Raw Feeding Guide

We've been supplying raw dog food from our shop in Huyton for 7 years, and the same questions come up almost every day — how much do I feed, how do I switch, is it safe to refreeze. This page answers them properly, in plain English, without the jargon.

If you'd rather just ask us, come in or give us a ring. We'd far rather talk it through than have you guess.

How Much Raw Food Should I Feed My Dog?

For a healthy adult dog, feed 2–3% of their ideal body weight per day, split across two meals.

2% — less active dogs, or dogs that need to lose a bit
2.5% — a sensible starting point for most dogs
3% — very active, working dogs, or dogs needing to gain

So a 20kg Labrador at 2.5% needs 500g a day — roughly one 454g block plus a little extra.

Puppies eat far more relative to their size, starting around 8–10% of current body weight and dropping gradually to about 3% by nine months. Weigh them regularly, because the amount changes as they grow.

Work out your dog's exact daily amount with our calculator.

The percentages are a starting point, not gospel. The real test is your dog: you should be able to feel their ribs easily without seeing them standing out. Adjust from there and go on how they look, not what the calculator says.

What Is the 80:10:10 Ratio?

Most raw diets follow 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ — with around half the organ being liver. It mirrors what a dog would get eating whole prey.

The part people miss is variety. Feeding nothing but chicken for months leaves gaps no matter how good the chicken is. Rotating across beef, chicken, lamb, duck, turkey, tripe and fish is what actually balances the diet out.

Complete vs 80:10:10 — what's the difference?

Complete products are formulated and analysed to meet FEDIAF nutritional standards and are designed to be fed as the sole diet.

80:10:10 products follow the natural prey ratio and are biologically balanced, but aren't classed as complete under FEDIAF rules unless specifically formulated and analysed to meet them. Fed as part of a varied rotation they work well — balance comes over time rather than in every single meal.

We stock both. If you're not sure which suits your dog, ask us.

How Do I Switch My Dog to Raw?

The straight switch

Most healthy adult dogs manage this fine. Feed their usual food in the morning, skip the evening meal, then start raw the next morning. The gap lets the stomach settle.

The gradual switch

Better for puppies, older dogs, or anything with a delicate stomach. Over 7–10 days:

Days 1–3: 25% raw, 75% old food
Days 4–6: 50/50
Days 7–9: 75% raw, 25% old food
Day 10: fully raw

Which protein to start with

Chicken or turkey are the gentlest. Stick to one or two proteins for the first fortnight, then bring others in one at a time — that way if something doesn't agree with your dog, you know what it was.

What you'll notice

Stools get smaller, firmer and less frequent. That's normal and it's the change most people comment on first. Some looseness in the first week is common while the gut adjusts. If it carries on past a few days, slow the transition down and have a word with your vet. After the looseness should be browny white hard stools and should stay consistent from then. Gradually add into the diet diffrent protiens i like to mix the white and red meats before going straight onto red meats for example ; Chicken & Beef giving it a gradual progression wich makes it easier for the stomach to digest.

Storing and Thawing Raw Food

Storage

Get your order into the freezer as soon as it arrives.
Keep it separate from human food — a dedicated drawer or shelf is ideal.
Use within a few months for best quality.

Thawing

Thaw in the fridge, covered, in a leak-proof container. Allow around 24 hours.
Put it on the bottom shelf so nothing drips onto food below.
Never microwave it. It part-cooks the meat, destroys nutrients, and if there's bone in the product it can splinter — a real choking and injury risk.
Short of time? Leave it out only until the surface frost goes, then move it to the fridge to finish.
Once thawed, feed within 2–3 days and keep it refrigerated.

Can I refreeze raw dog food?

Yes — as long as it's still cold to the touch. This comes up constantly with deliveries. Raw food isn't sent in a refrigerated vehicle, so it's normal for it to arrive soft. If it's still cold, put it straight back in the freezer and it's absolutely fine.

If something has fully thawed to room temperature, don't refreeze it. Keep it in the fridge and feed within three days. It should always smell fresh.

Handling Raw Food Safely

Treat it exactly as you'd treat raw chicken for your own dinner. Nothing more complicated:

Wash your hands before and after
Separate board, bowl and utensils for raw pet food
Hot soapy water on surfaces and utensils straight after
Wash your dog's bowl after every meal
Bin uneaten food that's been sitting out rather than putting it back

Worth extra care in households with babies, elderly relatives, or anyone with a weakened immune system.

Feeding Raw Bones

Raw meaty bones are great for teeth and for keeping a dog occupied, but choose sensibly:

Never feed cooked bones — cooking makes them brittle and they splinter
Avoid dense weight-bearing bones like beef marrow bones and femurs, which fracture teeth
Match the bone to the dog — poultry necks and wings suit most
Always supervise

Common Questions

Is raw feeding more expensive than kibble?

It varies enormously by brand. Our range runs from budget minces through to premium complete meals, so there's usually something that works whatever your budget. Buying in bulk brings the cost per meal down considerably.

Can puppies eat raw food?

Yes, and many people start their pup on it from weaning. Puppies need proportionally more food and a properly balanced diet every day rather than balanced over time, so a complete puppy product is the simplest route. Speak to your vet if you're unsure.

My dog is a fussy eater — will they take to raw?

Most do, and quickly. Fussiness often improves on raw. If your dog turns their nose up, try a different protein or warm the food slightly with a splash of hot water to bring the smell out.

Do I need to add supplements?

If you're feeding a complete product across a good variety of proteins, usually not. Some people add fish oil, green-lipped mussel or a joint supplement depending on the dog. Come and ask — we'd rather steer you right than sell you something you don't need.

How much freezer space do I need?

Roughly one cubic foot per 18kg of raw food, though blocks and packs stack better than that suggests. Most customers find a small chest freezer more than covers a medium dog.

Can I feed raw alongside kibble?

Plenty of people do, and there's no evidence it causes harm. If you're feeding both, most prefer to give them as separate meals rather than in the same bowl.

What We Stock

We carry a full range across every budget — browse the shop or come and see us in Huyton. If you're just starting out, a mixed box is the easiest way to try several proteins and see what your dog gets on with. One of our best sellers in the Southcliffe Mixed box 24, you get 24 blocks and the best part is you can choose your own flavours ,so if your just starting out you can mix the proteins or start off with just white meats until your dog is ready to go onto red meats ,making it perfect for most customers whether your starting out or a raw feeding expert, southcliffe also have everything in they need so no need to add anything to them which is a bonus for beginners and keeps it simple defrost & serve . we also offer mixed bundle deals in most brands we do from 20,30,50 upto 100 and the more you buy the cheaper they get. we also stock different types of mince & sizes from 500g & 1.3kg blocks to FreeFlow minces in 500g 1kg & 2kg so wether you have a dachshund or a German shepherd we cater for every size dog.

A Note on Veterinary Advice

We know raw feeding well and we're glad to share what we've learned, but we're not vets and nothing here is veterinary advice.

Speak to your vet before switching if your dog is a puppy, elderly, pregnant, has a medical condition, is on medication, or has a compromised immune system. If your dog becomes unwell, contact your vet.

Still Got Questions?

Come and see us, or get in touch. We're always happy to talk raw feeding.

Raw To Your Door
Unit 5 Wilson Road, Huyton, Liverpool L36 6AF
Phone: 0151 272 0231
Email: info@rawtoyourdoor.uk

Delivering across Liverpool, Merseyside and nationwide.