Saydee's eating more and more of the NV raw medallions and less and less of the kibble/wet food combo. I'm finding she just likes it better, and she's healthy and shiny, and tear-stain-free so I'm going to run with it.

What process do you folks go through to de-thaw? I've been taking out the frozen medallions and keeping them in the refrigerator, serving them 24 hours later. The problem is that the meat is cold, sometimes even with ice crystals still. So now I've been setting it on the granite countertop for about 30 minutes before serving, which helps, but it's still doggone COLD. I've also done the ziploc baggie in water thing.

Saydee doesn't seem to be bothered by the cold meat, but I wonder if it's okay? If I warm it to room temperature on the counter or in a ziploc, is it okay? Or is it just breeding bacteria? It seems to me warming to room temperature could take an hour or more. Is it safe?

Hi Maya,

Beamer always eats his right out of the fridge, ice crystals and all.. lol
I don't think there is any point for it to be at room temp.
Also, when I give beamer his meaty bones to eat/chew, he gets them right out of the freezer! And he likey likey!

Ryan

I don't have my Hav yet, but I plan to feed raw, probably NV, when I do. I fed my yorkie raw for most of her life, though at the time I didn't know about the prepared raw food.

I have friends who eat only raw vegan, and there's a temp at which you can heat food that still preserves the enzymes, I want to say it's around 108 degrees, but google it to be sure. I would think you could probably put the medallion in the toaster oven or something for a few min., using a thermometer to check the temp until you know how long it takes at what setting to get a room temp or slightly warm/body temp medallion. It sounds like the warm water/baggie thing might work, but you are wasting a lot of plastic that way, plus I have heard heat and plastic means plastic leaches into the food.

Thanks Ryan, that's what I needed to hear. Despite the desire to warm her food, I feel better giving it to her cold because there's just less risk. And Saydee's like Beamer, she likey likey. Do you thaw for 24 hours? I'm curious if Daniel will chime in.

Petaluna-
The meat thermometer is a good suggestion, thanks. It would be nice to know the temperature that is still considered safe. I don't even use warm water with the baggie thing because I'm consumed by fear (JK). I do keep her medallions in a tiny bit of plastic wrap and then toss it when I'm done. I'm sure it's wasteful but it just feels cleaner.

When are you getting your new pup? Anytime soon?

Maya, His food is usually in the frezzer a good 12 hours before his first meal of the day, so yeah, those are more icy. But by the time dinner comes along, they seem totally defrosted. I've also done the baggie in the sink full of water a few times in the beginning. Once I made the water pretty hot by accident and it actually kinda cooked the medallions! lol..

I thaw beamers food in a ziplock baggie and place in the fridge. Yeah, I guess its wastefull.. errrr... but the deals at costo for ziplock bags are insane!!!!!!!!! I just cannot afford not to buy them!

Ryan

Oooh. Costco is my danger zone. I have a business credit card through them so I get cash back. It's like getting money for nothing! (NOT)

The plastic wrap I use comes from Costco in a giant roll. My husband laughs at me when I buy it but it lasts in our house for YEARS!

Maya, I would not let them thaw to room temperature. They should be cool to the touch. Of course I cook them, but that is a whole 'nother story

Thanks Missy. I appreciate the feedback. I don't know where I got the idea that it wasn't good for them to eat it cold. I read WAY too much. It all jumbles together after a while...

yup. I know been there, done that... (actually still doing it---LOL) at one point you just do what you know is best for you and saydee...until the next thing comes along

HA HA! Exactly.