Raw feeding guide
Transitioning to raw:
Transitioning to raw feeding is straightforward. We recommend that the best way to change from your dog’s existing diet to raw feeding is to go completely ‘cold turkey’ by doing a straight swap. The reason we don’t advise mixing raw with anything else (such as kibble or tinned food) is to prevent digestive upsets. Naturally acidic, a dog’s stomach is biologically suited to a raw diet as a highly acidic stomach easily breaks down and digests bone.
To start, feed the last meal of your dog’s current diet in the evening, then start afresh with raw food the following morning. Follow your dog’s established feeding routine as before.
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During the transition period, we recommend only feeding a couple of types of protein (type of meat) a week for the first couple of weeks. This approach helps your dog get used to different types of meat and also gives you a chance to identify and eliminate any potential allergies.
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After the transition period the best way to give your dog all they need is variety – at least five different proteins on rotation a week, but if you can do more, that is even better! Variety is vital to a raw fed dog, as constantly feeding only one type of protein can lead to your dog becoming uninterested in their food and potentially may cause allergies.
How much do you feed?
Every dog is unique, and their diet should be tailored according to their individual needs. Raw feeding is easy to adjust as you can add or take away the guideline amount of their feed according to your dog’s specific requirements.
When identifying the feeding quantities, consider the amount of daily exercise and activity your dog exerts. A working dog being active for the majority of the day, would burn much more energy compared to a dog that is a pet, and therefore would require a higher percentage feed. Other factors like age, breed, as well as external factors such as seasonal temperatures and other variables should be considered. Be mindful of the type of protein you are feeding when it comes to per day feeding percentages, as different proteins have varying fat content. For example, turkey is a leaner meat compared to a rich beef mince.
For an adult dog aim to feed a guideline of 2-3% of your dog’s ideal bodyweight per day. For a puppy follow the guide below and by 4 months of age feed your puppy from three times a day to two times a day. If you want to wean your puppies straight onto the raw food, please enquire with us how to do this.
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If you want your dog to lose or gain weight then feed 2-3% of their target bodyweight per day. By increasing or reducing food quantity you can manage your dog’s weight according to their needs at the time.
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Age % of the adult bodyweight of your dog to feed per day
Additionally:
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Introduce raw frozen fish such as sprats, mackerel or sardines, and feed no more than twice a week.
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Include raw eggs with shell once or twice a week.
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We don't advise on feeding veg because it's not essential to their diet, but if you do, it is recommended to slightly steam them and then blend them into a pulp to break down the cellulose wall.
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Introduce raw chunks, including offal and bones, either as meal replacements or toppers in your dog's bowl. Always take into account the 80/10/10 and food amounts, ensuring not to go over the recommended amount. All our sleeves are the recommended 80% meat, 10% bone and 10% offal.