In our house, I primarily feed homemade raw dog food, using pre-made options strategically when life gets busy, someone else is handling feeding, or I find a great deal on high-quality pre-made raw.
Having said that, raw feeding doesn’t have to be extreme or complicated. It needs to be balanced, thoughtful, and consistent. The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is understanding the structure well enough to feed your dog confidently, and adjust as you go.
This page will walk you through how I approach raw feeding in real life and help you decide what works best for your dog.
Disclaimer: You’ll see a few affiliate links sprinkled around this site — they’re for products I have used and continue to use with my dogs Missy, Buzz, Wally and Pepper. If you buy through one of those links (with zero extra cost to you), I earn a small commission. That support helps me keep K9sOverCoffee running and lets me create even more raw-feeding tips, recipes, and videos for you. Thanks for being part of this community. Disclosure Policy
What Is Raw Dog Food?
Raw dog food is built around fresh, minimally processed ingredients designed to reflect what dogs are biologically adapted to eat.
A properly structured raw diet typically includes:
- Muscle meat
- Raw meaty bones
- Secreting organs
- Vegetables and fruit (unless you feed whole prey)
- Strategic additions like oily fish, oils, and minerals
The goal is not just “raw meat.” The goal is species-appropriate nutrition built from whole foods.
Unlike kibble, raw feeding removes heavy processing and focuses on ingredient quality, digestibility, and bioavailability.
This raw dog food guide for beginners covers all of it: what goes in the bowl, how to build balance, and how to choose the approach that fits your life.
If you’re new to the concept entirely, start here:
Why Many Dog Owners Choose Raw
Most people don’t switch to raw feeding casually. They start looking into it because something isn’t working.
For me, it started with my Boxer mix Missy’s cancer diagnosis in 2015. I couldn’t control everything about her diagnosis, but I could control what went into her bowl.
Around that same time, her brother Buzz was dealing with recurring ear infections that never fully resolved on kibble.
Later, my Feist mix Wally developed food intolerances that forced me to pay closer attention to ingredients and protein sources.
Each dog needed something slightly different. Raw feeding didn’t magically fix everything overnight, but it gave me the ability to adjust, respond, and support them intentionally.
That level of control changed how I think about feeding forever.
Many dog owners explore raw feeding for similar reasons:
- Persistent digestive issues
- Dull coat or skin problems
- Chronic ear infections
- Food sensitivities
- A desire for more whole, minimally processed food
Raw feeding isn’t about perfection. It’s about being intentional.
Choose Your Raw Feeding Path
Not everyone approaches raw feeding the same way – and you don’t have to. There is no single “correct” style.
There is only what is sustainable for you and appropriate for your dog.
For example, some dogs will do better with a higher amount of plant matter in their raw meals, while others don’t do well with it at all or refuse to eat it.
Always remember to feed the dog in front of you.
Start Here If You’re New to Raw Feeding
If you’re transitioning from kibble or canned dog food, the transition phase is where most beginners either succeed or struggle.
A step-by-step transition from kibble to raw, stool monitoring, and getting the balance right from the start will prevent most common problems.
Homemade Raw – Full Control Over Ingredients
This is my primary approach. Making your own raw meals gives you complete control over ingredients and balance.
It requires learning the structure – especially around organ ratios and bone balance – but becomes second nature once you understand the framework.
- Homemade Raw Dog Food Guide
- Organ Ratios Explained
- How I Build a Balanced Raw Meal
- Free Raw Dog Food Calculator
Pre-Made Raw – Practical and Consistent
Pre-made raw dog food is an excellent option when you’re short on time, someone else is feeding your dog, you’re traveling with your dog or you want convenience without returning to kibble.
In our home, pre-made raw fills strategic gaps without compromising principles.
Raw Feeding Puppies — Extra Precision Required
Feeding puppies raw dog food requires more precision than feeding adult dogs because they are still growing.
Balanced puppy nutrition is not guesswork – it requires careful planning, especially through rapid growth phases.
What I Actually Feed My Dogs
Here’s what our feeding routine looks like in real life:
- Mostly homemade raw meals
- Strategic use of pre-made raw when needed
- Whole oily fish (like sardines or mackerel) added regularly for natural Omega-3 and Vitamin-D support
- Kelp as a natural iodine source unless I feed whole prey animals
- Natural supplements only when necessary
I feed based on principles, not rigid formulas. I feed the dog in front of me. That means adjusting portion sizes, fat levels, bone percentages, and protein rotation based on age, activity level, and individual response.
I rotate between staples like raw chicken, novel options like raw rabbit, and occasionally more unique proteins such as raw kangaroo.
Raw feeding isn’t about following a spreadsheet forever. It’s about understanding structure — and applying it consistently.
From my kitchen to yours – real raw meals that work
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How to Think About Balance in Raw Feeding
Balance in raw feeding does not mean obsessing over every gram daily. It means ensuring that over time, your dog receives:
- Proper calcium and phosphorus
- Adequate organ intake
- Appropriate fat levels
- Nutritional variety
Common Concerns About Raw Feeding
Raw feeding raises valid questions, especially for beginners. You might be wondering: Is it safe? Is it expensive? What about bacteria? Will my dog get enough nutrients?
Is It Safe?
Most concerns stem from misunderstanding structure. Once you understand the framework, raw feeding becomes far less intimidating.
Is It Expensive?
Did you know that dogs don’t need to eat the same amount of raw dog food that they need in kibble or canned dog food?
That’s because their bodies absorb more of the nutrients in raw dog food, so they need about 20% less of it than they would in highly processed dog food!
Having said that, raw feeding can be very affordable, especially when you compare it to high quality kibble or canned dog food. Knowing where to shop and how to plan makes a significant difference.
How Do I Know It’s Balanced?
Balance in raw feeding doesn’t mean obsessing over every gram daily. It means ensuring that over time your dog receives the right ratios of calcium, organs, fat, and variety.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I switch to raw dog food?
There are two approaches I recommend, and both work well depending on your dog’s stomach sensitivity.
The first is the gentle hybrid method, which works especially well for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Start by mixing a rehydrated base mix with cooked meat and a little fish oil. Feed that combination alongside your dog’s old kibble for about a week, gradually phasing the kibble out.
Once your dog is eating only the new mix, start cooking the meat less and less over the following week until you’re serving it fully raw. The full walkthrough is here: How to Start Feeding Raw Dog Food in 3 Easy Steps
The second approach is to build DIY raw meals from scratch during a 10-day transition phase, which is what I describe in the next question below.
How do I build DIY raw dog food meals?
First, calculate how much to feed, which is typically 2% to 3% of your adult dog’s ideal body weight per day. Monitor stool consistency as your guide.
If your dog has diarrhea when you introduce a new component, go back one step. Some soft poop is to be expected during the transition phase.
Start with muscle meat, oily fish and plant matter on days 1 and 2, then add some green tripe on day 3. Rotate in liver on days 4 and 5, add another secreting organ on day 6, and include 1/3 of your dog’s daily allowance of raw meaty bones on day 7, working up to the full raw meaty bones allowance on day 10.
You can include supplements like fish oil and kelp as of day 1 (start with half the allowance of fish oil and feed the full allowance on day 7).
What is the best pre-made raw dog food for beginners?
The best starting point depends on your budget. Personally, I began feeding pre-made raw dog food from Darwin’s.
I particularly like Darwin’s 10 lb intro box because it lets you try raw feeding with minimal prep – it ships frozen to your door and includes a variety of proteins.
How much does raw dog food cost for beginners?
Homemade raw feeding can be very affordable, especially when you buy in bulk or source from a raw feeding co-op.
Pre-made raw costs more per pound but saves prep time. See Raw Feeding on a Budget for practical tips on keeping costs manageable.
Do I need a feeding chart to start raw feeding?
Feeding charts and worksheets are genuinely helpful in the beginning because they remove the guesswork on portion sizes and bone ratios while you’re still learning.