PREPARATION

Can I cook Karbur meat before serving?
Yes, of course! Karbur meat is human-grade meat mixed with 10% organs (liver & heart). Furthermore, cooked meat will lose only a minimal amount of nutrients compared to raw meat. The Karbur dietary supplement daily serving for your dog remains the same, whether you decide to serve raw or cooked boneless meat.
Can I defrost Karbur raw meat in the microwave?
To the extent that you want to serve Karbur raw meat, we do not recommend to thaw it in the microwave, since it would cook meat. Thus, we recommend to thaw frozen meat in fresh water for 15 minutes.
How do I measure the required daily raw food serving?
In general, an adult dog daily ration is about 2.5% of their weight. Since this is not calculated on a straight-line basis according to their age, size, and activity level, we recommend you to refer to the ‘‘Daily Rations’’ section in the ‘‘Why opt for raw dog food?’’ page in order to determine the exact daily serving for your dog.

The food ration is determined by calories included in raw food as well as your dog energy needs based on his weight and activity level.

It is important to know your dog’s weight and ask your vet if such weight is ideal.

Is it complicated to prepare homemade raw dog food?
Absolutely not! On the contrary, preparing homemade raw dog food is simpler than you think. According to the dog required daily serving (refer to the ‘‘Daily Rations’’ section in the ‘‘Why opt for raw dog food? »), you should apportion the ingredients as follows: 80% meat*, 10% organs and 10% fruits & vegetables. For adult and senior dogs, you will need to add about 2% of Karbur adult/senior dog dietary supplement. For puppies, you must add 5% of Karbur puppy dietary supplement. You can blend it all together and serve it to your furry loved one!

*Should you use the Karbur dietary supplement in your homemade dog food, please note that there is no need to add crushed bones in it since our supplement contains enough calcium and phosphorus.

What is the meat/organ/vegetable ratio I should abide by?
According to the dog required daily serving (refer to the ‘‘Daily Rations’’ section in the ‘‘Why opt for raw dog food? »), you should apportion the ingredients as follows: 80% meat*, 10% organs and 10% fruits & vegetables. For adult and senior dogs, you will need to add about 2% of Karbur adult/senior dog dietary supplement. For puppies, you must add 5% of Karbur puppy dietary supplement. You can blend it all together and serve it to your furry loved one!

*Should you use the Karbur dietary supplement in your homemade dog food, please note that there is no need to add crushed bones in it since our supplement contains enough calcium and phosphorus.

Are fruits and vegetables essential to raw dog diets?
Yes! They are a good fibre source and offer numerous benefits to ensure proper intestine functioning. Berries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to their polyphenol content. However, fruits and vegetables do not bring enough vitamins and minerals to cover the puppy & adult dog minimum nutritional requirements, that is why we elaborated our dietary supplements. Instead of giving your dog commercial treats, try with a slice of apple, carrot or even a raspberry! They’ll love it!
Can I feed my dog with fish? If yes, should I adjust the Karbur dog supplement serving?
Fish and marine oils can be an important source of vitamin D. Since Karbur dog dietary supplements contain a sufficient amount of vitamin D, care must be taken not to exceed the maximum required quantity and to limit the fish intake to a safe level.

For example, salmon contains 441 IU of vitamin D3/100 g), so we must include up to 10% of salmon in the homemade raw portion when using Karbur puppy, adult dog or senior dog supplement, and abide by the following formula: 70% meat, 10% salmon, 10% organs and 10% fruits and vegetables.

It is important for you to know the vitamin D value when you wish to feed your dog with fish. Here are a few examples: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/

Salmon: 441 IU of vitamin D/100 g
Herring: 167 IU of vitamin D/100 g
Sardine: 192 IU of vitamin D/100 g
Carp: 988 IU of vitamin D/100 g
Haddock: 18 IU of vitamin D/100 g
Sardine Oil: 332 IU of vitamin D/100 g
Cod Liver Oil: 10 000 IU of vitamin D/100 g

SANITATION AND SAFETY

Is it safe to feed my dog with raw food?
We can assure you that it is safe to serve Karbur raw meat, to the extent that the basic hygiene and safety handling rules are followed, in terms of raw food preparation, preservation, handling, and cleaning. These rules are the same as the ones you abide by when preparing your own meals.

Our meat & organ blends have been processed in an HACCP accredited federal food processing plant. That means that an inspector is permanently on site to verify each batch, so that they meet the highest standards in terms of hygiene, safety, freshness, and quality.

Is it safe to give raw pork meat to my dog?
Absolutely! Karbur pork meat is 90% lean, rich in iron, zinc, and vitamin A, and is quite affordable. Furthermore, it provides the dog with a sustainable energy level.
Could my homemade dog rations be unbalanced?
If you abide by the recommended daily serving stated on our website, namely: 80% meat*, 10% organs and 10% fruits & vegetables and you add 2% of Karbur adult/senior dog dietary supplement (or 5% of Karbur puppy dietary supplement), your homemade dog food ration will be balanced.

Furthermore, if you mix the Karbur meat & organ blend with 10% fruits and vegetables and you add 2% of Karbur adult/senior dog dietary supplement (or 5% of Karbur puppy dietary supplement), you’ll feed your dog with a complete and balanced homemade ration as per the AAFCO requirements. Almost no other BARF-related raw dog food company can guarantee they meet all of such requirements.

* Should you use the Karbur dietary supplement in your homemade dog food, please note that there is no need to add bones in it since our supplement contains enough calcium and phosphorus.

Can raw-fed dogs end up with worms?
No. In general, dogs can get worms through contacts with other dogs. Karbur meat blends undergo a meticulous inspection and constitute strictly controlled foods. Thus, we would quickly notice any meat infestation by tapeworm larvae (or any other kinds).

Furthermore, a raw-fed dog is more resistant to any worm infestation, since their gut flora is way more active & combative and does not allow for worm fixation and proliferation. This might not be the case for dogs fed with industrial or commercial food, namely kibbles, canned food, and more.

HEALTH

What constitute AAFCO and NRC?
AAFCO stands for the Association of American Feed Control Officials and is the official resource in terms of dog and cat commercial food nutritional profiles in North America. Such organization seeks its primary references based on minimal nutritional requirements for cats and dogs, as published by the US National Research Council (NRC). Therefore, the NRC provides their guidelines to the AAFCO.

In order to meet complete and balanced nutritional needs, the AAFCO takes into account the apparent digestibility of ingredients commonly found in Pet Food. They consider safety factors to account for differences in the food nutrient availability due to ingredient and processing variations. Therefore, certain AAFCO nutrient minimums are higher than the NRC standards. Moreover, the AAFCO is stricter than the NRC when it comes to safe maximum limits.

In summary, if a recipe is complete and balanced with regards to AAFCO, it is also for the NRC.

https://slnutrition4pet.com/fran%C3%A7ais/f/quels-sont-les-standards-nutritionnels-reconnus-pour-le-pet-food

What should I do if my dog gain weight?
Weight gain happens when the calorie consumption is greater than the dog energy expenditure. Also, the raw portion fat content contributes to a greater share of calories as opposed to proteins or carbohydrates.

Conversely, if your dog looses weight, you must check if they eat enough according to their energy requirements or if there are any other health issues.

The calorie intake, exercise, amount of food or treat consumed, weight and body condition must be closely monitored.

Are the Karbur meats and dog supplements adapted to each life stage?
Of course! Our team developed a dietary supplement that meets the specific need of each life stage, namely: puppy, adult dog, and senior dog. Each supplement has been carefully elaborated by a team of pet nutrition professionals.
Are omega-3 fatty acids essential to my dog?
In fact, they are essential to the puppy development and growth as well as pregnat females. Omega-3 fatty acids help maintaining a healthy skin and coat. For older dogs, they improve cognitive skills and prevent brain deterioration.
Are there many harmful or toxic foods for dogs?
Certain common foods should absolutely be avoided as they can be harmful to dogs:

 

Garlic Coffee Milk
Onions Grapes & clustered fruits Certain nuts
Candy Gum Chocolate
Apricot, plum Peach, cherry Sugary drinks and foods
Raw potato Alcohol Human-use medicines

 

Can I feed my dog with avocado?
We recommend you to avoid it, because avocado contains persin, which is a antifungal toxin the avocado tree uses to defend itself. Such toxin can be present in the tree leaves, stem, fruit, avocado skin, pit, etc.
Can my dog have eggs?
Yes, but it is preferable to cook or boil them first, since raw egg white contains an enzyme called ‘‘avidin’’ that interferes with the absorption of biotin (vitamin B8). It is by no means catastrophic for dogs to consume raw eggs on an occasional basis, but that could become a potential issue if they eat too much of them on a regular basis.
What about mixed rations (combination of raw food & commercial food)?
Numerous dog owners chose to feed their dog with mixed rations, which, for example, constitutes a ration of kibbles in the morning and a raw food serving at night. This is quite convenient when you need to travel, spend time outdoors, or go on vacation with your dog.

Should this be your dog’s feeding mode, it is important to know that only the raw food serving consisting of boneless meat, organs, fruits and vegetables needs to include the Karbur adult/senior dog dietary supplement representing 2 g for each 100 g of raw food. On the other hand, puppies and pregnant females will need 5 g of Karbur puppy dietary supplement for each 100 g of raw food.

Will raw food alleviate or eliminate my dog's allergies?
BARF raw food diets allow for dog owners to identify proteins that can pose a problem to their dog and easily implement an eviction diet. Many dogs have a sensitive stomach or are intolerant to one or more proteins, such as chicken, beef, or turkey. f you suspect that your dog suffers from food allergies or intolerances, we recommend you to feed them with one single protein that does not cause any symptoms in order to alleviate or eradicate the problem.
Can I give bones (either crushed ot not) to my dog?
It is okay to give your dog a chewing bone on an occasional basis. However, should you use the Karbur dog dietary supplement, there is no need to add crushed bones to the meat and organ blend since our supplement contains enough calcium and phosphorus.
Why include dry yeast in your dietary supplements?
The dry yeast used in Karbur dog dietary supplements is a source of mannan-oligosaccharides and helps balancing the gut bacterial population and has a direct and indirect effect on the digestive tract health. It provides an increased preventive action against diarrhea problems and prevents from intestinal infectious diseases.

Furthermore, it directly enhances the immune defence efficiency and increases the capability to better fight pathogens, by preventing them from attaching to the intestinal lining. Mannan-oligosaccharides offer numerous benefits for puppies, namely the maturation of gastrointestinal tracts and support to the intestinal micro-flora development.