Raw Safety & The RFVS & UK Pet Food

Raw Feeding Safety: What UK Pet Owners Need to Know

Raw feeding aims to reflect a dog’s natural, ancestral diet — but modern domestication means we also need to prioritise hygiene, sourcing, and regulatory standards. This guide highlights key safety considerations and the organisations helping raise standards across the UK raw feeding community.

Can I Feed Fresh Meat, Bone & Offal?

Fresh meat intended for human cooking isn’t held to the same microbiological standards as raw pet food. Raw pet food is produced under strict regulations, including testing and traceability, whereas fresh butcher’s meat is not designed to be fed raw.

To support safer handling:

• RFFDMSUK recommends following manufacturer freezing guidelines for raw pet food

• Freeze pork to reduce parasite risk

• Freeze fresh game such as venison, which may help with natural tick removal

These steps help reduce bacterial growth and support safer raw feeding practices.

Raw Feeding in Homes With Young Children or Immunocompromised Individuals

Good kitchen hygiene is essential for all households, regardless of diet type. Simple habits make a big difference:

• Wash hands and surfaces thoroughly

• Store raw pet food separately and securely

• Use dedicated utensils for pet food preparation

For more detailed guidance, see our Raw Feeding with Immunocompromised Individuals blog, which explores practical hygiene considerations in more depth.

You can also read our Raw Feeding with Children in the Home blog for family‑focused tips.

Raw Pet Food Packaging Standards

High‑quality raw pet food should arrive in:

• Sealed plastic chubs or blocks

• Sealed plastic tubs or containers

Some brands still use cardboard outers, but the food itself should always be sealed to maintain safety.

Reporting Unsafe Packaging

If you see raw pet food being sold in:

• Plastic bags

• Unsealed wrapping

• Packaging from a business without a DEFRA licence

Take a photo and report it to Trading Standards and the Food Standards Agency. This helps protect pets and maintain industry standards.

Pet Food Labelling: What to Check

Raw pet food must comply with pet food labelling legislation. UK Pet Food (formerly PFMA) provides industry guidelines.

Some lower‑cost products may leave out useful details, such as:

• The specific type of offal

• Whether the recipe is single‑protein

• Whether tripe is included

If anything is unclear, contact the manufacturer for clarification.

What Is the RFVS?

The Raw Feeding Veterinary Society (RFVS) is a group of vets, nurses, and professionals who promote species‑appropriate nutrition and provide educational resources for owners and practitioners worldwide.

Their Find a Professional tool helps you locate raw‑friendly veterinary professionals who can offer tailored support.

We are proud to be a non‑veterinary professional member of the RFVS, supporting their mission to raise awareness and improve education around species‑appropriate nutrition.

You can also become an RFVS supporter to help fund their ongoing work. Find out more via their membership link

What Is UK Pet Food?

UK Pet Food (formerly PFMA) works to raise standards across the pet food industry. Their Raw Food Certification Scheme covers:

• Safe product formulation

• Traceability

• Microbiological testing

• HACCP systems

• Staff training and labelling compliance

This scheme helps ensure raw pet food is produced responsibly and safely.