I’ve fed my Dachshunds Darwin’s Uncooked Canine Meals on and off for years.
I believe it’s prime quality, I really like that I can have it delivered, and the corporate relies 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 food 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 constructed from 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 stated, there are three totally different meal varieties obtainable on their web site.
Darwin’s Pure Picks™
Darwin’s Natural Selections™ is their premium recipe line of uncooked pet food constructed from 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 Picks, however the method is constructed from recent, conventionally-raised and grown meats and greens.
Though the meats are usually not free vary or grass fed, they’re nonetheless hormone and steroid-free.
The greens used are from the identical farms that offer supermarkets.
Darwin’s Clever Design™
For canine with particular wants, additionally they have an Intelligent Design™ line (obtainable by prescription solely) which features a kidney, liver, most cancers, and joint & musculoskeletal help formulation.
From what I can inform on their web site, this meals relies on the Pure Picks formulation, however could have much less of 1 ingredient, or a further one, to deal with 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.
Right this moment, there are numerous uncooked canine meals in the marketplace and at the very least a dozen of firms that can 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 deal with his personal canine’s well being points. He refined his formulation by way of years of expertise.
- Darwin’s presents a free menu consultation (for each new and current clients) in case you are undecided what or how a lot to feed your canine.
- You may place an introductory 10 lb order for $14.95 to check out the meals earlier than absolutely committing to a subscription.
- Delivery is free for orders which can be 20 or extra kilos, besides to Hawaii and Alaska. Orders beneath this quantity are charged a $10.00 flat fee delivery price.
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 particular person from the pet retailer after virtually a yr.
Nevertheless, after attempting a number of totally different manufacturers of uncooked pet food, I got here again to Darwin’s.
Be aware: For those who’ve been following us you recognize I prefer to rotate dog’s food regularly.
To this present day, 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 once 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 canine will go nuts and they’re getting balanced diet as an alternative of junk meals
- Once I get bored with 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 most important plus for Darwin’s is that the pouches are straightforward to open, even with moist arms.
I don’t use a complete pouch, even to feed two miniature Dachshunds one meal, so there’s at all times {a partially} opened pouch within the fridge.
It could be good if there was an choice to purchase a bulk container so much less packaging is used, however the person pouches assist forestall the meals from being contaminated by micro organism.
Provided that they particular person packages are usually not a trouble to open, I’ll take the tradeoff.
The meals is available in 2 lb packages and every bundle is made up of 4 half pound smaller packages joined collectively.
The plastic is nicely perforated so every portion may be separated with out utilizing scissors.
The price of every 2 lb bundle 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 ideally suited weight.
Darwin’s will then use this data to recommend a supply quantity and frequency.
Shipments have at all times arrived in a well timed method, with out harm, and the meals was nonetheless frozen It’s shipped with dry ice).
I might describe consistency of the meals as a meat and veggie mash.
The meals incorporates plenty of moisture, and the elements are floor into small items.
Nevertheless, in contrast to some uncooked meals that’s floor so superb you possibly can now not see the person elements, they’re considerably identifiable in Darwin’s uncooked meals.
Is Darwin’s Uncooked Pet Meals Secure? Have There Been any Recollects?
As a involved pet proprietor, you’re most likely questioning if there have been been any remembers for Darwin’s frozen uncooked pet food.
For those who don’t learn about them already, sooner or later, you’ll most likely uncover that there have been voluntary remembers of Darwin’s uncooked meals, and a pair Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) warnings, up 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.
Backside line: there have been no sicknesses reported from consuming Darwin’s uncooked meals however there have been a pair voluntary remembers and warnings about alleged bacterial contamination. I really feel it’s a protected meals, however make that judgement your self.
In response to my data and DogFoodAdvisor (which supplies Darwin’s uncooked meals 5/5 stars), that is the recall historical past:
- 2017 – voluntary recall by Darwin’s on account of inner testing that detected potential Salmonella contamination. No pet sicknesses had been reported to the corporate.
- 2018 – voluntary recall by Darwin’s on account of inner testing that detected potential Salmonella contamination in a single case of pet food. No pet sicknesses had been reported to the corporate.
- 2018 – voluntary recall by Darwin’s on account of inner testing that detected potential Salmonella and/or E. Coli contamination. No pet sicknesses had been reported to the corporate.
- 2019 – the FDA issued a public warning after testing indicated Salmonella contamination. No pet sicknesses had been reported to the corporate.
Vital notice: Darwin’s had already contacted clients 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 sicknesses had been reported to the corporate.
You may 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 canine is ready to course of pathogens comparable to Salmonella or E. coli with out hurt, until they’re already unwell with another situation.
- Likewise, people are sometimes unaffected by low ranges of bacterial contamination until they’ve an underlying well being challenge or compromised immune system.
- Recollects are usually not one thing that solely occurs with uncooked meals. Voluntary remembers have been made on all types of meals up to now – kibble, canned, and uncooked.
Personally, I’m zero apprehensive about these voluntary remembers and warnings.
The truth is, voluntary remembers inform me that they firm is monitoring their meals for security and at all times erring on the aspect of warning.
Neither my canine or I’ve important well being points or compromised immune techniques although.
Disclosure: I really like Darwin’s Uncooked Canine Meals and purchase it myself. Nevertheless, they’ve despatched me a pair shipments up to now without charge in trade for sharing my ideas with you.
