INSPIRED BY DOGS, FOR DOGS

Matthew Robbins, far right, creator of CONGO RAW with members of his team
Congo Raw is one of many businesses inspired by animal companions.
When asked what made him get into the ‘raw’ business, Matthew Robbins shares a very emotional overview of how Congo Raw came to be:
The first of his four German-Shepherds, Heiko, became sick at around five years of age. Within three to four months, x-rays revealed cancer throughout the dog’s body. Matthew was not married and did not have children. Heiko was everything to him. Understandably upset, Matthew searched for answers, wanting to learn as much as possible. He feels he wasn’t educated enough at that time and didn’t know what questions he should have asked. Matthew felt helpless. He didn’t have a clue where, or what to start researching regarding the cause or treatment of this disease. There wasn’t much information or alternative options provided from the vets that treated Heiko. Upon discovering cancer, they automatically advised euthanasia.
Congo was Matthew’s second dog. Within a few weeks of having him, nine-month-old Congo developed a skin disease called Demodex. Matthew notes ‘we all have the little bugs on our bodies, however, this condition seriously compromises the immune system when these bugs, cover the entire body of a dog. It is similar to mange, in younger dogs.’
He didn’t have a good job back then and wasn’t earning enough money for excessive tests and treatments. Also, Matthew had just moved out on his own. His parents had kicked him out because he kept bringing dogs home.
Things looked like they were moving in the right direction for Congo and the companions started back on their exercise routine. Matthew used to compete in Schutzhund/IPO, a ‘protection’ sport commonly performed by German Shepherds. A healthy exercise regime was essential to his athletic dogs.
Congo was on antibiotics for the skin infection that occurred as a result and seemed to have recovered almost completely and appeared healthy. Matthew says,
I didn’t know this was going to kill him
Despite treatment, Congo’s health started to digress. His immune system shut down completely, and Matthew was left with no choice but to have his beloved Congo put down. Matthew was beside himself. Finally, he realized he needed to figure out a way, which would allow him to have more control over the health of his dogs. He had to be able to do something.
Nutrition is one thing I can control
Congo raw is available in Canada; in Ontario and more recently Winnipeg.
Matthew spends approximately seventy-five percent of his time on the road, delivering and speaking with his distributors. His team looks after production and fulfillment of orders at their warehouse in Newmarket, Ontario. Cosma is Matthew’s current dog who often greets customers at the warehouse.
Switching from kibble to a raw diet does not require a transition phase. Matthew suggests “Cold Turkey.” (ba da bing!)
‘If concerned, you can have an adult dog fast for twenty-four hours, providing plenty of water, before starting them on a raw diet; not full-size meals but small portions provided throughout the day initially.’
Henry and Reese did not fast – we switched them directly, and there were no issues.
Matthew does not encourage mixing kibble with raw as it does not digest the same.
My initial observation was that, although we seemed to serve a smaller portion of raw compared to kibble, Henry and Reese seemed satisfied with their meals, and I like the fact that there is more nutrition in a raw serving.
Matthew says, people can make their own food, but there is a fair bit to know; it is time-consuming to source quality proteins and organ meat, and you must be vigilant about cleaning the working area to avoid the spread of bacteria. And yes, it does cost more. It’s on par with high-quality kibble price wise but not nutritionally.
No one can convince me otherwise
Raw is far superior nutritionally as even the highest quality kibble loses nutritional value during the cooking process. It is the same with a human diet; raw vegetables are higher in vitamins and nutrients than steamed or cooked vegetables.
Matthew compares a raw diet to ‘clean eating’ for humans. We all know how we feel after a weekend of binge eating and a few too many drinks. Healthy eating affects our moods, our behavior and our ability to focus. This difference occurs in dogs as well. More obviously, in our dogs, we notice a healthy digestive system (the evidence gathered in little blue baggies), clean teeth, bright eyes, non-irritated skin, and shiny coats.
Raw food is frozen and not processed with preservatives to last longer.
Portion sizes may require refinement based on the amount of exercise, health issues such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, etc.
Typically an adult dog would consume two to three percent of their body weight daily in raw food
Twice a day? I asked
‘It’s up to you,’ is Matthew’s response. Although bloat and contortion are much less common in raw fed dogs, sporting dogs, active dogs and deep-chested dogs such as poodles, Danes, Shepherds are prone to the condition and twice daily meals are ideal for these dogs.
Lactating dogs, puppies, seniors, and dogs that are resting during recovery periods all require different amounts of food.
Types of protein:
We struggled with chicken and noticed a huge difference with Henry once we removed that from his diet.
There are also problems with beef, suggests Matthew. More so if you consider there is more chicken available on the market. Because chicken is readily available, and it has a lower price-point, it becomes over-used. It represents eighty-five percent of the proteins on the market, so the negative press is more apparent and not proportional. Dogs with issues may have developed a sensitivity to this protein because of overuse. Some dogs are unaffected.
Matthew suggests ‘if a protein is working well, keep that as a base and add another protein as a way to change things up.’ The primary protein should not constitute more than eighty percent of the meal. A second and even a third protein can be added to make up the remainder.
No one likes the stress of having to deal with illnesses in their dogs, and we are reluctant to change things when we find something that works. The best way to avoid development of sensitivities is to mix and change proteins. We should continue to search for ways to improve the nutritional health of our dogs.
Change is good. A new combination might not work the best for your dog. The dog will live but we want the dog to THRIVE and as pet owners, we should strive for better
If you become complacent, the next dog might fall into that same category. What works for one dog might not work for the next. Henry and Reese are fed different blends of protein.
By continuing to research and educate ourselves on what is available and the additives and ingredients in products, we are in control of our dog’s nutrition and the impact it has on them. By continuing to adjust their diet, we are better able to avoid the development of food sensitivities.
Matthew advises people to read the list of ingredients on the products they’re purchasing; organ meat is not in most kibble so it would appear they’re using a synthetic option as an alternative. There should not be an abundance of anything in products. Keep things simple – it shouldn’t be complicated.
Dogs are carnivores. It’s as simple as meat, bone, and organ.
Turkey, three different grades of chicken, and natural, antibiotic, and hormone free duck, beef tripe, and salmon are the proteins available from Congo Raw.
The CFIA claims that our food is hormone and antibiotic free. The corn fed cattle look like identical twins and show up at the slaughter houses riddled with hormones. They undergo a program a few months before slaughter, to deplete their systems of the antibiotics and hormones. I still believe there are trace amounts in their systems
I’m not comfortable with that says, Matthew. I want in writing from my suppliers; their livestock has not been treated with antibiotics and hormones so that when we make claims that we’re antibiotic and hormone free, we are guaranteeing that to our customers. For some manufacturers it’s about numbers; for us, it’s about quality.
The product at Congo Raw is frozen to minus eighteen degrees to keep bacteria at bay. The equipment is sanitized, and scalding hot water is used to clean and disinfect, between the production of each type of protein and for every machine. Matthew had the facility designed by a professional and equipped according to Ontario requirements for provincially inspected, human-grade production centres. Proteins are processed separately, one type and then another, to avoid contamination and chance of bacterial contamination.
Regarding storage of product at home, Matthew cautions:
‘Older freezers are not able to maintain a temperature of eighteen degrees or colder which, as noted above is necessary to keep bacteria at bay.’
Although the product can easily store up to a year, degradation and frostbite will occur after six months; a test carried out by Matthew, who states “This will not affect dogs – they don’t care.” Most people would purchase one or two boxes of product at a time which would be consumed well within a six month period.
Boxes contain fifty patties and bags contain eight patties. We purchase a box of Henry and Reese’s primary protein and bags of secondary (and tertiary, for Miss Reese).
It is not always necessary to thaw the product. In fact, we have found that using a ‘pupsicle’ slows Henry down – he doesn’t eat his meals as quickly. Frozen patties are also great for ‘teeth cleaning’ and cuts down the risk of spreading bacteria. Reese does not care for ‘frozen meals’ so for her we ensure that we take her meat out of the freezer and place it in a storage container in the fridge after serving one meal. Twelve hours later we find it to be the perfect consistency for her. If you want it completely thawed you can set it on a plate on your counter for an hour or so first or, in the fridge for twenty-four hours.
Matthew does not take issue with DIYer’s. He simply advises ‘do your research and use common sense.’ For example, keep the area clean from bacteria, so there is no chance of developing salmonella.
If people have the time and wish to prepare a raw diet for their dogs, that’s great!
Congo Raw manufactures products on a large scale and can offer their customers the convenience as well as nutritional advice and guidance. Especially for those unfamiliar and just starting out with raw food, and for those who do not have the time to prepare the meat on a smaller scale.
When meeting first-time customers, Matthew asks: What made you choose raw? Is your dog healthy and you just want to keep them healthy or is there concern about health issues? What are the dog’s age, breed, and activity level?
Portion sizes may need to be adjusted, and we can create protein combinations, but otherwise, we can determine a diet during this initial consultation.
Matthew claims, “I don’t know everything – I just want to help however I can. I can assist them with finding specialists if needed.”
It’s no longer a niche market. People aren’t choosing raw because their dogs are sick, they’re choosing it to keep them healthy. I no longer just see dogs that are older and on their death beds.
My clients want to provide high-quality, nutrition to their dogs. They are starting to realize this is something they can start from a young age to prevent illness
Thank you, Matthew, for sharing your story and educating us about a raw diet for dogs.
My dogs eat raw and some kibbles…. I might get rid of the kibbles and raw all together. My dogs are allergic to grain so that was one of the reasons for raw. Plus they love raw. Thats for the blog today!
Thank you Sharon for visiting. I’m sure your dogs will be happy to eat raw on a full-time basis.
OMG – this post had tears welling up in my eyes. Thank you so much, Sarah, for sharing Matthew’s story. Although Rodrigo’s health issues weren’t as severe, they were want spurred me to switching my dogs to raw and I’m so glad that I did.
Dog lovers can relate to this story and you did an amazing job of pulling Matthew’s love for his dogs and what he does in your interview.
Raw, in my opinion, is the best option for dogs and the more of us that write about it, the more people will see that. I now have friends who feed kibble, but they know that raw is best.
Great great great job. It isn’t often that a blog post gets me all misty eyed.
Thank you so very much Kimberly. I hope that means Rodrigo is doing better on the raw diet.
People will always have choices but you’re right, sharing information about our experience(s) will help them make informed decisions.
It sounds like a great option for feeding raw, and I love that the company is named after one of his dogs!
Indeed, a special tribute.
Yes, nutrition is something we CAN control. Thank you for sharing your insights and experience with us!
Thank you for visiting, Leanne.
I applaud Matthew for taking matters into his own hands, doing his research and starting his own business. I can’t imagine losing two pups so young. I hope Congo Raw takes off and does really well!
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Matthew is very passionate, not only about the health of his dogs, but that of his customer’s. Thank you for your comment.
I tried raw. Really REALLY tried. But it just did not take with my wee little one. He is only 3.5 pounds and so after refusing to eat for 2 days … I had to feed him. I prep his food and have studied what he needs for 6 years. He likes his food warm and he loves his vegetables and berries. Crazy but that is him. He also hates organ meat and bone so I have to use a freeze dried version and use it like you would parmesan cheese on your spaghetti. I tried raw in small bits, mixed in as a “treat” … it’s just a no go.
Plus when we are travelling overseas, flying, sailing etc. raw is dangerous without a fridge.
Sometimes it doesn’t. It’s great that you did your research and learned what does work for him.
Such an emotional story. I have never fed my dogs raw and I do believe that each and every dog needs to be treated and fed on an individual basis, and what works best for them. I wish Matthew all the best.
We could not agree more. It’s also crucial for people to do their research and know what ingredients are in the products they are feeding their animal companions. Glad you found something that works well for Miss Edie.
I have taken Layla off kibbles, and feed her only home cooked food, since doing it she is a different dog and her allergies are getting better. I will not give her any toxic anything anymore
Lucky Layla! My husband rarely gets home-cooked meals lol. I can toss a mean salad though!
This was a great post! I really felt like I learned a lot about raw diets, which have often left my head spinning with all of the information to learn and process!! I love the fact that Matthew took the initiative to start his own business. He’s clearly passionate, and that clearly comes across in this post!
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Thanks Sally, truly appreciated.
Everyone has their own reasons for what they choose for their pets, but it’s not always for everyone. Love Dolly
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You’re absolutely right, Dolly. It is important for people to do their research, read ingredient lists and try different products to determine what is best for their companions.
This is a very inspirational story, it’s great that Matthew was so inspired by his experiences that he created something that could help other dogs and their parents. Very interesting detail, thanks!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv them
Thank you Cathy.
That was a very interesting article. I can see how that type of food could benefit many dogs. The issue I have with raw diets is that it would take so much food to feed my three large active dogs and then it is price prohibitive. I do like the variety offered by Congo Raw.
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That would definitely be a lot of food!
Although I’m not feeding raw, I’m interested in reading about it.
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We tried Ricky (cat) on raw too. Surprisingly, he is not a fan of sushi and prefers kibble instead!
We have debated on switching so many times. Currently all of our dogs are healthy with their food, but I do love learning more about it.
You could try it for a few months to see the difference and if you aren’t convinced, switch back to what works for them now. That way, they’re less likely to become sensitive to their current food. Just a thought.
Mr. N eats raw but we started because he was so picky. It’s terrible how Matthew lost two dogs early. I’m glad it inspired him to make a difference though.
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There are many different reasons why dogs eat raw; preference is a good one 😉
I think it is great that Matthew is able to help other people keep their dogs healthy with Congo Raw. It sounds like a great company.
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Thanks Beth.
Hi Sadie,
I love coming across posts like this! Ones that promote a healthy raw diet for dogs. Of course it’s so sad to hear about Matthew’s losses.
I have 2 German Shepherds and switched to a 100% raw diet almost 4 years ago. I can’t even begin to name all the health issues they had. And besides spending a fortune monthly on vet endorsed food AND all the vet bills treating some or other ailment, it just broke my heart to watch them suffer.
I’ve been preparing their food at home since we switched. I had to switch vets too because I was told my dogs will die from eating a raw diet. 4 years later my dogs are thriving and we’ve added an extra pooch to the crew who was in a terrible state when she came to us.
Ironically, that vet who told me my dogs would die on a raw diet has closed his practice!
Thanks for sharing about this wonderful food and for creating awareness about the amazing health benefits of feeding our best friends a raw diet.
Rosemary
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Hi, Rosemary! Thank you for visiting our site and for sharing your experience.
Yes, it’s too bad there is such a divide when it comes to feeding raw. Our vet is not a fan because of the concern that some people are not ‘raw responsible.’ Meaning they don’t follow necessary precautions and some dogs end up with salmonella – very dangerous.
I’m so glad your dogs are doing well on the diet. We have had to change Henry’s proteins again and it seems to have helped.
So nice to hear from you.
Thank you for this article it was a very informative one. I do not give my dog raw food yet but, I have been considering making the switch for quite some time now. After going through your article, I am pretty convinced about making the transition. It was a good post indeed.
I’m glad I was able to help you make the decision, Adriana.
At least one of the only things associated with dogs we can control is your dogs diet, even though mine is a Labrador and always finding things she shouldn’t eat. Thank you for the great article, it has opened my eyes to the idea of raw food