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The other day I stumbled across a video on YouTube of an aged bear coming out of hibernation. Almost instantaneously, my mind wandered to a thought a dear friend had shared with me a week before - winter is a season for rest.
Hmm.
Sounds great, doesn’t it? Well, as tempting as it feels to stay stuck in the same old routine, we all need a fresh start sometimes. Whether that’s starting a new hobby, learning a new skill or even changing our diets, every tiny change counts and builds up to something. I believe our lifestyle tickles down to our pets’. So this winter, why not try something different for ourselves and the ones who brighten our fog-ridden days?
This blog is here to help you learn more about a new winter diet for dogs and give you that nudge to make choices that push you out of your comfort zone. After all, who doesn’t feel their tummies get happy when they try something new? So let’s learn how to make our doggos happy too!
If you haven’t already read our other blog on fresh foods, then let me give you a recap. Packed fresh food for dogs is a new, convenient and nutritious alternative to home-cooked foods. This dog food is packaged using a unique science that keeps it fresh on the shelves so it’s ready to be gobbled up by your dog at any time! All you’ve got to do is cut, serve and pour.
I know what you’re thinking. How can one know if there aren’t any added preservatives and junk that can cause harm to our dogs? Is one ought to blindly trust packaged dog foods to be healthy? Well, you shouldn’t. New products are difficult to try, especially when it comes to a category we might not know much about.
After observing many upcoming packaged fresh food for dogs in the Indian market, our team at Heads Up For Tails has come to realise that most of the brands that claim to be freshare serving paté (French term for paste) of leftover meat and veggies. This ‘mixture’ is then packaged using chemicals and preservatives. The ingredients are hardly visible and their unknown origin makes them untrustworthy and unfit for consumption.
So does it mean one should give up on packaged fresh dog food altogether? Of course not! As pet parents and a conscious shopper, one should ask as many questions as they can. (We do it for ourselves as pet parents too). Grow your knowledge base - your dog’s needs, the ingredients used, the process of making the foods and customer reviews. Once you’re absolutely sure, go ahead and pick the brand you trust the most!
Almost 16 years ago, HUFT began to turn one pet’s life more wholesome - our beloved Sara. Today, our range of Sara’s Treats are cherished by thousands of doggos across the country. It is with the same inspiration and love in our hearts, that we’ve recently expanded on the line and launched our own packaged fresh food for dogs.
Created by our team of India’s leading canine nutritionists, Sara’s Wholesome Food is made from high-quality, human-grade ingredients. Our goal is simple - to take on the responsibility of cooking complete, balanced meals for your dogs. Here are some interesting facts about our ready-to-eat dog meals:
Within just a few months, we’ve served over 1 lakh complete, balanced and pet-safe ready-to-eat meals. Isn’t that amazing? Each packet offers not just optimal protein content but also health in a bowl for your doggo. Farm-fresh meat, fruits and vegetables ensure no compromise on quality. Ingredients are visible to the naked eye and serve a purpose for your dog’s growth. It’s ideal for your dog’s daily diet.
Now if you’re wondering how it’s made, then you’re thinking right. Just like how you’d make your own food at home, we cook Sara’s Wholesome Food in small batches in our state-of-the-art kitchen. From choosing the right ingredients to chopping and cooking them, our chefs follow the exact same recipe for every batch.
Once the food is made, it is packaged by using special retort packaging. Here, the cooked food is filled and subsequently sterilised to retain maximum nutritional value and taste at the time of opening. It keeps your dog’s food fresh for a long time, without the addition of any preservatives or stabilisers!
As seasons change, so do our pet’s dietary needs and moods. Sara’s Wholesome Food offers multiple benefits that can improve your pet’s health and help battle issues that tag along with the cold. Here are 5 that top the list:
Same meal every day? How boring! Winters change our dog’s appetite and can make many of them fussy. While creating the daily meal menu for your dogs, we knew we had to cook up multiple options for your dog’s different moods. With 6 nutritionally-rich recipes, part of 3 different variants (including grain-free variants), Sara’s Wholesome Food is made with real chicken, lamb, turkey, spinach, apple, paneer, eggs, carrots, beans and more!
Fun Fact: Our recent Chicken and Mutton Biryani flavours launched last Diwali are an absolute hit!
We went back to our kitchen to pick out common Indian ingredients that’ll offer your furry family member more nutrition. These ingredients have been measured in safe quantities and are great for your dog’s wellness in winters. Here’s a list of such ingredients and the benefits they offer:
We know, we know. Keeping track of our dog’s weight in winters is no easy feat. You’re lazy and they’re lazy. Who wants to get those steps in when you can snuggle in your dog winter blanket, right? As much as we’d love to do that all day long, exercise with a proper winter diet plan is important to keep weight in check.
Sara’s Wholesome Food comes balanced and measured in calories so you don’t have to. It comes in two different weight packs (300g and 100g) with specific feeding instructions for each. Packaged fresh foods are an easy way to keep their meal quantities in check. Just cut, pour and serve!
For 300g packs, we suggest feeding according to your dog’s weight:
For 100g packs, we recommend changing the food proportions to:
HUFT Tip: Remember, these are generic feeding guidelines and should be altered according to your dog’s appetite. We recommend that you consult with your veterinarian and determine the appropriate feeding guidelines for your dog's specific needs.
It’s a fact that’s not quite foreign to us that our pets tend to reduce their water intake in winters. We do it too. But even if our pets feel they don’t want to drink water, it is our responsibility to keep their hydration levels in check.
Our fresh packaged dog food offers more moisture than kibble. With our meals, we also have Sara’s Wholesome Bone Broths. These expert-made food toppers are rich, delicious supplement blends. What’s unique about these broths is that they can be topped off on your dog’s wholesome meal or kibble and also simply given to them as a snack. It’s extremely hydrating and comes in 4 different meaty flavours - turkey, lamb, chicken and a rich blend of lamb, pork and buffalo bones!
What else? Sara’s Wholesome Bone Broths are great for detoxification and improved immunity. They also reduce inflammation, promote healthy gut and joint health and aid in faster recovery from illnesses.
The cold can be hard on our dog’s joints. It can give them trouble in getting up, sitting down or just from running around and having a good time. That’s no good, is it? Our fresh food for dogs includes ingredients rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine that contribute to good joint health and help reduce stiffness and discomfort.
Our experts also recognise the vulnerabilities that come to our dog’s health with fluctuating temperatures, different ages and special conditions. Hence, each recipe prioritises optimum health, without compromising on quality for better immunity in the long run.
Sara’s Wholesome Food for dogs is created by nutrition experts at HUFT’s state-of-the-art kitchen. Each batch is made from high-quality, human-grade ingredients so we can take on the responsibility of cooking complete, balanced meals for your dogs. All ingredients have been measured in safe quantities and are great for your dog’s wellness in winters. Ashwagandha regulates blood sugar and reduces anxiety, moringa is great for joint support, giloy fights against infections and basil helps boost immunity. Plus, it also contains Omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine that contribute to good joint health and help reduce stiffness and discomfort.
Transitioning your dog’s usual meal to fresh dog food should be done gradually over the span of 7-10 days in order to prevent your dog from developing gastrointestinal issues. We’ve divided the process into four steps of consumption: 75% current food and 15% Sara’s Wholesome Food 50% current food and 50% Sara’s Wholesome Food 15% current food and 75% Sara’s Wholesome Food 100% Sara’s Wholesome Food
Yes! Fresh dog food like Sara’s Wholesome Food with bone broths can help improve your dog’s coat health in winters. Fresh foods, especially those rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and essential nutrients can promote a healthy skin and coat. Ingredients like amla can help soothe skin irritations and allergies.
Absolutely! Our fresh packaged dog food offers more moisture than your regular kibble. You can also top off these meals with Sara’s Wholesome Bone Broths. These expert-made food toppers are rich, delicious supplement blends. They can also be simply given to your dog as a snack. Our bone broths are extremely hydrating and come in 4 different meaty flavours - turkey, lamb, chicken and a rich blend of lamb, pork and buffalo bones. Apart from hydration, they are also great for detoxification, improved immunity, reduced inflammation, promoting healthy gut and joint health as well as aid in faster recovery from illnesses.
Sara’s Wholesome Food is a great change from your dog’s usual kibble. These mouth-watering recipes are made with all natural desi ingredients that are measured in safe quantities and are great for your dog’s wellness in winters. Fresh dog foods are also complete, balanced and measured in calories so you don’t have to worry about your dog gaining weight in winters. Ingredients rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine that contribute to good joint health and help reduce stiffness and discomfort. Plus, they have more moisture content than kibble. You can also top them off with tasty bone broths for extra hydration!
Fresh dog food can offer several benefits over your usual processed commercial diets. Made by canine nutrition experts, Sara’s Wholesome Food maximises bioavailability, ensuring your pet receives the most nutrients from every bite. No fillers, additives or enhancements are present that can dilute the nutritional value of this fresh dog food. We use real meat that’ll provide your dog with essential nutrients for growth and overall well-being. Balanced feeding as per the guidelines will help to manage weight. Moreover, our recipes contain real fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which is proven to reduce inflammation. Each meal is cooked with essential fatty acids and other micronutrients that are proven to improve immunity. Lastly, they are loaded with antioxidants which combined with a low fat formula can help prevent diseases.
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