OUR STORY

Hola! I’m Xilo and here’s what inspired me to start my business, Raw Instincts.

In October of 2019, my husband Ryan and I adopted Ziggy, a Shiba Inu. While we were so excited to have a new member of the family it was a big struggle to find ways for him to eat his nutrients. We tried multiple methods suggested by the vet such as fasting and changing the food brands. It was now three weeks into having him in our home and we were so desperate and worried about his health. Ziggy would refuse to eat anything. Shortly after, my sister recommended we try a raw diet for Ziggy but we were hesitant like most people. We decided to then consult with our vet for their opinion and they also thought it was not a good idea they recommended putting Ziggy (a puppy at the time) on medication and treatment. At this point, we had tried everything and through we wanted to stay on an organic path for our puppy and decided to not put him on treatment but try something else.

We decided to then approach Ziggy with cooked whole food by a local company. To our surprise the instant we offered the meal to Ziggy he had devoured his plate! We thought it really possible that kibble food was not a good option for dogs in general? Why would Ziggy reject it so much? We thought the problem was solved until three months later Ziggy's paws were turning red and were very itchy. We went back to the vet to do an allergy test and it turned out it was “environmental allergies”. Come to find out he was allergic to the grass, pollen, and other things that aggravated his skin and paws due to the heat. At this point, we now had tried multiple things and were concerned for his long-term health. We came across raw meals for dogs and decided to educate ourselves on it. After much research, we decided to switch to the RAW  diet followed by what is called The Prey Model Raw (PMR) diet. This type of nutrient mimics what is called Whole Prey which is the diet they would eat if they were in the wild.

We felt pressured by the vet to start him on the original treatment they suggested so we had Ziggy fast for 24hrs and just went straight to raw food. And, just like that, his bowel movements and skin were back to normal. Not to mention, he also stopped drinking so much water. I was concerned at first but it turns out that when dogs are on kibble they have to supply 2-3x more water for their bodies to process the food. Therefore, it was not a hydration issue. I soon began to realize that his teeth were cleaner, his coat was shinier and softer, in just the first few weeks of being on raw food! It was incredible to see the drastic positive changes for Ziggy. A month later, we took him back to the vet for blood work without mentioning the chance of diet and everything came out even better than before. Ziggy could not be any healthier and we are so happy we made the jump to try something new that ended up benefiting his health long term.

Today, as we know dogs just like humans suffer from allergies and the common root issue is inflammation of the body. What we put into our bodies as humans is as important to what we feed our furry loved ones. Our personal story with Ziggy is what inspired us to start our business, Raw Instincts.


Raw Instincts is a small, women-owned, family-run business devoted to providing healthy, convenient meals for your pets. Rooted in faith, we place God at the center of everything we do. Our mission is to nourish pets and inspire others to learn and embrace healthier, more natural ways to feed their furry loved ones.

Did you know that our meals are for dogs, cats, and ferrets? Check out this simple guide on how to transition your pet today.

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  • Raw Instincts Family

    Church & Family Roots

    God/Jesus come first—above all.
    I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, to immigrant parents from Nicaragua who fled their homeland during the war. My second dad, who recently passed away from COVID, was from Cuba. I’m fluent in both English and Spanish and hold a bachelor’s degree in Economics from FIU.
    I began my career working for a hedge fund, but ultimately felt called to leave and pursue Raw Instincts full time. Surrendering my life to Jesus and being reborn in Him completely transformed me—it taught me forgiveness, healing, and how to move forward in peace. Through that, our family has grown closer than ever before.
    “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV)
  • Health is wellness

    Health is Wellness

    For the past nine years, I’ve started my days at 4 a.m. to get my workout in. It’s been such a part of my life that if you asked my friends what Xilo does, they’d probably say, “Wake up crazy early and hit the gym!”

    Since having my son, my routine has changed—I haven’t been able to work out like before—but I still make it a priority to eat right, stay active, and honor my body as the temple God created it to be.

    “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.”
    — 1 Corinthians 6:19 (ESV)

  • Hobbies are Important

    Hobbies are Important

    I started playing golf after meeting my husband, Ryan. He was practically born with a golf club in his hand and nearly went to college on a golf scholarship before deciding that wasn’t the path for him. I used to joke that golf wasn’t even a real sport—until I tried it myself! It’s much more challenging than it looks, and over time, I’ve really grown to love it.

    Since having children, life has shifted in the best way. My priorities have changed, and I haven’t been able to play golf as much—but I wouldn’t trade this season for anything. Watching our son grow has been its own kind of joy and adventure.

    “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
    — Psalm 127:3 (ESV)

  • Travel Junkie

    Travel Junkie

    freaking love to travel! It’s one of my absolute favorite things to do. I’ve been to Spain, Italy, France, Colombia, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean Islands, Canada, and Mexico. In the U.S., I’ve been just about everywhere—from the East Coast to the West.

    Back in college, I made it my goal one summer to visit one city every weekend. I’d clock out of work Friday, hop on a plane, explore, and be back by Monday like nothing happened.

    Since having our son, we haven’t traveled much—but honestly, this season has been even better. Watching life through his eyes has brought a whole new kind of adventure and joy.

    “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.”
    — Psalm 127:3 (NLT)

  • Founders of Raw Instincts Mia Ziggy and Xilo

    Ziggy

    Well… the reason Raw Instincts happened is because of Ziggy! He’s completely changed my life. From getting him professionally trained—Ziggy is off-leash reliable and e-collar trained—to learning what true responsibility and love look like, he’s been my greatest teacher.

    Ziggy showed me how deeply you can care for something you didn’t create yourself. He’s stressed me out, made me worry, and filled my heart with more love than I ever imagined possible.

    Now, one of my favorite things is watching how gently and protectively Ziggy cares for his little brother. It melts my heart every single day.

    “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal.”
    — Proverbs 12:10 (NIV)

  • Fun Facts of Xilo

    Fun Facts

    I love Jesus-God

    I am a Mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a dog mom.

    I am Left Handed

    I am a whopping 4 Ft 10in

    Favorite color: Green