Important: Raw feeding isn’t just for dogs—it’s the natural choice for cats and many other animals, too! 🐍🐈

Starting a raw feeding diet for your dog can be a rewarding experience! but it’s important to approach it thoughtfully to ensure your dog’s health and nutritional needs are met.


Keep reading to find out more advice on how to start the perfect raw diet:

🐕 Starting an Adult Dog on Raw

The Goal: A smooth transition to a lifestyle of vitality.

1. Research & Learn 📖

Before switching, it’s important to understand the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) principle. A balanced adult bowl typically consists of:

70-80% Meat, bone, and organ.

20-30% Vegetables and fruits.

2. The Transition 🔄

You know your dog best. You can choose a "cold turkey" swap or a gradual transition over 7-10 days by replacing a small portion of their current food with raw.

Note: Some suggest that mixing biscuits and raw causes upset due to different digestion rates, but there is currently no evidence to support this.

3. Adult Maintenance & Safety ⚠️

Bone Safety: Only feed raw bones. Cooked bones splinter and are dangerous. If your dog has had previous gastro surgery or struggles to digest bone, consider a bone meal alternative.

Monitoring: Watch for coat shine and energy levels. If stools are white/crumbly, you may be feeding too much bone.

Hygiene: Treat raw pet food like your own Sunday roast prep—wash hands, surfaces, and bowls thoroughly.

🐾 Starting a Puppy on Raw

The Goal: Building the foundation for a healthy life.

1. Growth-Specific Nutrition ⚖️

Puppies have higher nutritional demands than adults. While the 80/10/10 rule is a guide, puppies require precise Calcium and Phosphorus levels for bone development.

Too much bone can cause impaction or growth plate issues.

Too little bone can lead to weak skeletal structure.

Fat Levels: Should sit between 10%–20%. (Remember: this is "wet weight," so it looks lower than dry kibble percentages!)

2. The Puppy Transition 🦴

For puppies, a gradual 7-day transition is usually best to avoid "the runs" during a sensitive growth phase.

Start simple: Use a single protein (like Turkey or Chicken) for the first week before introducing variety.

Variety is Key: Once settled, include fish and eggs to ensure they get essential Omega 3-6, Zinc, and Manganese for brain and skin development.

3. Special Considerations for Youngsters 📋

Elimination Diets: If your puppy shows signs of yeast or allergies, introduce vegetables slowly or remove them to see if the condition clears.

The "One Size" Myth: Puppies grow at different rates. A "Standard Complete" meal is a great start, but some pups may need specific additions to reach their full potential.

Common Questions

What are the benefits of raw feeding?

  • 🐶 Improved Digestion: Raw diets are typically more natural and less processed, making them easier for animals to digest. Some pet owners report firmer stools and less frequent bowel movements.

  • ✨ Healthier Skin and Coat: Many raw diets contain higher levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can lead to shinier coats and healthier skin.

  • ⚡ Increased Energy and Vitality: Raw feeding can provide a more balanced and nutrient-rich diet, potentially leading to higher energy levels and increased vitality in pets.

  • 🦷 Better Dental Health: Chewing raw bones can help reduce plaque buildup and promote healthier teeth and gums.

  • ⚖️ Weight Management: Raw diets can be tailored to an animal's specific nutritional needs, potentially helping with weight management and overall health.

  • 🦠 Fewer Allergies: Some pets with food allergies or sensitivities may benefit from a raw diet, as it allows owners to eliminate specific ingredients and control the quality of the food.

When can I switch my puppy to adult meals?

All puppy's are different, The general guidence is when your dogs adult teeth come through, it is then safe for your puppy to move over to adult food. This is because the adult food contain bigger chunks.

Your dogs breed also plays a big part as smaller breeds may need to stick to puppy food.

If you are unsure you can always, contact us or visit us in-store.

Can raw food be fed to any age or breed of dog?

Yes!

  • Puppies can be weaned onto raw from mothers milk between 3-6 weeks old, we recommend Nutriments puppy paste. Around 6 weeks you can switch onto a puppy formula. And after 6 months old you can start transitioning to normal completes

  • You can transition a dog onto raw at any age.

  • Any breed of dog can be fed raw, but things to consider are; if your breed might need a low purine diet.

  • Or they maybe Brachycephalic breeds (short snouts, like Frenchies) as sometimes they have trouble chewing and swallowing so maybe avoid bones, and feed a bone broth along side raw.

    If you have any question, please just contact us and we can help you.

How long will the food keep in the fridge?

Raw food should stay in the Freezer untill it is needed, it should then be thawed to feed.

How long your food last in the fridge depends on which brand you choose, Our guidence is to read the packet as it will provide all the information for safe storing and consumption for your pets.

Always follow the same hygiene rules as your own human-grade raw meat. After preparation, always wash down surfaces with an anti-bacterial cleaner and thoroughly wash your hands.

The Deep Dive: Everything You Need to Know

Research & Learn 📖

Before starting or transitioning your dog to a raw diet, it’s important to understand what it entails. Raw feeding typically includes a variety of raw meats, bones, organs, vegetables, and sometimes fruits. The most common approach is a BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet, which includes 70-80% meat, bones, and organs, and 20-30% vegetables and fruits.

Transitioning 🐕

Transitioning to raw food can be done gradually or a complete swap, you know your dog and how sensitive they are. Preferably it would be gradual and you can start by replacing a small portion of their current food with raw meals and slowly increase the proportion of raw food over 7-10 days - this allows your dog’s digestive system to adapt, some people argue that "biscuits and raw digest at different rates so it will cause tummy upset" but there is currently no evidence to support this.

Balance the Diet ⚖️

A balanced raw diet is crucial. You’ll need to include a variety of different proteins, organ meats, and bones, as well as fruits and vegetables. A typical raw meal plan might look like this: Meat: Chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, etc.

  • Bones: Raw meaty bones like chicken wings, lamb necks, or beef marrow bones.
  • Organs: Liver, kidney, heart, etc. (important for vitamins and minerals).
  • Vegetables & Fruits: Some dogs benefit from small amounts of veggies and fruits like carrots, spinach, blueberries, or apple slices (without seeds).

Not balancing properly can cause long term health issues for example:

  • Not including fish and eggs could lead to deficiency e.g omega 3-6 imbalances, vitamin d, zinc and manganese deficiencies -> highlight skin problems.
  • Not feeding offal can lead to a deficiency in important A & B vitamins, but feeding too much can cause vitamin A toxicity, diarrhoea and other nasty side effects.
  • Too much bone can cause constipation, bone impaction/blockage and excess/imbalance of calcium & phosphorus. Too little can cause calcium & phosphorus deficiency, diarrhoea or bone development issues.
  • Fats should be 10% - 20% of your dogs diet (please note this is not comparable to dry food, dry matter will have a higher % of fat because it contains 0% water) 

    Don't let that scare you... Thankfully there are many companies providing complete and balanced meals for your pet! These range on quality depending on your budget, and also the level of "completeness" - please ask a member of staff for more information!

To feed or not to feed: 📋

  • Bone - We do not advise to feed bone if your dog is continually throwing up bits of bone, has really white/crumbly poos, or has had previous gastro surgery regarding blockages (the gut wall lining will be damaged and may struggle digesting the bone) maybe a bone meal will be more appropriate?
  • Offal - kidney issues and bladder stones may mean it is best to remove the offal to provide a low purine/phosphorus or magnesium diet 
  • Veg - any allergies/yeast issues is it advised not to feed veg as it will feed the yeast, if you're on an Elimination diet it may be wise to add each veg in slowly.Standard completes - Sometimes with the dogs it's not a "one sized fits all" situation, your dog may need additions to the standard completes, or maybe a home-cooked diet is more suitable? If you feel raw isn't going right then there will be a good reason for this! Please don't hesitate to get into contact

Safety Considerations ⚠️

Handling raw meat requires care: 

  • Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw food. Clean all surfaces and utensils used. 
  • Bone Safety: Only feed raw bones, never cooked, as cooked bones can splinter and pose a choking hazard or cause internal injuries. 
  • Storage: Keep raw food in the freezer or fridge, and only thaw the amount you plan to feed in one sitting.

Monitor Your Dog’s Health 🔍

As you transition your dog to raw food, monitor their weight, coat condition, energy levels, and overall health. If you notice any issues, such as digestive upset or weight changes, consider adjusting the diet or seeking professional advice.

Experiment and Adjust 🥼

Every dog is different, and you may need to adjust the types of food or proportions to suit your dog’s needs. Some dogs may do better with certain proteins or fewer vegetables. Stay flexible and observe how your dog responds.

Starting a raw diet can take time and effort, but many pet owners report improvements in their dogs’ health, coat condition, and energy levels once the transition is complete. Just make sure you take it slow and ensure their diet is well-balanced.

Still unsure on how to progress with your dogs new diet? Why not visit us in-store for more advice and guidence!

Ready to give RAW a go?

Use our Portion calculator below to work out what amount of food you should be feeding your dog or puppy daily, All you will need is your dogs weight and age!

Please note this is only a guideline. All dogs are different and may require more than others, If you are unsure about your result or need more guidence we have our own vet scales in store and are here to help!

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