{"id":459,"date":"2023-04-28T09:06:48","date_gmt":"2023-04-28T09:06:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kiezebrink.co.uk\/news\/?p=459"},"modified":"2023-04-28T09:06:48","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T09:06:48","slug":"how-do-you-prepare-frozen-raw-dog-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kbanimalfoods.co.uk\/news\/archives\/2023\/04\/how-do-you-prepare-frozen-raw-dog-food\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do You Prepare Frozen Raw Dog Food?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Just like you might meal plan your weeks ahead, it\u2019s a good\nmentality to have for your dog\u2019s food too, especially when they eat frozen raw food.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Switching from dry or wet food to frozen raw do food is a\ntransition for the owner as well as the dog, so it\u2019s good to be prepared and\nunderstand the best ways to prepare your pet\u2019s food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Way to Prepare Frozen Raw Dog Food<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Preparation is key, and the best way to prepare your frozen\nraw dog food is to take it out of the freezer the night before and leave it in\nthe fridge until serving time. Remember to place it on the bottom shelf to avoid\ncross-contamination with your food in the fridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always make sure you have portioned the food out before\nstoring it in the freezer as this will make it easier. To ensure you don\u2019t\nforget before you get into a routine, you could start by taking out a few\nportions at a time \u2013 just remember to serve them in a couple of days and not\nleave them in the fridge for longer than that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food should be completely thawed within 24 hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAQs About Preparing Frozen Raw Dog Food<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve Forgotten to Take It Out the Night Before \u2013 What Do I Do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t worry, you don\u2019t have to leave your dog to go hungry! Try\na cold water bath to defrost it; it should only take a few hours, but you need\nto keep an eye on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure the frozen raw dog food is in a waterproof bag with\nno signs of damage so water can get in, and submerge it in some cold water.\nChange the water every 20 minutes or so until it is completely thawed. Remember\nit must be cold water, not hot water as this can slightly cook the outside of\nthe food if it is too hot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I Leave It to Defrost on the Countertop?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Leaving the frozen raw dog food to defrost on the countertop\nis a bad idea. Because it is not in a controlled cool environment, there is the\ndanger of causing the food to spoil. The temperature of your home fluctuates\nthroughout the day and if it gets too warm, bacteria will begin to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means it will be inedible for your dog to eat as they\nwould become very poorly. You\u2019re not going to cook this through once it\u2019s\ndefrosted to kill the bacteria, so the better option is to leave it in the\nfridge where it can stay at the right temperature to defrost safely. Don\u2019t run\nthe risk of the outside defrosting but not the middle, and causing your pet to get\nfood poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is a Microwave a Quicker & Better Option to Defrost It?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In all honesty, we wouldn\u2019t risk this. In the same way\nleaving it on the countertop could spoil the food due to warmer temperatures, a\nmicrowave runs this risk too. Bacteria growth and actually cooking the raw dog\nfood are all dangers of using a microwave, so if you\u2019re looking for a quick\nfix, we recommend using the cold water bath instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Can You Keep Defrosted Raw Dog Food?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Defrosted raw dog food in the fridge in an airtight\ncontainer is safe for up to 3 days. Any longer than this, you run the risk of\nbacteria growing and spoiling the food, resulting in food poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of Food Poisoning in Dogs:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n