Raw Feeding FAQ's

Here we answer all of the Raw Feeding FAQ's:

Who Decides What Dogs Eat?

Pet guardians decide! Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, owners must provide a suitable diet. However, the £3 billion UK pet food industry influences availability, with FEDIAF (Europe) and AAFCO (U.S.) offering guidelines but no enforcement.

How Did Commercial Dog Food Begin?

Dogs historically ate table scraps and raw meaty bones. In 1860, James Spratt created the first dog biscuits, expanded by Charles Cruft, founder of Crufts dog show. Kibble arrived in 1956, but raw feeding has since gained popularity.

How Are Pet Food Standards Set?

AAFCO trials test food on just eight dogs, with puppy trials lasting only 10 weeks. Failed tests can be repeated until they pass. FEDIAF sets minimum nutrition standards, but quality varies, leaving guardians responsible for ensuring proper feeding.

What Is the 80:10:10 Raw Feeding Model?

This ratio is believed to closely mimic a wild dog’s diet:

• 80% muscle meat

• 10% bone

• 5% liver

• 5% secreting organs (kidney, spleen, etc.)

  
  

Dogs thrive though with added nutrients like:

🐟 Oily fish – Sprats, sardines, mackerel

🥚 Eggs – 2-3 times per week

🥦 Dog-safe veggies & fruits – 4-6% of meals, up to 10% for some dogs

🍖 Bone broth – Homemade or store-bought

What Are ‘Completes’ in Raw Feeding?

Complete raw pet foods offer ready-made nutrition, but not all meet full dietary needs. Some contain only meat, bone, and offal, requiring supplements to be added but still are labelled as complete so always check the full ingredients.

Are Completes Always Enough?

Even high-quality completes may need minor tweaks based on individual dogs, the coat of the dog, and their stools, are often the best insight you can have into their health and whether tweaks are needed

Are Supplements Better Than Natural Sources?

Dogs naturally absorb nutrients better than synthetic alternatives. Opt for whole foods or trusted natural supplements wherever possible

What’s the Best Feeding Approach?

A balanced mix works best:

✔ 2+ days per week of complete raw meals

✔ Other days, add fresh foods or natural supplements to 801010 ratio’s

🐾 If your complete food lacks eggs, oily fish, or bone broth, or plant matter you may need to add manually for joint & gut health.

What Should You Feed Your Dog?

There’s no single right answer - each dog has unique needs. Tailor their diet for optimal health and use RFFDMSUK guidance as a base that you tweak to best suit your dogs individual needs.

How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

Every dog is different! Use our Feeding Allowance Calculator to determine portion sizes based on age & weight – remember though it is just a guide, if your dogs body condition changes you may need to adjust portion sizes.

Should I Feed My Puppy Fewer Meals?

Puppies should eat four meals per day until 16 weeks old. Never go below three meals, as regular feeding supports healthy growth. Checking feeding guidance here

When Can My Dog Switch to Adult Raw Food?

Dogs can eat any raw pet food from eight weeks old, but puppy mince has a finer texture. Completes may have some more growth supporting plant materials too for puppies. Transition when you are ready, many puppies are weaned onto raw from mum.

Why Do Feeding Calculators Differ?

Both methods are valid, but our guidance is carefully researched for accuracy.

Where can I buy Raw Pet Food from?

Our Suppliers / Retailers map details where you can buy from, wherever you are in the UK. Er also have a list of National Delivery Raw Suppliers for those who prefer not to, or can't, shop locally

Can I Defrost, Portion & Refreeze Raw Food?

Yes! Defrost in the fridge, ensure food remains cold, then refreeze safely once meals are prepped.

What Equipment Do I Need for Raw Feeding?

✔ Digital Kitchen Scales – for accurate portioning

✔ Defrosting Board – speeds up safe defrosting

✔ Energy-efficient Freezer – keeps food fresh & organized

For DIY raw feeding, check out our DIY Blog for extra tips!

Can I Use a Raised Feeder?

A controversial topic, but no scientific evidence links raised feeders to bloat. Many vets & physiotherapists recommend feeding at chest height for spinal support.

⭐ Personal choice matters - use one if it benefits your dog.

Should I Fast My Dog?

We don’t recommend fasting, especially for pregnant dogs or puppies. Always consult a vet for health concerns.

💡 Considering fasting an adult dog? Weigh the pros and cons - some dogs may develop undesirable behaviours like:🚨 Barking, scavenging, counter surfing, or resource guarding.

For behavioural concerns, seek a qualified behaviourist from APBC.

Do Dogs Need Serotonin in Their Food?

Serotonin affects mood, aggression, appetite, and energy balance. Low levels are linked to canine aggression. A microbiome imbalance can lead to a lower level of "happy" chemicals being produced naturally by the body so where this is suspected as an issue we recommend carrying out a Microbiome test - more can be found in our Blog

Include serotonin-supporting foods like:🍌 Banana, 🍍 Pineapple, 🍎 Pomegranate, 🍓 Strawberry, 🥬 Spinach, 🌿 Nettle, 🥝 Kiwi, 🥗 Lettuce, 🍗 Turkey, 🐔 Chicken, 🥜 Nuts & Seeds

Is Raw Dog Food High in Protein?

A balanced raw diet delivers adequate protein & nutrients.

🐾 Dogs need 15-23% protein on a dry matter basis.

Though raw food contains 60-70% moisture, licensed products are analytically tested and clearly labelled for protein content.

Is Raw Food Just Protein? 🤔

No! A complete raw diet includes:🥩 Amino acids for muscle health🥓 Animal fats for energy🦴 Calcium & phosphorus for bone strength

Beware of Non-Licensed Pet Food 🚨

Some butchers sell "pet food" but it is worth checking if they are licensed to do so by APHA and what the analytics are as it may contain excess fat.

Butcher-sourced raw dog food comes with risks:

🦴 Limited variety – Dogs need diverse proteins (red meat, white meat, game).

🦠 No bacterial testing – Unlike licensed pet food, butcher meats aren’t tested for E. coli or Salmonella.🔥 Human-intended handling – Unlike pet food, butcher meat is stored for cooking, making bacterial safety crucial.

✅ Over 90% of UK pet food manufacturers are members of UK Pet Food, ensuring safe & nutritious options.

Are dogs carnivores or omnivores?

Dogs are primarily carnivores but can tolerate some plant matter—unlike cats, which are obligate carnivores. For optimal digestion, feed high-quality raw food with bioavailable protein.

📖 For deeper insights, check out Dr. Conor Brady’s book, Feeding Dogs: The Science Behind the Dry vs Raw Debate.

Can I Feed Wholeprey?

Yes! Wholeprey matches a dog's natural diet and provides excellent nutrition.

✅ Freeze fresh produce before feeding for safety.

What Counts as Wholeprey?

🐟 Whole oily fish – Mackerel, herring, sardines🐣 Small animals – Day-old chicks, ducklings, rabbits🐾 Larger prey – Squirrels, hares, pheasants, ducks

Managing Wholeprey Portions

✅ High bone content? Balance with boneless meals—adjust based on stool consistency.

✅ Smaller than daily allowance? Add extra food on other days.

✅ Larger than daily allowance? Deduct food before/after, portion with a meat cleaver, and freeze servings.

Where Can I Get Wholeprey?

📌 Raw pet food retailers (usually frozen)

📌 Game shoots via Facebook groups like Giving Up The Game

Buying Raw Dog Food from Butchers 🚨

Preventing Lawn Patches from Dog Urine 🌱

No proven fix, but options include:

✅ Green Peez supplement

✅ Flush urine spots with water

✅ Experiment with solutions to find the best approach!

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