The raw dog food diet is quite controversial, but it has become more popular nowadays. But opinions are mixed on whether or not the diet is safe or could lead to diseases.

Raw puppy food is based on the diet of our dogs' ancestors. Which usually consisted of the prey they caught and the stomach contents of those animals.

Before we dive in, I wanted to ask you, are you currently feeding your dog commercial dog food?

Is your dog having skin problems, ear infections, lack of energy, or other stomach problems?

Or maybe they aren't that old and are having other health complications. Now some breeds are more susceptible to health issues, but it could be another reason.

It could be their diet. In fact, most of the time is their diet.

Well, commercial dry dog food is the equivalent of fast food. It's mostly cheap, accessible, ultra-processed food.

I know we all go get some fast food every now and then, I am guilty of it. But imagine if you ate that every day.

You would start to feel awful.

And unfortunately, our dogs can't speak, so they always “seem” to be fine and enjoy their food.

They eat it because commercial dog food companies add flavoring and dyes back in once the kibble has been processed to make it more interesting and enticing for your dog.

Well, we have put together a course to teach our readers how to make and prepare homemade dog food!

Now you may be thinking, woah what's the point that sounds like a lot of effort. “They do fine on this brand!” “My last dog lived till 15 on Hill's Science why would I switch”.

Great points, but you would never know if they could have lived longer or had a healthier end of their life.

Well no need to doubt because we have living proof.

In fact, we recently interviewed a woman who has been cooking food for their dog for 20+ years!

She has a mastiff that is 15 years old.

Just so you know, the average lifespan of mastiffs are between 6-12 years.

She even said that all of her littermates have already passed on and some of the litter of her littermates have passed on as well.

The course will change your life, but most importantly change your dog's life.

Here's what you will get when you buy the Homemade Dog Food Mini-Course

  • Lifetime access to the course
  • Lifetime access to us, and our well known Youtuber, Samantha, where you can ask her any question you want about homemade dog food
  • Your first recipe and supplement recommendations for starting your homemade dog food journey
  • Your very own “Batman Utility Belt” of cooking for your dog
    • Understanding why nutrition is important for your dog
    • Learn the exact equation on how much homemade food to feed your dog
    • Knowing exactly how many calories your dog needs for maintaining and even losing weight
    • The ideal rule of thumb on feeding your dog a “balanced” diet
    • Worksheets that are yours to keep and print

And lastly, we feel so confident that you will benefit that we are going to throw in a 100% guarantee that if you are not satisfied with the product and customer service we will refund you your money back.

Check Out Our Homemade Dog Food Mini-Course!

The Best Homemade Dog Food Mini-Course
Homemade Dog Food CourseHow To Make Homemade Dog Food Mini-Course
  • Enjoy more years with your pup!
  • No more skin problems!
  • No more loose bowels
  • Leave your dog with more energy and shinier coat
Check Price

Subsequently, companies developed a raw dog food diet for beginners to maintain a canine's health, such as BARF dog food, Prey Model Raw (PMR), and Ancestral diet.

Homemade Easy Raw Dog Food Diet Recipes

In this article, we'll be discussing the potential benefits and risks of feeding your raw dog food. At the same time, we'll be teaching you some steps on making homemade recipes.

These recipes won't be suitable for all pups, so be sure to check with your veterinarian before feeding it to your pet.

raw dog food

Raw Dog Food Diet: What Is It?

According to the American Kennel Club, making a raw food diet for dogs can be performed at home. Its ingredients may include new organ and muscle meats, whole and ground bones, fresh fish, raw eggs, and other fresh fruits and vegetables.

Is Homemade Raw Food For Your Dog Safe?

I cannot say whether or not the BARF dog food will be beneficial for your dog. So, If you're considering switching your pup to a raw diet, be sure to consult your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist.

And if the expert that you consult recommends the raw food diet for your pet, they will also help you create a customized dietary plan that will meet your dog's specific nutritional needs.

They will be able to explain the best protein choices for your pup and tell you how to create the best raw puppy food recipes on your own.

It's also likely that they will recommend adding supplements or a multi-vitamin to the recipes to meet your dog's nutritional needs.

However, they will evaluate your pooch and discuss the proper amounts of nutrients that your dog's diet should include.

For beginners, this information about raw dog food is different for every dog, depending on its breed and many other variables.

choosing a dog food

How to Choose a Raw Dog Food For Beginners

Choosing the safe and best raw food for your dog as a beginner might be complex and challenging. So, here are some factors or things you should consider before feeding them:

  • Health – It is the essential thing that you should remember. You should choose a raw diet that would help your canines maintain their healthy body.
  • Activity Level – Energetic dogs, like working dogs, have different requirements of calories. So, it would help if you considered how active your dog is to avoid some health risks.
  • Age and Size – The amount of raw food for your dog also depends on how big and old they are.
  • Food Allergies – Some dogs are allergic to some raw food, so be careful on feeding them.
  • Taste – This thing is so crucial. The food that you should feed must coincide with your dog's preference.

Raw Dog Food for Beginners Recipe

raw dog food diet recipe ingredients

As with all raw diets for dog recipes, this is extremely simple to make. Because it requires no cooking, you must prep all the ingredients and then combine them in a large bowl.

Raw Dog Food Diet Recipe Process

So, here's a quick guide to making an easy recipe that you should follow.

Print

Easy Raw Food Diet Meal for Dogs

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This easy raw dog meal diet is made with just 6 ingredients. It is suitable for dogs of all breeds and ages, but you may need to add additional supplements to ensure it will provide 100% balanced nutrition for your Fido.

  • Author: Samantha Randall
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Raw Diet
  • Method: No Cooking

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless chicken (chopped)
  • 1 cup red cabbage (shredded)
  • 1 apple (cored, peeled, and chopped)
  • 1 cup spinach (shredded)
  • 2 eggs with shells
  • 1 tbsp. cod liver oil

Instructions

This is very quick and straightforward: simply cut up all the ingredients and mix them together, then add a single portion into your dog's food bowl.

The most difficult thing about feeding this homemade raw food recipe to your dogs is figuring out the proper serving size for your pet. This is where the help of a canine nutritionist or veterinarian will prove to be very helpful.

The general guideline for the serving size of this recipe is about 1/2 cup of food for every 20 pounds of body weight. Because raw dog food is so high in nutrient content and does not include any fillers or unnecessary additives, you don't need to feed as large of a quantity as you do with commercial dog food products.

Just be sure to talk to a professional before deciding on the right serving size. Dogs with a higher metabolism and dogs that are very active will need more food per serving than older and less active pets.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Homemade Dog Food The Complete Guide

Is raw dog food better?

Many dog owners choose to feed raw dog food to their canines because they see it as more natural. Still, there are no studies to support that raw feeding is better than traditional dog food.

But those who try it find it healthier because of its benefits by just making sure it is balanced.

Everyone has the right to choose what kind of food they're feeding to their pup. Because their healthy growth doesn't depend on what type of food, it depends on the nutritional benefits.

raw food bulk ingredients

Is a raw diet for dogs cheaper?

Because of its fresh ingredients, raw dog food can be a high-value and more expensive treat for your pup. But, there are some ways that it can be a cheaper way of feeding.

  • Feed one raw meal a day instead of two – For a raw diet, one meal can be enough to provide the nutrients your dog needs.
  • Use Raw as a Tasty, High-Value Treat – Feeding your pup a tasty with a high-value meal would be the best treat for them.
  • Make Raw an Occasional Meal – According to Steve Brown, a canine nutritionist, author, and consultant, one raw meal per week could be a great help to improve your canine's health.
  • Buy in Bulk – Storing a bulk of raw food in the freezer would help you save money, even gas.
  • Spend Money on Great Food, Not in Veterinary Bills – If you choose the fresh and safe way of feeding your dog, your money spent on it will be worth it.

raw puppy food

Is There a Raw Puppy Food Diet?

Raw puppy food is more likely uncooked protein, grains, vegetables, and fruits fed to dogs. This way of feeding was driven by an idea of fresh food which supports the origin of domesticated dogs.

Eventually, raw food becomes popular not only for puppies but also for adult dogs. And many raw diet approaches were developed and recommended for feeding dogs.

When can I start my puppy on a raw diet?

Your dog's age doesn't matter if you want to feed them raw food. But, starting them on a raw diet at an early age would be a great help for them to get used to it. It would also help them prevent indigestions.

You just need to ensure the right amount for them and if it is safe for them. But, there are also things that you need to consider, just like the potential risk they might face.

How much raw food to feed a puppy

This question was frequently asked by those new puppy owners.

Every dog requires the right amount of food to take. So, considering their age, size, and energy level would be the best help.

For your adult dog, an average of 2 or 3% of their ideal weight per day would be great. However, it's different for your puppies. So, they require lesser than the old ones.

barf dog food

Different Approaches of Raw Dog Food Diet

Some dog owners prefer to compare different approaches to feeding their canines. Below we'll be sharing with you the different variations of a raw diet for dogs with a recommended percentage of meat.

1. BARF Dog Food

What is a BARF Dog Food Diet?

In 1993, the “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food” or “Bones and Raw Food” (BARF), commonly called BARF dog food, was proposed by Dr. Ian Billinghurst, an Australian veterinarian.

Though it was disagreed by the F.D.A., this way of feeding was also beneficial for some dogs. This diet was evolutionary that could help your canine grow healthy and clean.

BARF Guidelines: For a BARF dog food, it could consist of 70% of muscle meat, 10% edible bone, 5% liver, 5% screening organ, and 10% of fresh vegetables and fruits.

2. Prey Model Raw (PMR)

What is a PMR?

This raw diet is based on the idea that dogs are carnivorous. So, they could consume a lot of raw food including muscle meat, bone, and internal organs. And of course, you can add some veggies and fruits for additional nutrition.

PMR Guidelines: This diet requires 80% of raw meat, 10% bone, and 10% of organ meat like livers.

3. Ancestral Diet

What is Ancestral Diet?

Ancestral diet was formulated by Steve Brown which is a research-based model that focused on plant and animal material. This diet was high in proteins with balanced fats and fresh vegetables.

Ancestral Diet Guidelines: It must have 75% of raw meat and 25% of fresh vegetables and minerals.

raw dog food with kibble

Is it OK to mix raw and dry dog food?

Before, it was not advisable for dog owners to mix raw and dry food because dry food doesn't easily digest compared to raw food.

But now, it is perfectly okay and safe to feed your dog with mixed raw and dry food unless they are suffering from indigestions.

If you feed both kibble and the raw, its combination will work quite well. Their digestive system will be strengthened and more capable of gaining the complete nutrients for dry and raw food diets.

But for those beginners, owners should gradually and slowly feed them to acclimate the new lower acidity levels.

raw diet and kibble food with rice

Can I add rice to my dog's raw food?

Many raw feeders do not include foods like rice even oats in their dog's meal. But, it's up to the owners and dogs' preference if they feed rice together with raw dog food.

Raw feeding with rice is not inadequate because the only thing that matters is the quality of the food your dog can acquire.

However, most feeders do not recommend rice because it's rich in carbohydrates which will be converted to sugar. This sugar is usually the cause of some cancers in dogs. So, reducing rice would also reduce health risks.

raw dog food chewing enjoyment

The Benefits of a Raw Diet for Puppies

Below are some health benefits for your dogs, which includes:

  • Chewing enjoyment
  • Easier digestion
  • Fewer allergy reactions
  • Skin and coat improvements
  • Improves dental health and cleaner teeth
  • Increased energy level
  • Greater muscle mass
  • Smaller stools

These benefits could not be permanent depending on what raw food they are eating. But, every food has its potential risks on your canine. So, we'll be sharing those risks for you to be aware of.

raw dog food for beginners run the risk of listeria

Raw Food Diet for Dogs: Potential Risk Factors

As mentioned above, there are many potential benefits for your canine if you feed raw foods to them.

However, it doesn't change the fact that there could also be a potential risk on them. It includes:

  • The building of bacteria called Listeria on contaminated raw meat could poison your canine
  • An unbalanced diet could be a high risk of other health problems
  • Whole bones might choke your dog or damage their teeth and mouth
  • Damage digestive system

Why are vets against a raw diet?

Some vets don't recommend feeding a raw diet because of those potential risks mentioned above. However, there's no evidence that this way of feeding could be dangerous. If there's any, then it could also be risky, even in cooked dog food.

But, these risks could be preventable if you thoroughly check the raw meat you bought, and don't forget to consult your vet before feeding.

raw dog food summary

Raw Dog Food Summary

We hope this article helped you gain more perspective about the raw dog food diet and make the best choice for your pup.

Whether you're a new dog owner and are thinking about feeding them raw puppy food or your dog is older, you want a healthier option than commercial dog food.

If you're new to making your homemade dog food, I recommend reading more about “How Much To Feed Your Dog” to understand serving sizes.

In addition, it's essential to know what supplements to use to create well-balanced meals and how to store them.

Feel free to check out our website, topsdogtips.com, for easy raw dog food recipes for beginners.

If you're planning to feed them the BARF dog food diet, it's your personal choice to do so.

The important thing is that you should always consult your vet first before changing their diet.

We also publish many homemade dog meal and treats recipes every month. For more recipes, pet food cooking tips, and advice, see our “Recipes” section.

Samantha’s biggest passion in life is spending time with her Boxer dogs. After she rescued her first Boxer in 2004, Samantha fell in love with the breed and has continued to rescue three other Boxers since then. She enjoys hiking and swimming with her Boxers, Maddie and Chloe.