Hunters Raw
Hunter’s Raw supply a wide range of raw dog food and a selection of natural treats and supplements.
We first met them back in 2021 when they had just moved onto the park. Today, I’m catching up with the owner and, resident nutritionist, Lucy.
Empowered by independence
“It’s been a transitional 12 months for Hunters Raw,” Lucy explained. “After parting company with the previous directors in May, I took over sole ownership. We celebrated our 5th year in business with a re-open day in July to announce the changes. Today, customers contacting us or visiting the shop will be greeted by me or Jackie, who has been with us for a few years now. Together, we want to ensure Hunter’s Raw truly serves and succeeds for our customers.”
There’s plenty of debate among veterinarians, pet nutritionists, and dog owners about the health benefits of a raw dog food diet. What does Lucy consider to be the common misconceptions?
The right advice
“We’ve heard from customers that some vets are against feeding dogs a raw diet as they commonly see dogs with stomach issues. Generally, we find that this is down to things like feeding the wrong type of bones or not switching food carefully enough. That’s why its really important to get the right advice from your supplier when you introduce your pet to a raw diet.”
Balance is key
“Additionally, it’s crucial to get the right balance for your dog. In the UK we are very lucky that we have a wide variety of suppliers so we can offer complete meal solutions. This means customers don’t have to mix their own ingredients if they don’t want to. In the US, it’s much harder as the food there isn’t complete and needs to be mixed. Popular dog shows like Crufts have seen a huge increase in raw food suppliers taking part. This is good news for our customers as even more choice is becoming available.”
Years of experience
“We pride ourselves on giving our customers solid advice, to meet the needs of their pet. This takes into consideration the breed, any health needs the animal might have, the customers lifestyle, and of course budget! Both Jackie and I have worked in the raw dog food industry for years and we are very knowledgeable about the stock we carry. We also practice what we preach! Our pets eat a raw food diet so we understand the customers perspective. Alongside the many nutrition courses we have learnt from, we also reference detail from a holistic behaviour course which looks at the effect of food on an animal’s behaviour.”
What’s the best way for dogs owners to find out more?
Making informed decisions
“Social media has been really useful to us in helping customers make informed decisions. For example, we regularly run Live Q&A sessions on Tik Tok. Dog owners have the chance to ask about raw dog food, its benefits, what approach to take and what might suit them the best. Additionally, we showcase some of the products that we stock and explain the benefits of using them. Customers can then either come into the shop for more information or buy products directly via or website. We deliver locally, covering Stokesley, Middlesbrough, Darlington, Redcar, Stockton & surrounding areas.”
What I found interesting about my visit was, even if your dog doesn’t eat a raw food diet, there are still plenty of things for them at Hunters Raw.
Support for health
“Dogs suffer from plenty of health issues,” said Lucy. “Certain breeds will be more susceptible than others. Such as German Shepherds, who commonly suffer with colitis and Labradors with arthritis. Therefore, we stock a wide range of herbal supplements to help with management of these ailments. This extra support can be mixed with raw food or kibble. Any dog owner will tell you that bad breath is common! So we also sell probiotics which can help with bad breath and improve gut health. Additionally, we stock raw honey which is really good for kennel cough and can also be used on wounds.”
And let’s not forget the fun stuff. I spotted an interesting looking item called Mud Daddy. Lucy explains.
On-the-go essentials
“Mud daddy is a portable dog cleaner. With detachable brushes. You fill it with water and when you’ve finished your muddy dog walk you can give your pooch a shower before they get back in the car! We also have paté, a wide variety of treats, licky mats, accessories and slow feeding bowls.”
What are you waiting for? Get down to Hunters Raw and stock up with plenty of goodies for your beloved pooches this Christmas! Let’s find out about their opening hours.
Easy to find
“We’re in a great location here on the Terry Dicken Business Park. It’s really easy to get to, and there’s plenty of free parking. We’re open from Mon – Fri 9.30 – 5.30pm and Sat 9am-5pm. Or you can visit our website.”
Hunters Raw can be found at Unit 30, Terry Dicken Industrial Estate, Stokesley, TS9 7AE (next door to Terry Dicken and opposite Ripping Yarns)
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