I’ve fed my Dachshunds Darwin’s Uncooked Canine Meals on and off for years.
I believe it’s top quality, I really like that I can have it delivered, and the corporate is predicated right here in Western Washington so I can be ok with supporting a small, native firm.
On this article, I share my expertise with the Darwin’s uncooked weight-reduction plan to assist folks which may be contemplating it for his or her canine.
About Darwin’s Uncooked Canine Meals
Darwin’s Uncooked Canine Meals is constituted of high-quality, human-grade meats and greens.
Darwin’s uncooked meal method is:
- 75% meat
- 25% greens
- Gluten-free & grain-free
- Freed from steroids, hormones, and antibiotics
- A nutritionally balanced full meal
- Excessive in protein, average in fat, and low in carbohydrates
With that being mentioned, there are three completely different meal varieties accessible on their web site.
Darwin’s Pure Alternatives™
Darwin’s Natural Selections™ is their premium recipe line of uncooked pet food constituted of cage free (free-roaming), pasture raised, or grass fed (relying on the proteins) meats and natural greens.
Darwin’s BioLogics™
Darwin’s BioLogics is their worth line.
It makes use of the identical full and balanced method as Pure Alternatives, however the method is constituted of recent, conventionally-raised and grown meats and greens.
Though the meats usually are not free vary or grass fed, they’re nonetheless hormone and steroid-free.
The greens used are from the identical farms that provide supermarkets.
Darwin’s Clever Design™
For canines with particular wants, in addition they have an Intelligent Design™ line (accessible by prescription solely) which features a kidney, liver, most cancers, and joint & musculoskeletal assist formulation.
From what I can inform on their web site, this meals is predicated on the Pure Alternatives formulation, however could have much less of 1 ingredient, or a further one, to handle particular well being points.
What Makes Darwin’s Uncooked Canine Meals Completely different?
Darwin’s uncooked pet food was one of many first that I heard of and undoubtedly the primary I used to be conscious of that delivered.
As we speak, there are numerous uncooked canine meals available on the market and at the least a dozen of firms that may ship the meals on to you.
So what makes Darwin’s stand out to me?
- Gary, the corporate’s founder, began in his personal kitchen making uncooked meals to handle his personal canine’s well being points. He refined his formulation by means of years of expertise.
- Darwin’s gives a free menu consultation (for each new and present prospects) if you’re undecided what or how a lot to feed your canine.
- You possibly can place an introductory 10 lb order for $14.95 to check out the meals earlier than totally committing to a subscription.
- Transport is free for orders which might be 20 or extra kilos, besides to Hawaii and Alaska. Orders underneath this quantity are charged a $10.00 flat price transport charge.
My Expertise With Darwin’s Uncooked Canine Meals
I attempted Darwin’s for the primary time round 2014. I signed up with their introductory offer for new customers, however went again to getting my Dachshund’s frozen uncooked pet food in individual from the pet retailer after nearly a yr.
Nevertheless, after attempting a number of completely different manufacturers of uncooked pet food, I got here again to Darwin’s.
Word: When you’ve been following us you understand I wish to rotate dog’s food regularly.
To at the present time, Darwin’s meals continues to be one of many uncooked meals in our rotation.
My favourite methods to make use of Darwin’s meals are:
- As an entire meal after I need to feed a uncooked meal with out including organs and greens myself
- In a Kong or on a lick mat in order that I do know my canines will go nuts and they’re getting balanced diet as a substitute of junk meals
- Once I get uninterested in having to run to the pet retailer the entire time
The meals is available in particular person pouches. I neither like or dislike this.
The largest plus for Darwin’s is that the pouches are simple to open, even with moist fingers.
I don’t use a whole pouch, even to feed two miniature Dachshunds one meal, so there may be all the time {a partially} opened pouch within the fridge.
It could be good if there was an possibility to purchase a bulk container so much less packaging is used, however the person pouches assist stop the meals from being contaminated by micro organism.
On condition that they particular person packages usually are not a problem to open, I’ll take the tradeoff.
The meals is available in 2 lb packages and every package deal is made up of 4 half pound smaller packages joined collectively.
The plastic is effectively perforated so every portion might be separated with out utilizing scissors.
The price of every 2 lb package deal varies by meat taste, however ranges from $13.64 for hen to $22.41 for lamb.
Whenever you place a full order (not introductory), you’ll take a quiz and enter particulars about your pet like gender, age, and splendid weight.
Darwin’s will then use this info to counsel a supply quantity and frequency.
Shipments have all the time arrived in a well timed method, with out injury, and the meals was nonetheless frozen It’s shipped with dry ice).
Is Darwin’s Uncooked Pet Meals Secure? Have There Been any Remembers?
As a involved pet proprietor, you’re most likely questioning if there have been been any recollects for Darwin’s frozen uncooked pet food.
When you don’t find out about them already, sooner or later, you’ll most likely uncover that there have been voluntary recollects of Darwin’s uncooked meals, and a pair Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) warnings, prior to now.
Darwin’s pet meals is monitored for doubtlessly unsafe micro organism each by the corporate and by the FDA.
The FDA maintains a zero-tolerance coverage which disallows any presence of Salmonella, even in portions too low to trigger hurt to both people or pets, in pet meals.
Based on my information and DogFoodAdvisor (which provides Darwin’s uncooked meals 5/5 stars), that is the recall historical past:
- 2017 – voluntary recall by Darwin’s on account of inside testing that detected potential Salmonella contamination. No pet diseases have been reported to the corporate.
- 2018 – voluntary recall by Darwin’s on account of inside testing that detected potential Salmonella contamination in a single case of pet food. No pet diseases have been reported to the corporate.
- 2018 – voluntary recall by Darwin’s on account of inside testing that detected potential Salmonella and/or E. Coli contamination. No pet diseases have been reported to the corporate.
- 2019 – the FDA issued a public warning after testing indicated Salmonella contamination. No pet diseases have been reported to the corporate.
Essential word: Darwin’s had already contacted prospects who indicated the meals had already been consumed with no points. The FDA issued the warning after Darwin’s refused to turn over private customer data.
- 2023 – the FDA issued a public warning after testing indicated Salmonella contamination. No pet diseases have been reported to the corporate.
You possibly can learn the official assertion by Darwin’s made after the newest FDA warning HERE.
I believe it’s related to say a few factors right here:
- The digestive system of most canines is ready to course of pathogens equivalent to Salmonella or E. coli with out hurt, until they’re already in poor health with another situation.
- Likewise, people are usually unaffected by low ranges of bacterial contamination until they’ve an underlying well being subject or compromised immune system.
- Remembers usually are not one thing that solely occurs with uncooked meals. Voluntary recollects have been made on all types of meals prior to now – kibble, canned, and uncooked.
Personally, I’m zero frightened about these voluntary recollects and warnings.
Actually, voluntary recollects inform me that they firm is monitoring their meals for security and all the time erring on the facet of warning.
Neither my canines or I’ve important well being points or compromised immune programs although.
Disclosure: I really like Darwin’s Uncooked Canine Meals and purchase it myself. Nevertheless, they’ve despatched me a pair shipments prior to now without charge in alternate for sharing my ideas with you.
