. Additionally, we employ the fermentation method, which prevents harmful bacteria growth by harnessing the power of good bacteria, specifically lactic acid bacteria. These good bacteria produce natural compounds called bacteriocins, which destroy unwanted bacteria and inhibit potential pathogens. We maintain the highest food safety standards in the industry and continuously monitor our safety levels to ensure the well-being of our farms, animals, families, and your pets.
What happens if Kure Pet Food is temperature-abused or compromised?
Kure Pet Food’s fermentation process results in high counts of lactic acid bacteria, which are highly effective at inhibiting potential pathogen growth by crowding them out. These bacteria permeate the food and prevent harmful bacteria from thriving. In situations where our food is exposed to compromised conditions, such as warm temperatures or prolonged air exposure, which would typically cause unfermented food to spoil, the abundant good bacteria act as a protective force, blocking the development of hazardous pathogens. The presence of billions of healthy bacteria serves as an extremely effective food safety countermeasure, making use of the benefits of fermentation.
HOW TO SERVE
How do I thaw Kure Pet Food products?
We recommend thawing our products on a plate at room temperature, which typically takes around 6 hours. If you choose to thaw them in the fridge, it will take between 24-28 hours. You can also thaw, portion, and refreeze our products if needed. To minimize plastic exposure, we recommend using temperature-resistant glass storage containers.
How do I measure out your food for my pet’s meal?
The most accurate way to measure our food is by using an affordable digital kitchen scale that can measure in weight (ounces). You can also use a liquid measuring cup for liquids alone.
Do I serve your food cold, or wait to serve at room temperature?
You can serve our cleanfood either way; it depends on your pet’s preference. Cats, in general, seem to prefer food at room temperature rather than straight from the refrigerator. Serving at room temperature enhances the aroma and closely resembles the temperature of prey in the wild.
Is it okay to cook Kure Pet Food raw fermented food?
We highly discourage cooking or heating our food, as it alters the raw state and depletes valuable nutrients enhanced by fermentation. The only time we might advocate for serving cooked food is during a short-term diet transition or given specific instructions.
Is it okay to mix processed food or kibble with Kure Pet Food?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine to mix our raw food with other diets. Adding some Kure raw food enhances nutrition and overall well-being, outweighing any potential concerns. It’s a great way to boost your pet’s nutrition.
Is it necessary to add supplements to your Meat Recipes?
No, there’s no need to add supplements to our recipes. Our raw diets are carefully formulated to be nutritionally abundant. The use of whole, raw, fermented foods provides an excellent delivery system for probiotic and nutritional benefits, making synthetic supplements unnecessary.
Is it necessary to add additional food to your Raw Meat Recipes?
No, it’s not necessary to add additional food. Our recipes are formulated for optimal nutrition. If you desire a nutritional boost or variety, you can add our fermented raw milks and/or bone broths or rotate our products and proteins for a balanced diet.
Do you recommend rotating your raw milks and bone broths? If so, how often?
Yes, we recommend food rotation for a diverse nutritional profile. You can use one raw fermented dairy product plus one bone broth daily, rotating them at your convenience. For example, you can rotate goat milk with kefir and chicken bone broth with fish bone broth.
Do you recommend rotating proteins? If so, how often?
Yes, we recommend rotating our Raw Meat Recipes to achieve a diverse nutritional profile for optimal pet health. It’s ideal to add a different protein each time you restock.
Why do I feed so much less of Kure Pet Food to my pet than other foods?
Kure cleanfood has high bioavailability, meaning it’s fully absorbed and used by the body. This, along with the easier digestion process, results in fewer calories being burned during digestion compared to other pet foods. You’ll feed less of Kure cleanfood due to its effective nutritional profile.
Why is my pet drinking so much less on Kure food?
Our cleanfood has a high moisture content, so your pet will get most of their daily water intake through our recipes. In many cases, pets on our diets exclusively are satisfied and seldom drink additional water. Always ensure fresh water is available to your pets.
What is the best food for a puppy or kitten?
We recommend rotating all of our products to introduce a wide range of nutrients to encourage ideal physical development for puppies and kittens.
My pet is losing / not losing / gaining weight. Am I feeding them the correct amount?
Pets’ metabolisms vary, so our recommendations serve as a guideline. Adjust the amount gradually by a ½ ounce at a time to reach your pet’s healthy goal weight.
My pet acts as though they are starving. What should I do?
If your pet is losing muscle tissue, consult a vet. In some cases, pets may experience a little hunger during the transition to a raw diet. To help, consider offering Kure raw cheese as a snack throughout the day or our raw milk or bone broth as a supplement. Always consult a vet if you notice a sudden change in your pet’s appearance.
My dog won’t consume your food. What should I do?
Some dogs may need more encouragement to transition to raw fermented food. You can gradually introduce small amounts into their current diet or try serving the food at varying temperatures to entice them. For cats, a gradual transition is typically the most effective method.
METHODS OF FOOD SAFETY
Does Kure Pet Food use High Pressure Pasteurization or Processing (HPP)?
No, we do not use High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP). HPP takes food out of its raw state and damages proteins, fats, enzymes, and healthy bacteria. Foods processed via HPP can no longer be considered raw. Additionally, HPP can exert significant pressure on food contained in plastic, potentially leading to the leaching of toxic packaging chemicals into the food and liquids. Kure Pet Food is committed to avoiding HPP for all our products.
What is fermentation?
Fermentation is an ancient metabolic process of food preservation in which certain bacteria, under specific conditions, produce lactic acid. Consuming fermented foods rich in lactic acid bacteria can lead to various health benefits.
How does fermentation work?
Fermentation involves inoculating food with healthy bacteria and creating conditions for these beneficial bacteria to grow and thrive. Healthy bacteria pre-digest certain components of raw fermented food, making it highly bioavailable and easy to digest and absorb by the body.
Does fermentation continue when frozen?
No, the fermentation process is suspended when food is frozen. It resumes when the food is thawed and placed under the appropriate conditions. Kure Pet Food flash-freezes our products to maintain the highest level of nutritional quality.
CLEANFOOD
What exactly is cleanfood?
Cleanfood is minimally processed food created through a thoughtful and caring journey from farm to bowl. It is sourced from small, independent family farms that prioritize toxin-free, chemical-free, and pesticide-free farming practices. Animals are treated humanely, raised in natural environments with access to graze and forage, and allowed to live happy, low-stress lives. Cleanfood is produced using minimal processing methods, avoiding High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP) to maintain the raw state. Packaging is chosen to prevent the leaching of chemicals or toxins. Cleanfood offers exceptional quality and nutrition.
Is your food organic?
Yes, our food is organic, but we go beyond traditional organic standards. We focus on regenerative farming practices, protecting the environment, fostering healthy soil and clean water, and raising animals in their natural habitats without pollutants, stress, or synthetics. Our food is minimally processed and free from herbicides, pesticides, chemicals, drugs, or GMOs. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and eliminating the use of plastic.
How is your food sourced? Where is it sourced?
We source our food from small family farms in the rural valleys of Pennsylvania. Our partnered resources are located across the United States and adhere to our high quality and ethical standards.
What kind of whey do you use to ferment your products, and why?
We use raw grassfed goat milk whey in its natural liquid state to ferment our foods. This whey is selected for its quality and effectiveness in the fermentation process.
Is there sugar in Kure Pet Food products?
There is little to no sugar in our food. Fermentation converts sugar into organic acids, which aid in digestion. Milk sugars in our raw fermented goat milk and raw cow milk kefir are consumed by beneficial bacteria. Our Raw Meat Recipes contain pre-fermented vegetables in which most of the natural sugars have been converted into organic acids.
Why do you put high-vitamin raw butter in your Raw Fermented Meat Recipes?
Raw grassfed butter is a healthy food source, rich in omega and saturated fats, as well as vitamins A, D, and K2. It is particularly high in medium-chain triglycerides, which are nourishing and beneficial.
Why do you put salt in your products?
Salt is used to support fermentation and replenish essential minerals and trace elements in the food. Redmond salt, mined from ancient seabed deposits in Utah, is unrefined and contains more than 60 natural trace minerals with no additives.
Why is your food so high in fat?
Our food is not high in fat. It is balanced with a 1:1 fat to protein ratio, formulated by a Master of Food Science and Holistic Nutritionist. This ratio provides an ideal energy source for your pet and prevents damage to organ health.
Why are all your proteins the same calories and GAs?
Our foods have the same calories and Guaranteed Analysis (GAs) because they are specifically formulated to have an optimal 1:1 fat to protein ratio.
What is the ratio of meat, organ, and bone in your recipes?
Our Raw Fermented Meat Recipes have a ratio of 60% muscle, 30% organ, and 10% bone, which is ideal for optimal health and support for both cats and dogs.
Why do your products vary in texture and color?
Our products are living raw wholefoods, curated in small batches. They do not have the uniform appearance and texture of mass-produced processed foods. Variations in color and texture can occur due to air exposure and the specific cuts of meat in each batch.
Why do your products smell? Have they gone bad?
The distinct smell in our products is due to lactic acid bacteria, and its pungency can vary. The smell may become more pronounced over time as the food sits out. This is normal and safe for our products; they have not gone bad.
RAW DAIRY
Isn’t milk bad for cats and dogs?
No, Kure’s raw fermented milks are not only safe but also tremendously beneficial for pets. Raw fermented milk is distinct from pasteurized milk, which can be problematic for many pets. Most pets cannot tolerate pasteurized milk, as pasteurization damages the enzymes and nutrients in milk, making it less suitable for pets. However, raw fermented milk is designed to provide excellent nutrition and strengthen the immune system. It contains beneficial bioavailable nutrients, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes in their natural form, making it highly digestible and safe for pets.
My pet is lactose-intolerant. Can I feed them either one of your milks?
Most pets that are lactose intolerant can tolerate raw fermented milk. Raw milk contains intact lactase enzymes, which are required for the digestion of lactose, making it easier for pets to digest. In addition, fermentation further reduces lactose content, making it even more digestible for lactose-intolerant pets.
Does raw fermented milk contain enzymes?
Yes, raw fermented milk is rich in enzymes, including lactase, which is responsible for the digestion of lactose. These enzymes contribute to the digestibility of the milk.
Are raw fermented milks a good source of probiotics?
Yes, raw fermented milks are an excellent source of probiotics. They contain over 200 species of healthy bacteria and are further enhanced during the fermentation process, resulting in billions of living probiotic bacteria per ounce. The probiotics in raw fermented milk are in their natural food state, making them more diverse, effective, and potent than those found in supplements, pills, or powders.
Is full-fat raw dairy good for my pet?
Yes, full-fat raw dairy is beneficial for pets. It contains essential nutrients like fat-soluble vitamins A and D, calcium, vitamin B6, B12, and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). Removing fat from milk can diminish its nutritional value and is not ideal for the body. The combination of protein and healthy fat in raw dairy is important for proper utilization by the body.
Why do I see curds in my fermented raw milks? Is this normal?
Yes, it’s normal to see curds in fermented raw milks. Curds are a sign that the good bacteria are continuing to pre-digest the milk. The presence of curds indicates a healthy and nutrient-dense milk.
My milk smells sour. Has it gone bad?
No, sourness is normal for raw fermented milks. The slight sour smell and curds in the milk are signs of ongoing fermentation, and this is completely safe and nutrient-dense. The sour smell will increase as the milk continues to ferment.
The milk in my new carton is a different color than the milk in my previous carton. Is it still good?
Yes, variations in color and texture are normal for raw fermented milks. Each batch is a living wholefood and may vary in appearance and texture. These variations do not diminish the nutritive value.
Why is honey listed in the raw cow milk kefir?
Honey is used as a starter for fermentation in raw cow milk kefir. It is antimicrobial and is pre-metabolized by bacteria (probiotics) during the fermentation process. As a result, there are very few sugars left in the milk once it is fermented.
Your raw cheese is hard. Is this normal?
Yes, it is normal for raw cheese to vary in texture and moisture content. Kure’s raw cheese can sometimes have the consistency of Parmesan cheese. This variation in texture does not affect the nutritive value. Storing the raw cheese in an airtight glass container can help lock in moisture.
HEALTHY TO KNOW
Who formulates your food?
Kure Pet Food is formulated by an innovative Master of Food Science and Holistic Nutritionist with over 25 years of experience in the human and pet food industries. This expert is responsible for researching and sourcing raw materials, developing new formulas, quality assurance, engineering, and maintaining the quality and integrity of the finished product specifications.
Do you have a veterinarian on staff?
Yes, Kure Pet Food has a Chief Veterinarian on staff, Dr. Doug Knueven CVA, CVC, CVCH, known as The Holistic Vet. Dr. Doug consults on product formulation and development and is actively involved in building a community of pet parents and veterinary practices dedicated to holistic pet health.
Raw milk gave my pet diarrhea/gas. Why? What should I do?
Loose stool, gas, or diarrhea when transitioning to raw milks can be due to an imbalanced or unhealthy gut microbiome. This is a detox response as the body adjusts to nutrient-dense food with healthy live probiotics. Gradually introducing raw fermented milk in smaller portions allows the pet’s body to adapt and diversify its gut microbiome, minimizing these issues.
What can I do if my pet has loose stool or is constipated?
For loose stool, reduce the food amount until resolved or fast for 24 hours and reintroduce food slowly. Ensure fresh water is available.
For constipation, consider feeding raw fermented goat milk or increasing the amount of raw fermented goat milk if already in the diet.
What is “detox” and why can it occur when transitioning a pet to a raw, cleanfood diet?
Detox is a process where the body eliminates toxins when transitioning to a healthier diet. It can include symptoms like loose stools, gas, itching, or mild rashes. It is a normal part of healing and may last a few days, depending on the pet’s health condition.
What is the best way to minimize detox when transitioning to your food?
The best way to minimize detox when transitioning is to introduce the new food gradually, starting with a small amount and increasing it over time. Allow detox to run its course as it is a necessary part of healing.
Should I be concerned about the histamines in your food?
There is very low histamine content in Kure’s cleanfood. Pet bodies can handle naturally occurring histamines. Histamines in the food should not be a significant concern.
With grass allergies, will it affect my pet when feeding grassfed proteins?
No, it should not affect your pet’s grass allergies. When animals consume grass, their digestive systems break it down into individual nutrients, and it no longer remains “grass.”
My pet is unable to tolerate or is allergic to a certain protein or food, will it affect my pet if I feed your food?
Fermentation can slightly alter the protein structure of food. It’s possible that your pet will not be allergic to feeding a raw fermented protein compared to non-fermented protein. However, it’s recommended to sample and test to ensure your pet does not have a reaction. If served for 3-5 days without a reaction, it’s likely safe to feed.