Go-Raw has shops in Newport and Blackwood. They’ve answered some questions about the products and services they offer- along with a special offer of free delivery to NP44 postcodes.
Q. For those unfamiliar with raw feeding, what are the key benefits of a raw diet for dogs?
A. Raw feeding is all about giving dogs fresh, natural foods, things like raw meat, bones, and organs, instead of processed biscuits or kibble. People usually notice cleaner teeth, shinier coats, and smaller, less smelly poo pretty quickly. Dogs tend to have more energy and leaner muscle too since the food’s higher in protein and doesn’t have all the fillers.
It can also really help with certain allergies and sensitivities, and gives them something to really chew on which keeps them happy and mentally stimulated. The main thing is to make sure it’s balanced and handled safely but when done right, it can be a really healthy, natural way to feed your dog.
Q. What advice would you give to someone curious about switching their dog to a raw diet but unsure where to start?
A. I’d say start slow and do some research – we have a guide for dogs and cats on our website: https://go-raw.co.uk/guide/ Raw feeding can be great, but it’s important to understand what makes a balanced diet for dogs, they need the right mix of meat, bone, and organ, plus some vitamins and minerals.
Our guide gives a lot of advice on how to get started. A good first step is talking with a vet or a canine nutritionist who’s familiar with raw diets. They can help you figure out portions and make sure your dog’s getting everything they need. You can also start by adding small amounts of fresh food like raw meat or lightly cooked veg to their regular meals and see how they do.
Finally, make sure you’re handling the food safely. Treat it just like you would raw meat for yourself. Clean surfaces, wash hands, and store it properly in the fridge and freezer. Once you get into a routine, it becomes second nature, and most dogs absolutely love it.
Q. You stock a wide range of raw food brands – how do you choose which ones to offer, and what makes them stand out?
A. All the brands that we stock all have different properties, ingredients and features – some of our brands are very affordable such as Stobart Raw, one of our latest brands we’re stocking which makes for big bulk orders by using our Bulk Boxes, other brands have more premium, varying flavours and ingredients such as Dougies – great for treating your dogs to something really tasty!
Q. Beyond food, Go Raw offers a huge selection of accessories and supplements. What are some of the most popular items among your customers?
A. Toys are the next big thing that we sell a lot of – Our best selling brands are KONG and Bark – Kong is a beloved brand for all dog owners and Bark is a brilliant brand known for very tough and hard-wearing dog toys. We also sell a lot of natural dried treats – we have a Pick’a’Mix style shelf in our shops where you can choose any combination of nutritious treats!
Q. You also support puppy care and training – what kind of products do you recommend for new dog owners?
A. For puppies, we recommend a good-quality harness and lead, a comfy bed, and plenty of chew toys because puppies explore the world with their mouths! Interactive toys or puzzle feeders are great too as they keep young dogs busy and help with mental development. For training, high-value treats are brilliant, something small, soft, and really tasty. Baby gates or playpens help manage their space while they’re learning the ropes.
We have lots of different varieties of training treats, leads, collars, custom collar tags, milk replacer, mother dog health supplements, puppy supplements and goats milk for mother recovery after birth and feeding. We also supply VetBed bedding, specifically Non SLip & Puppy beds which are brilliant for soaking up any urine whilst looking after a litter of puppies or just for all dogs.
Q. How does your allergy testing service work, and how can it help pet owners better understand their dog’s health needs?
A. Our allergy testing service uses a trusted UK Lab where they analyse a few hair/fur strands from cats or dogs to determine hundreds of potential allergies or sensitivities using a traffic light system – green is okay, yellow is a potential sensitivity and red is a certain allergy/sensitivity. You can come in-store to our shops for a sample to be taken, or you can actually send us your sample by post!
You can order them on our shop: https://go-raw.co.uk/product-category/allergy-testing/
Q. You’re currently offering free delivery to NP44 – tell us more about that and why it’s a good deal.
A. We’ve started a promotional campaign for certain postcodes across our local delivery zones in South Wales and Bristol – sort of like a postcode lottery to reward local customers! This time we’ve chosen Cwmbran NP44, it could be any postcode next time!