As devoted pet parents, we constantly seek ways to enhance our furry family members' health and happiness, and one effective method is by incorporating gently cooked food into their diet. One way to ensure they’re getting top-notch nutrition is by incorporating gently cooked food into their diet. This method, often recommended by veterinarians and pet nutritionists, provides a wholesome and balanced diet that can be beneficial for your pets' overall health. Let’s explore what “gently cooked” means, its benefits, and the options available at Braxton's Animal Works.

What is Gently Cooked Pet Food?

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), gently cooked pet food refers to meals that are prepared at lower temperatures than traditional cooking methods. This process preserves more of the natural nutrients and flavors in the food, making it a nutritious and delicious option for your pets. Gently cooked food is typically made with high-quality, human-grade ingredients and follows strict safety standards to ensure your pet receives the best possible nutrition.

Benefits of Gently Cooked Food

  1. Nutrient Preservation: Gently cooking at lower temperatures helps retain essential vitamins and minerals that are often lost in high-heat cooking processes. This means your pet gets more of the beneficial nutrients they need to thrive.

  2. Improved Digestion: Many pets find gently cooked food easier to digest compared to heavily processed kibble. This can be particularly beneficial for pets with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues.

  3. Better Palatability: The natural flavors of the ingredients are better preserved in gently cooked food, making it more appealing to picky eaters.

  4. Enhanced Health: With more natural nutrients and better digestibility, pets often experience improved energy levels, shinier coats, and overall better health.

Feeding Gently Cooked Food: Exclusively or Supplementally

You can choose to feed your pet gently cooked food exclusively or as a supplement to their regular kibble diet. Both methods offer significant health benefits:

  • Exclusively: Feeding gently cooked food exclusively ensures your pet gets a diet rich in fresh, natural ingredients. This can be particularly advantageous for pets with allergies or dietary sensitivities.

  • Supplementally: Mixing gently cooked food with dry kibble can enhance the overall nutrition of your pet’s diet without a complete overhaul. It’s an excellent way to introduce variety and additional nutrients into their meals.

Our Featured Brands

At Braxton's Animal Works, we offer a selection of high-quality gently cooked pet foods from trusted brands. Here’s a closer look at what we carry:

1. Smallbatch Pets

Website: Smallbatch Pets

  • Ingredients: Organic, humanely raised meats, organic vegetables, and superfoods.

  • Unique Feature: Focuses on raw and lightly cooked meals, ensuring maximum nutrient retention.

  • Price: Approx. $23.99 per 2 lb package.

  • Feeding Cost: For a 20 lb dog, feeding exclusively might cost around $215 per month.

  • Supplemental Cost (50/50): For a 20 lb dog, half your daily kibble cost and $3.58 a day in gently cooked.

2. My Perfect Pet

Website: My Perfect Pet

  • Ingredients: Fresh, human-grade meats, vegetables, and whole foods.

  • Unique Feature: Offers single-protein options, great for pets with specific protein allergies.

  • Price: Approx. $34.99 per 4lb package.

  • Feeding Cost: For a 20 lb dog, feeding exclusively might cost around $131 per month.

  • Supplemental Cost (50/50): For a 20lb dog, half your daily kibble cost and $2.18 a day in gently cooked.

3. Open Farm (Coming Soon!)

Website: Open Farm

  • Ingredients: Humanely raised meats, organic vegetables, non-GMO ingredients.

  • Unique Feature: Transparent sourcing, all ingredients can be traced back to their origin.

  • Price: Approx. $14.99 per 16oz package.

  • Feeding Cost: For a 20 lb dog, feeding exclusively might cost around $449 per month.

  • Supplemental Cost (50/50): For a 20 lb dog, half your daily kibble cost and $7.48 a day in gently cooked.

Conclusion

Feeding your pet gently cooked food, whether exclusively or as a supplement, can provide numerous health benefits and improve their overall well-being. At Braxton's Animal Works, we are excited to offer a range of high-quality gently cooked food options, including our newest addition, Open Farm.

For the month of June, we invite you to visit our store and try Open Farm's Gently Cooked recipes for free with the purchase of any Open Farm Kibble. This is a fantastic opportunity to see the positive impact of gently cooked food on your pet's health. Stop by Braxton's Animal Works today and give your pet the nutrition they deserve!

Visit us in Wayne, PA, and discover the best in pet nutrition. Your pet will thank you!

All price comparisons are based on pricing as of May 29th, 2024 and are subject to change.