RAW FEEDING 101 · REFERENCE GUIDE
Raw Feeding Cheat Sheet
Everything you need to start and sustain a species-appropriate raw diet — how to start, how much to feed, what to order, protein rotation, troubleshooting, and more.
GETTING STARTED
How to Start a Species-Appropriate Raw Diet for Pets
Cold turkey. Dump the kibble or processed food and fast your pup for 12 hours. Then begin.
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Food Sensitivities
Pets are typically not sensitive to raw diets. However dogs and cats are very sensitive to the high sugar content and insulin-spiking ingredients found in dry
kibble. A pet's gut is not created to eat fillers, synthetic vitamins, minerals, fake foods, and flavorings.Once you pull your pets off processed foods and allow their guts to heal, they no longer are sensitive to foods.
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Start with a Single Protein
Start with a protein you think your pup is not sensitive to. In a few months you should be able to come back to that protein and feed without issues.
A healthy gut and pup should be able to eat a species-appropriate diet. Heal the gut and food sensitivities will disappear.
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Give It Time
If your pup vomits or has loose stools, this indicates how unhealthy and toxic the body is. This will heal. This is NOT an indication they cannot eat raw.
All dogs and cats are created to eat raw food. Give the body time to adjust to a species-appropriate diet.
New to raw feeding?
Watch the New Feeders Webinar — a full walkthrough of everything you need to know before your dog's first raw meal. Watch it here
PORTIONS
How Much to Feed Puppies and Adult Dogs
Puppies' food amounts will change often until 68 weeks of age. No matter what a feeding chart says, always feed according to your pup's body and how it looks. Feeding charts are just a loose guide.
If your pup is too thin, you can bump up a couple of ounces a meal. If too heavy, bump down a couple of ounces per meal. Strive for an hourglass figure with no hips or rib bones showing. Adjust up or down according to your dog's body composition.
| BODY CONDITION | WHAT TO DO |
|---|---|
| Too Thin — ribs or hip bones showing | Bump up 1–2 oz per meal |
| Ideal — hourglass figure, no bones showing | Stay the course |
| Too Heavy — no waistline, shoulder to hip is flat | Bump down 1–2 oz per meal |
WHAT TO ORDER
What to Order to Start
We can make a recommendation — beef mix, chicken recipe, and turkey blend — but any of the blends that are complete with bone and organ work well. This includes the majority of our blends.
- Raw Mixes (Premium)
- Original 80/10/10 Blends
- Fruit and Veggie Recipes
What is the Mix Blend?
Raw Mixes (Premium) have heart plus another 10% of organs — a great blend for all dogs, including puppies.
Puppies need extra bone in their diet especially in the 4–6 month range. If poops aren't too hard, add a couple of duck feet or duck heads 1–2 times a week. And don't forget your Omega 3s — real fish like sardines are great.
Our blends use a natural process called bacteriophaging to eliminate harmful bacteria, maximize nutrient quality, and leave beneficial bacteria unharmed.
What About Veggies?
The Fruit and Veggie Recipes includes the protein, bone, and organ along with 7% fruits and veggies mixed in. Most all dogs like veggies, a few may not. Try them all and see what your pup loves.
Our blends use a natural process called bacteriophaging to eliminate harmful bacteria, maximize nutrient quality, and leave beneficial bacteria unharmed.
Original 80/10/10 Blends
Cold Water Processing uses NO HEAT — only pressure — to eliminate worrisome bacteria like E. coli, listeria, and salmonella. A great option if your pet health professional is cautious about raw.
Feeding Simple
The goal for optimal health is a rotation of models and proteins, plus great supplements — phytoplankton or probiotics like Love Bugs or Fido's Flora. Ask us about certain health goals and we can suggest the best supplement.
Complete Nutrition
Rotate 3–4 Proteins Monthly
PROTEIN ROTATION
Which Should You Feed — and When to Rotate?
We recommend feeding all models — Mixes, Recipes, and Original Blends — in a rotation of various proteins. All models come in various proteins including: Duck, Beef, Turkey, Lamb, Pork and Chicken.
Rule of thumb: Switch up proteins at least every 2 weeks. You can switch every meal if you'd like — the key is to not feed the same protein for months on end.
Only feed pure, non-processed treats. Sugar and additives are addictive and undermine the work your raw diet is doing.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Can I Mix Raw and Kibble?
"Friends Don't Let Friends Feed Kibble."
For good stools and a healthy gut — dump the processed foods. Kibble is processed and high in inflammatory ingredients and sugar. Yes, all kibble is processed — especially grain-free, so-called high-end, and prescription diets.
All kibble has synthetic vitamins and minerals that the body doesn't utilize. On our podcast The Raw Dog Food Truth, we discuss how synthetic vitamins and minerals cause health issues in pets' kidneys. Kibble has flavorings like salt, garlic, sugar, and smoke — dogs don't need flavorings. These contain dangerous ingredients like MSG.
If you do mix raw and kibble and your pup has digestive upset — immediately pull out the processed food and processed treats and you will see dramatic improvements.
ADDITIONS
What to Add Throughout the Raw Feeding Journey
Omega 3s — Fish & Phytoplankton
We suggest 3 full fish meals spread out over the week, or add a couple of fish to blends throughout the week. Our sardines are packed with Vitamin D and are the best Omega 3
sources.How to feed fish: frozen or thawed. To thaw, place in a bowl of water for 5 minutes. Feed heads, guts, and all.
For dogs that don't like fish, Phytoplankton (Phyto-synergy) is a whole food and right up there with our top Omega 3 picks. Just sprinkle on food for maximum nutrition.
Whole Raw Organic Eggs
Add up to 5 times a week on top of raw food. Raw meaty bones, a variety of whole food supplements, and single-ingredient treats are all great additions.
You can also add in extra stand-alone organs — up to 20% of the whole diet if poops are solid.
More great additions: Duck feet, duck heads, turkey necks, raw meaty bones, and tripe.
What is Green Tripe?
Our stand-alone ground tripe is a beef tripe — the stomach of the cow. Benefits: Omega 3 and Omega 6 balanced, phosphorus and calcium balanced, plus many added digestive enzymes, minerals, and good bacteria.
Yes, it's stinky… but so good for your pup and cat.
How much? Mix in anywhere from 10–30% tripe. You can even feed 2–3 straight green tripe meals a week. The determining factor is your pup's poop — too loose? Cut back.
Fun Healthy Stuff
TROUBLESHOOTING
Raw Feeding Issues & Solutions
If your pup is vomiting or having loose stools on a species-appropriate diet it's just a tweak that's needed. We have helped thousands live a healthier, happier life.
ISSUE
Pet Refuses Food
- Switch up the proteins or blends
- Warm on stove — not microwave
- Add Green Tripe up to 30%
- Stop mixing kibble or processed treats — sugar and additives are addictive
- Try a different bowl, different time, and different place in the house
ISSUE
Pet Vomits
- Most likely a new protein — rabbit and tripe have fur and new pups may not be ready. Your pup is not sick from the food.
- Let your pet eat the regurgitated food if desired
- Yellow foam = acid production irritating the stomach. Feed a snack of his before bedtime or feed later in the evening.
- Remove all processed foods and kibble
- Pull all supplements for at least a week, then add back in the Healthy Gut supplement
- Try warming the food — too cold of food can cause regurgitation
- Check for medications, recent vaccines, or stressful life events (moving, divorce, new baby) — pets get stressed too
- If feeding over 13% fat, switch to a blend that is around 10% fat for a while
ISSUE
Stool Issues
Runny Stools
- Boneless blends cause loose stools — bone is essential. Add duck feet, duck heads, or consumable bones
- Cut back on organs (if adding more into the diet) — try just 10%
- Cut out dairy and supplements until stools normalize
- Make sure you have a minimum of 10% ground real bone in the diet
- If stools don't improve in 5–7 days, contact your vet
Hard Stools
- Add a little more organs or green tripe
- Give a little less consumable bones
- Feed blends with 10% bone content
RAW SQUAD DOG TIP
Loose Stools? It's Usually Fixable at Home.
Don't mix kibble or processed treats with raw food. Add a little more
bone to the meal. Other common culprits: too many
supplements, flea and tick medication, heartworm medication,
antibiotics, dairy, stress, and recent vaccines. Still stuck?
Book a free consult with one of our experts.
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