text: THE CLAWS AND EFFECT DIET
  Claws and Effect is based off the prey model raw feeding principle. We believe that cats and dogs are carnivores and are not biologically designed to digest fruits and vegetables. A prey model raw diet provides all the vitamins and minerals that cats and dogs need to thrive and flourish.
  Commercial diets often include plant-based ingredients for two reasons: (1) plant-based ingredients are cheaper; and (2) plant-based ingredients give the illusion that you are feeding your beloved pets healthy ingredients.
  That said, we do recommend our human friends to include more fruits and vegetables in their daily diet!
  Absolutely not! Our food is meant to be served raw and should not be cooked. Our food contains bones that may splinter and damage the stomach and intestines of your pets when cooked. Raw, meaty bones do not splinter and provide your pets with endless entertainment and health benefits such as digestible minerals, stronger jaws and healthy bowel movements.
  A species appropriate diet is the sum of foods that a species is biologically designed to eat. For example:
  - Mice form part of a species-appropriate diet for a snake, but berries and kale do not.
  - Fresh hay and vegetables form a species-appropriate diet for a rabbit, but eggs and meat do not.
  Our domestic cats and dogs have the anatomy of carnivores (sharp teeth and short intestinal tracts), and are designed to metabolise raw meat.
  A prey model raw diet is the imitation of our domestic carnivores’ natural diets, to provide optimal nutrition as closely as possible to how they have evolved to thrive in the wild over thousands of years. Human pet owners try to replicate the diet by feeding minimally processed meat cuts, organs, tendons, fat, bone and blood of either wild prey or commercially-raised domestic meat animals to mimic the feeding of whole prey animals over time. A prey model raw diet involves feeding a variety of cuts from a variety of animals to provide a more balanced and nutritious diet for our carnivorous pets. Where possible, feeding whole prey is recommended. Whole prey includes the head, feet, innards, fur or feathers of wild game or commercially-raised domestic meat animals.
  ALL of them! We strongly recommend pet owners to practise protein rotation for their beloved cats and dogs to:
  - provide a more nutritionally balanced diet
  - reduce chances of protein intolerance
  - mentally and physically stimulate your pet through changes in food
  - entertain yourself as you watch your pet investigate and tackle new food
  If you are looking for a recommendation as a beginner to switch your pet cat or dog to a raw diet, we recommend starting with our Chicken and Beef for a mild and bland protein with easily consumed and digestible bone.
  Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements based on their origins.
  Dogs are facultive carnivores and descended from wolves, which form packs that thrive on large prey. Red meat from large ungulates such as cattle, sheep, deer and kangaroo are the most species-appropriate for dogs. The general guideline used by raw dog feeders is 80/10/5/5 – that is 80% meat, fat and skin, 10% bone, 5% liver and 5% other secreting organ – based on the rough average of the canine prey diet percentages.
  Cats are obligate carnivores and descended from the African wildcats, which are small solitary hunters of smaller prey. However, as small domestically raised meat animals can be deficient in taurine today due to lack of exercise, we recommend feeding red meat from larger animals as well to provide cats with a rich source of taurine. The general guideline used by raw cat feeders, modified from the original canine guideline, is 83/7/5/5 – that is 83% meat, fat and skin, 7% bone, 5% liver and 5% other secreting organ – to account for the lighter-boned small prey.
  The toughest part is always at the beginning! We recommend a cold-turkey switch, instead of a gradual transition.
  You will find some cats and dogs diving into raw straight away, while tough love may be necessary for fussy eaters. You may choose to opt for our customised meal plans for a start, or feed one of our complete grinds before introducing whole meat cuts into their diets.
  We recommend feeding 2 to 4% of your pet’s body weight, depending on the animal’s age, breed, weight goals and activity level. Every animal is different, and the feeding amounts should be adjusted according to the individual’s needs.
  Puppies should be fed about 2 to 4% of their ideal adult weight (estimated). We recommend feeding smaller portions over several times per day. Smaller/ toy breed dogs typically require more than the recommended feeding percentage.
  Kittens are hungry monsters and should be allowed to eat as much as they can or need. These young ones are at a stage of growth and should not be restricted in their food intake. We also recommend feeding smaller portions over several times per day.
  A few issues with feeding dry kibble or any other highly processed commercial pet food include, but are not limited to:
  - Use of meat products unfit for human consumption, including 4-D meats (meat from dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals), and other unidentifiable ingredients;
  - Low water content or high sodium content, leading to chronic dehydration;
  - High carbohydrate content, which promotes bacterial and fungal growth, fat rancidity and storage mite infestation during storage;
  - Use of indigestible plant-based protein instead of bioavailable animal-based protein, providing ideal breeding grounds for bacteria in the mouth and digestive tract;
  - Cooked or rendered for long periods of time at high temperatures, resulting in alteration and destruction of nutrients; and
  - Addition of synthetic supplements, which taxes the organ systems over time.
  Our Claws and Effect diet is superior for a few reasons:
  - Use of AVA-approved, restaurant-grade meats in balanced ratios to meet the nutritional needs of your pet;
  - Transparent ingredient list (for the control freak in us);
  - Minimally processed to maximise digestibility and absorption of nutrition; and
  - Topped off with soy-free deep sea fish oil to provide the correct balance of Omega-3s and Omega-6s.
  Yes, we are happy to work with you to provide the best for your pets. Please write to us at email@example.com for more details.
  Thank you for doing your part in promoting animal welfare and saving the environment! However, we urge you to put your personal ethical concerns aside to do the best for the carnivorous pets you choose to own. Cats and dogs thrive best under a species-appropriate raw diet, and vegan diets are likely to be detrimental to their health (especially cats). If you feel queasy about touching and chopping meat, we highly recommend that you purchase our products to let us do the work for you (simply thaw and feed!)
  Should you be insistent in both keeping a pet and having a meat-free household, we highly encourage you to keep a pet rabbit instead.
  No, raw feeding does not turn your pet “bloodthirsty”. Much depends on the personality of and training received by your pets. An animal with a high prey drive will always want to chase after and kill small animals, even on a kibble diet. In fact, a balanced raw diet that meets the nutritional needs of your pet is likely to result in a happier and livelier animal who is less likely to act out. We have seen hundreds of raw fed cats and dogs who not only live harmoniously among smaller animals, but also take it upon themselves to become the guardian and protector of their smaller housemates.
  Read here for more!
  No, the chances of your pet contracting salmonella poisoning are very low. Cats and dogs regularly become carriers of Salmonella, and may shed Salmonella and other bacteria in their stools without displaying any symptoms of Salmonella infection.
  Your pet, however, may be susceptible to Salmonella and other bacteria if your pet has a suppressed or compromised immune system. A balanced raw diet helps to build a strong immune system and maintain healthy gut flora, keeping your pets safe from disease-causing pathogens, including Salmonella.
  The bigger concern is to keep humans safe from Salmonella when feeding raw. As the usual route of Salmonella infection is faecal-oral, exercise basic hygiene and practise some common sense: do not eat your cat or dog’s poop, wash your hands and keep surfaces clean.
  Do you remember seeing your dog sneaking in an extra poop snack? Or your cat assuming that impossibly flexible yoga pose to lick their genitals? Dogs and cats did not evolve to eat sterile food and are naturally resistant towards bacteria:
  - Their saliva has antibacterial properties;
  - Their stomach is highly acidic and kills bacteria that have escaped the antibacterial agents in the saliva;
  - The short digestive tract is designed to push through food and bacteria quickly without giving bacteria time to colonise.
  All foods contain some degree of risk. Raw meat can be contaminated with bacteria, but dry kibble is often made of meat products not fit for human consumption and is contaminated with bacteria or other disease-causing mould. Bacteria is everywhere. Feeding a complete and balanced raw diet to our pets (read: species-appropriate, bioavailable and highly digestible) builds a strong immune system and promotes the growth of healthy intestinal flora, allowing the animal to fight infections by external pathogens and prevent the overgrowth of potentially pathogenic organisms.
  To ensure your own safety when feeding raw, exercise basic hygiene and practise some common sense: do not eat your cat or dog’s poop, wash your hands and keep surfaces clean.
  PET HEALTH AND BEHAVIOUR
  Every living creature appears to be fine until outward symptoms of a disease are exhibited. Everyone was fine until they became sick. At Claws and Effect, we believe diet to be the cornerstone of good health for all living things (whether cat, dog or human). A species-appropriate diet is highly digestible, and prevents taxing their organ systems in the long run through chronic dehydration or synthetic supplements.
  Prevention is better than cure, and often very much cheaper. Our prices are on par with or even more affordable than some of the premium, “good quality” kibble on the market, and certainly cheaper than extensive medical intervention.
  Yes. As raw, unenhanced meat is high in moisture and low in sodium, our pets are able to obtain water from their diet and drink less water as a result. Dry kibble, on the other hand, has little water content, thus, dogs on a kibble diet tend to become thirsty more often and drink larger amounts of water. Furthermore, a kibble diet often causes cats to suffer from dehydration in the long run, as cats do not have a natural thirst drive and are biologically designed to obtain their water from food.
  Yes, raw fed cats and dogs are expected to produce smaller poops and poop less often on a highly bioavailable raw diet. Most of the raw meat are absorbed and metabolised by the animal, resulting in smaller, less frequent and less odorous stools.
  Some pets may experience watery and loose stools during the beginning stages of switching to a raw diet. These symptoms should go away after a day or two, with some basic feeding changes. Here are a few things you can do to help your pet:
  - Removing skin and fat from the meat cuts
  - Feeding more bone to firm up the stool
  - Reducing the amount of food being offered
  - Feeding some probiotics or slippery elm bark powder
  Introducing a new protein too quickly may also lead to loose stools. Simply go back to feeding the previous protein until a normal stool is established for a few days, then begin to introduce the new item again in small amounts.
  Do note that loose stools are not diarrhoea. Diarrhoea refer to the urge to defecate four or more times in one day, with liquid stools, and the inability to hold it in. Loose stools refer to soft, watery stools that occur in the normal frequency of a bowel movement. Monitor your pet and exercise good judgment. If your pet appears unwell and have persistent and chronic bouts of diarrhoea, we encourage you to consult your veterinarian and perform a stool sample analysis.
  Please contact us at 9622 4016 or firstname.lastname@example.org within an hour for any changes you wish to make to your order. We may, in our sole discretion, allow for amendment or cancellation of your order.
  If you spot an error in your shipping details, please contact us at 9622 4016 or email@example.com to rectify the error immediately.
  You are liable for any re-delivery fees incurred in the event of an unsuccessful delivery due to errors in your personal data.
  Your order should reach you in 3 to 5 working days, or on the stipulated delivery date that you have opted for during check-out.
  In the event of any delays, we will be in touch to update you.
  Yes, we do! Please write to us at firstname.lastname@example.org for more details.
  We are extremely sorry for the error on our part. Please write to us at email@example.com within 7 calendar days of receiving your order with the following information:
  - Your order number;
  - The name/ product code of the defective or incorrect item; and
  - Photograph of the defective or incorrect item.
  We will be in contact with you shortly to advise on the next steps of getting a replacement to you.
  Please do a quick check through your email inbox to see if we have reached out to you on the unavailability of any products in your order. A refund will be processed, and you will not be charged for any unavailable products in your order.
  If you have not received any notice from us, please write to us at firstname.lastname@example.org within 7 calendar days of receiving your order with the following information:
  - Your order number; and
  - The name/ product code of the missing item.
  We will be in contact with you shortly to assist you on the next steps.
  POINTS AND REWARDS
  Here are some ways for you to receive more Points (= $ saved) for use on your next purchase after you have created an account with us:
  1. Make a purchase on our website
  Every dollar spent on our site or store earns you 1 Point.
  2. Leave a Facebook or Google review
  Once you’ve left a review for us, do email us at email@example.com with your Claws & Effect username and a screenshot of your review. We will update your Points balance within 1 to 3 working days.
  3. Refer a Friend
  Earn 500 Points when your friend makes a purchase on our site or store! Have your friend include your Claws & Effect username in their “Order Notes” upon check out, and we will update your Points balance within 1 to 3 working days.
  Earn instant rebate points with every purchase! Every dollar spent on our store earns you 1 point!
  Every 100 points earned entitles you to $1 off your next purchase.
  For example, a purchase of $100 will earn you 100 points, which gives you $1 off your next purchase.
  Your Points expire 12 months from the time they are accumulated.
  For example, 68 points earned on 25 January 2019 will expire and be automatically deducted from your account on 24 January 2020.
  For online purchases, we accept the following modes of payment:
  - PayPal; and
  - Pay Now.
  For in-store purchases, we accept cash in local currency (SGD) and Pay Now.
  For Pay Now, please make the payment and notify us within 24 hours from the issue of the order invoice. Orders will be automatically cancelled without prior notice if payment is not received within the stipulated time.
  - Free tracked package delivery for purchases of temperature-insensitive products (e.g. air-dried treats, supplements) above $45: Delivers within 4 working days upon dispatch.
  - Tracked package delivery for all purchases of temperature-insensitive products below $45: S$2.00 per order. Delivers within 4 working days upon dispatch.
  - Free courier delivery for all purchases above $100: Delivers on Monday to Friday (7 to 10:30 PM) and Saturday (3 to 7 PM).
  - Courier delivery for all purchases below $100: $10.00 per order. Delivers on Monday to Friday (7 to 10:30 PM) and Saturday (3 to 7 PM).
  - Self-collection at our local kitchen during our opening hours.
  We accept walk-in purchases for all available products. Please contact us to confirm the availability of our products before dropping by.
  We deliver to all addresses within mainland Singapore and Sentosa Island, except army camps and most of the other islands in Singapore.
  If you would like to change your date of delivery, please contact us at 9622 4016 or firstname.lastname@example.org. We may, at our sole discretion, allow you to change your date of delivery.
  You are liable for any re-delivery fees incurred in the event of an unsuccessful delivery due to errors in your personal data.
  For SmartPac deliveries, the parcel will be delivered to your letterbox and the delivery note will be signed by the postman. If the letterbox is too small and/or full, the postman will issue a delivery advice into your letterbox. You can arrange for a collection of SmartPac at the Post Office indicated on the advice within ten (10) working days from the date of the first delivery advice.
  For courier deliveries, our drivers will attempt to contact you if nobody appears to be home at the time of delivery. You may request for our drivers to drop the parcel off at your door (option given during checkout) if you are unable to receive the order at the time of delivery. We will do our best to place the parcel somewhere inconspicuous and secure. We advise that you retrieve the parcel within an hour to ensure the integrity of the frozen products. We further encourage you to leave a cooler bag or box outside your door for our drivers to better store the products in your absence.
  Please ensure that our drivers have access to your unit for delivery. Our drivers will wait a maximum of 5 minutes before continuing on their assigned delivery route of the day.
  If no one is at home to receive the parcel or our drivers are unable to access your unit (in the case of private residences), our drivers will return your parcel to our kitchen. You may arrange for a redelivery at a fee of S$15.00, or opt to self-collect at our kitchen. We reserve the right to dispose of your parcel within 30 days of non-delivery.