There are many ways to prepare your companion species appropriate raw meals. Once you have prepared a batch several times you will find your own tips and tricks to streamline and make preparation easiest for you.

 

 

Preparation Method #1 :Grinding

This preparation method is probably the easiest method.

 

Gather and Prepare:

The first step is too gather your materials and prep station. Below is a list of common things you may need:

• Grinder

-Grinders come in many styles including electrical powered and hand cranked. They come in a variety of prices and strengths. If you are grinding bone you definitely want one that is heavy duty. Grinders can be found at restaurant stores, some butcher shops and other specialty stores.

• Large Bowl

-A bowl is important for catching all of the ground ingredients out of the grinder

• Large Bucket

-If you are preparing large batches a large bucket like those found at a hardware store could come in handy compared to the large bowl mentioned above.

• Metal Kitchen Scale

-A metal kitchen scale preferably with a bowl will allow portioning ingredients by weight much easier.

• Storage containers

-Personally my companions’ meals are color coded in 4 oz capacity plastic containers, but you can use any storage containers that are freezer safe to store your companion’s meals. Some use glass containers, Tupperware containers, zip-loc baggies etc.

 

Don’t forget your ingredients for the batch!

 

You will also need your Recipe Card. This card will have all the information you need about the particular batch you are making. Place this card in an easily accessible place like taped to the cabinets above your head at eye level or on the refrigerator. This allows you to view the card without having to touch it with dirty hands. After you get a handle on preparing meals you may not even need a recipe card.

 

You may also want a Whiteboard Marker for labeling your meals once prepared.

 

Finally, you will need cleaning supplies. This can include:

• wipes

• sprays

• mops

• bleach

• hot water

• sponges

• scrub brushes

 

 

 

Step One

Weigh out all the ingredients needed according to your recipe card using the kitchen scale

 

Step Two

Put all ingredients through the grinder

 

Step Three

Add any bonuses by mixing it into the batch

 

Step Four

Portion out the ground mix into containers and label with a white board marker.

 

Step Five

Place storage containers in the freezer for maximum preservation.

 

Step Six

Clean!! This is one of the most important steps in the process. Although our companions can handle bacteria, humans are not as efficient at battling it. If you do not have a dishwasher, clean your cutting utensils, bowls and cutting board with hot water and soap or water and bleach solution. Disinfect the countertops and anything else meat juices may have been able to splash on such as cabinets, appliance surfaces or on the floor. Don’t forget about anything you may have touched like writing utensils, fridge handles etc. Finally, throw all the hand towels in the washer that you may have used to wipe or dry your hands with. By the end of your cleaning session, your kitchen should be the cleanest place in your home.

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Preparation Method #2: Chunked Mixture

This preparation method is probably the second easiest method.

 

Gather and Prepare

The first step is too gather your materials and prep station. Below is a list of common things you may need:

 

• Large Cutting Board

-You can easily obtain a large cutting board from a restaurant store or other store that sells bulk or unique kitchen supplies that you can’t normally purchase at a grocery store. Large cutting boards are perfect for keeping your prep station cleaner.

• Butcher’s Knife

-A sharp butchers knife will be essential for chunking your meat and chopping through bones

• Large Bowl

• Large Bucket

• Metal Kitchen Scale

• Storage containers

• Large spoon

-This will be used to mix all your ingredients together. A metal or plastic spoon is best as they are easy to clean. Select a spoon with a long handle and wide mouth.

 

You will also need your Recipe Card.

 

You may also want a Whiteboard Marker for labeling your meals once prepared.

 

Finally, you will need cleaning supplies for after preparations.

 

Step One

Weigh out all the ingredients needed according to your recipe card

 

Step Two

Chunk up your meat and organs in pieces large enough that your companion must chew their food. Put them all in the bucket and mix together with the large spoon.

 

Step Three

Add any bonuses by mixing it into the batch.

 

Step Four

Portion out the chunked mix into containers and label with the white board marker.

 

Step Five

Place storage containers in the freezer for maximum preservation.

 

Step Six

Clean!! This is one of the most important steps in the process. Our companions can handle bacteria, humans not so much. If you do not have a dishwasher, clean your cutting utensils, bowls and cutting board with hot water and soap, water and bleach solution etc. Disinfect the countertop and anything else meat juices may have been able to splash on such as cabinets, appliance surfaces or on the floor. Don’t forget about anything you may have touched like writing utensils, fridge handles etc. Finally, throw all the hand towels in the washer that you may have used to wipe or dry your hands with. By the end of your cleaning session, your kitchen should be the cleanest place in your home.

 

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Preparation Method #3 Franken Prey Portions

 

This preparation method is probably the most time consuming but most advantageous for your companions.

 

Gather and Prepare

The first step is too gather your materials and prep station. Below is a list of common things you may need

 

 

• Large Cutting Board

• Butcher’s Knife

• Metal Kitchen Scale

• Storage containers

 

 

Don’t forget your ingredients for the batch!

 

You will also need your Recipe Card and Whiteboard Marker for labeling your meals once prepared.

 

Finally, you will need cleaning supplies. This can include:

• wipes

• sprays

• mops

• bleach

• hot water

• sponges

• scrub brushes

 

Step One

Start off by chunking the ingredient you need the most of, often this is the meat ingredient. I typically first throw the total amount I need on the scale and weight that out, then chunk into smaller pieces.

 

Step Two

Divide the meat roughly into equal proportions based on your Recipe Card, divvy it into your storage containers

 

Step Three

Continue on to the next recipe ingredient and follow the same procedure illustrated above. Continue this process until you have portioned out all your ingredients and daily meals into the storage containers.

 

Step Four

Label each container especially if you have multiple pets or varying proteins.

 

Step Five

Place storage containers in the freezer for maximum preservation.

 

Step Six

Clean!! Clean your cutting utensils, bowls and cutting board with hot water and soap or a water and bleach solution. Disinfect the countertop and anything else meat juices may have been able to splash on such as cabinets, appliance surfaces or on the floor. Don’t forget about anything you may have touched like writing utensils, fridge handles or even hand towels.