What Is Raw Feeding?
Raw feeding means serving dogs uncooked muscle meat, edible bone, organ meat, and small amounts of plant foods. The two common models are BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, 60-70 % meat, 10-15 % bone, 10 % organ, 10-20 % veg) and Prey Model (80 % meat, 10 % bone, 10 % organ, no produce). Both aim to mimic the diet of wild canids while meeting modern nutrient standards.
Why Owners Make the Switch
Advocates report shinier coats, cleaner teeth, smaller stools, and fewer allergy symptoms. Critics warn about bacterial contamination and unbalanced recipes. The truth lies in thoughtful planning, not wishful thinking. A 2021 review in the Journal of Animal Science states that homemade raw diets can be safe "only when formulated by trained professionals."
Before You Start: Three Non-Negotiables
- Vet clearance. Dogs with kidney disease, pancreatitis, or immunosuppression may need cooked food.
- Accurate scale. Eyeballing liver the size of a "ping-pong ball" leads to vitamin A toxicity.
- Freezer space. Buy in bulk, portion, freeze flat, and thaw as needed to stay on budget.
Building a Balanced Recipe
Use the 80-10-10 guideline as a starting frame, then tweak to meet AAFCO adult-dog minimums for protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, and micronutrients. A 30 kg adult needs roughly 600 g food per day (2 % of body weight). That breaks down into:
- 480 g muscle meat (beef, turkey, venison)
- 60 g raw meaty bone (chicken necks, turkey tails)
- 30 g liver
- 30 g other secreting organ (kidney, spleen)
Add 5 ml cold-pressed salmon oil for omega-3, 2 g dried seaweed for iodine, and 100 mg vitamin E capsule every third day to cover gaps.
Step-by-Step Transition
Days 1-3
Fast the dog for 12 hours to clear the gut, then offer a single bland protein such as skinless turkey neck. Feed half the usual kibble volume to avoid diarrhea.
Days 4-7
Replace one full meal with raw. If stools stay firm, move to two raw meals on day 8. Loose stool? Add a spoon of canned plain pumpkin and slow the pace.
Week 3
Introduce a second protein (beef heart). Rotate proteins monthly to reduce allergy risk.
Week 4
Add organ mix at 5 % of total ration, then raise to 10 % by week 6. Watch for dark, tarry stools—sign of too much liver.
Safe Sourcing and Handling
- Buy human-grade meats from supermarkets or certified butchers. Avoid "pet mince" that can contain sulphite preservatives linked to thiamine deficiency.
- Keep raw food below four °C at all times. Thaw in the fridge, never on the counter.
- Disinfect bowls, knives, and counters with hot soapy water followed by a 1:32 bleach rinse (15 ml bleach per 500 ml water). A 2019 Utah State study found Salmonella cross-contamination in 20 % of households feeding raw, but proper sanitation dropped the figure to zero.
- Freeze meat for three weeks to kill parasitic cysts before feeding to immune-compromised dogs.
Common Mistakes That Send Dogs to the ER
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Only chicken quarters | Calcium overload, constipation |
| No organ meat | Vitamin A and B1 deficiency |
| Garlic for "flavor" | Heinz-body anemia |
| Weight-bearing beef bones | Fractured molars |
| Fish only diet | Thiamine collapse |
Supplements: Do You Need Them?
Even perfect prey model lacks manganese, iodine, vitamin D, and omega-3. Add per 1 kg finished recipe: 0.5 g kelp meal, 1 g hemp seed oil, 400 IU vitamin D capsule, and a crushed eggshell teaspoon for extra calcium if you skip bone one day. Whole prey feeders can omit these, but most urban owners lack access to fur-and-feather animals.
Cost Breakdown vs Premium Kibble
A 30 kg dog eats 18 kg raw food monthly. Buying chicken hindquarters at 3 $/kg, beef heart at 5 $/kg, and turkey necks at 2.5 $/kg averages 3.5 $/kg, so 63 $ per month. A grain-free kibble feeding the same dog costs about 75 $. Raw wins price-wise, provided you have freezer space and buy in 10 kg lots.
Travel and Boarding Tips
Dehydrated raw patties (freeze-dried) keep without cold chain. Rehydrate with warm water at the hotel. When boarding, pre-portion meals in silicone muffin trays, freeze, then pop out "raw cubes" into labeled bags so staff only open what they need.
Raw for Puppies: Higher Stakes
Growth requires a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio between 1.2:1 and 1.4:1. Too little calcium causes bowed legs; too much causes cartilage disease. Feed 3 % of current body weight split into three meals until six months. Use chicken wings as edible bone; they are softer than necks and match the ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I microwave raw food to take the chill off?
Yes, but only to blood-warm (38 °C). Overheating cooks the bone, making it splinter.
My vet says raw causes aggression. True?
No peer-reviewed study supports this. Chewing meat satisfies natural drives and may reduce resource guarding by ending monotony.
How soon will I see changes?
Expect smaller, firmer stools within three days. Coat gloss shows in 4-6 weeks, dental benefits in 3-4 months.
Monitoring Health at Home
Track weight, stool quality, and appetite weekly. Schedule blood chemistry and hematocrit at six and twelve months to confirm stable albumin and liver enzymes. If values drift, adjust the recipe under veterinary nutritionist guidance.
Final Checklist
- □ Three proteins in rotation
- □ 10 % organs, half liver
- □ 10 % edible bone
- □ Omega-3 and iodine added
- □ Sanitation protocol posted on fridge
Transition slowly, source wisely, balance obsessively. Raw feeding done right is not a fad; it is a return to minimally processed nutrition with modern safety nets.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized veterinary advice. Consult your vet before changing your dog’s diet. Article generated by an AI journalist specialized in pet care.