What is freeze-dried raw dog food?

Read time: 5 minutes

The new face of raw…

Raw feeding. I often think this term is similar to Marmite; you either love it or hate it. However, it’s arguably the most natural, nutritious and species-specific diet that you could feed your dog. I find that those who dislike raw feeding, often feel that way because of the inconvenience, messiness, lack of freezer space, bacteria, bad smell and unappealing look… The list goes on!

What if I told you that you could feed your dog a high quality, nutritious and healthy raw diet, without any of the cons listed above? This is what I set out to achieve when I got frustrated with the inconveniences that can come with feeding a frozen raw diet to my dogs. So, I gathered a team of industry experts and nutritionists. Together we developed our hero, problem-solving diet: Ella & Co’s freeze-dried raw dog food.

What is freeze-drying?

Freeze-drying is a popular technique in the food industry. It’s how the instant coffee and dried fruit in your kitchen cupboard are made, and it’s how we guarantee our freeze-dried food remains 100% raw.

You might be wondering how it’s possible to produce raw food that doesn’t require fridge or freezer space. Well, it is possible, and the magic lies with how it’s made:

1. Our fresh, natural ingredients are gently blended together with a little water, before being moulded into small, bite sized nuggets.
2. These nuggets are quick-frozen, which locks in all of the natural goodness.
3. The frozen nuggets are placed into a powerful vacuum chamber. The vacuum dries the food by rapidly evaporating all of the moisture.

This process doesn’t involve heat, so the food remains 100% microbiologically raw. What’s left are small, nutritionally dense and delicious freeze-dried raw nuggets.

What are the benefits of freeze-dried raw food?

You might already be aware of the benefits that come with feeding a raw diet. The positive changes seen in dogs who are new to raw are often pretty incredible!

Here are some of the benefits of feeding a raw diet to your dog:

Within days…

• Better appetite
• Increased energy levels
• Smaller, firmer poos
• Less wind

Within weeks…

• Healthier, better hydrated skin
• Glossier, thicker coat
• Improved digestion
• Less scratching
• Better breath and teeth
• Reduced tear stains and brighter eyes

Within months…

• Stable, less fluctuating weight
• Consistent toilet habits
• Healthy anal glands
• No eye or ear infections
• Better immunity

Ella & Co’s freeze-dried raw food contains nothing but natural ingredients, so you can be sure your dog is benefitting from a nutritionally unique, wholesome diet. The food also has a higher calorie-density, which means less is needed to be fed compared to a standard raw diet. To put this into perspective, 100g of Ella’s Freeze-dried raw food is the equivalent to 300g of fresh raw food! Ella’s freeze-dried raw food is very gentle on your dog’s tummy too, making it perfect for those with digestive problems.

Because freeze-dried raw food is completely room-temperature stable, it requires no cold storage whatsoever. You can simply decant the food into our free, resealable and reusable storage bags, and keep it in a cool, dry place. Freeze-dried raw food can keep for years unopened, which is why it comes in separate one kilogram bags. Once opened, we recommend you use it within 1-2 months.

Are you ready to upgrade your dog’s diet to Ella’s freeze-dried raw food?

I hope this blog has offered some useful information about how freeze-dried raw dog food is made, and more importantly, how nutrition plays a huge role in your dog’s overall well being. I understand the struggles and inconveniences that come with feeding a fresh raw diet. That’s why I set out to create a food that’s not only 100% raw and nutritionally balanced, but is also completely mess and stress-free!

Don’t forget, it’s important to make sure that you research the best food for your dog. Every dog is different, and the requirements for one can be different to another’s. If you need any more advice, or if you have any questions about Ella’s freeze-dried raw food, you can reach out to me at james@ella.co

As always, if you have any thoughts or questions regarding this blog, I would be delighted for you to share them. You can reach me via social media or email at james@ella.co.

James & Ella x

Coping with the loss of a dog

Read time: 4 minutes

Memories of dog days

“I am nine, and I am walking Gibson. He is a strong American bulldog, with muscular shoulders, and brown patches down his back legs. He looks like he is wearing sophisticated corduroy trousers. He is my grandparents’ dog. I lay next to his bed in the living room that night, listening to him snore. Writing down all the reasons why I should be allowed a dog of my own.

I am fourteen, and I’ve had a Bad Day. Our family dog, Tilly, is resting her golden head on my lap. Listening to me as I vent about school. She can’t understand me, but I like that she pretends to. Any time I stop stroking her she lifts her paw up and bats me. A persistent metronome of affection. I can’t wait to have a dog of my own.

I am twenty-two and I am cradling a small black ball of fluff. She lifts her head and looks at me, into me. She licks my face. This will be Ella. A dog of my own.”

Coping with loss

Nothing can ever prepare you for the loss of a dog. For those who have never had a dog, it might be difficult to understand. However, those who have loved a dog know the truth: a dog is not just a pet; it is a member of the family. A best friend, a loyal companion, a teacher and a therapist.

Many people over the years have reached out to me about the pain of losing a dog. For many of them, the loss of a dog is, in almost every way, comparable to the loss of a human loved one. I still remember the pain I felt from losing Tilly, our first family dog, back in 2017. It is a deep, aching chasm.

Losing Ella

Recently, Ella’s health deteriorated. She became lethargic, with little appetite. It was extremely difficult to watch. A trip to the vets resulted in the news that no pet parent ever wants to hear – Ella didn’t have long left.

On her good days, we did the things that Ella loved best – woodland walks and spending time with her closest loved ones, including a reunion with her brother. On the not-so-good days, we spent time cuddling together in front of the fire. I told her over and over again how much I loved her. More importantly, I thanked her for the comfort she’s always given me. She saved my life when I feared that I couldn’t be saved.

Ella passed peacefully in my arms. She leaves behind a legacy; through her children, her grandchildren, the lives she’s touched as a therapy dog, and the huge hole in my heart. She owed me nothing and I owe her everything.

Daily reminders

There’s a constant stream of daily reminders of the impact Ella had on my life. If you’ve lost a dog too, then these moments might be all too familiar.

• Losing a dog is waking up in the morning and feeling an emptiness when she’s not there to greet you.

• It is quietly eating lunch at your desk, missing the warm heavy weight of her head on your lap.

• It is swearing you heard her footsteps plod down the hallway.

• It is sunlight streaming onto a favourite spot on the floor, but the spot is empty, no eyes peering back at you.

• It is a lead hung up, never to be used again, because it carries too many weighty memories.

• It is the soft intake of breath when you find the last piece of fur stuck on your couch cushions.

• It is the quiet spot at the end of the garden, a modest carved stone marking the end of an incredible life.

Remembering her

There isn’t much of a rule book on how to grieve for a dog. I have no practical tips on how to prepare you for a phase of your life that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. But what I can tell you is that if love alone could have kept your dog here, they would have lived forever.

When I first got Ella, she was immediately the most loyal companion I could have asked for. All I had to do was care for her. It was, in my eyes, the best deal I’ve ever made.

Rest in peace Ella. You will always be remembered and your legacy will live on forever.

Good girl.

James x

What is ethical dog breeding?

Read time: 9 minutes

The ins and outs of ethical breeding

As a pet parent and Kennel Club registered breeder, I’m passionate about spreading awareness on the importance of ethical breeding. I’m often surprised to find that many pet parents don’t always know what ethical breeding means.

Ethical breeding means the preservation of breeds, maintaining a moral code of ethics, and ensuring the health and wellbeing of the dogs is the utmost priority. Unethical breeding, on the other hand, is the number one contributor to genetic defects in litters, and dogs ending up in shelters.

This blog will aim to provide a better understanding of what defines ethical breeding and the dangers of irresponsible practices. I hope that it helps you understand what to look out for, if you find yourself looking for a puppy to introduce to your home!

Whether you adopt or shop, do your research

I am a proud advocate for the work rescue centres do, and I encourage anyone to rescue a dog if it’s the right fit for them. If you’re interested in adopting a rescue dog, you can learn more about the process in my blog ‘Adopting a rescue dog’.

However, it’s important to recognise that not everyone is able to rescue a shelter dog, often due to their home or family environment. As the pet parent of six working dogs, I can empathise with this. There will always be a demand for puppies, and dog breeding will always occur to fill that demand.

Sadly, there are far too many breeders whose priorities lie with their profits, rather than the health and welfare of their dogs. As pet parents, it’s our responsibility to ensure that we understand the ethics of breeding, to prevent contributing to dogs in shelters.

Why is ethical breeding important?

Dog breeding can have a bad reputation, mostly due to irresponsible breeders. But it’s important to remember the reasons why breeding occurred in the first place, and the benefits that it can have. So, why is breeding important? Let’s strip it right back to why dog breeding became popular.

When dogs were first domesticated, they assisted early hunter-gatherers with hunting, tracking and herding. Humans quickly learned that they could breed dogs with the strongest traits, which resulted in fantastic future working dogs! This is called ‘selective breeding’, and it’s the reason why we have several of today’s incredible service breeds.

The process of responsible breeding is crucial, as it means breeders can reduce the risks of puppies inheriting genetic disorders. This in turn helps to reinforce the pedigree, instilling trust in puppy parents that their new best friend has been responsibly bred, with their health and wellbeing as the top priority.

What are the dangers of unethical breeding?

So, we’ve spoken a bit about the benefits of ethical breeding, and why it’s important to promote healthy breeding practices. You might now be wondering what dangers can result from irresponsible breeding, and what red flags you should look out for.

Firstly, unethically bred puppies can be more susceptible to health or behavioural problems in early life. These issues can stem from a number of reasons, including:

Skipping genetic testing

If a breeder can’t provide results from genetic tests of the parents, then it’s a strong indication that they’ve skipped testing altogether. This is a red flag, as it suggests that they’re inexperienced and aren’t aware of the importance of genetic testing. Or worse – that they don’t believe genetic testing is necessary at all.

Genetic testing is vital, as it can flag issues very early on, which could be passed down to the puppies. Common genetic health problems can include hip dysplasia, heart disease and breathing issues, particularly in brachycephalic breeds.

Overbreeding

Dogs who are overbred are at a much higher risk of developing health problems. These problems can include complications during pregnancy, such as difficulty giving birth. Overbreeding can also contribute to the development of joint, hearing, eye and heart issues in puppies.

Shockingly, a breeding licence is only required in the UK if the breeder produces three or more litters in any twelve month period. This means there are thousands of unregulated breeders breeding their dogs in ‘puppy mills’ at least twice a year. You can only imagine the problems which can arise, especially if the breeder’s methods are unethical.

Unhygienic conditions

It’s common for ‘backyard’ breeders to keep their dogs in dirty environments, such as uncleaned kennels. They also might keep lots of dogs and puppies close together, or in cages. This poses huge health risks to all of the dogs, and can lead to nasty bacterial and viral infections. Additionally, if the mother is kept in bad conditions, the quality of her milk will be poor. This can result in lowered immunity levels in the puppies, meaning they’re more likely to develop health issues at some point during their lives.

Leaving the mother too soon

When a breeder is breeding for profit, it’s not uncommon for puppies to be removed from their mothers too early. This, paired with poor immunity and health can often result in a puppy’s premature death, not long after they go to their new families. Sadly, irresponsible breeders are usually untruthful to new puppy owners. Many people don’t know any better, and unfortunately end up purchasing an unhealthy puppy without knowing it.

Poor socialisation

Puppies from puppy mills and unethical breeders can also be difficult to train, since often they’re kept outside without proper socialisation. If owners are unaware of how to approach this issue early on in their puppy’s life, it could lead to behavioural problems such as reactivity. Unfortunately, many dogs with severe behavioural issues are often rehomed or surrendered to rescue shelters. This is just one of the many ways that backyard breeders end up contributing to dogs in shelters.

What can we do about it?

Unethical breeding practices over time have resulted in the development of inherited health problems in dogs. Heart and respiratory issues, stunted growth and genetic disorders are sadly commonplace now in many breeds. Backyard breeders and puppy mills are the biggest contributor to thousands of unhealthy or reactive dogs ending up in shelters every year.

So what can we do to prevent this? If you’re in the market for a new best friend, here are the quickest red flags to spot an irresponsible breeder:

• The breeder has not registered the litter with the Kennel Club.
• The breeder won’t let you see the puppy without exchanging money first (if you find yourself transferring a “holding deposit” before performing a home visit, be wary!)
• The breeder is unable to provide any information on genetic testing.
• The mother (or littermates) are not around when you collect your puppy.
• You’re unable to view the pen or kennel where the puppies were raised.
• The breeder has little to no questions for you regarding your home environment or the life you can offer your new puppy.

With these red flags in mind, keep wary when purchasing a puppy, particularly from social media. If you’re after more advice on finding a new dog to join the family, you can read my blog ‘My guide to getting a new dog’.

“Happiness is a healthy puppy!”

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog! Ethical breeding is a topic that’s very close to my heart. I feel honoured to be able to preserve the family lineage of my pack, and Mabel is no exception – her great grandmother, Tilly, was my first family dog.

It’s important to remember that breeding will always happen. But, if we can educate more owners, then maybe fewer puppies will be bought from puppy mills and backyard breeders.

The health and wellbeing of my dogs is always my number one priority when it comes to breeding. If you’re looking for help or advice, or if you’d simply like to discuss anything mentioned in this blog, please feel free to reach out to me at james@ella.co. I would love to hear your thoughts!

James & Ella x