Don’t Freak Out—It’s Just a Different Shade of Dinner

Don’t Freak Out—It’s Just a Different Shade of Dinner

🥩 Why Your Raw Dog Food Looks Different Sometimes

(And Why That's Actually a Good Thing!)

Because Radowg is made with real meat, bones, and organs, you'll sometimes notice natural variations between batches—especially in colour or texture. This is completely normal, and it doesn't affect the safety or nutritional value of the food. In fact, it's a sign that we're using truly natural ingredients!

1. Different Animals = Different Shades

Even if it's all chicken, not all chickens look the same. Age, breed, and diet can influence the colour of muscle meat, fat, and organs. For example, older birds may have darker meat and yellow fat, while younger ones may look pinker or paler. This natural variation is actually what you'd expect from real, unprocessed meat.

Think of it this way: if humans all looked exactly the same, that would be pretty weird, right? Same goes for chickens!

2. Fresh vs. Previously Frozen Ingredients

Since we work in small batches, we might use fresh ingredients one time and previously frozen ingredients the next. Here's what to expect:

• Fresh ingredients tend to maintain their natural texture when frozen into your brick

• Previously frozen ingredients may create slightly different textures after you thaw your brick—some batches might feel softer, while others maintain a firmer consistency

Both are equally nutritious, and the freezing process actually helps preserve nutrients without compromising safety.

These texture changes can also affect how the food looks once thawed—softer textures might appear more uniform and smooth, while firmer textures could look more chunky or separated, but both are completely normal variations.

It’s kind of like reheating leftovers: still delicious, just might look a little different than when it was fresh out of the oven.

3. Oxidation Happens (And It's Normal!)

Exposure to air causes raw meat to oxidize and change colour slightly, especially red meats like beef or lamb. That's why the outside of a food brick might look darker, while the inside is still a brighter red or pink. This surface oxidation is completely safe and expected with natural, preservative-free food.

Think of it like how an apple browns when cut—it's a natural process that doesn't make the food unsafe.

Same goes for raw meat. No cause for panic. Unless you’re the apple.

4. Organ Intensity Varies

Organs can dramatically shift the colour of a blend, and even the same type of organ can look completely different from batch to batch. Liver colour, for example, depends on the animal's age, diet, health, and even stress levels before processing. A young, grass-fed lamb's liver might be a bright reddish-brown, while an older animal's liver could be deep burgundy or mahogany. Kidney colour varies based on similar factors, and tripe can range from pale cream to darker beige depending on what the animal was eating. Since we use whole-food organs from different sources, that natural variance shows up in the final mix, and your dog gets all the nutritional benefits of this variety.

Fun fact: Organs are basically nature's multivitamins, but unlike the synthetic ones, they come in designer colours!

Organs: the secret sauce behind wag-worthy meals.

5. Seasonal Shifts in Fat and Texture

Grass-fed beef in the winter might have different fat marbling than in the summer. Wild salmon caught later in the season can be leaner and paler. These changes reflect the natural rhythm of the animals' lives—and your dog benefits from that seasonal nutritional variety.

It’s like farm-to-bowl dining, but with a seasonal menu that changes naturally!

Next thing you know, your dog’s asking for wine pairings.

🐾 Did You Know?

Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors in their noses—compared to our measly 6 million. That means even if two Radowg batches smell nearly identical to you, your dog might pick up subtle differences and pause to investigate.

They're not being picky... they’re being connoisseurs.

It’s not just dinner—it’s a full olfactory experience, darling.

🐶 The Bottom Line: Variation = Quality

Unlike mass-produced kibble that uses artificial colours and preservatives to maintain uniform appearance, these natural variations are actually a sign of quality. When you see slight differences batch-to-batch, you're seeing proof that we use real, whole-food ingredients without synthetic additives.

Think of it as your dog's version of a craft beer—no two batches are exactly the same, and that's what makes it special!

Except this one’s made with liver instead of hops, and the hangover is just a happy tail wag.

If Your Dog Hesitates with a New Batch...

If your dog hesitates with a new-looking batch, it doesn't mean the food is bad—they might just be noticing the different appearance or smell, especially if they're sensitive or picky. Try:

✅ Adding a familiar topper or scent boost

✅ Using a lick mat or shallow plate to change the presentation

✅ Mixing it with a small amount of their previous batch to help with the transition

Some dogs are just snobby food critics with four legs and very strong opinions about presentation!

One paw raised, sniffing suspiciously... “Excuse me, I ordered this medium rare.”

Still no luck? We've got a whole guide to help with that. 👉 What to Do If Your Dog Won't Eat Their Raw Food

When to Be Concerned

While colour and texture variations are normal, there are a few signs that warrant attention:

❌ Strong, unpleasant odours that are different from the normal "meaty" smell (keep in mind that blends containing tripe or fish will naturally have a stronger, more pungent aroma—this is normal for these ingredients)

❌ Slimy or sticky texture

❌ Unusual mould or discoloration throughout (not just surface oxidation)

And of course—if anything ever seems truly off, we're here to help!

But most of the time?
It’s just a different shade of the same great food.

Let's call it batch personality. 🐾

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