Raw dog food is made from uncooked, fresh ingredients — typically muscle meat, organs, raw meaty bones, and sometimes fruits and vegetables. This diet mimics what dogs would eat in the wild and is designed to provide natural nutrition without fillers, additives, or highly processed ingredients.
Benefits of raw feeding:
- Healthier teeth and gums - Shiny coat and healthy skin - Improved digestion - Higher energy levels - Smaller, firmer stools
What and how much should I feed my dog?
Feeding amounts depend on your dog’s ideal adult weight, age, and activity level.
General guidelines:
Adult Dogs: 2–4% of ideal body weight per day
Puppies: 6–10% of ideal body weight per day
Senior Dogs: Adjust based on activity and weight
Tip: Start with the lower end of the range and adjust according to your dog’s body condition.
*NOTE – Miniature and tiny breeds as well as most cats need to start at a higher percentage than medium – large breeds. It is never recommended to feed less than 110g per day
Puppies may need as much as 10% and pregnant and lactating mothers also need an increase throughout gestation and lactation. Here is a list of how much to feed puppies and pregnant mothers:
80% muscle meat, 10% raw meaty bones, & 10% secreting organ meat (5% of which should be liver).
These are guidelines and if you are concerned please speak to your vet for guidance.
Can I feed bones to my pet?
Yes, you can. Bones must be given to your pet raw as cooked bones go brittle and can splinter. Always ensure that your dog or cat is fed on a 100% raw diet for at least 3 -4 weeks before introducing whole bones.
We would always advise the following when introducing bones:
- Do not leave a dog or cat unattended with a bone
- When feeding bones in multi-dog households, separate them before feeding to prevent fights - bones have a remarkably high resource value!
- When introducing bones, choose a bone which is appropriate to the dog’s age, size, breed, and experience with chewing bones
- Inexperienced bone eaters should be started on soft meaty bones or cartilage. Chicken wings, duck wings, turkey necks and bovine tracheas are ideal for cats and novices
- If storing in between chewing sessions, rinse the bone under cold water and store in a plastic bag or container in the bottom shelf of the fridge
- Dispose of uneaten material after 24 hours post defrost
What about bacteria? Do I need to worry?
Not at all. Dogs bodies are very well equipped to deal with bacteria. Even their saliva has antibacterial properties! (Fun fact, their Saliva contains a special enzyme called Lysozyme, this helps to destroy harmful bacterias).
Dogs also have a short digestive tract which is designed to push through food & bacteria quickly which results in not giving the bacteria enough time to colonize.
It is important to wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw dog food and sanitise any preperation areas regularly.
Do I need to add any supplements?
Some owners choose to add supplements to their dog's meals, this is a personal choice based on the individual dog's needs, but rest assured a complete 80/10/10 diet is perfect for your dog as it is.
Can I add raw eggs to my dogs raw diet too?
Dogs can definitely eat raw eggs. In fact, we love recommending them as a nutritious and delicious addition to a raw diet a couple of times a week.
Raw eggs can provide your pup with a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals including:
- Vitamin A - Riboflavin - Folate - Vitamin E - Iron - Selenium - Fatty Acids
You may see people include an entire raw egg as part of their dog’s meal, shell and all. Dogs can eat eggshells, but it often comes down to their preference. Some dogs love the extra crunch while others simply won’t touch them.
Eggshells are an excellent source of calcium, so it doesn’t hurt to have your pup try them. The eggshell membrane, in particular, is a very useful ingredient.
