Our Guide to Raw Feeding Your Dog

According to the 2022 PDSA Paw Report, around 7% of dogs in the UK are on a raw diet. The popularity of this diet has certainly risen over the last few years.

When done correctly, raw feeding can be incredible for the health of our canine companions. However, raw feeding can be complex, and sometimes owners can get it wrong.

So, if you are considering raw feeding or are just curious, here are our best tips and some commonly asked questions about the world of raw food.

What is Raw Feeding?

This seems like the perfect place to start.

A raw diet is made from raw meat, including organs, muscle meat, sometimes ground or whole bones, eggs, plus a dash of vegetables and fruits.

Owners can sometimes make the mistake of assuming raw is JUST meat

Only giving your dog chicken wings or mince isn’t catering to all their nutritional needs. Dogs require a balance of vitamins, minerals, fats and protein. The best way to achieve this is by feeding a complete premade raw diet.

Should I cook my raw diet?

Raw diets are NOT intended to be cooked. By cooking a raw diet, you destroy some of the important nutrients. Cooking bones can also put them at a bigger risk of splintering or getting stuck.

What is the difference between a premade and a homemade raw diet?

Some owners choose to create their raw food at home, using a blend of meat, vegetables, and supplements.

There are pros and cons to creating a raw diet at home. Making your dog’s dinner yourself does give you more freedom with the ingredients you choose. This can make it easier to avoid trigger foods for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.

However, getting the balance right in a homemade raw diet is very difficult. It takes a lot of time, and practice and when done right will typically not be a cheap way to feed.

Premade complete raw diets are typically the best choice for most owners, especially for first-time raw feeders. They will contain everything your furry friend will need to thrive without you worrying about adding things in.

Are all Premade Raw diets the same?

Much like dry foods, not all raw complete foods have been made equally.

Some companies will choose to use lower-quality carcass meat, have a higher bone content, or include minced bone in their food. Using these cheaper ingredients results in less digestible food that is likely to result in poorer quality stools.

For higher quality raw food, try ROR. This is a complete raw diet made without added bone and uses the highest quality muscle meat. Instead of using less digestible bones, ROR adds a scientifically balanced supplement to provide dogs with calcium and phosphorus.

Can raw food be mixed with kibble?

It is best to avoid mixing raw food and kibble together in a meal. Raw food typically digests faster than kibble, so combining them can lead to digestive upset.

However, including both kibble and raw in your dog’s lifestyle will bring many benefits and enrich your dog’s dinner. To ensure your dog has the very best digestive health always feed raw and kibble in separate meals, ideally a few hours apart.

Can I use raw as a topper?

Rather than dedicating entire meals to raw food, some owners prefer to use small amounts of raw or freeze-dried food as a topper to another diet.

If you wish to use a raw nugget or a few pieces of freeze-dried on top of kibble, ensure it makes up no more than 10% of the total daily diet.

Research shows this is unlikely to cause harm. However, it is worth noting that dogs who are prone to stomach sensitivity may still struggle with digestive upset.

How do I transition my dog to a raw diet?

As kibble ideally shouldn’t be mixed with raw food, the best way to introduce your dog to a raw diet is to switch out one meal a day.

For example, you could feed them raw in the morning and their regular kibble meal at night. After a week of doing this, switch to using raw for both meals and monitor their stools. If your dog’s stools are looser or they seem to be struggling with the change, try using a natural digestive supplement to help support their gut.

How can I travel while using raw food?

Raw food is certainly harder to use when out and about. For shorter travel plans raw food could be kept frozen in a cool box or with ice packs. If this is going to prove difficult, it is also worth checking to see if there is a Pets Corner store local to your area.

Otherwise, why not use an alternative that is the same quality as raw but doesn’t require freezing? Try McAdams Freeze Dried!

Can raw food be refrozen?

It is best to avoid this as much as possible. However, if your dog’s food gets a little soft on the way back from the pet shop, it won’t pose a problem if you freeze it once you get home.

My vet doesn’t like raw food and advised me against it. Should I still use it?

Understandably, some vets have an aversion to raw.

It is vets who see unhealthy dogs who have been fed imbalanced raw diets. They also see what can happen if the bone is an unsuitable size for the dog, or if the dog wasn’t supervised while chewing.

Some vets may talk about the salmonella risk with raw. Ultimately by practising good hygiene and treating your pets’ raw food like your own meat, you will greatly reduce the risk

Keep in mind that every dog is different. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to nutrition. Some dogs won’t suit a raw diet and will instead thrive on natural high-quality dry food.

If you are after more help and advice on dog diet, watch our video guide on Premium Pet Foods.