Your Raw Feeding Guide For FAQs

In this raw feeding guide, I answer your most pressing questions regarding all things raw dog food.

I also provide further reading and video resources.

If you have any raw feeding FAQs I didn’t answer here, please feel free to leave a comment with your question in the comment section under this blog post.

I’ll answer it as quickly as possible.

Alternatively, you can also send me a message to Barbara [@] k9sovercoffee.com and I’ll answer it that way.

Raw Feeding Guide For Beginners

How Do I Start Raw Feeding?

This is one of the most commonly asked raw feeding FAQs I get!

Check out my Quick Start Raw Feeding Guide. In it, I mention so-called base mixes that you rehydrate with water and add raw or cooked meat to, as well as some oil. That’s all!

You can also start by feeding a commercial raw meat diet that’s pre-made if you want to take the raw turkey approach, pun intended!

For example, complete raw meals from Raw Paws Pet Food.

I recommend their Complete Intro Variety Free Ship Pack if you’re completely new to raw feeding.

Both approaches provide peace of mind knowing that your dog is getting nutritionally complete meals.

Which Pre-Made Raw Dog Food Brands Can I Feed?

Brands I recommend and have fed are: 

• Darwin’s
• My Pet Carnivore
• Stella & Chewy’s
• Steve’s Real Food
• Raw Paws Pet Food
• Raw Feeding Miami
• Raw Pet Food Delivery Market
• Answer’s Pet Food (fermented)

Read more about these premade raw dog food brands here.

Can I Mix & Match Different Raw Dog Food Brands?

Yes, you can.

Just make sure to monitor your dog’s weight, energy levels, and stool consistency when you mix different raw dog food brands.

For example, if you notice that your dog’s poop suddenly starts being on the harder side, contact the brand whose raw food you’ve been feeding.

Ask them about the raw meaty bone amount in their recipes. If it’s too much for your pup, switch brands or supplement with some muscle meat.

Remember, every dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another.

How Do I Start Making My Own Raw Dog Food?

Once you get the hang of feeding and handling raw dog food, you may feel like taking the next step and start putting your own raw meals together. In this blog post, I explain how to make DIY raw dog food step by step.

It took me about 5 months to take that step and has saved me a decent amount of money. I also thoroughly enjoy making my own raw dog food.

That said, I still buy commercial raw every now and then for convenience’ sake, but in 70% of the time, I’m the one prepping my dogs’ raw meals.  

Can I Mix Kibble & Raw?

Technically, it can be mixed together, and some companies even sell raw food toppers for exactly that purpose – to make dry dog food more enticing for picky eaters.

Some companies who offer those toppers are Stella & Chewy’s and Instinct Pet Food. 

However, some dogs don’t do well with kibble and raw in the same meal and will have upset stomachs as a result.

A way around this potential challenge is to feed kibble and raw meat at different times of the day.

You could feed kibble in the morning and raw at night, or vice versa.

Check out my blog post Can I feed kibble and raw together? for more information.

Raw Dog Food Meal Prep

How Do I Keep Up With The Schedule Of Making Batches?

Just like with your own meals, spend time planning your dog’s meals for the week, two weeks, 3 weeks, or a full month, etc.

Be aware of the fact that the longer you want your batch to last, the longer it’s going to take to make it.

So plan your meal prep session for a day when you have time to dedicate to meal prepping and cleaning up after.

For most of us, that’s going to be on weekends, our days off if they’re not on a weekend, or after work.

As far as hacks that help you stay on top of your batch planning, here’s some ideas:

(1) Use a Calendar to Write Down When Your Next Batch is Due

If you use a virtual calendar on your phone for example, set 5 reminders:

1. The first one for 2 days before batching to thaw your meats
2. The second one for prep work the day before batching
3. The third one for meal prep day
4. The fourth one to check your freezer contents the following week
5. The fifth one to place a new order or buy more meat the following week

If you use a hardcopy calendar, put it somewhere you look at it on a daily basis. Maybe that’s on the fridge or on your pantry.

Then color-code the different actions you need to take. Use different colors for each, that way they stand out.

Below is an example of what your raw dog food meal prep schedule could look like if you prep on a bi-weekly basis:

(2) Prep in Advance

Just like with human food, you can save time by prepping ingredients in advance.

Chop and purée vegetables if you use them in your meal prep, and take your meats out of the freezer 1-2 days in advance to let them thaw in the fridge.

If you use base mixes for your raw dog food meal prep, you can also prepare large batches of them prior to meal prep day.

Just like raw meats, they last up to 4 days in the fridge.

Also, make sure that your raw dog food storage containers are clean and ready to be used.

(3) Know What’s In Your Raw Dog Food Freezer At A Glance

I do this with my raw dog food inventory sheets that I’ve shared here on the blog before.

The way it works is you track what’s in your freezer by writing down what you take out every single time.

Likewise, you write down whatever you add to the freezer.

If you’re low or out on a specific raw dog food ingredient, highlight it on the sheets.

Then order more of it online or pick more of it up at your grocery store, butcher, farmer or wildlife processor.

(4) Don’t Panic If You Forgot To Thaw Your Meats Or You’re Out Of Some Ingredients

This happens, and you bet it’s happened to Yours Truly!

One hack I’ve shared before is to place your frozen meats into a bowl of cool water. That speeds up the thawing process.

And yes, I’ve also used the tub to let large amounts of meat thaw quickly!

Another option might be a kiddie pool in the yard.

You can also pop into a local pet retailer that sells pre-made raw dog food and buy some there to hold you over for a few days.

You can always use toppers like canned sardines or raw eggs for an extra nutrient boost.

Click here for more information about raw dog food meal prep.

Which Raw Dog Food Retailers Sell Individual Raw Dog Food Ingredients?

If you’re looking to make your own homemade raw dog food, you’ll obviously need to shop for the ingredients.

So below, you’ll find a variety of raw dog food retailers who sell individual cuts of meat grouped by different countries.

Feel free to bookmark this page as a resource and check it on a regular basis as it continues to grow with lists of more countries.

Also, are you aware of any other raw dog food retailers that sell individual cuts of raw meat for DIY raw dog food?

Please share them in the comment section below this blog post for others to find!

In the US

• Carnos
• Hare Today
• Oma’s Pride
• My Pet Carnivore
• Raw Feeding Miami
• Raw Dog Food & Company
• Raw Paws Pet Food (save 15% with affiliate code K9Savings)

In The UK

• Kiezebrink
• Raw Made Simple
• Michie’s of Cornwall
• Raw to Your Door & More Pet Food

In Canada

• Canada Raw
• Hounds on Raw

In Australia

• Instincto
• Rogue Raw
• The Pet Grocer
• Canine Country Raw
• Nature Dog Raw Dog Food

In New Zealand

• Brodies
• Raw Pet Food Express

In Germany

• Barfgold
• Barfexpress
• Feed & Meat
• Haustierkost
• cit TiernahrungRaw Feeding Planner-Calculator
• Futter Fundgrube
• Barfers-Wellfood
• Frostfutter Perleberg

In France

• Easy Barf
• Localy Barf
• Yummy Barf

Cost Effective Raw Feeding Guide

How Do I Keep Raw Feeding Affordable?

The first piece of advice I can give you is to make your own homemade raw dog food.

That’s always going to be less expensive than buying premade raw from specific brands.

Here’s lots of actionable tips and hacks to keep raw dog food on budget.

What’s the Cheapest Way to Source Raw Meat for Dogs?

Buying in bulk from local farmers, hunting processors, or restaurant suppliers can drastically cut costs.

You can also check for deals at your local butcher, join raw feeding co-ops, or split shipping costs on large orders with friends.

Is It Cheaper to Feed Raw Than Kibble Long-Term?

Depending on the type of kibble you feed, raw feeding may cost you more upfront.

But I can tell you from my own experience that you’ll likely lower long-term vet bills due to your dog’s improved health.

You also control the quality and avoid recurring expenses tied to allergy meds or dental cleanings.

Are There Budget-Friendly Raw Dog Food Brands?

Some raw dog food brands offer budget-friendly options or intro variety packs.

Look for ones that offer bulk discounts or local pickup options to save on shipping.

In the US, I recommend Raw Paws Pet Food — use code K9Savings for 15% off!

Raw Feeding Guide For Small Dogs

Can Small Dog Breeds Eat A Raw Meat Diet?

Yes, absolutely.

There’s no reason why tiny dogs like Chihuahuas, Rat Terriers, Jack Russels, or Yorkies can’t or shouldn’t eat raw dog food. 

Their stomachs are designed just like the stomachs of medium to large and extra large breeds.

That said, they’re very acidic which means that raw meat can be digested unproblematically, including raw meaty bones.

Check out my blog post How to feed your small dog raw dog food for more information!

Can Puppies Eat Raw Dog Food?

They most definitely can, and the best part is that they can be switched over to raw dog food right away – no transition period required!

However, their daily raw dog food needs differ from those of adult dogs.

Check out my blog post about raw dog food and puppies here.

Also, follow along my Labrador puppy’s first 12 months of raw feeding here.

Raw Feeding Amount Guide

How Much Raw Dog Food Does My Dog Need On A Daily Basis?

On average, adult dogs are fed at a maintenance percentage of 2.5% of their ideal body weight in raw dog food per day.

If you’re unsure of your dog’s ideal weight, check in with your vet.

Here’s how to measure percentages in raw feeding.

Pregnant dogs, working dogs and doggie athletes will need to be fed at a higher maintenance percentage, up to 4%.

If you’ll be preparing your dog’s own raw meals, you’ll want to apply the 70-80/10/10/10 formula:

70-80% muscle meat (feed 70% muscle meat if you’re adding veggies. If you don’t add veggies, feed 80% muscle meat.)

Secreting organs (10%: 5% liver, 5% other secreting organs)

Raw meaty bones (10%)

Pureed veggies/fruit (10%: If you choose to add plant matter to your dog’s diet, which I do)

How Much Raw Dog Food Do I Need To Feed For Weight-Loss?

Make sure to feed 2-4% of his TARGET body weight if he’s overweight, not of his current body weight.

Also, are you feeding more fatty sources of protein like pork or chicken?

Try feeding leaner sources of protein like rabbit and venison. 

If your dog isn’t very active, try feeding him less than the recommended 2-4%.

Stick closer to 1.5-2% and try that approach for a few weeks!

For more detailed information, check out my blog post:

How to feed raw dog food for weight loss

Raw Feeding Guide For Dogs With Health Issues

Why Does My Raw-Fed Dog Have Yeasty Ears & Skin?

There are dogs who are very sensitive to certain types of food, regardless of whether they’re cooked or raw.

If they are sensitive to them, their body reacts with itchy skin and yeasty ears.

My current pup Wally is one of those!

He can’t have chicken, quail, pheasant, salmon, anchovies, sardines, green lipped mussels, and no grains whatsoever.

If he DOES eat them, he gets itchy all over!

It’s awful.

You’ll have to find out what your dog is sensitive to/does poorly on, and then find alternatives for these types of meat/veggies/fruit.

For example, if your dog doesn’t do well with chicken and beef, you can replace those proteins with duck and rabbit.

Also, try cutting out starchy foods such as:

• Rice
• Pumpkin
• Sweet (potatoes)

That’s because starch breaks down into sugar, and sugar is what yeast feeds on.

Can Dogs With Purine Sensitivities Eat Raw Dog Food?

Certain cuts of meat (and veggies/fruits as well) have a very high purine content. This can contribute to urinary tract issues in dogs who are sensitive to purines.

For example, Dalmatians.

These dogs can still eat a raw meat diet, but it should be customized to their specific needs.

It’s best to consult a dog nutritionist or veterinary homeopath for guidance.

I’ve written about the topic in my blog post Can Dalmatians Eat A Raw Diet?

Is A Raw Meat Diet A Good Option For A Dog With Cancer?

This is a highly debated question with proponents of either side of the camp.

My dog Missy had runny poops when she ate raw meat during her cancer treatment.

As soon as I started lightly cooking her cuts of meat according to the DogCancerDiet by Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM, and adding boiled/puréed non-starchy veggies, the diarrhea stopped.

However, I did NOT cook raw meaty bones, nor do I ever recommend you cook bones intended for feeding purposes. 

That’s because the cooking process makes them brittle and very sharp.

I would recommend seeing how your cancerous dog does on raw meat/food.

If he or she does well with it – great! If not, try to lightly cook it. 

I would also suggest consulting with a veterinary homeopath as each dog and every cancer diagnosis is different.

Personally, I got a lot of nutritional and supplemental advice from Dr. Charles Loops.

Check out my blog post K9 Cancer Supplements Suggested By Our Homeopathic Veterinarian Dr. Loops for more information.

Raw Feeding Guide For Freezing

Can I Mix Different Raw Meats Together In A Single Container To Freeze?

Yep, I’ve been doing this since 2016 and have never had any issues whatsoever.

The only time when I freeze anything separately is when I get meat from wild deer (either from my boyfriend who hunts or from a wildlife processor).

Read more on freezing meats in the next question.

Do I Have To Freeze Meat That’s Going To Be Raw-Fed?

You only have to freeze meat from wild animals that you hunt, and fish from the Pacific.

The reason is that freezing gets rid of potential parasites, such as an organism called Neorickettsia helminthoeca that’s often encountered in fish from the Pacific.

As far as bacteria is concerned, healthy dogs who aren’t immunocompromised can deal with those thanks to their acidic stomach environment and their short digestive tract.

You’ll want to freeze the meat/fish for 3 weeks prior to feeding it raw.

Raw Meaty Bones Feeding Guide

How Can I Keep My Dog From Gulping Raw Meaty Bones?

I recommend holding one end of the raw meaty bone you intend to feed your dog.

That way, he’s forced to slow down, crunch the bone a few times, and practice polite behavior when a human holds a high value (food) item.

Check out my blog post How to safely feed your dog raw meaty bones for more information.

I’m showing how to do just that in this video.

It features my pup Wally politely and slowly eating a raw turkey neck from Raw Paws Pet Food.

He’s a 38 lb Feist mix.

Tip: You can save 15% off your Raw Paws Pet Food order with my affiliate discount code K9Savings at checkout.

What’s A Good Meat & Bone Grinder for Raw Meaty Bones?

One of the advantages of feeding raw meaty bones whole is that they exercise your dog’s jaws, keep their teeth clean and stimulate them mentally.

However, dogs who don’t have any teeth left can’t chew bones.

For those pups, you’ll have to grind raw meaty bones.

I recommend two meat grinders:

(1) The Weston Butcher Series if you’re looking for a powerful, commercial grade meat & bone grinder for your raw dog food.

They’re a bit more on the expensive side but will get the job done, guaranteed!

(2) The STX Turboforce II Platinum is another heavy duty meat & bone grinder that comes with a foot pedal.

In 2023, I sat down for a virtual conversation with Drs. Lonsdale and Clarke-Williams.

When I did, I learned that dogs who have as little as 5 teeth left in their mouths can and SHOULD eat whole raw meaty bones!

Here’s the video recording of our conversation:

Can I Feed My Dog Raw Marrow Bones?

Yes and no because raw marrow bones are not classified as raw meaty bones.

That means that you should only feed one part of this particular bone.

To learn more about when & how to safely feed your pup raw marrow bones, click here.

Raw Feeding Ingredients Guide

Should I Feed Fruits & Veggies, Seeds & Nuts?

This depends – do you want to feed a whole prey diet that includes a large variety of odd cuts of meat (heads, brains, ovaries, pancreas…), stinky green tripe and whole stomachs?

Then you don’t necessarily need to add plant matter.

If you don’t, you’ll want to add fruits & veggies and select seeds and nuts to ensure that your dog gets all the nutrients they need.

However, don’t add more than 10% of their daily raw dog food allowance in plant matter (2% seeds & nuts).

Also, make sure to serve it puréed or steamed.

That’s because dogs don’t have the enzyme that’s responsible for breaking down plant cell walls.

Check out my blog post Vegetables in raw dog food: Yes or No? for further reading.

Do I Need To Add Iodized Salt To My Homemade Raw Dog Food?

No, you don’t need to add any iodized salt to your pup’s raw meals as there’s way too much sodium in this type of salt.

To keep up with your dog’s iodine needs, you can rely on kelp.

Check out my blog post on kelp for dogs here.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Brains?

Yes, dogs can and SHOULD eat brains as part of their raw dog food.

Find out why it’s safe, where to get your hands on raw brains and more in my blog post Raw Brains for Dogs: How to Feed & More.

How Much Liver Can I Feed My Dog?

5% of an adult dog’s daily raw dog food allowance should be raw liver.

For puppies, feed 7% of their daily raw dog food allowance in liver.

For more in-depth information about raw liver including concrete examples of how much to feed, check out Raw Liver for Dogs: All Your Questions Answered.

Are Hearts Secreting Organs?

Nope!

Raw hearts are a heart working organ for sure, but they’re not classified as secreting organs.

Instead, they’re to be fed as muscle meat.

To learn more about raw hearts for dogs and how much heart to feed a dog, check out my blog post Why raw hearts for dogs are a powerful raw organ meat.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Fish?

Yes!

Raw, oily fish is an important part of raw feeding because of its Omega-3 fatty acids.

Check out my blog post on dogs and raw fish here to learn more.

It covers topics like which type of fish is best to feed, where to source fish, which types of fish to avoid, why to freeze certain fish before feeding them, and alternatives to whole, raw fish.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Pork?

Yes, as long as it’s from a reputable source and you don’t live anyplace where Aujeszky’s disease is prominent. It’s also known as pseudorabies and carried by pigs.

Learn all about raw pork dog food, including trichinosis, wild hogs and freezing times in my blog post Pork raw dog food: Yay or nay?

If you’re looking for specific information about raw pork trotters for dogs, check out my blog post Can dogs eat raw pig feet?

How Do I Supply My Raw-Fed Dog with Vitamin D?

Dogs in general need Vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus. And of course the same is true for raw-fed dogs.

They specifically need Vitamin D3 (from meats as opposed to Vitamin D2 from plants).

Now, since dogs can’t get their Vitamin D from the sun like we can, they need to get their Vitamin D from foods.

As far as how much Vitamin D3 dogs need, the average daily recommended amount by the NRC and AFFCO is 550 iu per 1 kg = 2 lbs of food.

The following 5 foods are richest in Vitamin D:

I checked on the Vitamin D level of these foods with my Animal Diet Formulator software.

Related Reading: 2024 Animal Diet Formulator Review of the Individual Version

Raw Feeding Guide For Traveling With Your Dog

How Do I Go Camping With Dogs And Feed Raw Dog Food?

Over the years, I’ve figured out several options of feeding my pup Wally raw-ish when we’re on the road together.

Read all about them in my overlanding-with-dogs blog post here.

What Are Acceptable Alternatives To Raw Dog Food?

Along those same lines of raw-ish dog food, I dedicated an entire blog post to the topic of alternatives to raw dog food.

128, to be exact!

Now, I stand by my decision of feeding raw dog food as the healthiest of all dog foods (in my personal opinion) throughout the vast majority of the year.

But sometimes, life happens and for whatever reason, feeding raw may just not be practical for a while.

So for those days, I think it’s totally fine to feed one of the alternatives I listed.

Raw Feeding Guide – Miscellaneous

Is It OK To Feed Your Dog Fattier Protein Sources?

K9sOverCoffee newsletter reader Allison noticed that the fat content in freeze-dried raw dog foods is quite high:

• 35% for Primal Lamb
• 31.7% for Small Batch Pork 
• 35% for Small Batch Lamb

Now she’s wondering if it’s OK to feed these foods on a regular basis.

Well, since lamb and pork are fattier protein sources in general (and so is goose by the way), I wouldn’t feed too much of them to pancreatic dogs and dogs who are overweight.

But for working dogs, dogs who are underweight as well as pregnant and lactating dogs, these proteins are great energy sources.

One thing you can do to average down the fat is to also include leaner cuts of meat in your raw dog food rotation.

For example, rabbit, beaver, chicken and duck without the skin, turkey, venison and quail.

Check out the raw dog food protein rotation entries in my homemade raw dog food section to learn more about each different protein source.

Here’s how you can incorporate lamb and pork in your raw feeding:

(1) One option is to feed lamb and pork on two days out of the week and feed leaner protein sources on the remaining 5 days of the week.

(2) Or, if you want to include some fattier cuts of meat in your own raw dog food meal prep, you can use them for your secreting organ meats (liver, kidney, spleen, etc). Those only make up 10% for adult dogs.

And then you can use cuts of meat from leaner protein sources for the bulk of the meals (muscle meat and raw meaty bone).

Can Dogs Get Worms From Hunted Whole Prey Rabbits?

K9sOverCoffee newsletter reader Stacey wants to feed her dog whole prey rabbits that her nephew hunts as she lives in a rural area.

But she’s worried that her dog might get worms from their local rabbits.

Here’s what to do: In order to avoid contracting worms, you do need to freeze the rabbits for 3 weeks prior to feeding them or using them for raw dog food meal prep.

That’s because freezing kills parasites like worms.

Generally speaking, it’s the same approach that you should take with any wild game prior to feeding it.

That includes wild raw venison that you hunt yourself, and I’ve written about that here.

For whole prey rabbits sourced from raw dog food retailers, they need to have frozen their rabbits for a minimum of 3 weeks prior to selling them.

If in doubt, keep them in your raw dog food freezer for an additional 3 weeks before you feed them.

How Do I Slow My Raw-Fed Dog’s Eating Down?

It’s so rewarding to see our dogs love their raw dog food, but they’re also not supposed to just gulp their meals down in less than 30 seconds.

Thankfully, there’s an easy solution for this problem: Slow feeder bowls for raw-fed dogs.

Check out my blog post on slow feeders here.

It features a vast variety of slow feeder bowls I’ve used and continue to use for my pups Missy, Buzz, Wally and Pepper.

Spoiler alert: I have a favorite one I use on an almost daily basis.

…and after tapping into my conversation with Dr. Tom Lonsdale who’s known as the whistleblower vet, I realized that the number one way of slowing raw-fed dogs down is to offer them whole animals.

Here’s a raw feeding video of my Feist mix Wally eating a whole duck slow af:

How Do You Clean A Dog Bowl After Raw Food?

It’s best to clean your dog bowls on a daily basis when you fill them with raw cuts of meat.

You can either hand wash them with hot, soapy water or put them through the dishwasher.

I personally wash Wally’s regular Yeti dog bowl and the slow feeder insert I place into it once a day in my dishwasher.

If you choose to hand wash your bowl(s), consider using a dedicated cleaning sponge, dishwand or scrub brush that you keep separate from your other dishwashing tools.

For example, in a plastic container under your kitchen sink.

That way, you avoid cross contamination.

Make sure to either toss your dishwashing tools regularly or put them into the dishwasher on a regular basis.

If you raw dog food meal prep, you can also use them for that.

Where Do I Find Vets Who Support Raw Feeding?

If you’re having a hard time convincing your traditional vet that raw feeding is beneficial for your dog(s), see about finding a holistic veterinarian who understands the power of raw dog food.

Check out my blog post on 24 strong vets who endorse raw feeding here.

How Do I Keep Raw Feeding When Trolls Don’t Agree?

The other day, someone called me “psycho” for feeding my dog whole prey.

Specifically, a furry whole prey rabbit that I bought from an online raw dog food retailer.

The person who called me this didn’t bother explaining why they felt this way, or how they may do it differently or “better”.

They just left a hateful comment on my rabbit feeding YouTube video that said something along the lines of “what kind of psycho are you?”

So, how do you deal with moments when someone comes at you in this passive-aggressive way?

(1) Ignore It & Block Them

I tell you what I did. First of all, I deleted the comment and moved on.

Because here’s the thing – I know that this type of raw feeding is beneficial for my dog as:

• (1) This year (2024) is my 10th year of feeding raw dog food.
• (2)I’ve watched tons of raw feeding videos from other raw feeders, including those who feed whole prey.
• (3) I got the whole prey rabbit advice from a veterinarian with decades of raw feeding experience.
• (4) My dog did great on it. No surprise there as it’s a complete meal with muscle meat, raw meaty bone, (secreting) organs and the fur.

So when I get backlash from a troll who’s not interested in having an actual conversation about the way I raw feed, I don’t even bother replying.

Trolls thrive on attention and reactions, so denying them the satisfaction of a response can often discourage their behavior.

Tip: Most social media platforms also offer blocking features that prevent trolls from interacting with you further.

(2) Report & Flag

Second, I also reported and flagged that person.

As far as I’m aware, you can do that on all social media platforms, not just on YouTube.

So, if you encounter a troll who is clearly only looking to engage in harassment, report their comments or posts to the platform.

When you flag their inappropriate content, this can get them suspended or banned.

(3) Try To Have A Meaningful, Constructive Conversation With The Person

In some cases, trolls are looking for attention but are open to constructive dialogue.

So if you believe there’s a chance to engage with them in a meaningful conversation, try responding calmly and addressing their concerns or criticisms.

For example, explain the general benefits of raw feeding and the specific benefits of feeding whole prey:

Mental stimulation, offering a complete meal, and slow feeding gulpers to name just a few.

However, be cautious not to get drawn into a prolonged argument or allow the conversation to become toxic.

(4) Try Humor or Satire In Your Reply

Sometimes, responding to trolls with humor or satire can deflate their impact.

So rather than engaging in a serious argument, you can also use wit or sarcasm to mock their behavior.

However, please make sure that your response doesn’t escalate the situation any further or appear offensive to others.

Above All, Don’t Let It Keep You From Raw Feeding

But either way, don’t let an uneducated or angry person throw you off your raw feeding journey.

Instead, keep educating yourself and learning from others who want to boost their dog’s health.

Here’s some great advice from other long time raw feeders that’s really helpful when raw feeding overwhelm may kick in.

Let’s all help to create a more supportive and respectful online raw feeding community.

Because as we stand up against trolling behavior, this can help diminish its prevalence over time.

Now, if the backlash comes from your traditional vet, you’ll want to read this blog post entry next.

Didn’t Find An Answer To Your Raw Feeding Question?

Do you have any other questions that weren’t answered in my raw feeding guide?

Please leave them in the comment section below this blog post or email me at Barbara [@] k9sovercoffee.com.

Enjoying K9sOverCoffee & Looking For A Way To Pay It Forward?

Whether you’re an aspiring raw feeder or a long time raw feeder looking for recipe inspiration, I hope you enjoy learning from my raw dog food (and dog lifestyle) blog posts!

But either way, K9sOverCoffee is a totally free platform that costs me a decent amount to run.

Keeping that in mind, there are 2 ways you can support the platform and my work, either of which is massively appreciated:

• Share it with your friends
• Buy me a coffee or two by clicking this link to the K9sOverCoffee Tip Jar

Thanks so much,

Barbara

Resources To Help You Feed Raw Dog Food

Best Bang For Your Buck Raw Dog Food

Save 15% on anything at Raw Paws Pet Food with code K9Savings. They’re located in Indiana and ship nationwide within the US.

Best Variety for Individual Cuts of Raw Meat

Save 10% on your first order of anything at Raw Feeding Miami with this referral link.

Best Maze Dog Bowl for Raw Fed Dogs

Mighty Paw’s Silicone Slow Feed Insert combined with the indestructible Yeti Boomer 4 Dog Bowl. Both are top rack dishwasher safe.

Best Foundation for Balanced DIY Raw Meals

Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm Base Mix. It’s low-carb which is particularly great for dogs on a keto diet and those with health issues like diabetes and cancer.

Also works great as the 10% plant matter addition in BARF raw feeding.

Barbara Rivers

Barbara Rivers is the founder of K9sOverCoffee and a raw feeding educator with over a decade of hands-on experience.

She has fed raw in the US and Europe since 2015, after her Boxer mix Missy’s cancer diagnosis led her to move away from processed kibble and commit to species-appropriate nutrition.

As a former professional dog walker, she developed deep insight into canine behavior, conditioning, and the essential link between proper exercise and long-term health.

Barbara completed online training with veterinarian Dr. Marion Smart and Labrador breeder Dana Scott and works for one of Germany’s leading raw dog food brands, BARFER’S.

In 2026–2027, she is completing a year-long raw nutrition certification for dogs and cats at THP School, founded by raw feeding pioneer Swanie Simon.

Through her blog and weekly newsletter, she provides clear, experience-based guidance to help dog owners feed raw safely and confidently.