Raw Feeding: What to Get Right, and What to Avoid

Raw feeding, done well, can genuinely suit many dogs. Done poorly, it can cause real harm, so getting the basics right matters.

What to get right

Feed a properly balanced diet: a common ratio is around 80% meat, 10% bone and 10% organ meat, including roughly 5% liver, since raw meat alone doesn't provide complete nutrition. Get this wrong for long enough and the effects are rarely immediate, an unbalanced diet can lead to reduced organ function and brittle bones later in life, which is exactly the sort of problem that's much harder to reverse than to avoid in the first place. Always supervise bones or whole prey, as choking is a genuine risk. Keep prep areas clean with a pet-safe antibacterial cleaner, and check that any meat you buy is free from added herbs, seasoning or preservatives.

Getting the transition right

Extras like raw fish, eggs, or cooked vegetables can be added occasionally, but shouldn't exceed around 25% of the overall diet. When starting out, introduce one new protein a week, beginning with plain meats like chicken or turkey before moving to red meats and anything more unusual. Watch your dog's stools closely during this period, loose stools are the most common early sign that you've moved too fast or introduced too rich a protein too soon, and it's easier to slow down early than to troubleshoot an upset stomach later. A reliable nationwide raw supplier, such as Raw Pet Supplies, will also usually offer good advice alongside the food itself, worth leaning on if you're new to this.

What to avoid

Never feed cooked bones, they splinter in a way raw bones don't and pose a serious risk. Don't rush the transition to raw, and don't feed a raw diet simply because it's trending, it's a genuine commitment that only suits some households and dogs. A well-formulated complete kibble is a better choice than a poorly balanced raw diet. An unbalanced diet of meat alone will cause problems over time, even if nothing looks wrong at first.

When raw isn't the right choice

Immunocompromised dogs shouldn't be fed raw, speak to your vet about suitable alternatives, the same caution applies to households with very young children, elderly or immunocompromised family members, given the handling risks around raw meat. Rather than guessing quantities, weighing food with proper kitchen scales and prepping a week in advance saves time and keeps things consistent, and freezing pre-portioned meals for a few days ahead makes this easier to stick to.

Getting the right support

See also our guides on using daily feed as enrichment and foods dogs can't eat, useful alongside this if you're rethinking your dog's diet more broadly. Get in touch if you'd like advice tailored to your dog's health and needs, part of our wider cognitive enrichment approach, and see our puppy training programme if you're working on this alongside a new puppy's routine.