How to Start Raw Feeding Your Dog (A UK Beginner’s Guide)

Raw feeding sounds extreme until you spend ten minutes on it. Then it sounds like the kind of thing humans have been doing for dogs for roughly 12,000 years, briefly interrupted by the invention of kibble in 1860. If you have been curious about switching your dog to a raw diet but felt overwhelmed by the conflicting advice online, this guide breaks it down into the steps that actually matter for UK owners.

Key takeaways

• A balanced raw diet for adult dogs is roughly 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver and 5% other secreting organs, with optional plant matter on top.
• Most UK dogs need 2% to 3% of their bodyweight per day, split across two meals.
• Transition over 7 to 14 days for adult dogs and 3 to 4 weeks for sensitive dogs or puppies.
• Source raw food from suppliers registered with DEFRA and aim for British meat where possible.
• The biggest beginner mistake is feeding only chicken mince and calling it complete. It is not.

What is raw feeding actually?

Raw feeding means giving your dog uncooked meat, bone, and organ in the proportions a wild canid would eat them. There are two main approaches in the UK and you will see both shorthanded online.

BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. It includes some plant matter (usually 5% to 10% vegetable and fruit pulp) alongside the meat content. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons position statement on raw meat based diets groups BARF under the broader umbrella term RMBD.

Prey model skips the plants entirely and feeds meat, bone, organ and the occasional whole prey item. It is closer to what a wolf eats in the wild but harder to balance for some breeds.

Most UK raw feeders settle somewhere between the two: meat, bone, organ as the foundation, with a small handful of pureed vegetables or a probiotic supplement added a few times a week.

Why are UK owners switching to a raw diet?

The reasons we hear most often from new Superwild customers cluster into four buckets.

Coat and skin changes. Dogs eating a fresh raw diet typically show coat differences within four to six weeks. Less itching, less dander, a glossier topcoat. This is the most visible benefit and the one that converts skeptical partners.

Smaller, firmer stools. Raw fed dogs produce roughly half the stool volume of kibble fed dogs of the same weight. The biological reason is simple: raw food has less indigestible filler than dry food, so more of it gets absorbed.

Tooth and breath improvements. Chewing raw meaty bones acts as natural dental cleaning. The PDSA’s feeding guide is conservative on raw feeding but does acknowledge the dental benefits of appropriate chew bones.

Owner control over ingredients. Kibble bags often list “meat and animal derivatives” without specifying species or quality. Raw feeders know exactly what is in the bowl because they put it there.

The honest counterweight: the British Veterinary Association has expressed concern about the bacterial load in raw meat for households with immunocompromised humans. Worth reading their position before you decide, especially if you live with a young child, an elderly relative, or anyone on chemotherapy.

What does a balanced raw meal look like?

The simplest balance to remember is the 80/10/10 rule, which works for most adult dogs:

That is the foundation. On top of it, many UK feeders add:

• A tablespoon of pureed leafy greens or pumpkin for fibre
• A few cracked egg shells weekly for calcium variety
• A small portion of oily fish (sardines, mackerel) twice a week for omega 3
• A probiotic powder if the dog has had antibiotics in the last six months

Our Starter Pack is built around this ratio across a fortnight of meals so first time raw feeders do not have to weigh out organ meat with a kitchen scale on day one.

How much should I feed my dog on a raw diet?

The starting rule for UK owners is 2% to 3% of your dog’s adult bodyweight per day, split across two meals. A 20 kg adult dog needs roughly 400 to 600 grams of raw food daily.

Adjust from that baseline based on three signals over the first month:

• Activity level. A working spaniel needs more than a lap whippet.
• Bodyweight trajectory. Weigh the dog weekly. Trim if she gains, increase if she loses.
• Stool quality. Loose stools usually mean too much organ or too little bone. White or chalky stools mean too much bone.

Puppies are different. A 12 week old puppy needs roughly 8% to 10% of current bodyweight daily and the ratio shifts as she grows. Use our feeding calculator to get a per kilogram number rather than guessing.

How do I transition my dog from kibble to raw?

There are two schools of thought. Pick the one that matches your dog’s gut.

Cold turkey transition works well for healthy adult dogs with no digestive history. Fast for 12 to 24 hours, then start the next meal on raw. About 70% of dogs handle this without any tummy upset. Stools may be loose for the first three to five days.

Gradual transition is gentler and what we recommend for puppies, seniors, sensitive breeds (Frenchies, Yorkies) and any dog who has been on kibble for over five years. The standard schedule:

• Days 1 to 3: 75% kibble, 25% raw
• Days 4 to 6: 50% kibble, 50% raw
• Days 7 to 10: 25% kibble, 75% raw
• Day 11 onwards: 100% raw

Feed kibble and raw in separate meals during transition, not mixed in the same bowl. Their digestion times differ enough that mixing can cause stomach upset.

If your dog has had any history of pancreatitis, IBD or chronic loose stools, talk to a vet first. Some conditions need a specialist’s input before any major diet change.

Is raw feeding safe in the UK?

Yes, with the same basic food hygiene a human kitchen needs. The risks people worry about are real but manageable.

Bacterial contamination. Raw meat carries salmonella and campylobacter at higher rates than cooked food. Healthy adult dogs handle these bacteria fine. Humans in the household do not. Wash bowls, surfaces and hands after preparing meals, the same way you would after handling raw chicken for your own dinner.

Choking on bones. Only ever feed raw meaty bones, never cooked. Cooked bones splinter; raw bones do not. Size the bone bigger than the dog’s mouth so she has to chew rather than swallow whole.

Nutritional imbalance. This is the real risk for beginners and the reason “just feed chicken mince” is bad advice. Chicken mince alone is missing calcium, missing key trace minerals, and gives an inflammatory omega 6 ratio. Variety across the week matters more than perfect balance at every meal.

The UK food hygiene rating system applies to raw pet food manufacturers too. DEFRA registers raw pet food producers and most reputable UK suppliers (including our own range) state their registration number on the packaging. Look for it before you buy.

What does a week of raw feeding look like for a 20 kg dog?

Here is a sample meal plan for a 20 kg adult Labrador eating 2.5% of bodyweight per day (500 g daily, split across two meals):

Notice the variety. Five different protein sources across the week, plus oily fish, plus three organ varieties. That spread is what makes the diet nutritionally complete without supplements.

Frequently asked questions

Is raw feeding suitable for puppies? Yes, with careful balancing. Puppies need more food per kilogram of bodyweight than adult dogs, more frequent meals (3 to 4 daily) and slightly more bone for skeletal growth.

Can I mix raw food with kibble? Most owners avoid mixing raw and kibble in the same bowl because they digest at different rates.

What is the cheapest way to raw feed a dog in the UK? Buying in bulk from a single supplier and freezing. Expect £1.20 to £2.50 per kilo depending on supplier and protein.

Do I need to add supplements to a raw diet? For a healthy adult dog eating varied protein, organ and oily fish across the week, no daily supplements are required.

How long does raw food keep in the freezer? Three to four months at minus eighteen Celsius. Defrost in the fridge overnight rather than at room temperature.

Will my dog smell better on a raw diet? Most UK owners report less doggy odour and better breath within six weeks.