[Travelling with a raw fed dog; how is it done?]

[Pages:2][Travelling with a raw fed dog; how is it done?]

First of all, it can be done and if you can't find a way, there are alternatives! Whether you are only away for a weekend or a few weeks, a bit of preparation will take you far.

[TRAVELLING]

For travelling, an electric cool box or cool bag can be used. Place the frozen ice packs between and around the raw tubs/bags, cover with tin foil to insulate and plug the cool box into the car power socket. The closer you pack everything together, the more likely it is to stay frozen. This should keep it frozen or at least cool for many hours.

We use a cool box to travel with and it keeps the raw frozen for hours when used with ice packs. Our journey took 7 hours and the cool box, which was plugged into the car, along with the ice packs, kept all the food frozen.

A cool bag or passive cool box will do the same job for travelling and may be better for short journeys and stays where not a lot of food is needed. Pack in the same way to an electric cool box and transfer to a freezer as soon as possible if one is available.

IF A FREEZER IS AVAILABLE AT THE LOCATION YOUR STAYING AT, TRANSFER THE RAW TO THERE UPON ARRIVAL. IF NOT, READ BELOW.

[SHORT BREAKS]

For short breaks like weekend trips and overnight stays, a cool box or cool bag will be sufficient. The cool box can be plugged into mains power or a car power socket so can be used when travelling to locations or for periods of time where a freezer isn't accessible. The cool box will not keep the raw frozen like a freezer would for a long period of time but it will keep it cool; ideally after the raw has defrosted, it should be used within 4 days. Place ice packs or ice cubes in bags around and in between the raw tubs/bags, cover with foil to insulate it, (see photo) keep out of direct sunlight if possible and plugged into the mains electricity/car power.

Cool boxes can be bought from camping supply and leisure stores like GO outdoors, Halfords, Argos and Amazon. Cool bags will be also be sufficient for short weekend breaks. They are available at some supermarkets and leisure stores.

If staying in a hotel, B&B or camping with a building on site, it may be possible to ask if you can keep some ice packs in their freezer so you can switch them around and keep the raw frozen for longer.

[LONG BREAKS]

Ideally if you are going away for longer than 4-5 days, you will probably need access to a freezer. Self-catering places will almost always have a freezer but it is important to ask to ensure there is one. For camping, nearby cottages/buildings may be able to help you out and allow you to store some of your raw in their freezer. You can keep some in the cool box and keep going back to retrieve a few days' worth of food.

So, taking raw with you isn't an option? If not taking raw with you, it may be possible to find a raw supplier near you or order a delivery to be delivered to you at your location (ensure you have the freezer capacity if ordering!) Finding a local supplier would be beneficial as you can keep stocking up when needed and a freezer wouldn't be required if you could restock every few days; the group will be able to help you locate a supplier if you ask If doing DIY, may be a good idea to switch to completes for ease!

Most places will have local supermarkets where you can buy meat, offal, and bones; Morrisons and Tesco are good places for bones and offal. It is fine to have an unbalanced meal for a short period of time if you are struggling to get certain things. Beef, turkey and lamb mince, beef, chicken and lamb chunks, chicken wings (feed with caution!), chicken thighs, lamb ribs, liver and kidneys are commonly found in local supermarkets. Butchers may also be a good place to look. I wouldn't worry too much if you only have access to minced meat or chunks, it's also not necessary to feed a minimum of 4 proteins as usually advised, as long as you return to a balanced and varied diet when you can! Pet stores, like Pets at Home, also stock a range of raw food and `completes' (Natures Menu).

Wet and dry food can also be used when on holiday. Try to find a high quality wet food like Canagan, Lily's Kitchen, Applaws, Pure dehydrated food, Forthglade and Natures Menu Country Hunter tins. Most of these can be purchased in pet stores like Pets at Home or can be ordered online. Another alternative is kibble; Orijen is a freeze-dried kibble that is very high quality and a good alternative, Eden is a semi moist kibble and Millie's Wolfheart is also highly rated. These options are useful where you may be constantly travelling like in backpacking, hiking or rural camping!

By Jasmine Wilson @ Raw Fed Dachshunds UK

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