Oma’s Pride recently held its first Raw Roundtable, gathering experts from the raw pet food industry to discuss the future of feeding pets fresh food. Bryan MacDonald, from Oma’s Pride, led the conversation with Kelley Marian of Green Juju, Billy Hoekman of Green Juju, and Amy Zalneraitis from We Feed Raw.
Making Raw Feeding Accessible
The panel tackled the challenge of making raw nutrition easier for pet owners. MacDonald emphasized the importance of seizing the growing interest in fresh pet food. He asked how companies could help consumers who worry about feeding organ meat.
Zalneraitis highlighted the need for education. She noted that many pet owners are unsure about raw feeding. “We guide our customers every step of the way,” she said, explaining that even small additions of raw food can be beneficial.
Marian stressed that pet owners have the power to make changes. “You can start small. Even adding a bit of raw food to kibble can help,” she encouraged.
MacDonald agreed that minor adjustments can lead to positive changes. He reported that the idea of incorporating a little raw food has become a major message in retail.
Connecting Health Trends
The panel also discussed the links between pet and human nutrition. Zalneraitis pointed out that trends like whole foods and better metabolic health are gaining acceptance. “When people understand the benefits of raw food, they see results quickly,” she said, noting that dogs often show improvements within a week of switching diets.
Marian shared alarming statistics: about 60% of dogs are overweight, and 50% of dogs get cancer by age ten. “Feeding real food can be a game changer,” she asserted.
Hoekman mentioned that freeze-dried food has made raw feeding feel more familiar to pet owners. “We need to keep innovating—what can extend a dog’s life by another ten years?” he asked.
Innovative Formats
The discussion also covered new product formats that make raw feeding easier. MacDonald introduced their one-pound grab-and-go meals, from complete meals to signature mixes, aimed at lowering costs for consumers.
Hoekman added that while many pet foods started frozen, freeze-dried options are becoming popular. “People like having food readily available in their cupboard,” he said, even if the effort to prepare it remains similar.
Oma’s Pride plans to continue hosting these discussions to explore further innovations in the raw pet food industry. This initiative is reflective of a broader trend where pet health is increasingly prioritized.
Key Takeaways
As more pet owners consider raw feeding, understanding its benefits and starting small can create a healthier future for pets.
For more insights on raw feeding trends, see this Pet Food Institute article.
