HOW MUCH SHOULD I FEED?

As a general starting point for adult dogs, feed around 2–3% of their ideal body weight per day.

This is only a starting guide. Every dog is different, so adjust the amount depending on their age, activity level, metabolism and body condition.

ACTIVE DOGS

More active dogs may need a higher percentage.

LESS ACTIVE DOGS

Less active dogs may need a lower percentage.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

If your dog is gaining or losing weight when you don’t want them to, gradually adjust their daily amount.

PUPPIES

Puppies have different nutritional requirements from adult dogs and should not simply be fed according to the adult 2–3% guide.

Their food needs to provide the correct nutrients for growth, cognitive health and muscular development. particularly calcium and phosphorus.

Choose a complete food appropriate for your growing puppy. This does not need to be a "puppy specific" branded diet, however, you may choose to opt for a finer mince for weaning and one that contains all the nutrients your growing puppy needs. Weaning to 10 weeks of age puppies should be fed 10% of their body weight. This slowly decreases as they get older. Each puppy is different and weight management is important. Please speak to us for more in depth information about puppies and feeding them a raw diet.   

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FEED?

Adult dogs:
Usually 1–2 meals per day. There is some evidence to suggest fasting is beneficial.

Puppies:
Generally require more frequent meals, depending on their age and size.

There’s no need to change feeding frequency simply because you’ve switched to raw.

WHAT SHOULD A RAW DIET CONTAIN?

A properly balanced raw diet can include:

Muscle meat
Your dog’s main source of protein. 

Raw edible bone
Provides calcium and other minerals.

Offal
Provides important vitamins and minerals. Liver is particularly nutrient-dense and should be fed at 5% of your dogs daily offal intake. The other 5% should be another secreting organ.

Fish
A useful source of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients.

Eggs
Can provide additional protein and nutrients.

Fruit & vegetables
Can add variety and fibre.

Supplements
May be appropriate depending on the individual dog.

COMPLETE, 80-10-10 OR DIY?

COMPLETE RAW FOOD

The easiest option for beginners.

A food containing meat, bone, offal (including liver), fruits, veggies & herbs usually with a mix of proteins and added heart would be considered a nutritionally balanced meal. There aren't many options out there that contain it all so providing your dog with a variety of proteins across a number of brands would be the best option. 

80-10-10 Meat - Bone - Offal

The most popular across raw diets. Containing 80% meat, 10% bone & 10% offal (should be 5% liver and 5% other offal) This is a great starting point but extras are required in order to provide your dog with the optimum nutrition. 

DIY RAW

Gives you much greater control over the individual ingredients, but you are responsible for ensuring the overall diet is nutritionally balanced. Meat + bone + offal does not automatically equal a complete diet. 

DIY diets are formulated by sourcing all the individual ingredients needed to create a balanced diet for your dog. It does require a lot of prep work and weighing out individual components such as Offal, Bone, Muscle Meat etc.

SWITCHING TO RAW

Every dog is different. Some do well transitioning immediately, while others do better with a gradual change.

When introducing a new food:

1. Start with a suitable product
2. Introduce changes gradually if your dog is sensitive
3. Keep treats and extras to a minimum while transitioning
4. Monitor stools, weight and body condition
5. Adjust portions if necessary

Don’t panic over a small change in stools when switching to a raw diet. The digestive system can take time to adjust. A raw fed dog's stool is very different to that of a kibble fed dog. Stools can vary in colour and texture depending on which protein they ate that day. 

A FEW IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

• Never feed cooked bones. They can become brittle and splinter.
• Handle raw food in the same way you would handle raw meat for humans.
• Keep food frozen until required and defrost in the refrigerator.
• Wash hands, bowls and surfaces thoroughly after preparing raw food.
• Always monitor your dog’s weight and body condition.
• Always provide a wide variety of protein sources, including switching up brands when you feed minces that may contain the same offal proteins throughout.  

NEED A HAND?

Not sure how much to feed or which food is right for your dog?

Come and speak to us at The Canine Larder.

We can help you choose a suitable food and work out a feeding plan for your individual dog.

THE CANINE LARDER