The Pet Food Industry
The global pet food market size was estimated at $87.08 billion USD in 2019 and revenue forecast in 2025 is $90.4 billion USD. The global pet food market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.6% from 2020 to 2027 to reach $124.9 billion USD by 2027.
Increasing consumer awareness regarding natural and organic pet food products has forced pet food manufacturers to shift their focus from synthetic to natural products which has acted as one of the major forces impacting the global pet food market. This factor is a major reason for the growth of the industry which is a benefit for our raw product as it matches these new criteria and more for consumers.
Current Pet Food Available The pet food industry partially came about as a place to send meat by-products or products not fit for human consumption and many pet foods still primarily use such ingredients. To create a level playing field, quality is not supposed to be discussed and regulations for pet foods are much more different than human-grade food.
Kibble or Dry food-
Dry, hard products that contain fruit, veggies, grains, and meat by-products.
Least biologically appropriate for dogs, cats, and ferrets.
Ingredients lose nutrients during production so artificial vitamins and minerals need to be added after processing. This loss of nutrients is the leading cause of many diseases and illnesses in companion animals.
This food contains only 7-10% moisture compared to 60%+ in canned, rehydrated, freeze-dried (rehydrated), and raw foods. This especially impacts cats as cats suffer from many urinary -based issues that are so common, almost every domesticated cat is diagnosed with a UTI, kidney failure, crystals, stones and more at some point in their lives.
Dry food comes in a wide range of quality and costs and is often found at pet stores.
Canned or Wet food-
Wet product preserved in a can that often contains fruits, veggies, grains, and meat by-products.
Wet food is the second least biologically appropriate food for companion animals such as dogs, cats, and ferrets.
Wet food contains less preservatives and has a higher moisture content, but contains worrisome texturizers.
Wet food comes in a wide range of quality and costs and is often found at pet stores.
Dehydrated Food-
Dry product that requires water to rehydrate (think instant oatmeal packets).
Cooked product that often includes fruits, veggies, grains, artificial vitamins and minerals not appropriate for cats, dogs and ferrets.
More stable cost and quality. One of the least readily available food types on the market. Often found at pet stores.
Frozen Raw Food-
Raw food but found in the frozen section of the pet store. Often includes fruits, veggies, grains, artificial vitamins and minerals.
Not appropriate for cats, dogs and ferrets but still better quality and more appropriate than kibble, canned, or dehydrated food.
Wider range of quality and costs, but on the higher end of food costs. Harder to store and ship.
Freeze Dried Raw-
Raw food dried using a freeze drier (no heat involved; think space ice cream or the marshmallows in Lucky Charms).
Most available options include fruits, veggies, and artificial vitamins and minerals not appropriate for cats, dogs and ferrets but still better quality and more appropriate than kibble, canned, or dehydrated food.
More stable range of quality and costs, but on the higher end of food costs. Easier to store and prepare but requires rehydration. Often found at pet stores.
Fresh Raw Food-
Raw food (think out of the fridge ready to cook) formulated into a complete meal.
Pet owners prepare their own meals by purchasing products from suppliers, co-ops, grocery stores, or asian markets, through hunting, fishing etc.
Premade products can also be purchased at a pet store, online stores etc.
Wide variety of raw food models (see below) but can be a wide variety of quality and costs.
Some products use 3D/4D meats which are dead, diseased, or from dying or downed animals which are not suitable for the human market. *Cooked products alter protein structures, denature essential fats, vitamins, minerals and enzymes that make digestion and recognition by the body harder, linking to many illnesses and diseases in our companions such as allergies, digestive problems, kidney disease, cancer and more. Often requires artificial vitamins and minerals to be re-added after processing.
Raw Food Models:
BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)- fresh food (some ingredients may be cooked); includes fruits, veggies, sometimes grains and artificial vitamins and minerals. One of the more popular and most widely available raw diets on the market.
Dogs can be considered facultative carnivores meaning they can scavenge for some carbohydrates. Some owners take this to an extreme creating diets that are 30%+ in plant matter when in reality they would only consume 1-3% in the wild and only dig up tubers or eat berries if they could not source other food. For a dog, this scavenging occurs around 1-1.5 weeks after alternative food sources become unavailable.
Cats are obligate carnivores meaning they can only properly utilize meat, organs and bones.
Whole Prey/Prey Model/PMR (Prey Model Raw)- fresh foods that include only what animals eat in
the wild; meat, organs and bones; with the only plant matter coming from the digested stomach contents of prey. This includes feeding whole animal prey (rodents, rabbits, chicks, etc.) Often expensive if you are not raising your own. Some suppliers exist (mainly in the reptile world) but not the most common way to raw feed especially because many owners do not want to feed their pets something with a face.
Franken Prey (can also just be called PMR)- fresh food that includes only what animals eat in the wild; meat, organs and bones; with the only plant matter coming from the digested stomach contents of prey. This includes feeding meat, organs and bone of animals from various species that adds up to the ratios of the average whole prey in the wild (80% muscle meat, 5% liver, 5% other secreting organs, 10% bones). Raw Vibes Pet Food LLC follows the PMR/Franken Prey Model. Our decision was made after feeding all of the models as well as all of the commercial food types combined with the research we have read (studies, books, veterinary textbooks) and field tests with our cats (and previously canine and ferret clients). The results we have seen lead us to this model as the most natural and biologically appropriate for the healthiest animals.
Raw Feeding Concerns
Bacteria: Preparing or serving raw is no different than preparing and handling raw meats. We have learned
raw meat is teeming with bacteria but that isn’t completely accurate. Meat left out at room temperature, not processed, stored, or cleaned up after will build bacteria just like any other food (including canned and kibble products). Carnivores like cats, dogs and ferrets have a different digestive tract (short) then humans with stomach acid many times more acidic than that of the humans. They are designed to eat this diet. Dry, wet, and cooked diets actually make them more susceptible to illness and disease by reducing the body's ability to digest, reducing pH levels of the stomach, and reducing the immune system's responses to illness due to artificial vitamins, minerals, dyes, preservatives and more. Remember, if you put the wrong fuel in your car, it won’t run properly. The same is true for cats and dogs. We also can’t forget dry and canned foods are recalled all the time for mold, aflatoxins, elevated or low vitamins and minerals, salmonella, listeria and more. Cost:
Price comparisons depend not on the perceived face value of a product. All products require different amounts.
Say a bag of kibble costs $5 and contains 5 cups of food. If you have to feed your pet a cup of food for each meal it will cost $10 for 10 meals. If a bag of raw food costs $10 and only ⅓ cup of food is required per meal. Raw food is therefore 3x cheaper than kibble. The quality of the food impacts this cost as well. The more nutrient dense the food is, the less you need to feed your companion. Products that are full of fillers and bulking ingredients (like fruits, veggies and grain) not only tax the body but are undigested and pooped out. You also have to feed more to fulfill the nutrient needs of your companion. Another angle to look at is that if your companions poop more, you are changing litter more (spending more money on litter) or picking up more poop (spending more time scooping). Finally if you are feeding a diet that is not species appropriate that causes or leads to illness and disease, you are paying more bills at the vet.
Mess/Balancing/Preparing:
The various feeding styles allow you to prep to your level of acceptable mess/balance. Choosing
to make your own raw meals leave you to worry about mess, balance and prepping whereas Raw Vibes Pet Food LLC does that all for you (just add water to our premade food).
Why Do People want to feed Raw:
More natural and biologically appropriate.
They see better results in terms of their animal’s health.
Their pet got sick or is sick (this is often the number one cause of converted customers).
They don’t trust the general pet food industry or their vet.
Pet food recalls have them afraid.
A friend or breeder recommended it.
Benefits of Raw (depending on source)
Species Appropriate diet
Pearly white teeth and scentless breath
Healthier immune system
Helps prevent and even reverse illness such as kidney failure, urinary tract infections, allergies, cancer, obesity, diabetes, digestive problems, dental disease, shedding and much more
Reduction of veterinary bills, especially long term
Smaller, less frequent and less stinky feces
Better water content (especially important for cats)
Less begging, counter surfing and stealing of food
More environmentally friendly
Less expensive (in most cases and in the long run)
Little to no need for flea, tick, or worm preventatives
Softer and shinier coat
Quality, nutrient-dense ingredients your pet actually can use
Fewer toxins, contaminants and artificial ingredients
More energy
Nutrient-dense means you don’t have to feed as much
What makes Raw Vibes Pet Food LLC Different:
Small Family and Woman owned
Run by a triple certified animal and carnivore nutritionist, breeder and author (who has the only prey model raw published books on the market)
Only Prey Model Raw Freeze Dried Raw Food company in the world
Only Freeze Dried Raw PMR company with a breeder program (We developed the only other one for another raw food company)
Cost effective
Only raw food company with the extensive science based educational information
Convenient way to raw feed minus the negatives of “fresh” raw
Scale of variety of products
Tailored to custom needs of consumers
Advantages of Freeze Dried Raw
Easy to store (no need for a freezer or fridge)
Light weight
Easy/cheaper to Ship
Longer shelf life
Perfect for:
-Emergencies -Camping/Hiking -RVing -Hotel Stays
-Traveling
-Pet Sitters/Kennels/Boarding Facilities
-Treats for raw fed animals
Retains 98% Nutrients (dehydrated = 50-60%, Dry and Canned 20-85%)
No mess
Little to no prep
Easy transition for Kibble users and vegans/vegetarians
Other Notes
FDA:
There is no requirement that pet food products have pre-market approval by the FDA. Many ingredients such as meat, poultry, and grains are considered safe and do not require pre-market approval. Same with minerals, vitamins or other nutrients, flavorings, preservatives, or processing aids may be Generally Recognized As Safe for an intended use (21 CFR 582 and 584) or must have approval as food additives (21 CFR 570, 571 and 573). Colorings must have approvals for such use as specified in 21 CFR 70 and be listed in Parts 73, 74, or 81. We only use meat, organs and bones in our products. AAFCO: Is not appropriate for raw food diets which is even stated on their own website. They actually do not regulate pet food, do not test pet food, do not certify pet food and do not have enforcement authority. Regardless of diet, kibble, canned, treats, raw have the statement for intermittent feeding if they do not adhere to the AAFCO standard. There are many foods on the market already bearing this statement. Their standards are actually the reason why many raw feeders feed raw versus a commercial diet and I have always educated my owners and clients on this information including an extensive article on the topic.
The Future of Raw Vibes
Complete Meals Private Label
Gourmet Line
“Barkery and Chattery”
Raw Bar