Fresh Takes

Perspectives on all things fresh feeding

All 👉 Start Here Nutrition Food Safety Sourcing Tips & Tricks Health Recipes
Meat processing plant

We Don't Make Our Own Pet Food — Here's Why

Co-manufacturing doesn’t always mean you’re white-labeling someone else’s product with no oversight. Here’s the reality of what it means to partner with a co-manufacturer. ...
portioning raw pet food

How to Portion Raw Food for Small Pets

Is one package of food too much? Don’t throw out the extras, save them for later! We have some tips on portioning & prepping your...
Decorated bowl of raw pet food

Why is Raw Pet Food So Expensive

“We can get raw food for $2-3/lb, why is yours so expensive?" Most pet owners will never know the not-so-obvious ways that companies lower their...
package of pure viva on a food scale

Balancing Viva's Pure (Prey Model Raw) Formulas

If your pet is picky, has specific dietary needs, or you just enjoy making their meals, our Pure formulas may be a good fit. These...
dog ignoring a bowl of food

Tips & Tricks for Picky Eaters

Having trouble transitioning to a new food? Is your pet not chowing down like they usually do? Read on for some great tricks on helping...
Chicken being examined

Why Aren’t Raw Pet Food Companies Testing for Avian Influenza?

We all want to keep our pets safe from bird flu, so why aren’t all companies testing their food for it? ...
Cows on pasture

The Clean Sourcing Myth: Does Bacteria in Raw Come From Bad Sourcing?

One of the most common misconceptions in raw pet food is that clean sourcing can prevent pathogens. Let’s talk about when sourcing does and doesn’t...
pan searing meat

Can I Cook My Raw Pet Food?

To cook or not to cook. Read on to learn if, when, and how you can cook your pet's raw food. ...
test tubes on a lab bench

Comparing Kill Steps in Raw Pet Food: HPP, Bacteriophages, Lactic Acid, Probiotics & more

Let's dive into this secretive topic of the raw feeding world and take a look at what actually works. ...
Assortment of meats on a table

How Much You Should Feed on a Raw Diet: The Myth of the 2-3% Rule

Alright, you’ve done your research, decided on what to feed and NOW the question is: how much do you feed? ...
FDA sign

Explaining the FDA Zero Tolerance Policy: Can't Our Pets Handle Bacteria?

The FDA does not allow any pathogens to be present in raw pet foods. Aren't our pets able to handle bacteria? Is there a double...
Team Viva on one of our company trips

Welcome, Read Me First!

Hello world! Here's why we started this blog and what we hope you'll take away from it. ...