Frequently Asked Questions
INTRODUCTION
Why should I serve my pet a raw fermented diet?
Biologically, our 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 in particular have a short digestive tract, which means that nutrients in harder-to-digest processed foods don’t remain in their bodies long enough for the nutrients to be fully absorbed. You can understand from this alone that, for well being, all pets should have access to more than a diet of processed food.
Aside from enhancing the the nutritional value of raw food, and making the food easy to digest, fermentation is also an excellent delivery system for micronutrients, healthy bacteria or probiotics, and live enzymes, which restore health and balance to the gut and help bring stability throughout the entire body.
Feeding our cleanfood can almost be considered as offering pets a “natural medicine” and it is a great preventative measure against chronic disease.
What is the best way to introduce Kure Pet Food?
We suggest feeding any of our liquid products: Raw Fermented Goat Milk, Raw Cow Milk Kefir, Fish Bone Broth with Fermented Sardines, or Chicken Bone Broth with Fermented Ginger. As fermented cleanfood, these products are extremely high in bioavailable, living probiotic bacteria. They’re the perfect starting point for a healthier diet! Start with a small portion of the recommended daily amount. Once their bodies are adjusted to having healthy bacteria in their digestive system, gradually increase the serving amount, until you reach your desired daily portion
Why do your Raw Fermented Meat Recipes not have an AAFCO certification?
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a voluntary-membership association of local, state and federal agencies. AAFCO’s specifications, while applicable to many other food types, are not suitable for raw fermented diets due to the extreme bioavailability of the nutrients in our food. Here’s why:
All our recipes are formulated by an innovative Master of Food Science and Holistic Nutritionist, for carefully, meticulously balanced nutrition. These raw diets already have a naturally occurring nutritional abundance. In contrast, AAFCO specifications were created for processed pet foods that are not easily digestible or don’t have the composition to be fully absorbed by pets, which means that a higher amount of nutrients need to be added. This requires companies to add synthetic vitamins and minerals to their formulas in order to compensate for this lack of nutrients absorbed.
We’re on the opposite side of the road from those companies: our food already contains the necessary natural vitamins and minerals, which are sustained and enhanced by fermentation. Because our raw fermented foods are naturally nutrient-dense, and are extremely easy for dogs and cats to digest, and the vitamins in them are easy to absorb, we’re good! Simply put, if we added their (AAFCO’s) required doses of vitamins and minerals (some synthetic) on top of our food’s naturally excellent biological make-up, pets would overdose on vitamins.
For our complete nutrient panel, please reach us at petslovecleanfood@kurepetfood.com
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 sit out safely for at least 10 hours, and our raw cheese for about 24 hours. Raw fermented butter products can sit out indefinitely
How long can your products be refrigerated once thawed?
Once you’ve thawed them, our raw fermented milks and bone broths can be safely refrigerated for 30 days, our meat recipe products for 7 days, and our raw cheese products are good for 14 days. Raw fermented butter products can be kept refrigerated indefinitely.
Can I refreeze your products?
Yes. Although we found it’s nutritionally somewhat better to thaw once, and use products until finished, our food can be safely refrozen for your feeding convenience. Tip: Many pet parents like 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 healthier for pets and the planet, but are not 100% leakproof. We recommend thawing them on a plate, or in the sink, to catch any drainage that may occur. For best handling and storing practices, here’s what we recommend: once the carton is fully thawed, transfer its contents into a safe, airtight glass container and recycle the original packaging. We always recommend limiting plastic exposure by using temperature-resistant glass storage containers.
HOW TO HANDLE
Are your raw foods safe to handle?
Yes. Naturally, we always recommend following a safe, hygenic routine of washing utensils and kitchen counters with hot, soapy water.
Why do you consider your raw foods safe?
We’re very thorough. In addition to clean, sustainable sourcing and regenerative farming which protects the state of livestock, the environment, food, and our pets, we do this: we use the method of fermentation which ensures pathogens or bad bacteria from growing to harmful levels, thanks to the presence of good bacteria or lactic acid bacteria. This good bacteria produces a natural medicine known as bacteriocins which destroys unwanted bacteria and prohibits any potential pathogen cells growth. We are proud to say that our food safety record is the highest; we have the most effective, reliable safety methodology in the industry; and we also monitor our safety levels constantly. We don’t take chances with safety measures, for the good of our farms, our animals, our families, and your pets.
What happens if Kure Pet Food is temperature-abused or compromised?
Fermented foods contain billions and billions of healthy bacteria known as lactic acid bacteria. The conditions under which we ferment our food create very high counts of these lactic acid bacteria. The bonus: these bacteria are wonderfully proficient at inhibiting potential pathogen growth by essentially "crowding them out". They permeate food and leave no room for harmful bacteria to grow. So, whenever our food is put in a compromised situation, such as warm temperatures or prolonged air exposure which would normally make unfermented food ripe for spoilage, the good bacteria acts like a guardian force, and is able to block any pathogen from becoming hazardous. These billions of healthy bacteria are an extremely effective food safety counter measure. (Another reason we love the wonders 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 can take approximately 6 hours. If you choose to thaw products in the fridge, it will take between 24-28 hours. Feel free to thaw, portion, and refreeze our products if necessary. We always recommend limiting plastic exposure by using freezer safe, temperature-resistant glass storage containers
How do I measure out your food for my pet’s meal?
The easiest way to measure accurately is to buy an affordable digital kitchen scale that can measure in weight (ounces). You’ll love how handy a little scale like this will be, and how often you’ll probably use it. For liquids alone, you can also use a liquid measuring cup.
Do I serve your food cold, or wait to serve at room temperature?
You can serve our cleanfood either way. It all depends on your pet's preference. If your pet seems finicky, try feeding both ways and compare. The change in serving at different temperatures will be enough to encourage a taste. Note: We’ve found that cats in general don’t care for food straight from the refrigerator and seem to prefer eating food at room temperature. When food is at room temperature (not too cold or too hot), food has a more appealing aroma, is closer to their own body temperature, and is more like that of prey they or their hunting ancestors might have caught in the wild.
Is it okay to cook Kure Pet Food raw fermented food?
We highly discourage cooking or heating our food, gently or otherwise. Altering it by warming or gently cooking changes the raw food state and depletes many of its valuable nutrients that fermentation enhances. The only time we would advocate for serving cooked food is in the case of transitioning diets over a short period of time or given specific instruction.
Is it okay to mix processed food or kibble with Kure Pet Food?
Yes. Adding some Kure raw food is better than adding no Kure to your pet’s menu at all. Despite differing digestion speeds, the benefits and advantages from adding our food to any diet vastly outweighs any potential concerns. It’s a fantastic way to boost nutrition for your pet’s wellbeing.
Is it necessary to add supplements to your Meat Recipes?
No. Our pet food recipes are carefully formulated by an innovative Master of Food Science and Holistic Nutritionist. Our raw diets have nutritional abundance. Live clean ingredients provide an excellent delivery system of probiotic and nutritional benefits for pets by using whole, raw, fermented foods. We do not recommend using synthetic supplements, such as pills or powders, to "balance" food due to its complete lack of bioavailability and propensity to damage the kidneys. Isolating nutrients by substituting with supplementation is problematic and fails to work effectively.
Is it necessary to add additional food to your Raw Meat Recipes?
No, it’s not necessary. Our pet food recipes are carefully formulated by an innovative Master of Food Science and Holistic Nutritionist and have nutritional abundance. If a nutritional boost is desired, or additional aid is needed to achieve optimal wellbeing, we highly recommend adding any one of our fermented raw milks and/or bone broths. We also recommend rotating our products and proteins for an ideal nutritional balance.
Is it necessary to add your raw milks or bone broths to your other products?
Our raw milks and bone broths are extremely nourishing and ideal for nutritionally boosting any diet. Live enzymes from these products provide an excellent delivery system of probiotic benefits and are highly beneficial. However, if you are feeding our Raw Fermented Meat Recipes, it’s not "necessary" but we recommend adding a Kure raw milk or bone broth for an additional dietary advantage. Our milks and broths are also an ideal way to add more moisture to any diet.
Do you recommend rotating your raw milks and bone broths? If so, how often?
Yes. Food rotation is ideal for a thriving life for your pets. We recommend using one of each: a raw fermented dairy product plus a bone broth daily. Rotate these products at your feeding convenience for a diverse nutritional profile. For example, you can rotate our goat milk with kefir, and the chicken bone broth with the fish bone broth.
Do you recommend rotating proteins? If so, how often?
Yes. Rotate our Raw Meat Recipes for a diverse nutritional profile for optimal pet health. We recommend adding a different protein each time you restock.
Why do I feed so much less of Kure Pet Food to my pet, than other foods?
Our raw fermented cleanfood has high bioavailability: the ability to be fully absorbed and used by the body. This wonderful feeding effectiveness is due to “pre-digestion” of Kure food, which is created by fermentation’s healthy bacteria. This also creates more nutrients and live enzymes.
What this means, calorie-wise and for feeding amounts: our Kure food products are (1) naturally higher in calories, but (2) burns fewer of these calories during the easier digestion process (the body uses calories during chewing, digesting, etc.) – thanks to Kure’s fermented, nutrient-dense ingredients. So, you will feed less of Kure cleanfood compared to any other pet food, due to its effective nutritional profile.
Why is my pet drinking so much less on Kure food?
Our cleanfood has a high moisture content. Your pet will receive most of their daily water intake through our recipes, especially when feeding our raw fermented milks and bone broths. In most cases, you’ll notice that a pet who has consumed our diets exclusively will be completely satisfied and will seldom drink additional water. Of course, you should always have fresh water available to your pets.
What is the best food for a puppy or kitten?
We recommend rotating all of our products to introduce and acclimate your pet to as many nutrients as possible. This encourages ideal physical development. What a wonderful start to their new lives!
My pet is losing / not losing / gaining weight. Am I feeding them the correct amount?
Pets’ metabolisms vary as each pet is different. Our recommendations serve as a guideline and are a great place to start. To adjust weight, we suggest gradually increasing or decreasing the amount of food by a ½ ounce at a time, depending on the healthy goal weight you have for your pet.
My pet acts as though they are starving. What should I do?
A true sign that a dog is starving is if they’re visibly losing muscle tissue. Another explanation for this kind of “I’m starving!” or beseeching behavior is that the pet is having food anxiety.
But it’s also possible a pet may experience a little bit of hunger due to the transition to a new form of raw eating. If this is the case, it should subside with time. This is especially true if a pet is transitioning from a processed diet where digesting a short-lived “filling meal” of carbs and grains that has expanded the pet’s stomach. To help the hunger pangs, we recommend our Kure raw cheese as in-between meal snack throughout the day, or you may feed our raw milk or bone broth as a supplemental boost. This should provide some hunger satisfaction without much of a calorie increase.
Finally, although your pet’s demand to eat more is most likely natural, there’s the possibility it could be related to an undetected medical condition. Please note: cats who aren’t given a food they like or want will actually starve themselves to death. For cats, withholding food for a couple of days is not advised.
Finally, if there’s an unexpected sudden change in a pet’s physical appearance, we always encourage you to consult a (holistic) veterinarian.
My dog won’t consume your food. What should I do?
Most dogs take an eager interest to eating raw fermented food. However, it’s true that some pets require more encouragement than others. If you’re dealing with this issue, there are several methods we recommend:
• Introduce a very small amount of our raw food into their current diet. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of raw food into their meal. Once that is accepted, increase the dose to 1 teaspoon and continue to 1 tablespoon until you’ve reached 1 ounce. This gradual increase of raw food and decrease of the other food amount will transform their meals portions to eventually a 100% raw fermented diet. This works particularly well with cats.
• Based on your comfort level, the second option of feeding dogs is the “tough love” method. Do not continue for more than 2 days if a dog refuses to eat. Please note, this method DOES NOT apply to cats. Cats will starve themselves to death or succumb to fatty liver disease.
• A third method is to try feeding your pet at varying temperatures. This simple temperature change works well with many pets. It works especially well with cats, who prefer foods served at room temperature.
METHODS OF FOOD SAFETY
Does Kure Pet Food use High Pressure Pasteurization or Processing (HPP)?
No, we do not. Here’s why: HPP takes food out of a raw state, damaging proteins, fats, enzymes, and healthy bacteria. Our belief is that foods that are processed via HPP can no longer be considered raw.
And there’s another issue, too: using high pressure processing also exerts such a massive amount of pressure on food contained in plastic, that it can leach toxic packaging chemicals into foods and liquids. We will never resort to HPP for any of our products.
What is fermentation?
Fermentation is an ancient metabolic process of food preservation by which certain bacteria under specified conditions produce lactic acid. Consuming fermented food that possesses lactic acid bacteria results in a range of health improvements.
How does fermentation work?
Fermented food is inoculated with healthy bacteria, and when put under certain conditions, allows good bacteria to grow and thrive. Healthy bacteria predigests certain components of raw fermented food making it much more bioavailable, or easier to digest and be absorbed by the body more so than any other food.
Does fermentation continue when frozen?
No. The fermentation process is suspended when food is frozen. Once thawed and put into the appropriate conditions, it resumes fermenting again. We flash-freeze our food to maintain the highest level of nutritional goodness.
CLEANFOOD
What exactly is cleanfood?
Cleanfood is food that is minimally processed, and that is created over a thoughtful, caring journey from farm to bowl. With Kure, small, independent family farms are a starting point, where everything from the soil, to the water, to the air is as toxin-free as possible, with no added chemicals or pesticides, and we oversee our farmlands as meticulously today as we have for generations. Animals are treated humanely, with kindness and attentive care, so they can live happy, healthier lives in a de-stressed and calm way from birth to death. They are allowed to freely graze and forage for their foods in our own green fields under blue skies; we don’t do factory farming. Our children even love to play with our goats and can be heard running down the gravel paths to greet these lively little friends.
Our air is filled with the sounds of birds and honeybees, not factory noise. Our vegetables are grown in organic, well-tended fields, and our fish live real lives swimming along under the chill waters off the coast of Maine. Our processing is minimal, with no HPP used, just nautral fermentation (HPP takes food out of a raw state, damaging proteins, fats, enzymes and healthy bacteria). Even our packaging for all this fresh, good, clean food was selected because it won’t leach chemicals or toxins into food. Because it was produced in this mindful, peaceful, ethical and sustainable manner, cleanfood offers an exceptional level of quality and nutrition.
Is your food organic?
Yes. However, we feel that the industry has abused this term “organic” and so, we have taken measures to go beyond “organic”. We are investing in an all-encompassing mission and practice of protecting and giving back to the oceans and environment, using regenerative farming practices, and fostering healthy soil and clean water. We are raising animals to happily live and eat in their natural habitats without pollutants, stress, or synthetics, and treating livestock humanely all throughout the cycle of their lives. We are producing food that is minimally processed. We are also reducing our carbon footprint and omitting the use of plastic. We’re better than organic. Our food is clean. This is why we call it cleanfood.
How is your food sourced?
Initial LLC, the manufacturer of Kure Pet Food, is an independently farmer-owned, operated, and sourced company in the rural valleys of Pennsylvania. We foster good energy and healthy food from field to sea to bowl, to provide raw fermented cleanfood for pets. As pioneers in a new category of pet food, we uphold the highest standards and quality in the industry. Kure offers optimal nutrition to pets by producing ethical, humane, minimally processed, chemical-free, sustainable raw wholefoods. Sourcing from our own small family farms, we do not use herbicides, pesticides, chemicals, drugs, or GMOs.
Our livestock live a good life in their natural habitat and eat their native diets. With the highest standard of humane treatment and handling, these animals thrive in a low-stress, non-polluted pastured environment.
As protectors of natural resources who practice old-world regenerative farming, we’ve also partnered with equally sustainable companies. We source sustainable wild-caught aquaculture, and partner with companies that protect the environment, animals, our oceans, and natural resources.
Where is your food sourced?
Glad you asked! We source and produce from our own small family farms in the rural valleys of Pennsylvania. Our partnered resources are from locations across the United States that uphold our unwavering quality and 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.
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 our raw cow milk kefir are consumed by good bacteria. Our Raw Meat Recipes contain pre-fermented vegetables that are lacto-fermented. Most of its natural sugars has been consumed by bacteria and converted into organic acids.
Why do you put high-vitamin raw butter in your Raw Fermented Meat Recipes?
Raw grassfed butter is an extremely healthy food. It’s a good source of healthy omega and saturated fats, and is a good source of vitamins A, D, and K2. Our raw fermented goat butter is particularly high in medium-chain triglycerides which is extremely nourishing and beneficial.
Why do you put salt in your products?
Our products contain Redmond salt mined from an ancient seabed salt deposit in Utah. Salt is used to support fermentation and replenish much-needed minerals and trace elements back into food. Salt is necessary for sustaining life. However, our Redmond salt is not like the processed table salt you are more familiar with. Redmond real salt is unrefined, contains more than 60 natural trace minerals, and has no addititives. It is screened to make sure it contains no deposits or metal residue. Salt mined from these Utah dead seabeds has been preserved, hidden away underground away from modern environmental toxins, and doesn’t contain the usual toxins often found in living seas.
Why is your food so high in fat?
Our food is not high in fat. It’s perfectly balanced and biologically appropriate with a 1:1 fat to protein ratio specifically formulated by a Master of Food Science and Holistic Nutritionist. This ratio is used so that our food will be an ideal energy source for your pet.
Using both carbohydrates and protein as the primary source of energy can cause damage to organ health. This kind of damage doesn’t happen when appropriate healthy fat is being utilized, and so healthy fat is our choice for Kure food
Why are all your proteins the same calories and GAs?
Our foods are specifically formulated by an innovative Master of Food Science and Holistic Nutritionist who has achieved the optimal 1:1 fat to protein ratio in all our raw fermented food recipes.
What is the ratio of meat, organ, and bone in your recipes?
Our Raw Fermented Meat Recipes are 60% muscle, 30% organ and 10% bone which is the ideal ratio 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. Raw, non-homogenized, cleanfood that is curated in small batches does not have the uniform appearance and texture of mass-produced processed foods. In order to create an identical presentation for each batch, we would have to use methods of using harsh chemicals or altering our process, something we would never do. So, the look, texture, smell, and taste of our products would and should vary slightly from batch to batch. The amount of air exposure and the specific cuts of meat curated per batch will also cause variance in color and texture.
Why do your products smell? Have they gone bad?
No, they haven’t gone bad. Lactic acid bacteria has a distinct smell and can vary in pungency. The longer Kure food sits out, the more its smell will be enhanced. This is completely normal and safe for our products.
RAW DAIRY
Isn’t milk bad for cats and dogs?
Our Kure raw fermented milks are not only good for pets, they are tremendously beneficial. To understand why, it is important to understand the vast difference between raw fermented milk and pasteurized milk. This is such an important subject, we’d like to tell you more:
Most pets cannot tolerate pasteurized milk— it’s known as one of the foremost allergenic foods. In fact, pasteurization has a tremendous negative effect on the nutritive qualities of milk, so it’s no surprise it’s regarded quite problematic for pets. This is why: Pasteurization denatures and destroys many nutrients, so much so that synthetic vitamins are added back in after pasteurization.
So, most pets that are lactose intolerant suffer from problems digesting pasteurized milk. You see, pasteurization damages the enzyme lactase, which is required to digest lactose.
In contrast, pets thrive on raw fermented milk.
Our Kure grassfed raw fermented milks are not pasteurized. They are fermented. They have superior nutrition and significant health benefits over pasteurized milk. Kure milks contain a wide array of beneficial bioavailable nutrients, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes (including lactase, which is responsible for the digestion of lactose) in their natural form, which is most easily utilized by the body.
This is why you’ll hear us refer to our raw feremented milk’s “digestible lactose” and why it’s actually ideal for pets. Raw fermented milk is designed to provide excellent nutrition and strengthen the immune system, is highly beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract, and is widely acknowledged as the best food for the early years of life. Fermentation predigests and populates milk with billions upon billions of living, thriving probiotics, making it even more bioavailable, and very easy to digest.
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. With all commercial milks, pasteurization damages the enzyme lactase, which is required to digest lactose. Raw milk contains perfectly healthy and intact lactase enzymes, allowing for the ability to fully digest milk with ease. In addition to raw milk, using fermentation causes milk sugars (lactose) to be almost completely consumed by its probiotic bacteria leaving virtually no lactose behind.
Does raw fermented raw milk contain enzymes?
Yes. Kure Pet Food's raw milks are abundant in enzymes: there are more than 60 different enzymes in raw milk, including lactase, which is responsible for the digestion of lactose.
You can trust our fermented milk products to be a great form of digestible lactose.
Are raw fermented milks a good source of probiotics?
Absolutely. Raw diary inherently contains over 200 species of healthy bacteria which is further enhanced when we ferment our dairy products. Our Kure Raw Fermented Milks contain billions upon billions of living, thriving bacteria (probiotics) per ounce.
Is raw fermented milk a better source of probiotics than probiotic supplements?
Yes. And here’s why: the probiotics found in raw fermented milk are in their natural food state which is vastly more diverse, effective and potent than found in any supplement, pill, or powder. The living, thriving probiotic bacteria has micronutrients essential for pet body’s daily functions. Pets consuming an array of live probiotic bacteria enjoy enhanced microbial diversity and intestinal balance.
Is full-fat raw dairy good for my pet?
Yes. And here’s why: the butterfat in whole unprocessed raw milk, particularly butterfat in raw milk from cows that graze outside on green pasture, contains vital nutrients like fat-soluble vitamins A and D, calcium, vitamin B6, B12, and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid naturally occurring in milk that reduces body fat and protects against cancer). Removing fat from milk is a detriment to milk’s nutritional value, and even harmful to the body. Designed by nature, protein needs to be paired with healthy fat to be utilized properly by the body.
Why do I see curds in my fermented raw milks? Is this normal?
Yes. Curds are normal, and they’re healthy. Seeing curds in the milk indicates that good bacteria are continuing to do its work by predigesting the milk. The rule of thumb: the more curds, the healthier and nutrient-dense it is.
My milk smells sour. Has it gone bad?
No. Raw fermented milks are also known as sour milks. They should taste and smell somewhat sour, with small to medium curds throughout. This will slightly vary from batch to batch since fermentation is a natural process. As milk sits in the fridge and continues to ferment, the sour smell will amplify and become more curdled. The more sour the smell, the safer and more nutrient-dense the milk is. How’s that for some great trivia
The milk in my new carton is a different color than the milk in my previous carton. Is it still good?
Yes. Our raw fermented milks are not homogenized or pasteurized. As a living wholefood, each individual batch will vary in appearance and texture, and this is perfectly normal.
Why is honey listed in the raw cow milk kefir?
Great question! (And we love that you are interested enough in pet health to read our labels.) Honey is antimicrobial and is used as a starter for fermentation. Honey is pre-metabolized, or eaten, by bacteria (probiotics) during the fermentation process. As a result, there are very few sugars left in milk once it is fermented
Your raw cheese is hard. Is this normal?
Yes. Raw, non-homogenized, living wholefood will vary in texture and moisture content. Because of this, you might notice that our raw cheese can sometimes have the consistency of Parmesan cheese. Don’t worry: this does not diminish the nutritive value at all. Our best cheese storage tip: we highly recommend placing our raw cheese in an airtight glass container to lock in moisture.
HEALTHY TO KNOW
Who formulates your food?
An innovative Master of Food Science and Holistic Nutritionist who has accumulated over 25 years of experience in the human and pet food industries. As a Chief Development Officer of Research and Natural Sciences, formulating Kure’s food is one of many responsibilities they oversee. Responsibilities include: researching and sourcing all raw material, cultivating new formulas, Quality Assurance, Engineering, maintaining quality and integrity of all finished product specifications for successful manufacturing— among many other duties.
Do you have a veterinarian on staff?
Absolutely. We are proud to note that our staff vet is Dr. Doug Knueven CVA, CVC, CVCH, also known as The Holistic Vet, who is considered a veteran among veterinarians. As our Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Doug consults on product formulation and development. He’s building a vibrant community of Kure raw pet food enthusiasts (both in veterinary practices, and among pet parents) to teach and inform about all-encompassing true pet health.
Raw milk gave my pet diarrhea/gas. Why? What should I do?
Loose stool, gas, or diarrhea is not necessarily a sign of the inability to digest raw milks or raw food. Rather, it’s an indication of an imbalanced or unhealthy gut microbiome. Typically, when a pet has been eating a heat processed or non-fermented food, they’re not accustomed to digesting nutrient-dense food with healthy live probiotics. Adding raw fermented food to their diet can sometimes cause a detox response or the body correcting itself by purging toxins out of their systems with the presence of good bacteria. Gradually introducing our cleanfood in smaller portions should minimize this by allowing their bodies to adjust, diversify their gut microbiome and heal itself with healthy bacteria
What can I do if my pet has loose stool or is constipated?
For loose stool: reduce the amount of food until resolved. Or fast for 24 hours and introduce food again slowly. Make sure fresh water is readily available to the pet during the fasting process.
For constipation: we recommend feeding our raw fermented goat milk. If you are already feeding raw fermented goat milk increase the amount. Always keep fresh water available
What is “detox” and why can it occur when transitioning a pet to a raw, cleanfood diet?
Typically, most pets adjust to our cleanfood with relative ease and do not experience detox. Exceptions to detox may happen if a pet is battling a chronic disease or is experiencing problematic health issues. Detox is a process wherein the body rids itself of toxins following the introduction of healthy bacteria from our raw fermented nutrient-dense food. The body will purge unhealthy bacteria including pollutants, synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, and processed nutrients through various means; loose stools, digestive upset, reflux, gas, bloat, watery eyes, itching skin, light rash, or the exacerbation of their current chronic issues.
Detox is normal and, in fact, necessary for complete healing. Symptoms of detox will decrease overtime; some cases are resolved faster than others depending on the severity of the pet’s underlying health issues. Detox typically lasts a couple of days but in severe cases, where the initial health problems have been allowed to persist for quite some time, can be persistent.
What is the best way to minimize detox when transitioning to your food?
We recommend transitioning slowly by introducing our cleanfood in gradual increments. With most pets, this gradual introduction should minimize their signs of detox. Serve any of our products starting with a ½ teaspoon and gradually increase the amount fed over time until food is completely tolerated. The most important practice is to allow detox to run its full course. It’s a necessary part of complete healing. A gradual transition can minimize signs of detox, but if it still occurs, it’s likely the body needs to eliminate unwanted toxins from itself. If you need to, always feel free to take a few steps back and begin the transition process slowly again from the beginning. If you’re uncertain about the state of health your pet is exhibiting, please contact your holistic veterinarian.
Should I be concerned about the histamines in your food?
Our cleanfood has very low histamines present. Overall, pet’s bodies are well equipped to handle naturally occurring histamines, which are a type of biogenic amine called a "monoamine" which is produced as food begins to break down. For pets taking medications that are MAOI, the daily ingestion of fermented foods can cause minor complications, but in most cases, the body's Monoamine Oxidase System, located in the small intestine, is very efficient at removing histamines naturally from the body and so they should not be of concern.
With grass allergies, will it affect my pet when feeding grassfed proteins?
No, it will not affect your pet’s allergies. While all proteins have a different composition, when ruminants (grazing livestock) eat grass, the grass material they consume is broken down, converted, and separated into individual nutrients and absorbed by the animal. 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 slightly alters the protein structure of food. It’s likely that your pet will not be allergic to feeding a raw fermented protein versus a non-fermented protein.
We recommend to sample and test first to be certain. If served for 3-5 days without a reaction, your pet should be fine; typically, an allergic reaction would present itself by then.
If you run a panel of tests, be sure this includes the process of fermented nutrients in order to achieve an accurate summary.