Non-Raw & Mixed Diets

Alternatives to Raw Feeding

A raw diet is the most species-appropriate nutrition for dogs. However, there are times when feeding raw may not be possible. This guide explores alternative feeding options for short- and medium-term situations, helping you make an informed choice when raw isn't feasible.

Short-Term Alternatives

Certain circumstances, such as post-surgery or illness, may require temporary dietary adjustments.

📌 For recovery support, refer to our Recovery from Illness Blog

Medium-Term Alternatives

Situations like traveling or camping may necessitate alternative feeding methods.

⚠️ Feeding non-raw food for more than a few days means you'll need to transition back to raw when possible.

To support gut health during this period, we recommend supplementing with:

• Dorwest Tree Barks or Proflax Tummy Tastic

• UK-based bone broth options: Alexander’s Natural or Karnlea

  
  

Best to Least Optimal Feeding Options

When ranking pet food choices from best to least beneficial, the list would look like this:

1️⃣ A varied raw diet 🥇

2️⃣ Lightly cooked diet with added nutrients

3️⃣ Pre-made cooked meals

4️⃣ Freeze-dried food

5️⃣ Cold-pressed food

6️⃣ High-meat-content tinned food

7️⃣ High-meat-content dry food

📌 As a raw feeding group trained in canine nutrition, we do not recommend kibble (dry food), as it provides the lowest nutritional value. However, if kibble is unavoidable, we’ll share supportive add-ons to improve its nutritional quality.

Lightly Cooked at Home (Short to Medium-Term Option)

If your dog is fussy but medically fine, a lightly cooked diet may be preferable over ultra-processed kibble.

⚠️ Note: Cooking denatures fats, particularly omega-3s, reducing their nutritional impact.

Components of a Lightly Cooked Diet

✔️ Protein: Use chunks or minced meat.

✔️ Bone Content:

• Feed raw meaty bones separately (never cooked bones!)

• If needed, use Aniforte ground beef bones or ground horse bones as substitutes.

✔️ Offal:

• Liver should make up 5% of the diet.

• Another 5% should come from secreting organs (kidney, spleen, testicles, sweetbread, pancreas, or brain).

✔️ Plant Matter: See our Fruits & Vegetables Blog for guidance.

✔️ Additional Nutritional Support:

• Raw egg (2–3 times a week)

• Oily fish (or algae oil if fish isn’t available)

• Aniforte Colostrum & Bovine Blood (supports microbiome health)

• Bone broth (daily for gut & joint support)

🛑 Do not overcook – food should be cooked through but not incinerated!

Pre-Made Lightly Cooked Diets (Short to Long-Term Option)

If root vegetables don’t cause yeast issues or itching, Different Dog offers pre-made cooked meals with no grains, legumes, or fillers - and the Gently Steamed Range from Nutriment

✔️ Recommended Additions:

• Raw egg (2–3 times a week)

• Oily fish (or algae oil if fish isn’t available)

• Aniforte Colostrum & Bovine Blood (supports microbiome health)

• Bone broth (daily for gut & joint support)

  
  

Freeze-Dried Food (Short to Medium-Term Option)

📌 Learn more about freeze-dried diets in our Freeze-Dried Food Blog

Cold-Pressed Food (Short to Medium-Term Option)

⚠️ Cold-pressed food varies in quality - some contain poor fillers and additives that are not highly bioavailable to dogs.

✔️ Recommended Brands:

• Tribal Pets

• Wild Pet

✔️ Recommended Additions:

• Raw egg (2–3 times a week)

• Oily fish (or algae oil if fish isn’t available)

• Aniforte Colostrum & Bovine Blood (supports microbiome health)

• Bone broth (daily for gut & joint support)

  
  

Tinned Food (Short to Medium-Term Options)

These options provide a temporary solution during travel or special circumstances.

✔️ Recommended Brands:

• Aniforte Tinned – No cheap fillers, artificial colourings, or protein substitutes. May contain root vegetables—check if suitable for yeasty dogs.

• Canagan Tinned – No cheap fillers, but contains peas & carrots.

• Carnilove Tinned – No cheap fillers, but contains pea flour & lignocellulose.

• Dogs Love – Uses real food, though includes potato starch & synthetic additives.

• Eden Wet Food – 70% meat/fish but check tins for hidden additives.

• Country Hunter Wet Food – 80% meat but includes sunflower oil, which is pro-inflammatory.

  
  

Mixed Diets: Understanding the Risks & Benefits

In today’s world, where budgeting is crucial, many pet owners face a common question:👉 What’s the most cost-effective way to feed our dogs?

Should we stick with kibble, wet, freeze-dried, or explore the realm of raw feeding?

Some opt to mix raw with other food types to balance expenses. However, this approach comes with risks that require careful consideration.

The Benefits of a Full Raw Diet

A raw diet is widely regarded as the most species-appropriate nutrition for dogs, mirroring what their ancestors consumed in the wild.

Key Benefits of a Complete Raw Diet:

🐾 Optimal Nutrient Retention – Raw food preserves essential nutrients lost in processed commercial diets.

🐾 Health Risk Reduction – Research suggests raw diets can help prevent and manage various health issues:

• Obesity: Maintains a healthy body weight through balanced nutrients.

• Cancer: Natural diets are linked to lower cancer risks in dogs.

• Joint Health: Supports joint function and mobility, reducing disease prevalence.

• Gum & Heart Health: Helps reduce gum disease risks and improves cardiovascular health (but daily tooth brushing is still vital!).

• Diabetes & Pancreatitis: A properly structured raw diet lowers the likelihood of these conditions while promoting overall vitality.

  
  

Other Diet Options: Convenience vs. Health

🐶 Kibble, freeze-dried, & similar alternatives offer one primary advantage: convenience.

⚠️ While these diets are easy to store and serve, they come with nutritional trade-offs.

💡 In some cases, a cooked diet can be useful—particularly during:

✔️ Recovery from illness or surgery – See our Recovery Blog for details.

✔️ Short-term feeding needs (e.g., holidays, travel).

The Risks of Non-Raw Diets

Mixing raw and processed foods can pose nutritional and absorption risks:

1️⃣ Moisture & Nutrient Disparity

💧 Raw food’s moisture contains crucial vitamins & minerals beyond simple hydration.

🚫 Simply adding water to non-raw food does not replicate these benefits.

2️⃣ Nutrient Imbalance

🦴 Non-raw diets lack essential raw components, such as natural bone content, which supplies:

✔️ Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus

✔️ Essential amino acids & fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E)

⚠️ These nutrients are synthetically added to processed foods, but:

🚫 Synthetic additives are less bioavailable—the dog's body cannot absorb them as effectively as natural sources.

3️⃣ Choosing Non-Raw Alternatives

🧐 When selecting non-raw foods, opt for:

✔️ Minimally processed products with natural ingredients

✔️ Transparency – Always read ingredient labels for synthetic additives

📌 Remember: Any number of additives means the nutrients aren’t naturally derived, making them less bioavailable than those found in raw diets.

4️⃣ Cost Considerations

💰 High-quality non-raw diets can be expensive.

✔️ In many cases, feeding a full raw diet is actually more affordable, with the right cost-saving strategies!

🔎 Explore cost-effective raw options using:🔗 Supplier Discounts & Budget-Friendly Raw Feeding Guide

Balanced Ratios for a Mixed Diet

✔️ 50% Raw Base: Ensure at least half of the meal consists of raw elements, including:

• Meat

• Bone

• Offal (or pre-made 80-10-10 mince)

📌 This provides a strong foundation of bioavailable nutrients that support optimal health.

✔️ 10–20% Fibre-Rich Vegetables: Lightly steamed dark leafy greens offer dietary fibre and bulk at a low cost. See Vegetables & Fruits Guide for more options.

✔️ 10% Treats: Limit treats to animal-based options to maintain nutritional integrity.

✔️ Essential Raw Additions: Include oily fish and raw eggs (2–3 times per week).Bone broth is also highly beneficial for hydration, gut health, and joint support.

✔️ Organs for Extra Nutrients: Blend testicles, pancreas, and spleen, freeze into small portions (5–15g), and add every few days.

🚫 Liver: Avoid excessive amounts.

⚠️ Dalmatians or dogs needing low-purine diets: Consult a qualified nutritionist before adding extra organ meat.

✔️ Non-Raw Portion: Follow feeding guidelines for non-raw components—this should remain minimal due to the higher raw content.

Enhancing Non-Raw Bowls

Not everyone is ready or able to switch to full raw feeding. Here are additions to improve the nutritional quality of non-raw meals:

🐣 Eggs: Chicken, duck, quail, goose, or turkey (for larger breeds).

✔️ Serve raw on top of food 2–3 times per week.

🐟 Small Oily Fish: Use our [Fish Calculator] to determine portion size.

✔️ Feed frozen, defrosted, as snacks, or mixed into meals—split throughout the week.

🥬 Dark Leafy Greens: Examples: Spinach, kale, broccoli (lightly steamed or blitzed for digestion).

✔️ Serve 1 tbsp per 10kg of body weight, every 2–3 days.

🍓 Mixed Berries: Examples: Raspberries, blueberries, cranberries (blitz or crush for easier digestion).

✔️ Feed in small amounts due to natural sugars.

🌿 Organic Spirulina:

✔️ Serve 2–3 times per week, mixed with water or bone broth.

✔️ Start with ⅓ dose, gradually increase over 3 weeks to full dose.

✔️ Alternative: Super Green Powder (Dogs Lounge).

🦪 Fresh Mussels: Must be cooked & de-shelled (never feed shells!).

✔️ Frozen Mussels: Look for those labelled “Cooked and frozen”.

🥣 Bone Broth: For UK-based options, consider Alexander’s Natural or Karnlea.

Choosing the Right Non-Raw Foods

🚫 Avoid foods with:

❌ Oxide-based additives (not bioavailable for dogs).

❌ Artificial colourings & flavourings (wasted money—no nutritional benefit!).

❌ Grains & legumes (can cause long-term health issues).

⚠️ Poor food choices could increase health risks, leading to higher veterinary costs in the future.

Emergency Supplies

Always keep a stock of essential items for unexpected situations:

✔️ Gut Support: Dorwest Tree Barks or Proflax Tummy Tastic (great for upset stomachs).

✔️ Joint Support:

• Green Lipped Mussels (Canumi)

• Powdered GLM (Riaflex, Aniforte)

  
  

Final Thoughts

Feeding raw or mixed diets isn’t just a financial decision—it’s about prioritising health and well-being.

🐶 Raw feeding isn’t for everyone, but understanding associated risks leads to informed choices.

💡 Our community respects all feeding choices and provides guidance without judgment.

📌 We have first-hand experience testing alternatives and feeding mixed diets to our own dogs, as well as caring for friends’ and family’s pets.

Ultimately, the decision is yours, and we’re here to support your dog’s health journey—whichever path you choose.

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