Frequently Asked Questions – SAVAGE CAT FOOD

Is the cat food grain free?

Yes in regards to traditional grains. We include psyllium husk powder, which is an ancient super grain that acts as a non-carbohydrate fiber that replicates the fiber a cat would normally receive from it’s prey’s fur, teeth and claws. Some cats digestive tracts require more fiber than others, especially if transitioning from a dry diet.

Why not include vegetables?

Cats are obligate carnivores: they require meat to live and have difficulty digesting plant matter. Fruits and vegetables are good for omnivores such as humans and even dogs, but are useless for cats. We designed our food specifically for cats and do not believe in diluting our cat food with produce that will ultimately pass through cats unused.

Why not include kelp or algae?

Kelp and algae are found in some cat foods as an additional source of vitamins and often added as a supplement to boneless meat. We start with the highest human grade, organic meat with bone because we believe the nutrients in bone marrow cannot be replicated by anything else. Kelp and algae are not only far from what a cat would naturally eat in the wild, but they can have a taste, smell and texture that can be off-putting to some cats.

Is raw cat food safe?

A cat’s digestive system is built to handle much more bacteria than a human’s. Raw meat is natural for a cat to eat, as they would in the wild. Raw bones are flexible and safe for chewing. Raw pet food can pose a risk to humans, so we recommend washing dishes, surfaces and hands thoroughly when serving raw food to cats. We also advise against humans consuming the cat food.

Can kittens eat it? And how much should I feed?

In general, as soon as a kitten is weaned and is ready to eat solid food, it is safe to feed our raw food to kittens. We recommend consulting with your holistic veterinarian first to make sure your kitten is ready before switching to raw.

Once you are ready to feed your kitten raw, the amount to feed can differ from our adult feeding chart. In general, a kitten can self-regulate and will not eat more than it needs to. Holistic veterinarians suggest feeding anywhere from 10% of body weight (around 3 months) decreasing down to 5% of body weight (around 10 months) until you reach the adult level of 2%-4%. This amount can also vary based on the breed, size, and activity level of your kitten.

How long does it take to thaw?

The packets can be taken directly from the freezer and run under lukewarm water to thaw, or thawed in a refrigerator overnight. The small tubs take about 12 hours to thaw in a refrigerator, the large tubs take about 24 hours to thaw in a refrigerator, defrosting times vary based on fridge temp.

Is it safe to thaw and refreeze?

Our cat food is processed partially frozen before it is fully frozen and shipped to you. It is perfectly safe to refreeze it one time. The reason the FDA advises against refreezing meat for human consumption is because you can lose track of how long the item has been in the refrigerator, or how many times you have taken it in and out of the freezer. Since our packets are single serve, there should be no issue refreezing them once and then thawing and serving. For our tubs, some of our customers like to thaw them and refreeze them in silicone ice cube trays to divvy up servings.

What's the difference between your boxes and tubs?

Our boxed food comes with individual packets, which simplify portioning and thawing. Additionally, the packets contain diced muscle meat, such as chicken breast, which encourages chewing in cats and leads to healthier teeth and gums.

The tubs are a pure grind bulk packaged cat food that is ideal for cats with special dental needs, or multi-cat households that feed a high volume of food.

Is your packaging recyclable or reusable?

All of our cardboard packaging is curbside recyclable. The packets inside the boxes are made out of recyclable #4 LDPE plastic. Our tubs are made from #1 PET plastic which is curbside recyclable. PET plastic can break down when washed, so it is not recommended for reuse with food items. However, you can reuse our tubs at home for non-food items like office supplies and art supplies.

What if my pet doesn't eat the whole prey right away?

Our whole prey products like Split Quail and Duck Walkers & Squawkers are for intermediate to expert level raw feeders. Unless your pet is used to hunting for snacks, they might not know what to do with these items. Once your pet is eating raw, add small pieces of chopped meat and bone and gradually increase until your pet can handle a large piece. You can also remove the quail breast and organ meat and feed it separately at first to entice your animal.

How do you ship your frozen cat food?

Our frozen products are shipped out on Mondays for 1-2 day delivery, and are packed with ice packs and dry ice. Dry ice evaporates during transit so if you do not see it, it has harmlessly evaporated. Once the shipment is in the hands of the carrier, we have no more information on it than you do. If it is delayed in transit and arrives warm, we will refund you or send you a replacement. If it arrives partially thawed but still cold, it is perfectly safe to refreeze. We do not want cat food to be taken out of the freezer and thawed more than one time because you can lose track of how many times it has been defrosted and how long it has spent in the refrigerator. However, it is perfectly safe to refreeze one time.

Please use the customer notes section at checkout to inform us of any special delivery needs, such as building or gate codes. We will relay this information to the carrier to ensure timely delivery. For military base deliveries you may need to meet our carrier at the gate, please contact us for special instructions.