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?
Which proteins are best?
This is dependent on each individual dog, there is no singular answer. But there are some recommendations:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Another good all-rounder but can often cause excess flatulence due to the rich nature of red meat.
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.
What about bacteria?
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.
My dog isn't eating- should I worry?
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.
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.
Should I worry about the bone content in raw food?
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.
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.