FAQ
Raw Dog Food Questions, Answered
Straight answers on raw feeding, our food and delivery. Pick a topic below. Can't find your question? Ask us.
- Human-grade ingredients
- Made in an OMAFA-inspected facility
- Delivered frozen by refrigerated truck
- 5.0 stars on Google
New to raw? Read the Feeding Guide
Getting started
Starting raw
The questions owners ask us most.
How much raw food should I feed my dog?
About 2–3% of your dog's ideal body weight a day. That's 0.8–1.2 lb for a 40 lb dog. Adjust every week or two by your dog's shape.
How long does it take to switch a dog to raw food?
About 10 days for most dogs. Go from 25% to 50% to 75% raw in 3-day steps, then all raw from day 10. A sensitive stomach may need about two weeks.
Which raw food should I start with?
Start with one poultry recipe. It's often the easiest place to begin. Feed only that recipe until stools are firm, then bring in a second protein.
Is raw dog food good for dogs?
For many dogs, yes. Raw gives them fresh protein and natural fat, without the starchy binders kibble needs. Every dog is different, so switch slowly and ask your vet about any health condition.
Is raw OK for puppies and seniors?
Ask your vet first for a puppy. Growing puppies need calcium and phosphorus in precise amounts. Many older dogs do well on raw when switched slowly.
Feeding help
Not sure which recipe or how much?
Tell us your dog's age, weight and activity. We'll suggest a starting recipe and a daily amount.
Ingredients
What's in our food
Sourcing, recipes and how we check them.
Where do your ingredients come from?
The same supply chains as food for people. That includes pasture-raised poultry, beef, pork and lamb from Ontario. All our poultry comes from Wild Meadows Farm.
Is your food really human-grade?
Yes. Every ingredient is approved for human consumption. Our food is made in an OMAFA-inspected Ontario facility that also prepares food for people.
What's in every meal?
Meat, bone, organs and produce, in the BARF split. That's 70% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ meat and 10% fruit and vegetables. Beef and lamb are bone-free.
Do you test your recipes?
Yes. A third-party Canadian lab tests each recipe's nutrient values. The guaranteed analysis on each product page, such as crude protein, comes from those tests.
- Every batch of a recipe uses the same blend of ingredients
- So its profile stays the same unless we change its protein mix
Do your recipes have grains, peas or potatoes?
No. None of our raw recipes has grains, peas, lentils or potatoes. The produce is broccoli, carrots and blueberries, plus a sea vegetable blend.
Is your food "complete and balanced"?
We don't claim it. It's a regulatory term tied to AAFCO nutrient profiles, which have no legal standing in Canada. Our recipes follow the BARF model, with no synthetic premixes.
Ordering and delivery
Ordering, delivery and pickup
Frozen food comes by refrigerated truck. Treats come by courier.
How is your food delivered?
Frozen, by refrigerated truck. No courier depots and no dry ice.
- Checkout shows your area's next delivery date. You can keep it or choose a later date
- Treats are shelf-stable, so they travel separately by courier
Do you deliver to my area?
Toronto and set regions across Ontario.
- Toronto: every postal code, any day Wednesday to Saturday
- The rest of the GTA and York Region: on set days
- Collingwood, The Blue Mountains and Thornbury: on set days
- Ottawa, Kingston, Windsor, London, Hamilton, Niagara, Waterloo and Durham: on set days
- Enter your postal code to see your day
Outside our area? Treats ship across Canada. Check your delivery day
When do I need to order by?
11:59 pm Sunday, Toronto time. We deliver on your area's day the following week.
How much is delivery?
Free on orders of $95 or more. Under $95, delivery is $15.
- Treats count toward the $95
- The $95 is your subtotal after any discounts
Can I pick up my order?
Yes, at two of our partners.
- Abernant Veterinary Hospital in Stayner, for in-clinic pickup
- Di Liso's Fine Meats in Toronto's St. Lawrence Market: free, with no minimum
- There's no pickup at our Aurora storage
How do treats ship?
By courier, across Canada.
- Freeze-dried treats are shelf-stable
- They ship by UPS, Canada Post or Purolator
- You'll see the shipping cost at checkout
What is your return policy?
You have 60 days, at no charge.
- No return fees and no restocking fees
- Email us before you return or throw anything away
- Approved refunds go to your original payment within 10 business days
Feeding
Feeding every day
Cost, kibble and settling in.
What does raw dog food cost per day?
It depends on your dog's size and the recipe. For a 40 lb dog, Pure Blend Chicken works out to about $5.20–$7.80 a day.
Can I mix raw and kibble?
Yes, many owners feed both. Keep the total the same: whatever kibble you feed comes off the raw portion.
My dog has loose stools after switching. What should I do?
Slow down. Go back to the last mix that suited your dog, and stay there a few more days. Call your vet if diarrhea lasts more than a day.
Handling raw food
Thawing, storing and safety
Keep it frozen, thaw it in the fridge, handle it like raw meat.
How do I thaw raw dog food?
In the fridge, starting the night before. A 1 lb pack takes about 12 hours. Never thaw it on the counter.
How long does thawed food keep?
1–2 days in the fridge, like any ground meat from the grocery store. Thaw only what your dog will eat in that time, and don't re-freeze it.
Can I cook or warm the food?
Only our beef and lamb recipes. The Big Beef and Lamb-Tastic are bone-free and can be delicately cooked. All our other recipes contain bone and must never be cooked: serve them raw, fully thawed, straight from the fridge.
Is raw feeding safe? What about bacteria?
We make it to the same standards as food for people, and keep it frozen until it reaches you. Like any raw meat, it needs careful handling: thaw it in the fridge, and wash hands, bowls and counters after serving.
About us
Who we are
Who we are, where we are and how to reach us.
Who owns Carnevore Mountain?
Vivienne Cristofari, since September 2023. A butcher, Johnny Di Benedetto, founded the company. We're family-owned.
Where are you based?
Collingwood, Ontario. Our food is made in an OMAFA-inspected Ontario facility and stored in Aurora. The Aurora storage has no pickup.
Do you give back?
Yes, especially to pets in need.
- We're a partner of the Georgian Triangle Humane Society
- We've donated $75,000 in cash to GTHS
- At Ruff Mudder, 50% of our treat sales went to the Farley Foundation
Do you have raw food for cats?
Yes. We have raw cat food and cat treats too.
How do I reach you?
Email or call us, or send a message.
- Email: info@carnevoremountain.com
- Phone, Toronto: (416) 971-6270
- Phone, Collingwood: (705) 467-0609
Still have a question?
Ask us anything.
Tell us about your dog. We'll help you get started.
- Human-grade ingredients
- OMAFA-inspected facility
- Available at Abernant Veterinary Hospital
- Delivered frozen