How to Gently Cook RDBK Raw Pet Food: A Step-by-Step Guide

Did you know that some of our raw pet food for dogs and cats can actually be gently cooked? Gently cooked meals, specifically, sous vide cooking, are a great option for pets transitioning to raw food or for picky eaters who prefer a particular taste and texture. While we always recommend feeding raw, gently cooking select Red Dog Blue Kat meals based on your preferences is a viable option.

Why Don't We Recommend Buying Pre-Made, Gently Cooked Meals?

When meat cooks, it shrinks significantly, which is why most pre-made gently cooked meals include carbohydrate fillers like pasta or rice. These fillers add empty calories, similar to kibble. Additionally, cooking meat can lead to nutrient loss in the water, unless using sous vide to retain juices.

By purchasing our raw meals and cooking them yourself, you can avoid these issues. Our packaging is designed to be immersed in water, allowing you to cook gently while retaining nutrients and moisture.

This method ensures your pet gets the healthiest, most nutritious food possible. By controlling the cooking time and temperature, you can achieve gentle cooking. Cooking meat is a function of time and temperature: higher temperatures shorten cooking time but may reduce quality, whereas slower cooking at lower temperatures often yields better results.

Which RDBK Products Are Safe to Cook?

Sous Vide Friendly Options for Dogs

• Foundations Bison

• Foundations Beef and Tripe

• Foundations Kangaroo

• Foundations Beef

• Foundations Lamb

• Foundations Venison

• Foundations Salmon and Tripe

• Foundations Herring

• Everyday Raw Beef and Salmon (Reef n Beef)

• DELI Dinners Pork

• DELI Dinners Beef

• DELI Dinners Fish

Sous Vide Options For Dogs

Sous Vide Friendly Options for Cats

•  Foundations Beef

•  Foundations Bison

•  Foundations Lamb

•  Foundations Venison

Sous Vide Options For Cats

Base Meal Options for Cats and Dogs

• Beef and Tripe Base Mix (dogs only)

• Beef Tripe Only

Not Safe to Cook:

• Meals with Ground Bone (Turkey, Chicken)
  

5 Easy Steps to Gently Cook RDBK Raw Pet Food

1. Thaw: Refrigerate for at least 12 hours.

2. Heat Water: Warm a pot of water or slow cooker to 135°F (gently bubbling, not boiling).

3. Cook: Submerge the thawed food package in the sealed tray for 30-45 minutes.

4. Plate: Remove the tray, open using the easy-peel tab, and mix the meat with the juices.

5. Supplement: Add a high-quality vitamin/mineral supplement.

How To Sous-Vide Your Pets RDBK Raw Meals

Additional Cooking Tips

• Forgot to Thaw? Add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time to thaw in the pot, though thawing in advance is best.

• Cooking Time: Adjust based on package thickness; thicker packages (2 lb) require 60-90 minutes.

• Temperature: Higher temperatures reduce cooking time but increase nutrient loss. For rapid cooking, use boiling water (100°C/212°F) for 5-8 minutes.

• Do Not Overcook: Overcooking leads to nutrient loss and can damage the packaging.

• Fish Recipes: While our fish recipes are gently cooking-friendly, they contain soft fish bones. Cook these meals cautiously using a slow, low-heat method. Do not boil.
  

• Supplements: While raw is best, cooking does remove some nutrients. We recommend adding SoulFood Multivitamin and GreenMin to maintain optimal nutrition.
  

Following these steps ensures your pet receives the best possible nutrition with our RDBK meals. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what goes into your pet's food!