Pet business expands with raw dog food on the menu

Two years ago, retired police officer Roxy Bird launched Happy Doggie with her husband Brian.

The Rennington-based venture has been a success and now the pair have branched out to edible products.

Launching Alnwick Raw Dog Food, the pair are supplying and stocking raw dog food for a company called Hungry Hounds, in Falkirk.

And Roxy is delighted to expand the business’s offerings.

She said: “The popularity of feeding a raw-food diet to our pets is on the increase.

“Feeding raw ensures a natural nutritionally-balanced diet for our pets. A raw-food diet is designed to mimic a dog’s natural ancestral menu.

“Dog and cat bodies are designed to digest and thrive on raw meat. They are carnivores and therefore eat meat, bones, skin, organs and other stomach contents.

“They would also feed on fruits, berries, herbs, grass and eggs if prey couldn’t be found.

“There are many benefits of a raw diet; firmer and smaller stools, improved digestion, healthier skin and coats, reduced allergy symptoms and better weight management, plus many more advantages.

“The down side is that it is not as convenient as kibble.”

Roxy’s belief in raw dog food is clear to see and she is talking from experience.

She said: “We have four dogs who have been on a raw diet for six years. They all thrive on this natural food, have no allergy issues, are a perfect weight with great coats and clear skin. Above all, they are happy and content. We are stockists of Hungry Hounds’ high-quality frozen food.

“Feeding raw is not difficult or unpleasant. It is minced and frozen into 1lb packs with a whole range of tastes, from chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, duck, tripe and salmon.”

For more information, visit the Alnwick Raw Dog Food Facebook page. There are step-by-step videos, pictures of the food and how to get started.

Alternatively, visit www.happydoggie.co.uk

Roxy clocked up 23 years of service in the local area with Northumbria Police. She has owned and trained her own dogs for the past 30 years so it seemed natural for her to start Happy Doggie.