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Frequently Asked Questions

FREEDOM HARNESS AND LEASH (2 Hounds Design) measuring instructions

https://youtu.be/eijdUlIoByg 

FREEDOM NO PULL HARNESS

The Freedom No Pull harness is extremely effective for training and minimizes the effect of pulling for several reasons: (1)- tightening effect of the loop on the harness, (2)- the location of the loop, (3)- the reconfigurable design that allows you to attach to only the back or to the front and back of the harness simultaneously.

Selecting the Correct Size:

MEASURE the circumference of your dog’s chest by placing the tape measure all the way around the chest (rib cage), behind the front legs. The tape measure should be flat to the dog, not pulled tight, but not loose. Select a size that is between the specified size range.

Example 1: if your dog’s chest is 78.7cm you would want the large Freedom No Pull harness (66.1cm – 81.2cm) rather than the XLarge (76.2cm – 96.2cm). Example 2: if your dog’s chest is 70.5cm you would want the large Freedom No Pull harness (66.1cm – 81.2cm) rather than the Medium (55.8cm –71.1cm).

If your dog is a puppy please email or call us so we can help you select a size that will fit your puppy now & as it grows bigger.

When selecting a size please use the Exact girth measurement as the primary method of ordering. The weight is ONLY APPROXIMATE & should be used as a guideline not the determining factor.

Size
1.6cm Small
2.5cm Medium
2.5cm Large
2.5cm X-Large
2.5cm 2X-Large

Chest Size
45.8cm – 60.9cm
55.8cm –71.1cm
66.1cm – 81.2cm
76.2cm – 96.2cm
91.4cm – 111.7cm

Approx. Weight
8.15kg – 15.85kg
13.6kg – 22.6kg
20.4kg – 36.2kg
34.0kg – 61.2kg
56.7kg – 90.7kg

       

How do I get started?

Congratulations you have started. Just by being interested and reading up on raw, you have started on the journey of healthy feeding your fur kid.

We suggest you use our calculator and ask for more information once you send this to us, we will send you a bit of reading, so that you can make a more informed decision.  Raw feeding can be as simple as you like or as complicated, but just by feeding some raw it has been shown to increase there life span.

 

What and how much should I feed my dog?

We adhere to much of the research which says feeding 2-4% of the dog’s ideal, adult body weight. Feeding amounts can vary depending on your dog’s physiology and daily activity levels, but the general rule of thumb is to start with 2.5% of your dog’s ideal body weight(if your dog is over 10kg) and adjust as necessary depending on weight gain or loss. Again, use your dog’s ideal or target weight if your dog is over or underweight. Food can be fed in one meal once a day or split into two meals twice a day.

*NOTE – Miniature and tiny breeds as well as most cats need to start at a higher percentage than medium – large breeds. It is never recommended to feed less than 110g per day

Puppies may need as much as 10% and pregnant and lactating mothers also need an increase throughout gestation and lactation. Here is a list of how much to feed puppies and pregnant mothers:

Puppies: 2-4 months-10%; 4-7 months-6%; 7-12 months-4%; 12+months-2% Pregnant Mothers: Gestation 0-5 weeks-2%; Gestation 5 weeks-delivery-3% Lactation 1-4 weeks-3%; Lactation 4+weeks-6%

That is the total amount of food, including RMBs (raw meaty bones), meaty meat (muscle meat, connective tissue, skin, fat), and organ meat. If you have a healthy adult dog feed him 2% of his body weight. So if your dog is 45kg, feed him 910g per day.

Here is the breakdown of what to feed. It is simple. 30% RMBs and 60% meaty meat with 10% organ meat. Since, the RMBs have muscle meat attached, you are actually going to feed about 10-15% bone, 10% organ meat, and 80-85% meat.

If it still sounds too complicated check out our Feeding Calculator and remember no human is the same, therefore no dog / cat is the same, these are guidelines and if you are concerned please see your holistic vet.

Can I feed Dry with Raw?

Raw dog food is digested differently than Dry Food. Basically, raw meat is easy to digest and Dry Food is difficult. So if you feed them at the same time, you are increasing the amount of time the food is in the body, thus increasing the possibility of illness from microbes. So the bottom line is, make the switch cold turkey; remember you are not switching Dry food; you are replacing “junk food” with real food.

Grains are not a natural food for dogs, even though they are the main ingredient in dry food. It is not something they would eat in the wild. Grains are also one of the major causes of allergies in dogs, as well as flatulence (gas). They are full of carbohydrates which can be easily converted to sugars. Cancer cells feed on sugars and it is believed that by decreasing the amount of carbohydrate in the diet, we may greatly reduce the risk of cancer, which is a growing problem among modern dogs.

However cats are never to be cold turkey, please read all our info about cats and the extra reading in the why raw section of the website for cats.

How is the food packaged?

The 1kg choice will be mostly in Food Grade Plastic Bags and Taped / Tied or if you have requested specific weight they are cryovac’ed so that you have choices of Fridge for up to 1 weeks or Freezer. All 5kg bags are cryovac’d so once opened must be either used or frozen but will stay fresh for up to 1 weeks cryovac’d. All bones are in the Food Grade Plastic and in the main are frozen, these can be partially defrosted to a point for seperation then refrozen.

How does the food arrive when shipped?

The Food is processed Monday, Wednesday, Friday and either cryovac’d or simply packed into plastic packing bags depending on product and weight. Some products are a frozen offer 1 kg products,so these are cryovac’d and frozen, and all 5 kg packs are cryovac’d fresh. Food is then packed into your polystyrene box’s. 

The 1 kg minced product is cryovac’d and bones are in freezer Food Grade Plastic Bags and Taped / Tied.  If you have requested specific weight and ordered the per-pack bag service they are cryovac’d so that you have choices of Fridge for up to 1 week or Freezer for same amount as human meat, however will only last 2-3 days when defrosted. All 5 kg bags are cryovac’d so once opened must be either used or frozen but will stay fresh for up to 1 week cryovac’d. Our Meat will oxidize and go brown quicker than the “human” product because we have no preservatives, we suggest to bag up your quantities and freeze to keep the product as fresh as possible for your furkid. 

Use your best judgment, but remember dogs can handle a lot more bacteria than us, because they have shorter digestive tracts and a higher level of acidity in their digestive juices. Also remember if time is tight and your food is still partially defrosted, dogs will still eat; cats on the other hand may be a little more particular and prefer warmer food.

All bones are in the Food Grade Plastic and in the main are frozen, these can be partially defrosted to a point for separation then refrozen.

If an interstate order, all products are frozen over the weekend so they are hard frozen to last the freight to the other states.

How much does shipping cost?

This is determined by the postcode and will be completed at the end of your order, if only pickup is displayed that means you are outside our delivery area.

Those that live outside the delivery area, we have delivered to Melbourne and as far north as Cairns, so delivery is possible so please ask and we will sort through the logistics please send an email to info@instincto.com.au with your suburb and postcode, we will come back to you with a freight Quote, sometimes this may take a couple of days, all these products are frozen over a weekend and sent on a Monday.

How many days notice do I need to give for new orders?

3 working days minimum for new orders, local delivery, depending on product availability it may take longer to fulfill orders. This is to ensure we have the stock to process your order on top of the established orders remember we are a fresh and do source daily / weekly.

When will I expect delivery?

We deliver Tuesday East and West including those parts of the city. Wednesday is North City and up to Caboolture and the South on a Thursday. We need at least 3 days notice for deliveries. To receive a Delivery for Tuesday or Wednesday please order Friday so we are aware of the stock required for the next 2 days, and if you require an order on the Thursday we would require you to place your order on the Tuesday. This is all due to the fresh stock we need to order.

If you are a regular and you sign up as a continual order, all that is required is that you process the payment 2 days prior, we will already have the stock organised and in the process.

Store Pickup Orders

Yes you can choose store pickup, you do need to allow a minimum of 2 days notice, so that orders can be arranged and printed off.
All Pickups are to be after 2.30pm on Wed and Fridays due to these being processing days. Except Saturdays which is anytime. Please bring your docket for pickup.

TRADING TIMES – Tue, Thu, Frid – 9.00 TO 5pm Wed Nights 9 to 6, SATURDAYS 8.00 TO 9.00.
CLOSED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS EASTER WEEKEND AND MONDAYS.

EMAIL: sales@instincto.com.au

Do I have to be home at the time of delivery?

No. Even if you are home, the driver will just drop off the food, Since there are so many deliveries to fulfill in the allotted time frame; this system works the best for us.

Can I return the Polystyrene cooler?

Yes simply leave the cooler outside for your next delivery and we will pickup or simply drop us an email through “contact us” and we will co-ordinate a pickup. Unfortunately we are unable to pick up coolers outside these areas, we do recommend you recycle or reuse them.

Is Raw for cats too?
Yes, more so, as they are true carnivors. Please read the descriptions as there are boneless products for cats or whole bones not minced eg, chicken necks etc. But, cats notoriously do not like green tripe. Some cat favorites are: Roo; Roo & Beef; Beef and of course Fish.
What is a recreational bone? What is a RMB?

RMBs (raw meaty bones) are soft and pliable; soft enough for your dog to chew through and eat the whole thing as one meal, or part of a meal. Some examples of RMBs are chicken wings / necks, legs, turkey necks. The breed of the dog and the jaw strength will determine which bone is pliable enough to completely eat. A beef neck may be considered a RMB to one breed, but a recreational bone to another.

Recreational bones are larger bones that the dog will chew on for an extended period of time, but will not eat the whole bone. Some examples are beef marrow bones, knuckle bones, etc. These bones are categorized as recreational, because they offer exceptional teeth cleaning, they supply mental stimulation, and provide a great jaw exercise. They are not meant to be consumed, as the bone is too hard to actually eat, and would not be eaten in the wild. We at Instincto have made the decision due to the health of the dog that we will not supply recreational bones as these can chip and break teeth and have capacity to damage your dogs jaw.

Some bones are both; they clean teeth and supply essential calcium to phosphorous ratio (bone to meat ratio). For instance a nice and meaty beef brisket or Kangaroo tails takes some time for a medium to large breed dog to work through, but he eventually will, while also receiving the RMB benefits.

Are bones dangerous for my dog? Do chicken bones splinter?

Cooked bones are dangerous for your dog and they splinter, they can get lodged in a dog’s throat and cause them to choke. Raw bones are pliable, easy for dogs to break down with their teeth, and the calcium content is absolutely integral to a dog’s health. Plus, chewing bones keeps the teeth clean. You will not need to pay to have your dog’s teeth cleaned anymore. And forget about the idea of brushing your dog’s teeth; the bones will do all the work for you.  Please check out our blogs on Bones.

Can I use my microwave for thawing RMBs?

Do not use the microwave to thaw the RMBs. Never give your dog a cooked bone, as it can splinter and cause severe internal complications. The safest method of thawing is room temperature or soak the RMBs in cold water.

Should RMBs be fed whole or ground up?

RMBs should be given whole (not ground up or smashed), as crunching and tearing the entire RMB provides several benefits. Crunching and tearing the RMBs provides superior jaw and upper body muscle exercise, as well as exceptional teeth cleaning benefits. Puppies who chew on RMBs satisfy their natural desire to chew, rather than chewing on your furniture or shoes. Unless there is an underlying medical condition, RMBs should be fed whole.

Aside from natural calcium, what other nutrients do RMBs provide?

Raw meaty bones provide nutritious marrow, amino acids, protein, essential fatty acids, fiber, enzymes, antioxidants and a vast array of species appropriate minerals and vitamins all in their natural state.

Will my dog choke from eating too fast?
Many dogs have a tendency to gulp their food, without chewing, and this can be a very scary experience for an owner new to feeding raw bones. The “inhaling” food style of eating results from years of eating dry food. To teach a dog to chew before swallowing, try larger RMBs like roo tails and large turkey necks. You may even want to feed whole birds. Another option is to hand feed your dog, so they actually pull the meat off the bone. Remember some dogs will swallow their bone too fast then regurgitate it. This is completely natural, and they are not choking. It is just their body telling them to slow down-and after that happening a couple of times, most of them do. We need to always monitor our companions when eating bones, this is responsible ownership.
Is it normal that my dog is drinking less water?
Yes, this is to be expected. Raw provides food in its raw, natural state. Raw meat contains moisture and it is low in sodium. Because dry food has had the water removed, dogs constantly have to drink water in an attempt to maintain proper hydration.
What about supplements, probiotics, and digestive enzymes?

We are not against supplements, however we prefer to use natural foods to satisfy a well-rounded diet. We mainly get all the nutrients from the raw source, rather than from supplements. For instance, raw Green Tripe is better than fish oil for Omega 3, grass-fed red meats are high in Omega 3. Sometimes it is more convenient to supplement, but you need to be careful not to over-supplement. Some supplements are helpful when taken occasionally but can actually be detrimental to a healthy dog when taken too often (daily). For example, digestive enzymes can be very helpful when your pet is switching to a new raw diet, but if given continually, they can hinder the body’s natural production of enzymes. Another reason is that dietary needs differ for every individual pet. Not every dog needs the same supplements as another.

It is important to note that there are dogs with compromised immune systems or other health issues. These dogs will benefit from the continued use of both probiotics and digestive enzymes. They cannot produce digestive enzymes, thus they would be on antibiotics or other medicine indefinitely. Probiotics and digestive enzymes used continually is beneficial in these cases. But, if your pet is generally healthy and is being fed a raw diet rich in natural food nutrients, they are probably getting everything they need already. Over-supplementation may cause there body to slow down or even halt production of some naturally occurring enzymes.

If you are unsure, please contact your local holistic vet to provide you with the appropriate vitamin mix.

Do I need to add supplements?

There are some Vitamins and Minerals that are depleted through the food chain, Iodine and Omega 3 oils are examples of these there are also anti-oxidents to help with the health of your dog, and can be added to your companions diet. In the main your companion will receive what they need through raw diet but just like humans if you wish to add for extra protection do on a small scale and if you are concerned please contact your local holistic vet.

Is my dog going through detoxification?

Before you assume it is detox, please make sure you are not feeding enhanced meat (sodium/broth injected), and that you are not feeding too much variety too soon. Also, if you overfeed or feed too much meaty meat and not enough bone or vice versa, you will have similar signs of a dog going through detoxification. If you are not doing any of those things, then you can look to detox.

When switching a dog over from Dry food or canned food to raw, the dog’s body may begin the process of expelling toxins and impurities as it adjusts to the consumption of proper nutrients. This process is called detoxification or simply “detox”. Depending on factors such as age, how long they have been fed commercial dog food, or immune system health, detox may last a couple days, one week, one month, several months, or in some cases not even at all. The most common symptoms of detox include vomiting, diarrhea, bad breath and itchy skin. Your dog may seem worse before he gets better; that is normal. This is because he is getting rid of all the built up impurities in his system. Remember to be persistent and know you are going through the transition, which will be the hardest part. Make sure you supply fresh water at all times and lots of love. If in doubt see your local holistic vet.

We also suggest that a dog transitioning should have bone broth as part of there diet, please look this up on our facebook where we take you through the process of making a bone broth.

I’ve noticed my dog pooping less and it’s white. Is this normal?
Yes, this is completely normal for a dog new to the raw food diet. The reason your dog is pooping less is because most of the food that is now being ingested, is being digested and properly utilized by the body, resulting in less waste. The RMBs account for it turning white. If you notice your dog straining while pooping that is normal and even healthy. Straining a little bit can help express the anal glands, which would normally be done by your vet, at a price. If your dog’s stools are always white and crumbly increase the amount of meaty meat in his diet. The raw diet should be (80/10/10).
Why does my dog have diarrhea?

Did you introduce too much variety too fast? That will lead to diarrhea. Also, if you are over-feeding, that can result in diarrhea. The diarrhea may be brought on because of the body cleansing out toxins and impurities in the dog’s system; a normal part of detoxification. But, the diarrhea could be from too much fat in the diet too soon. In this case, an elimination diet can help you determine the culprit. Go right back to feeding one thing at a time (no supplements or anything else, including treats) and then gradually add things back one at a time and watch for a reaction. As every dog is different, this is the only way you will know for sure what is causing the reaction.

Remember loose stools are NOT diarrhea. Diarrhea=chronic urge to defecate, with explosive stools, lack of energy, and inability to hold it in. Chronic meaning every 1/2 hour or less throughout the day. Loose stools=loose, watery, sometimes mucous covered stools, that occur in the normal frequency of a bowel movement. i.e. 2-3 times per day vs. 6 plus times/day which is diarrhea.

If you feel detox or a new food item may not be the cause of the diarrhea, do not hesitate to drop off a stool sample to your veterinarian to check for parasites, worms and even unfriendly bacteria.

To help soothe the digestive tract, feed your dog slippery elm bark powder (SEBP).

Remember the dog is no different to us in a way, its not always food that gives us diarrhea, strain injury’s, chiropractic misalignment’s, infections etc also give diarrhea.

Why is my dog’s stool covered in mucous at times? Should I be concerned?

Believe it or not, mucous covered stools can appear at any time, no matter how long a dog has been on the raw diet, and is generally no reason for concern. When first switching to a raw diet, this may be a sign that the digestive track is ridding the junk out of its system, which is a normal part of detox. It can also mean an inflammation of the intestinal track. If you notice traces of blood, along with the mucous covered stool, a trip to the holistic vet is encouraged. Again, use your judgment. If your dog appears ill (gums may be white and not the normal pink/rose color) and is also having frequent bouts of diarrhea that last 24 to 48 hours, call your holistic vet.

Why is my dog vomiting and what can I do?

There are several reasons a dog may vomit, and it is up to you to determine why. If the vomit is yellow bile, this means the dog’s stomach is completely empty. Try to feed smaller meals more times a day, since the time period between feedings may be too long for your dog. If the vomit is clear with white foam or mucous, your dog probably drank too fast and again the stomach may be empty. Remove the water temporarily and feed your dog a raw meaty dog treat.

Vomiting is also a symptom of the normal detox process. The vomiting may also be the result of a new food item that does not agree with your dog. And yes, a dog new to a raw diet will occasionally regurgitate his food, and then begin to eat it again. The dog will probably eat more slowly this time, as he “gulped” it the first time. This is completely normal. Occasionally pieces of bone get stuck in the stomach for awhile and do not digest fully, thus the dog eliminates them through vomiting.

How can a raw diet reduce the chances of Bloat and Torsion?
The chances of Bloat and Torsion are much less than on dry food. It is quite rare for a dog to Bloat when they are eating a raw diet, for a couple of reasons. The first is that raw food doesn’t swell like dry food, which can sometimes cause problems. The second thing is that most dogs eat more slowly when they are eating raw food compared to the familiar “inhale” style eating that dogs use when they are eating dry food. Because they aren’t inhaling their food, less air is sucked into the stomach. Bloat and torsion are extremely rare in dogs that consume a raw diet.
Will my dog become “blood thirsty” from eating raw meat?

This is a myth. There is no relationship between eating raw meat and wanting to kill animals or people. It has nothing to do with what a dog is fed and has everything to do with natural prey drive, training, and socialization. Dogs are more likely to get aggressive when they are fed an imbalanced diet, because they are uncomfortable and feel ill. That said, dogs can easily distinguish between what is food and what is not.

Why do we sell products with vegetables?

Due to many people believing that vegetables are beneficial and safe to feed to dogs, we have a range that meats this requirement. The range is made up of basic veges / rice (no chia seeds much better protein) / chicken and beef or roo.

Wolves do not ingest the stomach contents of their prey. They are shaken out and left untouched. A dog does not produce amylase in their saliva to breakdown carbs or starches. This leads to added stress to the pancreas. Vegetables often come out the same way that they went in, so proponents of feeding vegetables will often say to grind them. We recommend not feeding them at all. Beware of prepared diets that have vegetables, as they are cheap fillers-as are diets with too much bone.

**The information provided here is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription for any diseases. Instincto in no way takes the place of your vet. As a responsible pet guardian, if you notice any signs that your pet is unwell take them to a holistic veterinarian immediately as they are more supportive of the natural order of feeding.

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