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Raw Feeding Guide

Learn the basics of Raw Feeding, and what to expect

when switching your dog to a natural diet

How much should I feed?

The general recommendation is 2-3% of your dog’s body weight per day – so roughly 2-300g for a 10KG dog. Having said that Raw fed dogs will self-regulate, meaning some days they may eat twice the recommended amount, and other days hardly anything & this is perfectly normal – make sure you don’t introduce other snacks or foods to get them to eat, This will cause them to become fussy. Breed and activity levels can also influence a dog's appetite. It's common for active dogs and athletic breeds to eat proportionately more than (for example) toy breeds.



How should I introduce the raw food?

When you purchase your first raw meals, they'll need to defrost overnight in the fridge. We always recommend giving a spoonful as a treat the day before the first raw meal, this will allow them to get a feel for it and know that the change from their standard food will be a good one. Generally it is not advised to switch straight away. As a Dog’s digestive system has become used to dealing with Kibble or other foods its Ph balance and biotic nature will be off, and the other Organs will be surprised by the sudden introduction of wholly nutritious foods. Therefore it is recommended that you introduce the food over a few days, never mixing Raw with Kibble or Cooked, but as a separate treat or small meal, gradually increasing the amount day by day.



Which proteins are best?

This is dependent on each individual dog, there is no singular answer. But there are some recommendations: Chicken
Due to the over processed and over bred nature of chickens, and their grain based diet, it is one of the less healthy options contrary to popular belief. If your Dog suffers with allergies we’d always recommend avoiding it. Turkey
A good alternative to chicken, leaner and with less human introduced chemicals etc. In terms of meat this is the go to for Dogs with allergies. Duck
Also a good alternative, Duck is a lot richer with a lot more fat (not a bad thing) which means a dog is more likely to love it – but it can be a bit too rich for some. Lamb
Similar to duck, in its rich flavour, but far leaner, making it a good middle ground – But it is more expensive than either Duck or Turkey, and a lot more difficult to source. Beef
Another good all-rounder but can often cause excess flatulence due to the rich nature of red meat. Salmon
All fish contains excellent oils which are good for a Dog’s coat and its digestive system, as with Humans, but it is generally more expensive – for this reason many give seafood products as separate treats instead. Which can be found in our treat section here. Tripe (usually Lamb or Beef) Tripe is excellent for a Dog’s stomach health, and they love it. The probiotic nature of tripe is excellent for adjusting a Dog’s stomach after it’s been tainted by previous foods and treatment. It is especially good for Dogs that suffer with sickness and vomiting. Just be wary of the smell! As a rule of thumb the rarer the protein, the better it will be for Dogs with sensitive stomachs. This is mainly due to the fact that it’s less likely to be over farmed by Humans (ie. Venison, Ostrich, Ox – But again be considerate of other factors with each individual meat source.)



What about bacteria?

In terms of Human contact, treat it as you would with any raw meat – wash hands, utensils and surfaces afterwards. And also ensure it doesn’t mix with cooked food etc. In terms of the Dog, all properly produced Raw products will have undergone the correct freezing protocol – being stored at -18° for two weeks, killing most bacteria and parasites. Further to this a Dog’s stomach environment should be Ph1, highly acidic and certainly more so than Human stomachs. This mean that any residual bacteria that is present will be destroyed long before it can become an issue.



Can puppies have raw?

Yes, completely, the younger the better, though you may need to be more considerate of the sensitive nature of their stomachs when it comes to the protein choice e.g. Turkey over Duck, and also change over slower if they’ve been on kibble. But generally a raw fed puppy will be healthier, and bigger, as it will have been able to use the protein to fuel muscle growth and develop to its full potential.



Can I still feed treats?

Of course, but try to make sure they are also natural and healthy. There’s no point feeding a healthy Raw diet if they are to then be giving cheap supermarket chews. Check out our treats page- our selection is carefully curated to make sure every product has health benefits and is produced by trustworthy manufacturers. Each listing has handy insights into the health benefits of the treat.



My dog isn't eating- should I worry?

Having just changed to Raw
This is most likely due to them not knowing what the food is, and being wary. Try allowing the temperature to increase, causing the food to have more smell & taste, and also try giving them some as a “treat” (making them sit beforehand, positive tone of voice etc). This will allow them to realise it’s nothing to be wary of. Having been on a raw diet
This is perfectly normal, what this means is that they are fasting and utilising the nutrients they have stored in reserve, allowing it to be processed and used. The next day they will most likely eat a lot and replenish those stores. Make sure you don’t feed them a different food, or human food in this interim period, not only will that not be beneficial to their well-being but will also cause them to be fussy – holding out to get something different. There’s always the chance they may simply not like it, in that case we’d suggest trying a different protein or maybe add some Tripe – they’ll definitely love this. If they continue to not eat over a few consecutive days, always seek professional Veterinary advice.



Should I worry about the bone content in raw food?

No, the bone is good for your Dog. It contains calcium and phosphorus both excellent nutrients for you dog, and will be broken down easily by their highly acidic stomach. Just make sure you never give your Dog cooked bones, these can splinter and can be very dangerous. Different manufacturers will grind/chop their meats to a finer or thicker texture. Some dogs prefer one over the other, it just comes down to personal preference.



My dog has been sick- what should I do?

That depends, naturally if there is a serious issue you should contact your vet.
If they have just eaten their Raw food and brought it up nearly whole they will most likely eat it down again, this is perfectly normal and is their way of ensuring the food is actually okay. Generally this will only happen early on in the change to raw feeding, but might also happen if they are introduced to a new meat/protein.
If they continue to bring their food up then it is most likely because the food is too rich or simply not agreeing with them, their stomach flora could even be off and they require a pro-biotic to get it back to the correct state.



How long does raw food keep?

Once defrosted it can generally be kept refrigerated for three-four days. Frozen it will last 6-12 months. Reputable manufacturers will usually have storage instructions/best before dates clearly printed on their packaging.