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Introduction to Raw Feeding

Starting a raw diet for your dog can feel a bit overwhelming. New pet parents often ask, “Where do I start?” “What exactly do I feed?” and “How much should I give?” Many people aren’t given enough information or encouragement to get started—especially if they’ve been advised against raw feeding. This can be a barrier to helping their dog move away from kibble.

Here’s the good news: while there are a few simple guidelines in raw feeding, no one—whether pet food manufacturers, vets, or nutritionists—has all the answers. What you will find, as your dog’s health improves and they glow with vitality, is that it’s simpler than you think. Just as we don’t calculate nutrients for every meal we eat, we don’t need to for our dogs either.

Raw Feeding Guidelines

Here are the essentials to remember:

• Balance Over Time: Don’t worry about making every meal perfectly balanced. Aim for the following weekly mix
• 80% muscle meat, sinew, and fat
• 10% edible bone
• 5% liver
• 5% other organ meat
• Calcium and Phosphorus: Muscle meat provides phosphorus, while bones give calcium. By including 10% bone in their diet, you’ll naturally achieve the right balance for your dog.
• Organ Meat: Stick to 10% organ meat in total, with half of that (5%) being liver. Ideally, feed liver once a week or in smaller portions throughout the week, and go for organic or free-range liver when possible, as it filters out toxins.
• Safety First: Freeze pork or salmon for two weeks before feeding to reduce the risk of parasites.
• No Cooked Bones: Avoid cooked bones entirely, as they splinter easily and can cause serious harm. Raw bones, on the other hand, are safe and digestible for dogs due to their highly acidic stomachs. For safety, always supervise meal times.
• “Weird” but Wonderful Additions: Don’t be afraid to offer unique parts like chicken feet, trachea, or beef cartilage. They’re rich in chondroitin and glucosamine, which support healthy joints.
• Avoid Large Weight-Bearing Bones: Skip heavy bones like beef knuckles and vertebrae, as they’re too dense and can damage teeth.
• No Grains Needed: Grains aren’t natural for dogs, and they put extra strain on the liver. All products from Raw Direct are grain-free, for this reason.

How Much to Feed?

Most dogs do well with 2-3% of their ideal adult weight in food per day. For transitioning, start with 2% and divide their daily intake as follows:

• Over 6 months: 2 meals per day
• 4-6 months: 3 meals per day
• Under 4 months: 4 or more meals per day

After 2-3 weeks, once your dog’s system has adjusted and stools are firm, adult dogs (over 1 year) can gradually transition to a single meal per day for easier digestion on a raw diet. If your dog consistently leaves food, adjust the portion down slightly.

Once established on raw, you can adjust up to 2.5-3% of their adult weight based on your dog’s activity. Very active dogs might need a bit more, while laid-back dogs may need a little less. A quick check? Run your hands along their ribs—you should feel them without seeing them.

Raw Feeding for Puppies

Puppies need 2-3% of their expected adult weight, split into multiple meals based on age. From 4-6 months, they’ll need more food and extra edible bone to support their growing teeth and energy levels. It’s okay if they carry a bit of extra weight at this stage, as their bodies are working hard.

What to Feed

There’s often a worry that raw diets aren’t “complete and balanced.” This idea is based on the assumption that we know exactly what “complete” nutrition looks like for dogs, which we don’t. Balance doesn’t need to happen in every meal; it can develop over time, just like it does for us. As long as you’re feeding a variety of meats and organs, your dog’s nutritional needs will be met over the long term without needing precise calculations.

With these guidelines, you’re all set to give your dog the fresh, natural diet they deserve. Raw feeding can feel like a big step, but with time, it’ll become second nature—for both you and your dog!