FAQ's

Does RFM use any denaturants or meat processing procedures such as High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP)?

Absolutely not. Raw Feeding Miami does not denature any of our meats because all of our products come from human grade, USDA approved, high quality meats. We also do not use any unnatural processes on our meats such as HPP. Our concept is pretty simple. We purchase fresh meats every week, and then our team weighs the meat out and repackages them for sale for our customers. That is IT. We do not add anything to our meats. We do not spray them with any chemicals or preservatives, nothing. We keep it as natural as possible, and we have nothing to hide. If you hear anything different, please come directly to us for more information. And question your source and what motive they may have to try and persuade you to believe otherwise.

What are your requirements for shipping?

We ship all of our products via FEDEX and UPS to the 48 continental United States. There are a few states we do not ship to due to cost (Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico).  We have a minimum of 10 LBS for shipping because the carriers bill by dimensional weight for anything under that weight.  Our insulated boxes and coolant is already calculated and included in the cost of the freight.  

 West Coast Customers:  We strongly urge you to select Express Air as your shipping method during spring and summer months.  RFM will not be held responsible if your package is delayed and destroyed due to the heat if you select GROUND shipping!  

You do not have to have a minimum for dry goods such as treats or supplements.  We offer USPS rates for our treats.  

The maximum frozen weight that we can fit in our largest box is 50 LBS. Unfortunately we do not ship overseas or to Canada due to border regulations and transit times. 

How much weight can you fit in a box?

We recommend all frozen meat orders to have a minimum weight of 15 pounds. If you want to take advantage of shipping, and optimize the cost of freight, we recommend you order in 50 LBS increments. That is what our largest box can hold, and that is going to be the best price you will receive as far as shipping rates go. That also leaves enough space for us to add coolant to your shipment.  

How far in advance should I place my order?

We ask all our customers to please place their orders AT LEAST one week in advance from when they want it shipped. We only ship on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays depending on transit time.

We typically try to get all orders out as quickly as possible, but depending on when we receive your order, there may be a week processing period.  If you would like to know when exactly your order is going out, feel free to send RFM a quick text message (305-814-7290) with your order number, and we can confirm your ship date for you.

If you would like us to hold your order and ship it at a later date, please text us at 305-814-7290 and we can make these accommodations for you.

How do you ship your products?

We ship all of our products frozen in insulated boxes with dry ice and ice packs. We limit our boxes to 50 LBS so that we can ensure that there is enough room to fit some dry ice and some ice packs in your order. Everything will be sent out frozen and tightly packed. If any of your products arrive thawed or starting to defrost, this is perfectly fine and safe! You do not need to worry or freak out. It is perfectly safe to thaw and re-freeze pet food.

Do you charge extra for the shipping box and ice packs?

We do not charge you extra and there are no hidden fees or costs with our shipping costs. We include your insulated box and the dry ice & ice packs in our shipping rates. You will not have to pay extra for these items.

My package is delayed, now what do I do?

Sometimes, for reasons out of our control, packages get delayed during transit. Normally, this is not a major cause for concern due to all the coolant in your box, as long as it is just a 24 hour delay. If your package is being delayed, please make sure to contact FedEX immediately (1-800-463-3339) or UPS (1-800-377-4877) to alert them that your shipment is perishable and that you need it delivered as soon as possible.  Then please text us at 305-814-7290 with your name and order number. We will look into this matter during business hours and get back to you with an update as soon as we can.  Please keep in mind we do not have any special privileges or connections with the carriers and there is not a whole lot we can do when there is a delay.  

What is your shipping schedule?

Please note that most orders will take one week for processing. We strongly recommend you place your order by Saturday evenings. We typically ship out West Coast orders on Mondays which usually take 4 to 5 transit days (unless you selected Express Air). States such as WA, CA, AZ, UT, CO, WY fall into this category & are urged to select Air shipping, NOT ground, during hot months.  We typically ship out East coast & Midwest orders on Tuesdays, which usually takes 3 transit days. States such as NY, NJ, MA, TX, IL, OK, PA, IN fall into this category. We typically ship out South East and Florida orders on Wednesdays, which usually takes 2-1 transit days. States such as GA, NC, SC, VA, WI, MD, KY, TN, fall into this category. We also sometimes ship out more FL orders out on Thursdays for next day delivery on Fridays.  For local customers within 30 miles, we have a flat-fee $20 delivery option through one of our employees.  Please email us for more information.  

What is your holiday schedule for 2021?

RFM will be closed on all major holidays, which will have an impact on our shipping schedule. Please make sure to plan ahead if you will need food shipped during the weeks that fall with a major holiday in them.  RFM to be closed on July 4th, November 25th & 26th (Thanksgiving), December 24th (Christmas), and Dec 31st (New Years). 

I want to place an order but I don't know what to buy! Can you help me?

We provide customer service via email and can definitely help you here. If you want to place an order but are confused on what items to select, you can request RFM to build you an order, free of charge. Simply go to our home page and click on the "Build An Order" page and follow the cues. Someone from Raw Feeding Miami will get back to you as soon as possible.  Please note that this service does not provide you with a meal plan to follow, so some experience is recommended in order to know how to build your meals.

Do you provide raw feeding assistance?

We provide basic raw feeding assistance and guidance to RFM customers. Feel free to email any questions about our products, services, shipping, to info@rawfeedingmiami.com  If you are looking for meal plans or information on how to feed raw, please look at the previous question listed above for our recommended resources. 

I really want advice over the phone, can you call me?

Unfortunately at this time, we do not do phone consultations. We do everything via email for several reasons. First, it takes us a couple of days to get back to our customers. We are a small company and we are all actively involved in the daily happenings behind the scenes at RFM. Any free time goes to customer service, and while we love talking to our customers, we have found that it is just not possible at this time to do it over the phone. Second, we talk to hundreds of people on a weekly basis. So having all the information in an email allows us to pick up where we left off, and not have to continuously ask you the same questions over and over again. We understand that for some people, email is not convenient, and we apologize. But in order to receive the one on one attention you seek, you must communicate with us via email. 

What is your refund policy?

Due to the perishable nature of our product, Raw Feeding Miami does not offer any refunds or exchanges once an item is purchased. You must purchase at your own risk. If you have an item you cannot feed for some reason, please feel free to email us for any tips or tricks on how to feed it or for some possible other uses for that product.

What happens if my order arrives thawed out?

Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that orders will arrive fully frozen. By purchasing our products, you are releasing Raw Feeding Miami of any guarantee that the product will be fully frozen upon delivery. We cannot control the shipping carriers, and we do our best to ensure that your order is packed with sufficient coolant for transit time. If your order arrives thawed, you can either take that opportunity to separate it and re-freeze it. Or you can simply throw everything back in your freezer and let it freeze again. There is absolutely nothing wrong with thawing and re-freezing meat for pet food.

What happens if my pet wont eat something I purchased?

We understand that every pet has likes as well as dislikes. Unfortunately, we cannot provide any refunds or exchanges on items that are not accepted with open arms by your pets. It is a risk you take when introducing new items and we have all been there before. Our suggestion is to re-freeze whatever item you have, and either trying again at a later time, or possibly trying some raw feeding tricks to entice your pet to eat it.

I just received my order damaged, what do I do?

It does not happen often, but from time to time, we have had a package arrive damaged due to issues with the carrier. If this is the case, and you have received an order that has been damaged during transit, we ask that you notify us within 24 hours of your package being delivered. We ask that you please photograph your box and the damage before doing anything else with the order. WE NEED THESE PHOTOS IN ORDER TO FILE A CLAIM WITH FEDEX.  We will then contact the carrier and let you know what the next step would be to rectify the situation.

My package was delivered but I cannot find it!

All of our packages are automatically released to the recipient for delivery. So if you are not home during your delivery, FedEX knows to leave it at your front door without a signature being required. If your package is delivered, and your box goes missing in between the time it is delivered and you get home, Raw Feeding Miami is not responsible for your package. Once your package has been delivered RFM is no longer responsible or liable for any damage or shipments going missing.

I’ve made the decision to switch my pet to a raw diet, but I have no idea where to begin. What do I do?

The toughest part is always the beginning when dealing with a raw diet. Everything can seem so confusing and the percentages and different types of food can be overwhelming. But one day you will look back and giggle and realize that it is not as complicated as we make it seem. There are two ways one can make the switch.

The first option is to take the plunge and start with chicken backs and leg quarters. We have created a beginner’s meal plan for those new raw feeders who need a little help in getting started. The other option is our chicken grinds which has everything your pet needs all ground up into a simple meal. You simply thaw, scoop and serve. Although this option is not cost efficient for medium to large pet owners, it is another way one can introduce the raw diet. After introducing the grinds and having your pet do well on them for a week or two, we encourage you to introduce whole cuts of meat into their diet.

We encourage you to read Perfectly Rawsome's Raw Feeder’s Get Started Guide.  We also recommend new raw feeders to consider purchasing a custom-tailored NRC meal plan for guidance.  This takes a lot of the stress off and provides all the information needed to get started.  

How do I know if I am feeding too much bone or too much boneless meats?

Observing and understanding your dog’s stool is very important in a raw diet. You can learn a lot about what is going on internally by simply observing your dog’s stool.

If your dog is straining to go to the bathroom, and/or has white or crumbly poop, then that means you are feeding too much bone. The next meal should have a bit more boneless meat in it.

If your dog has soft stool then that means you are most likely not feeding enough bone, or too much organ meat, or you overfed.

If your dog has stool that is soft and has mucous in it then that means they are getting too much skin and/or fat. You should try to remove any excess skin and/or fat the following meal.

My dog is not really drinking a lot of water. Is this normal?

As you might know, meat is mostly made up of water. Raw fed dogs tend to drink less water because they are getting water from their diet. Kibble has no water content in it, therefore dogs on a kibble diet tend to be thirsty more often and drink larger amounts of water. Just make sure that your dog has easy access to clean, fresh water.

What is a prey model raw diet?

A prey model raw diet is the imitation of a wild canine’s natural diet without the use of hunting wild prey. It is where the canine owner tries to replicate the diet by feeding whole meat cuts, organs, tendons, ligaments, fat, bone, blood, connective tissues, etc. It is the feeding of a variety of cuts, from a variety of different animals, in order to provide all the nutritional value found in whole prey. Whenever available/possible, whole prey feeding is recommended. This would consist of, for example, offering a whole chicken with its entrails intact, to your pet as a meal.

My vet says that a raw diet can kill my dog. Is this true?

Absolutely not. The majority of vets out there that shun a raw diet simply are giving you their uneducated opinion. Unless you are speaking with a vet who has a degree in nutrition, chances are you are being misinformed and scared into feeding kibble. In veterinary school, students are only required to take one generalized nutrition course. In which they are told to advise owners to feed processed foods to their pets. But I bet you didn’t know that the multi-billion dollar pet food industry funds a lot of these schools… Do you see the connection here?

Find yourself a natural or holistic vet, or even a vet who has studied nutrition, and see what they tell you. Chances are that these vets are believers in a raw diet and will not scare you into a decision, but will inform you as to what your options are and why. Our pets may be domesticated but their internal system has not evolved into a creature who can break down and benefit from processed foods. Their internal organs still show that they do best with a natural, species appropriate raw diet.

Can’t my dog get salmonella from consuming raw meats such as chicken?

The chances of your dog coming down with a case of salmonella poisoning are very slim. In fact, most cases of salmonella poisoning seen by vets have been caused by contaminated kibble. That’s right, all those recalls by the big kibble companies are usually due to salmonella contamination. We asked our vet, who is a raw feeder himself, how many patients he has treated with salmonella poisoning. In his whole career, his answer was…. NONE!

The real concern here is hygiene. As long as you disinfect and properly clean any surface the raw meat touches, you are fine. Same as you would clean up after prepping raw meat for your own human consumption. As far as your dog’s safety is concerned, you must understand that a dog’s stomach is much more acidic than ours. They are built to handle raw meat and the acidity level in their stomach helps kill most bacteria. Ever wonder how your dog can eat rotting garbage found on the street? How they can consume feces or lick their butt’s and not get sick from it? It all boils down to the same principal; nature gave them the natural resistance to kill most bacteria that is consumed.

Will feeding raw meat make my dog aggressive?

There are many myths associated to raw feeding by people who simply don’t know. One of those myths is that feeding a raw diet will make your dog aggressive. Some people even go so far as to claim that they will “grow a sense for blood” which is ridiculous. Raw meat does not make a dog aggressive, or a killer, or “blood thirsty”. The way a dog is brought up and trained is what makes him or her aggressive. Some people confuse aggression with resource guarding. Resource guarding is when a dog guards (by showing teeth, growling, snarling, blocking the item with their body) a high-value item from other dogs or people. Resource guarding food should be handled the same way you would handle your dog resource guarding a toy or bone, or any other item. It does not mean that your dog is now looking to attack anything it could eat!

My dog is throwing up watery, yellow stuff in between meals. What is going on?!

This is what raw feeders call “hunger pukes”. The reason this happens is because the rate in which raw and kibble are digested are completely different. Once kibble is ingested, it turns into sludge and sits in your dog’s stomach for up to 6 hours while the body tries to break it down. So your dog gets a sensation of being full for a longer period of time. On raw, your dog’s body consumes the protein within 2 hours… thus leaving your dog feeling hungry much quicker and the body reacts to this with hunger pukes. Usually this tends to happen when you feed on a pretty strict schedule. As morning or evening time comes, your dog’s body knows its time to eat and the body anticipates meal time by producing bile. If meal time is running a little late, the same reaction can occur. A good way to try and eliminate hunger pukes is by feeding at random times. So instead of feeding at 5:30 on the dot every afternoon, maybe one day feed at 6:30. Maybe another day at 5. Maybe even later in the evening on another day. Try to mix it up so that the dog isn’t expecting a meal at a specific time.

If switching up meal time does not work then try to incorporate a snack in between meals and prior to bedtime. Sometimes that will do the trick. If that does not help at all, try feeding a smaller meal in between the two regular meals.

If your dog is throwing up repeatedly throughout the day, and/or cannot keep food or water down, and/or is acting strange, please see your vet immediately.

My dog is not pooping as much, is this normal?

Yes, it is completely normal. Dogs that are on a raw diet actually absorb and use most of the protein being fed to them. Resulting in smaller, less frequent, less stinky stools! And it gets even better… you will notice that those smaller, less stinky poops will actually start turning white after 2-3 days and disintegrate! Now tell me if you ever saw THAT happen with your processed kibble stools!

I think my dog is constipated. He is straining to go to the bathroom and nothing is coming out. What do I do now?

Chances are that during your pet’s transition to raw, there will come a time where you will either find your pet constipated or having lose stools. If your pet is trying to go to the bathroom, and nothing is coming out, then the explanation for this is simple. You fed too much bone. Think of this correlation; bone to dogs is like fiber to humans. If you feed too much bone, your dog will be constipated. If your dog is not constipated but his stools are white and crumbly, then you are still feeding too much bone.

Ok, so you fed too much bone and now your pet is constipated. Now what? So the next step would be to give your dog a meal of boneless meats. The reason behind this is that you are trying to balance out all the extra bone you fed. If this does not help get your dog’s bowels moving, then your other option would be to fast your dog for 24 hours and allow his system to rest.

Another commonly suggested piece of advice would be to introduce some raw canned pumpkin into your dog’s diet. We don’t recommend this option unless every other option has failed to help. The reason why we try to steer away from pumpkin is because this resolves the symptom, but does not address the problem. Yes, pumpkin has a multi-purpose use in which it helps firm up loose stools. It also helps get the bowels moving when there is constipation. But ideally you want to help your pet by fixing the problem, rather than by addressing just the symptom of the problem.

My dog has diarrhea… What do I do?

Diarrhea, which is watery and loose stool, can occur during the beginning stages of raw. With some basic feeding changes it should go away within a day or two. Sometimes their stools might have some spots of bright red blood, which is nothing to rush to the vet for. This means the large intestine is irritated, especially if the dog has diarrhea or has been having a hard time going to the bathroom. It could also be caused by small scratches in the GI tract caused by very bony stools. Simply keep an eye on your dog and watch to see if it starts to go away with the next bowel movements.

When diarrhea occurs, there are a few things that you can do to help get your dog back to a normal stool.

1. Make sure you remove any skin and fat from what you are feeding

2. Feed more bone. Once the stool starts to firm up, start cutting down on the excess bone and resume normal feedings

3. Reduce the amount of food being offered. Overfeeding can shock the system and cause diarrhea!

If your dog is having diarrhea due to the introduction of a new protein or organ, simply go back to the last items you fed until a normal stool is established for a couple of days. Then slowly begin to introduce the new item again, but in very small amounts.

Exaggerate if you have to; introduce an amount the size of a dime. It does not matter how small it is, simply start with a tiny bit and every day double that tiny bit in size.

We also offer Luxolite Bentonite Clay which is a great supplement to have on hand.  You can use this for diarrhea or detoxing.  More information is available on the product page.