Summer is full of beach mornings, road trips, and backyard barbies. It also brings high temps that can challenge the safety of raw meals for your pets. With a few simple habits, you can keep every bowl safe and delicious. In this guide, you will find practical tips for storage, thawing, and serving in the heat; travel advice for holiday road trips; and an easy overview of how our cold-chain delivery and optional Thermal Insulation add-ons protect food quality. We will also share gentle product pointers for hydration and enrichment so your beloved companions stay comfortable on sweltering days.
Heat-safe basics: how to keep raw pet food safe in hot weather
Warm weather speeds up bacterial growth. A little planning goes a long way.
- Store frozen on arrival. Pop deliveries straight into the freezer. Keep a few serves in the fridge only when you plan to use them within a couple of days.
- Thaw slowly in the fridge. Move portions from freezer to fridge the night before. Keep raw food below 5°C for safety.
- Use shallow containers. Thaw and store in a sealed, shallow container to help the centre chill evenly.
- Serve small, fresh portions. Only put out what your pet will eat in 15 to 20 minutes. Discard leftovers that have been sitting at room temperature.
- Keep bowls cool and clean. Use stainless steel bowls, rinse with cold water before serving, and wash with hot soapy water after each meal.
- Avoid benchtop thawing. Do not thaw on the counter or in the sun. If you need to speed things up, use the fridge or a sealed bag in cold water in the sink, then serve right away.
- Rotate proteins for freshness and balance. A varied protein mix supports nutrition and helps you cycle through stock efficiently.
If you are new to raw feeding, complete and balanced options such as barf dog food take the guesswork out of summer nutrition while you perfect your warm-weather routine.
Thawing and serving schedule for hot days
A simple schedule keeps things smooth:
- Evening: Move tomorrow’s portions from the freezer to the fridge.
- Morning: Serve the breakfast portion straight from the fridge-chilled container.
- Midday: If the house gets hot, place the dinner portion at the back of the fridge where it is coldest.
- Evening: Serve dinner, wash bowls, and move the next day’s portions to the fridge.
Tip: Split larger rolls into single-meal amounts on a cooler evening, then refreeze immediately. This helps you thaw only what you need.
Summer travel: can you take raw food on holiday?
Yes, you can travel with raw meals during the holidays with the right setup.
- Pack a cooler like a pro. Pre-chill your esky and add plenty of ice bricks. Frozen portions act as extra ice.
- Layer for longer chill time. Ice bricks on the bottom, then frozen meals, then more bricks on top. Fill gaps with tea towels to reduce warm air pockets.
- Keep it closed and shaded. Open the cooler only when needed. Store it in the footwell or cabin out of direct sun.
- Ask accommodations about freezers. Many pet-friendly hotels can freeze your ice bricks overnight and offer freezer space. Ask in advance, and label your containers.
- Use portions, not bulk. Pre-portion single meals so you can thaw exactly what you need each day.
- Clean on the go. Pack a small cutting board, sealed containers, biodegradable wipes, and dish soap for quick clean-ups.
For long drives and delivery days when you may not be home, you can add Thermal Insulation to your order for extra chill time. Thermal Insulation helps keep meals cooler for longer during transit and once they arrive, giving you more flexibility around delivery windows and travel. We offer Thermal Insulation to boost chill time in transit and at your door.
Hydration helpers: what products support pets in summer?
Hydration matters just as much as temperature control. A few easy additions can help:
- Bone broth topper. A splash of gentle bone broth over meals encourages drinking and supports digestion. You can freeze broth into ice cubes for a cooling treat.
- Fish-forward rotation. Include fish-based options a few times per week for skin and coat support. Our customers love the variety of dog food fish based meals for shiny coats. If your pet enjoys fish flavours, rawdog food fish can be a welcome change.
- Water-rich meal habits. Serve meals at fridge-cool temperature, not warm. Offer fresh water in multiple bowls. For cats, try wide bowls and gentle fountains to entice sipping.
Always introduce new toppers slowly, especially in the heat, and watch stools for any signs of sensitivity.
Enrichment on sweltering days: keep minds busy and bodies calm
On very hot afternoons, choose cool, low-exertion activities:
- Chilled chews. Offer a safe raw meaty bone that has been slightly chilled in the fridge for a soothing chew. Options like marrow bone or beef brisket bones for dogs are popular for enrichment and dental care.
- Frozen lick mats. Spread a thin layer of raw mix or broth on a lick mat and freeze. Supervise during use, and clean thoroughly after.
- Short, shaded sniffaris. Replace intense exercise with slow, scent-focused wanderings at dawn or dusk.
Always match bone size and density to your pet, supervise chewing, and follow your vet’s guidance for your pet’s specific needs.
How our refrigerated delivery protects food quality
We take cold-chain integrity seriously, especially in summer.
- Temperature-controlled vehicles. Your order stays chilled from our freezers to your door. Customers often report boxes arriving fully frozen and in great condition.
- Insulated packaging. We pack meals in airtight wraps to slow temperature change.
- Delivery communications. You will receive day-before and same-day texts with tracking links and a delivery window so you can plan fridge or freezer time.
- Optional Thermal Insulation. Add Thermal Insulation to extend chill time at your door if you may be out or if the day is extra hot.
If you prefer set-and-forget, our Auto Delivery gives 5% off every product, flexible scheduling, and the ability to skip, pause, or reschedule around holiday closures. Use the postcode checker on our site to confirm delivery days in your area.
Planning around holidays: never get caught short
A little prep avoids last-minute scrambles when shops close:
- Map your meals. Count how many portions you need for the holidays, then add a small buffer for guests or unexpected delays.
- Book earlier delivery. Choose a delivery date a few days before travel or closures, then store portions in the bottom-back of your freezer where it is coldest.
- Use Auto Delivery. Set your frequency to land just before you leave. You can pause or skip the next cycle from your account if plans change.
- Add Thermal Insulation if you cannot be home. This offers extra chill time at the door while you are out doing final errands.
Cat and dog specifics
Dogs: Balance complete BARF meals with the right raw meaty bones for your dog’s size. For young pups, choose gentle options and keep chew sessions short. If you are exploring balanced formulas, barf petfood offers a convenient starting point.
Cats: Keep portions small and fresh. Many cats prefer lightly chilled meals. To explore feline options, browse organic food for cats to find species-appropriate selections.
Quick safety checklist for hot days
- Keep raw food below 5°C until serving.
- Thaw in the fridge, not on the bench.
- Serve small amounts; discard leftovers after 20 minutes.
- Wash bowls and prep tools after every meal.
- Travel with a pre-chilled cooler and plenty of ice bricks.
- Use Thermal Insulation on delivery days when you need extra time.
Gentle product pointers
- Rotate fish options for coat shine and variety.
- Add bone broth for hydration support.
- Choose the right raw meaty bones for calming enrichment, always supervised and size-appropriate.
If you are building a mixed plan, browse raw pet food for a wide range of complete meals, bones, and toppers that suit different ages and sensitivities.
Summary: a cool, safe summer for every bowl
With fridge-first thawing, quick serving, and a well-packed cooler, you can keep raw meals safe through the hottest months. Our refrigerated delivery and optional Thermal Insulation help protect food quality from our freezers to your doorstep, while Auto Delivery makes timing easy around holidays. Add hydrating touches like bone broth, rotate in fish options, and pick size-appropriate bones for calm enrichment on heatwave days. New to Happy Paws Pet Food? You can use HAPPYPET15 at checkout for a friendly first-order saving. Here is to a happy, healthy, and well-fed summer for your best mate.