NUTRITION & RAW FEEDING 

Nutrition is one of the most powerful foundations of your animal’s health.
Just like humans, animals thrive when their bodies are fuelled with fresh, biologically appropriate foods that support every system in the body.
At Paw Energetics, we focus on helping pet owners understand how nutrition affects everything from digestion and immune health to mobility, skin condition and overall vitality.
One of the nutritional approaches we support and educate clients about is prey-model raw feeding.

What is Prey Model Raw Feeding?
Prey model feeding is based on providing animals with foods that closely resemble the natural diet their bodies evolved to eat.
Instead of highly processed diets, prey model feeding focuses on whole animal components that supply the nutrients carnivores require in their natural form.
A balanced prey-model diet typically includes:

  • Raw muscle meat
  • Raw meaty bones
  • Organ meats (such as liver and other secreting organs)
  • Whole prey or whole-animal components when available
    Other biologically appropriate

animal-based foods such as eggs
These foods naturally provide the proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals required to support healthy body function.

Individualised Nutrition Guidance
Every animal is different.
Age, breed, lifestyle, activity levels and medical history all influence what diet is most appropriate.
At Paw Energetics, we help guide owners through:

  • Understanding prey-model raw feeding
  • Transitioning from processed diets
  • Ensuring meals remain balanced over time
  • Adjusting feeding as animals age or health needs change

Our goal is not just to tell you what to feed, but to help you understand how nutrition supports the body and long-term health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is raw feeding better than kibble?

Yes — we believe feeding fresh, biologically appropriate foods is a far better option for most animals.
Many commercial kibble diets are highly processed and contain significant amounts of carbohydrates, starches and fillers that carnivorous animals simply are not designed to handle in large quantities. These ingredients are often necessary for the manufacturing process but are far less compatible with how a cat or dog's digestive system processes and utilises nutrients.
During the production of kibble, ingredients are exposed to extremely high temperatures and pressures, which can alter proteins, fats and nutrients. This level of processing often requires synthetic vitamins and minerals to be added back into the food afterward.
In contrast, raw diets are based on fresh animal foods that provide nutrients in their natural, highly bioavailable form. These foods are typically easier for the body to digest, absorb and utilise effectively. For many animals, this can support better digestion, healthier skin and coats, improved energy levels and overall wellbeing.
The most important factor with any diet is ensuring it remains balanced and appropriate for the individual animal over time.

Is raw feeding safe?

When done correctly, raw feeding can be a safe and effective way to nourish animals.
Key considerations include:
    • Feeding balanced proportions of muscle meat, bone and organs
    • Using high quality ingredients
    • Practicing safe food handling and storage
    • Ensuring the diet meets the animal’s nutritional requirements
Education and proper planning are important when feeding any fresh diet.

Do I have to prepare raw meals myself?

Not necessarily.
Many owners choose to feed commercially prepared raw diets, which are designed to provide balanced nutrition while offering convenience.
Others prefer to source and assemble meals themselves using prey-model principles.
Both approaches can work well when the diet is properly balanced.

Can all cats and dogs eat raw?

Most healthy cats and dogs can thrive on appropriately balanced fresh diets.
However, animals with certain medical conditions may require adjustments to their diet.
Feeding plans should always be tailored to the individual animal.

Will my cat/dog get enough nutrients?

A properly balanced prey-model diet provides all essential nutrients required for health.
Problems usually occur when animals are fed unbalanced homemade diets without appropriate ratios of muscle meat, bone and organs.
Understanding balance is key.

What if my cat/dog has always eaten kibble?

Many animals transition successfully from processed foods to raw diets.
At Paw Energetics, we generally do not recommend a slow transition between kibble and raw feeding. Processed diets and raw diets require the digestive system to function quite differently, and mixing or slowly transitioning between the two can sometimes make digestion more difficult rather than easier.
Instead, many animals adapt well when switching directly to an appropriate raw diet that supports normal digestive function.
In some cases — particularly for older animals or those with specific health conditions — a modified transition approach may be recommended. This allows the diet change to be tailored to the individual animal while still supporting the digestive system as it adapts.
If you would like guidance on transitioning your dog to a raw diet, please reach out to Paw Energetics for personalised advice and support.

Can nutrition help with health issues?

Nutrition plays a significant role in many aspects of health, including:
      • Skin conditions
      • Digestive issues
      • Inflammation
      • Weight management
      • Immune support
      • Joint and mobility health

While diet alone may not resolve every condition, it is often a foundational part of supporting the body’s ability to heal and function optimally.

Do you sell food?

Not yet, but it is coming!!!
Paw Energetics is currently focused on nutrition education and guidance, helping owners understand how to feed their animals well and make informed dietary decisions. We can confidently give recommendations on where to get the best food for your specific pet.

Supporting Health From the Inside Out

Nutrition is one of the most powerful ways we can influence our animals’ health.
By focusing on biologically appropriate foods and informed feeding practices, we can support the body’s natural ability to function, repair and thrive.
Because when the body is properly nourished, everything works better.

Contact Us

 

  • 55 Main Street, Blenheim, Marlborough
  • 027 341 4977
  • paw.energetics@outlook.com
NUTRITION