Feed Real Seminar Recap: Rethinking Mealtime with Dr. Carol Smeja & The Mine Pet Platter

Feed Real Seminar Recap: Rethinking Mealtime with Dr. Carol Smeja & The Mine Pet Platter

Last week we attended the Feed Real Seminar in San Diego, and it was an incredible weekend surrounded by veterinarians, nutrition experts, and dog lovers from all over the country — all united by one mission: helping dogs live longer, healthier lives through real food.

One of the biggest highlights for us was hearing Dr. Carol Smeja, Founder of The Mine Pet Platter speak about something that often gets overlooked in the raw feeding world — not what we feed, but how we feed.

The Science of “How” We Feed

Dr. Smeja isn’t just another pet product founder — she’s a behavioral researcher who has studied both human and animal eating behaviors for decades. Her presentation at the seminar completely reframed how we think about mealtime.

She explained that most dogs today eat from bowls that are deep, narrow, and confining — environments that actually suppress natural instincts like sniffing, circling, selecting, and licking. These instincts aren’t just quirky habits; they’re essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, and mental well-being.

In the wild, dogs eat in open space — they move around, explore, and use their senses. When we confine them to a bowl, we unintentionally cause stress and tension at mealtime. It can even lead to gulping, choking, and poor nutrient uptake.

Her message was simple but powerful:

“It’s not just what’s in the bowl that matters — it’s how your dog experiences the food.”

Why the Mine Pet Platter Changes Everything

After hearing her talk, we saw the Mine Pet Platter in a whole new light. This isn’t just a pretty feeding tray — it’s a tool designed from years of behavioral research to recreate the way animals are meant to eat.

Here’s what makes it so special:

• Flat, open design: Dogs can approach their food naturally, from any angle, without walls or corners making them feel trapped.

• Textured ridges & scoops: The surface encourages licking, sniffing, and exploring — slowing down eating and promoting calm, mindful feeding.

• Instinctive engagement: By letting dogs move, circle, and make “choices,” the platter stimulates their brain and satisfies innate behaviors.

• Stress-free digestion: When dogs feel safe and in control, mealtime becomes relaxed — improving digestion and overall happiness.

It’s simple, science-backed, and — in our experience — dogs love it. We use it daily for our own pack and highly recommend it for anyone feeding fresh or raw diets.

Bringing It All Home

At Marin Raw, we’ve always believed that real nutrition goes beyond ingredients. It’s about honoring the whole animal and the natural ways our pets are meant to eat.

Dr. Smeja’s research beautifully complements this philosophy — showing that feeding behavior is the missing piece in many dogs’ health puzzles. Just as we choose whole-animal nutrition “Balanced by Nature,” we can also choose feeding tools that respect nature’s design.

The Mine Pet Platter is one of those rare products that’s grounded in science, compassion, and common sense — and it fits perfectly into a whole-food lifestyle.