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The goal for feeding a Raw Food Diet to dogs is to introduce all-natural foods in order to replicate what wolves, the domestic dog's ancestor, naturally eat in the wild. By forgoing commercial kibble and instead eating a combination of uncooked bones, meats, small amounts of vegetables and fruit (optional), and organs, raw food enthusiasts believe that dogs can achieve a better state of overall health than their commercially-fed counterparts.



  1. 1
    Weigh your dog to learn how much raw food to feed each day. The amounts of ingredients in raw food diets are based on weight. Dr. Ian Billinghurst, a veterinarian who advocates raw diets for dogs, suggests feeding amounts that equate to between 2 to 3 percent of a dog's body weight, or about 1/2 lb. of food per 25 lbs. (11.3 kg) of body weight. Puppies should be fed no more than 10 percent of their body weight or 2 to 3 percent of their ideal ADULT body weight. Remember that more active dogs will eat more than a lazy dog. Most raw feeders use this guide:
    • Approx. 80% muscle meat with fat
    • Approx. 10% Organs
    • Approx. 10% Raw meaty bones. (also give raw meaty bones as treats throughout the week).
    • Green tripe can make up 15% to 18% of overall diet.
    • Eggs – Once a week, preferably raw, the white and the yolk.
    • Feeding these proportions isn't required everyday, but instead can be balanced out throughout each month. Variety is the key.
  2. 2
    Obtain the freshest, most organic raw meats (bone-in and no bone) and organs available to create a base for your dog's daily diet. Suggested meats include poultry, bison, beef and pork, though you can feed anything available to you: quail, kangaroo, ostrich, fish, duck, deer, ox, even guinea pig. Organ meats such as spleen, brain, kidney, eyeballs, ovaries, testicles, liver (especially liver) or any other secreting organ should also be included. Organs such as heart, lungs or other non-secreting organs are recognised as muscle meat though. Green tripe (NOT bleached tripe found in the supermarket) is easily the most nutritious part of a raw diet and VERY important to include.
  3. 3
    Reserve enough meats and bones for 3 to 5 days. Wrap the remainder and freeze for later use.
  4. 4
    Steam, grind or finely chop 1 to 3 lbs. (.45 to 1.36 kg) of fresh, low-glycemic vegetables such as spinach and carrots. Some fruit is also acceptable. Strive for as much organic produce as possible. This step is optional, if you believe dogs are carnivores you can choose if you feed fruits or vegetables.
  5. 5
    Feed. Most dogs make an overnight switch: one night its kibble for dinner, the next day they have a Raw breakfast. You can do this too. Others need a fasting period of 1-2 days- never do this longer than one MEAL with puppies. Do not mix kibble and raw, as the time it takes to digest kibble is far longer than it takes to digest raw -sometimes resulting in a stomach upset. Canned organic 100% pumpkin is great to have on hand to regulate any digestive upsets.
  6. 6
    Stick to one protein source for as long as needed and monitor poops. If the first meal the dog gets on raw is chicken for example, feed chicken until poops return to normal: small and firm. Some dogs get "rocket-butt" at first but this is okay. Don't get all scared, the dog will live and it just takes some time to adjust. Remember your dog has been eating commercially-prepared kibble all its life right up until now.
  7. 7
    Add a second protein source. And then a third. Remember, be patient and each time you add a new protein source, make sure the dog's poops are okay.
  8. 8
    Monitor your dog's weight over time and adjust the food proportions accordingly. You'll know you're feeding enough if you can see a faint outline of your dog's ribs and an hourglass shape at the bottom of the rib cage. For optimum health, veterinary experts recommend keeping dogs thinner rather than overweight.
  9. 9
    Detox. Your dog has been eating kibble all its life. Kibble is filled with a lot of unneeded and unnatural ingredient - grains, preservatives, flavours, colours, fats, oils, added vitamins and minerals, etc. Then they are switched to a natural, wholesome diet and the body begins to cleanse itself. Don't get scared here either, its all part of nature.
  10. 10
    Continue and Learn. Keep researching about the Raw Diet, and learn from your experiences as you go along. Continue looking for cheaper options when it comes to buying meat: fresh roadkill (hours old if its a warmer climate, maybe a day old if its cold), slaughterhouse scraps, expired supermarket meats, butcher scraps, freezer burned meat from your neighbours freezer, a hunter's scraps or uneaten meat after their hunt, etc. Meat that's just expired a few days ago or that freezer burned meat does not bother a dog.
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  • Monitor the dogs poop. You will notice they become smaller and firm. They may turn white as they dry out. Completely normal!
  • Vegetables should be pulverised and lightly steamed for smaller dogs whose intestines may have a difficult time processing large pieces of plant food.
  • To create the most beneficial raw food diet for your dog, work in conjunction with a holistic veterinary professional who has a background in canine nutrition.
  • Raw dog food should be fed twice daily at least to promote healthy digestion. Divide your dog's homemade food allotments into a morning and evening portion. Puppies should eat 3-4 times a day. The size of your dog determines how long they are considered "puppies".
  • Canned pumpkin (pure, not pie filling) works great for diarrhea and for constipation as it gives the fiber needed to help pass stool that is too firm and it also gives the fiber necessary to form a firmer stool as well.
  • There are essentially two types of raw feeding: BARF (an acronym for Bones and Raw Food or Biologically appropriate raw food) and prey model. In the BARF diet you add veggies, fruits, supplements, and sometimes dairy products and eggs, to raw meat. Usually the mixture is ground. Prey model is when you try to recreate what a dog would eat in the wild. There are no dairy products, no veggies, no fruit, no grains, no supplements (other than fish oil, which is used by some raw feeders) and no ground meat. Foods are fed as whole as possible.
  • Meaty bones can be given separately between meals but always supervise your dog when they are eating.


  • Never feed cooked bones to your dog. The molecular structure of animal bones changes during cooking, which causes splintering that can create obstructions in your dog's intestines. All bones fed to your dog should be raw.
  • Never feed the following: Avocado, onion, garlic, mushroom, grapes/raisins, tomatoes, most nuts, fruit that hasn't had leaves, stems, seeds or pits removed, raw/green potatoes, or rhubarb.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog weight scale
  • Meat (bone-in and boneless)
  • Secreting Organs
  • Vegetables and fruits (optional)
  • Eating "area". Outside, in the garage, on top of an old mat. (For messy eaters)

Article Info

Categories: Feeding Dogs

Recent edits by: Chandler, Jamie, Brendan

In other languages:

Español: Cómo preparar una dieta cruda para perros, Italiano: Come Impostare una Dieta Crudista per Cani, Português: Como Fazer Comida Crua para Cães, Русский: составить сырую диету для собак


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