What is raw feeding?

Raw feeding is the practice of feeding dogs a diet made up of raw meat, bone, and offal, often alongside vegetables and berries. The aim is to feed your dog a diet based on ingredients commonly found in their natural diet, similar to what they might eat in the wild.

Many commercial dog foods, like dry dog food and kibble, are heavily processed, include preservatives, and contain a long list of ingredients that aren't always easy to understand. Unlike many dry dog foods, which are cooked during production, raw food is typically frozen shortly after preparation to help maintain the quality of the ingredients all the way to your dog's bowl.

The idea behind raw feeding is to keep it simple. Less processing, more species-appropriate ingredients. A raw diet is about understanding exactly what's going into your dog's bowl and keeping mealtimes as straightforward as possible.

What is a BARF diet?

BARF is an acronym that stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food - although some people use it to mean Bones and Raw Food. A BARF diet is a style of feeding based around raw ingredients that would be commonly found in a dog's natural diet, such as meat, bone, and offal.

What food should dogs eat?

Dogs thrive on a complete and balanced diet that provides the right mix of protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

A healthy diet for most dogs should include:

• Quality animal proteins (such as chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, or fish)
• Healthy fats for energy and skin health
• Digestible carbohydrates and fiber
• Essential vitamins and minerals
• Fresh, clean water available at all times

Puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs have different nutritional requirements, so it's important to choose food designed for their life stage.

What is in raw dog food?

While recipes vary from brand to brand, most raw dog food is built around a few simple ingredients: meat, bone, offal, and sometimes vegetables, berries, and other natural additions or 'superfoods'.

Many brands use the term '80/10/10'. This refers to a common raw feeding ratio made up of 80% meat, 10% bone, and 10% offal. Many raw food brands use this model as the basis for their recipes, although exact ingredients and ratios can vary from brand to brand.

Meat

Meat makes up the largest part of most raw diets (often 80%) and can include ingredients such as beef, chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, pork, salmon, and white fish.

Bone & offal

Bone is a common ingredient in raw diets, providing a natural source of calcium and other minerals, while offal adds variety by including nutrient-rich animal ingredients beyond muscle meat alone.

Plenty of recipes include ingredients such as liver, kidney, spleen, heart, or tripe. 

Vegetables & berries

Vegetables and berries are often included in a raw diet to add variety as well as provide nutrients that aren't found in meat alone.

Common examples include carrots, broccoli, kale, cabbage, blueberries, and raspberries.

'Superfoods' or 'natural extras'

Depending on the brand, some raw foods may also contain ingredients such as kelp, spirulina, turmeric, ginger, or salmon oil.

These natural extras are often labelled as 'superfoods' and are added alongside the core ingredients of a raw diet, to help provide support for things like your dog's digestive systems or joints.

What is the 80-10-10 rule for raw dog food?

If you've spent any time researching raw feeding, you've probably come across the term 80-10-10. This refers to a common raw feeding ratio made up of 80% meat, 10% bone
and 10% offal (with liver usually making up around half of this portion).

Many raw feeders use 80-10-10 as a starting point when building a raw diet. You'll often see 80-10-10 used on raw food packaging, particularly for complementary raw meals.

The differences between Complete, Complimentary, and 80-10-10

One of the biggest points of confusion for people new to raw feeding is the difference between Complete, Complementary, and 80-10-10 meals.

Complete raw meals

Complete raw meals are formulated to provide a balanced meal on their own. Alongside meat, bone, and offal, they typically contain additional ingredients such as vegetables, berries, oils, or supplements.

For dog owners looking for a simple, ready-to-feed option, complete meals are often the easiest place to start. Complete meals can make up you dogs main diet.

Complementary raw meals

Complementary raw meals are designed to be fed as part of a wider diet rather than as a complete meal on their own.

They may still contain high-quality ingredients, but are intended to be fed alongside other foods to create a varied diet.

80-10-10 raw meals

80-10-10 meals are a specific type of complementary raw food built around the traditional ratio of meat, bone, and offal.

Many raw feeders use 80-10-10 products as part of a varied feeding plan, often rotating between different proteins and ingredients over time.

When choosing raw food, it's always worth checking whether a product is labelled as complete or complementary so you know how it's intended to be fed.

Do dogs need supplements on a raw diet?

Not necessarily. Many dog owners feeding a complete raw diet choose to rely on the food itself, as complete meals are designed to provide balanced nutrition as part of a varied diet.

That said, every dog is different. Some owners choose to add supplements such as salmon oil, joint support, or digestive supplements depending on their dog's age, lifestyle, or individual needs. Supplements can also be a useful addition for dogs on restricted diets or those eating a limited range of proteins.

As with any feeding approach, the best diet for your dog will depend on their individual needs, lifestyle, and preferences.

Variety in raw feeding for dogs

Variety is an important aspect of feeding a raw diet. Different meats contain different nutrients, which is why many raw feeders choose to rotate between proteins such as chicken, beef, lamb, duck, and fish rather than relying on a single meat source.

What are the benefits of feeding a raw diet?

Many raw feeders report noticing changes in areas such as digestion, skin and coat condition, oral health, and energy levels after making the switch. Remember, every dog is different, so experiences can vary.

Unlike many types of kibble dry dog foods, which are heavily processed, include preservatives, and are cooked during production, raw food is typically frozen shortly after preparation to help maintain the quality of the ingredients all the way to your dog's bowl.

With a raw diet, you understand more about what's actually going into your dog's bowl and keeping mealtimes as straightforward as possible.

What age can dogs start eating a raw diet?

Dogs can start eating raw food at any age. Many raw food brands offer recipes specifically designed for puppies, making it easy to introduce raw feeding from an early age, but it's also never too late to make the switch. Whether you have a puppy, an adult dog, or a senior dog, raw feeding can be introduced gradually to help your dog adjust to their new diet.

As with any feeding change, it's important to choose food that's appropriate for your dog's age, size, and individual needs.

Is raw dog food grain-free?

Many raw dog foods are naturally grain-free and are made primarily from ingredients such as meat, bone, offal, vegetables, and berries rather than grains like wheat, barley, oats, or rice.

However, recipes can vary between brands, so it's always worth checking the ingredients list if you're looking for a grain-free option or your dog has specific dietary requirements.

Is raw dog food safe to feed?

When handled and stored correctly, raw dog food is perfectly safe to feed. Like any raw meat product, raw dog food should be kept frozen until you're ready to use it, then defrosted in the fridge and stored chilled. Always follow the storage instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Good hygiene is important when handling raw food. Wash your hands and bowls after feeding, just as you would clean up when preparing raw meat in your own kitchen.

All of the raw food brands we stock are produced in line with UK pet food regulations, giving you confidence that the food has been manufactured to the required standards.

If you're new to raw feeding, don't worry. Once you've got the basics of storage and handling covered, feeding raw quickly becomes part of your normal routine.

How much raw food should I feed my dog?

The amount of raw food your dog needs will depend on factors such as their age, weight, breed, and activity level. As a general guide, adult dogs are often fed around 2–3% of their body weight per day, while growing puppies typically require more.

For a more personalised recommendation, try our Raw Feeding Calculator. It takes into account your dog's age, weight, and activity level to help you find a suitable starting point.