Puppies and raw feeding

Raw Feeding and Puppies: A Complete Starter Guide

Everything You Need to Know About Raw Feeding Your Puppy

Raw feeding your puppy can feel overwhelming at first—but just like caring for a newborn baby, it’s all about being informed, intuitive, and gentle. Puppies, much like human babies, have delicate digestive systems, sensitive skin, developing immunity, and evolving appetites. That’s why if you’re exploring raw feeding for your pup, you need to get the basics right. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with this simple, experience-based guide.

🐶 Starting Your Puppy on Raw Feeding

Always start cold turkey. Don’t mix kibble with raw food. If your pup comes from a kibble-fed background, make a clean switch. For help, check our detailed blog: How to Transition Your Pet to a Raw Diet.

💧 Water & Play Are Just as Important

Before diving deeper into diet specifics, remember this: clean, fresh water and daily playtime are non-negotiables.

• Keep fresh water available 24/7.

• Encourage play in open areas instead of forcing long leash walks.

• Limit play sessions to 7–10 minutes until your puppy is around 8 months old.

🍗 Protein Rotation for Raw Feeding Puppies

Start with chicken for the first week. If your puppy digests it well, rotate proteins to turkey, then red meats from 6 weeks onwards. Protein rotation is key for achieving nutritional balance over time.

🦴 Bone Health: Building Strength Early

Puppies need calcium just as much as adults do—for their bones, heart, nervous system, and growth. Here’s how to introduce raw meaty bones (RMBs):

• Start with chicken or turkey necks, wings, or feet from 6–7 weeks old.

• Let your puppy learn to chew and rip meat—it builds jaw strength and mental stimulation.

• Combine RMBs with muscle meat, organs, offal, and a touch of fruit and veggies for a complete BARF-style meal.

If your pup starts leaving food behind, don’t worry. Adjust the portion or save leftovers for the next meal.

🫀 Introducing Secreting Organs Safely

Wait until after 7 weeks, once your pup’s poop has firmed up, before adding organs. Start small to avoid digestive upset. If you spot diarrhoea, scale back and reintroduce slowly—never offer a full liver meal all at once.

🕒 Feeding Times & Schedule

Feed your pup 3–4 small meals daily until about 6 months of age. Small breeds are prone to blood sugar drops, so avoid long gaps between meals.

• Choose timings that suit your daily routine.

• Be consistent to build a healthy mealtime rhythm.
  

⚖️ Raw Feeding Quantities for Puppies

Here’s a rough guideline:

• Start with 8–10% of current body weight for young pups.

• Gradually adjust to 5–7% around 6 months.

• By 12 months, feed 2–3% of current body weight (adult guidelines).

Always monitor weight. You should feel your pup’s ribs—not see them. A waistline should be visible.

💩 Watch That Stool

Loose stools? You’re likely feeding too much offal. Wait for stools to firm up before reintroducing. Break down different organ types and rotate them instead of dumping them in one meal.

🧪 Supplements That Support Raw Feeding

Even with the best raw diet, supplements can help fill nutritional gaps. Try these:

• Probiotics: Support gut health.

• Green Tripe: Natural enzymes and probiotics.

• Omega-3s: Use krill oil, fish oil, or better—whole fish like sardines, anchovies, or mackerel.

• Diatomaceous Earth or Pumpkin Seed Powder: Great for natural deworming.

🍳 What to Feed Your Puppy (Safely)

Here’s a list of safe and nutritious raw foods for puppies:

• Eggs: Whisked the first few times.

• Chicken: Neck, back, wings, or feet.

• Red meat: Beef, buffalo from 6 months.

• Organs: From cow, sheep, or goat.

• Oily fish: Sardines, anchovies, tuna, mackerel.

• Lamb trotters or pig feet.

• Veggies: Crushed or finely chopped in small amounts.

Be mindful of allergies when introducing a new protein. Always monitor your pup’s response.

🍖 Bone Safety Tips

• Match bone size to your pup’s size.

• Avoid chopped bones that are too small—they’ll be swallowed, not chewed.

• Chewing is important for jaw strength, dental hygiene, and mental stimulation.

Let your puppy chew in peace—don’t hover. Observe from a distance.

🧼 Final Raw Feeding Safety Tips

• Use stainless steel bowls, not plastic.

• Store proteins for allergic pups in color-coded bags.

• Clean up with disinfectant wipes after prep.

• Use separate utensils and sponges for your dog’s dishes.

❤️ In Conclusion: Raw Feeding Builds Healthy Puppies

Raw feeding your puppy doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs care, consistency, and observation. Every puppy is different, but their biological needs are the same: fresh food, balanced nutrition, clean water, and lots of love.

If you’re unsure or need a custom raw feeding plan for your puppy, we’re always here to help.
Write to us—we’d love to hear how your puppy is doing!