Raw Dog Food

Raw dog food is a way of feeding dogs meals made mainly from uncooked ingredients, such as raw meat for dogs, edible bone, and offal; sometimes it’s combined with vegetables, fruit, oils, or other carefully selected ingredients. It can also be called the BARF diet, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. The idea is to offer natural dog food that’s less heavily processed and more closely resembles the animal-based foods dogs are adapted to digest. 

But it’s important to know that “raw” doesn’t automatically mean it’s nutritionally balanced. For everyday feeding, it’s best to choose a commercially prepared product labelled “complete” for your dog, based on its age, weight and activity level. Or you can use a recipe that is formulated by a qualified veterinary nutritionist. Always read the product label so you understand exactly what you’re feeding your dog and whether anything else needs to be added.

Raw feeding: as long as you manage it well and follow the instructions, it can be safe for your dog. But we have to be honest about the risks. Uncooked meat can contain bacteria, and freezing doesn’t make the raw food sterile. When owners ask, "Is raw dog food safe?" the answer depends on responsible manufacturing, appropriate nutrition, and careful handling at home. 

Good frozen raw dog food safety starts with choosing DEFRA approved raw dog food made at an APHA-registered establishment under the UK regulatory framework.

Keep the food frozen, defrost in the fridge, wash your hands and disinfect bowls and surfaces after every meal. Homes with young children, pregnant people, older people, or anyone with a weakened immune system should seek appropriate advice before feeding raw food. 

For anyone researching how to switch dog to raw food, there are two common approaches. A straight swap means finishing the previous food and serving a correctly portioned raw meal at the next mealtime. Some healthy adult dogs tolerate this method well, but a sudden change can make it harder to identify the cause of any digestive upset. 

The more cautious option when transitioning dog to raw diet is a gradual change over seven to ten days. Begin with mostly their current food and a small quantity of raw food, then increase the raw portion every few days. This gradual method is typically preferred when switching from kibble to raw, especially for puppies, older dogs and dogs with sensitive stomachs. 

It’s best to keep the meals simple when it comes to raw dog food for beginners and monitor their appetite, stools, wind, energy and general comfort. Mild stool changes are likely, but if you see persistent diarrhoea, repeated vomiting, pain, lethargy or refusal to eat, you’ll need to consult your vet. 

The benefits of raw dog food described by owners include a glossier coat, healthy skin and coat, smaller or less smelly stools, a good appetite and steadier energy levels. A complete, well-formulated recipe may also support improved digestion when its combination of protein, fat, fibre and moisture suits the individual dog. 

Raw feeding can help support natural dental health for dogs. Chewing certain foods may reduce visible deposits on some teeth, but they don’t replace regular toothbrushing or veterinary dental care. 

The best signs that a diet suits your dog are a healthy weight, normal stools, comfortable digestion, good skin, enthusiasm for exercise and positive veterinary health checks.

When working out how much raw food to feed a dog, remember that portions are individual to every pet. As a general raw feeding guide by weight, an adult dog should eat approximately 2% to 3% of its target or ideal body weight each day. For example, a 20kg dog might begin with 400g to 600g of food daily, divided into suitable meals. 

Growing dogs require higher percentages to fuel their development, so be sure to follow a specific puppy raw feeding guide if your dog isn’t fully grown. 

Because these starting percentages are only an estimate, take a look at our raw dog food calculator to get an exact figure on how much ryou should be feeding your dog. 

If you’re wondering, “can puppies eat raw meat?”, the answer is yes. Puppies can eat raw food, even when they’re just starting to transition to solid meal. You can start feeding a gentle puppy weaning paste from around three to four weeks old, but the food must be specifically suitable for growth and handled carefully. 

Growing puppies need the right amount of food to help make sure they’re getting enough energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to support their developing bodies. The best raw dog food for puppies will get this exact balance right. When choosing a raw puppy food UK provider, remember that the calcium-to-phosphorus balance is important for bone development, with large and giant breeds requiring careful management. 

Complete raw dog food is formulated to provide all the essential nutrients a dog needs when it’s fed according to the instructions and is suitable for the life stage of the dog. 

Complementary raw feeding products are intended to form only part of the diet. They must be fed with other appropriate foods or supplements to create a nutritionally balanced daily ration. The phrase 80 10 10 raw dog food usually describes a recipe containing approximately 80% meat, 10% edible bones and 10% organ meat.

Working dog food formulas can also be either complete or complementary, so the word “working” is not a guarantee of completeness. 

It’s important that you don’t assume adding vegetables, oil or a general supplement will automatically balance a complementary mince either. You’ll need to follow the producer’s instructions carefully or get a formulation from a qualified veterinary nutritionist. 

For hygienic raw feeding, keep unopened packs frozen at the temperature stated on the label, commonly around -18C, until they’re needed. The safest freezer to fridge raw food routine is to place the next portion in a clean, sealed, and leak-proof container before putting it at the bottom of the fridge, away from ready-to-eat human food. 

When defrosting raw meat for dogs, never leave it thawing for long periods on a kitchen counter, and make sure liquid from the packaging can’t drip onto shelves or other food. When you defrost raw meat for dogs, it’s always best to follow the instructions on the pack. Most products should be used within 24 to 48 hours, but some may have a longer shelf life when refrigerated. 

The important thing not to do here is to refreeze food once it’s been fully thawed. Wash your hands thoroughly, use dedicated utensils, clean and disinfect bowls and surfaces after every use, and discard uneaten food promptly. These simple precautions explain how to store raw dog food while reducing the risk of cross-contamination. 

When searching for the best raw food for dogs with allergies, there is no single protein that works for every pet. Instead, starting a novel protein dog diet involves feeding meat your dog has never eaten before. Duck, rabbit, lamb, goat or venison may therefore be useful for one dog but unsuitable for another dog that has already eaten them regularly. 

If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic raw dog food, choosing a single-protein, grain free raw dog food is usually the best approach to rule out any triggers. For elimination trials it’s best to choose a nutritionally complete single-protein food and feed this exclusively for eight to twelve weeks, without serving any other foods or treats. As always, you’ll should seek expert advice before undertaking an elimination trial.

Yes, you can buy raw dog food online from Raw To Your Door and choose from individual packs, mixed boxes and larger boxes for customers who prefer to bulk buy raw dog food. Customers looking for raw dog food delivery UK should check their postcode and the latest shipping policy before placing an order.  

All of our frozen dog food delivered are transported frozen to protect their quality and maintain temperature control. Someone should be available for the first delivery attempt so the order can be transferred to the freezer immediately.