Blog Raw Diet for Puppies: How to feed your puppy a truly raw diet.
Raw Diet for Puppies: How to feed your puppy a truly raw diet.
Every puppy deserves the best start in life, and their diet plays a crucial role in their growth and well-being. If you’ve been exploring the benefits of raw feeding for your puppy but aren’t sure where to begin, you’re in the right place. By understanding your puppy’s unique nutritional needs and following a thoughtful approach, you can provide a balanced, natural diet that helps your puppy grow into a healthy, energetic adult.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best raw food diet for puppies to ensure your new little addition to the family has the best start to life. Let’s break down the basics of raw feeding for puppies to help you feel confident in your choice.
Start your puppy’s truly raw diet with Carnos’s Beginner’s Box.
Getting Started with a Raw Diet for Puppies
Starting your puppy on a raw diet can feel daunting, especially since it requires more research than feeding adult dogs. Puppies have unique nutritional needs to support their growth and development, so it’s crucial to make sure they get the right balance of proteins, fats, and essential nutrients. But don’t worry! With a little guidance, you can ensure your pup thrives on a natural diet that supports strong muscles, a shiny coat, and overall vitality.
Can puppies eat raw meat?
Yes, puppies can eat raw meat, but it’s important to ensure it’s fresh and part of a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. In most cases, raw food for puppies can drastically improve your pets’ health and wellness, and we encourage you to try it out to receive the many benefits of feeding your dog a raw diet.
A few benefits of raw feeding:
- Stronger Immune System
- Improved Digestion (not to mention smaller drier stools!)
- Shiny Coat
At what age can I feed my puppy raw food?
The earlier the better! We recommend giving your puppy a week to adjust in your home to their existing food to reduce the chance of loose stools from stress and diet change combined. After roughly one week, puppies should start raw feeding with a balanced diet right from the beginning.
Since a puppy’s body cannot store nutrients over time like an adult dog, their diet cannot be balanced over time. A puppy’s diet must be balanced daily, although every meal in a day does not need to be individually balanced as long as the combination of meals per day provides all essential nutrients in sufficient quantities.
Transitioning your puppy to a raw diet.
There are two methods for puppies when transitioning to raw. Your puppy can either be switched cold turkey to a balanced DIY raw diet or slowly transitioned using a balanced premade diet. Complete and Balanced premade meals as well as most of the ingredients needed for a DIY raw diet for puppies are available on our website.
Cold Turkey
The cold turkey method involves switching your puppy immediately to a balanced raw diet. It’s a quicker approach that can help some puppies adapt rapidly to new foods. The main benefit is a quicker and more convenient switch to a raw diet.
However, some puppies may experience an initial upset stomach, such as diarrhea or vomiting with a sudden diet change. If this does not resolve quickly, take a step back to their previous food until stools are firm and restart the transition using the slow approach. Always monitor your puppy closely during this transition and ensure the diet is balanced to meet their nutritional needs.
Slow Transition
The slow transition method involves gradually introducing raw food alongside your puppy’s current diet, increasing the raw portion over 3-4 weeks. This gentle approach allows your puppy’s digestive system to adapt more smoothly, reducing the risk of stomach upset.
A slow transition to raw dog food is ideal for puppies with sensitive stomachs or cautious eaters. The downside is that it takes longer to fully switch to raw, requiring patience and consistent monitoring to ensure they’re getting a balanced diet throughout the process. To start, remove 25% (¼) of the processed food and replace it with 25% balanced raw food. Then increase gradually each week as long as stools remain firm.
How much raw food to feed puppies.
Daily feeding amounts for young puppies should be split into 3-4 separate meals fed throughout the day for optimal nutrient absorption. Older puppies can be decreased to 1-2 feedings per day. As puppies mature, their growth rate slows down, and their metabolism stabilizes. Initially, puppies need more food to support rapid growth and energy demands. As they approach adulthood, their energy needs decrease, and they only require 2-4% of their current body weight to feed.
Use the guide below to calculate how much to feed your sweet pup.
| Puppy’s Age (Months) | Percentage of Current Body Weight to Feed |
| 0-4 months | 10-8% |
| 5-7 months | 8-5% |
| 8-10 months | 5-4% |
| 11-14 months | 4-2% |
For example, if your puppy is 4 months old, you would feed them 8% of their current body weight. If that 4-month-old puppy weighs 8 lbs, that would mean that you would feed them around 10.2 oz of raw food.
Recommended Raw Diet for Puppies: Complete, Balanced Canine Food Pyramid
When planning a raw diet for your puppy, a puppy raw feeding pyramid like this one can be a helpful guide.
At the base of the pyramid is boneless muscle meat, making up 25-40% of the diet. This provides essential proteins for growth and can include a variety of meats like beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey.
Next, 30-50% should consist of raw meaty bones, which supply 17% edible bone for crucial calcium and phosphorus for bone development. Then, we suggest 15% muscular organs such as heart, tripe and lungs and 15% organ meats, such as liver and spleen, to provide vital vitamins and minerals.
Finally, the remaining 5-15% can include vegetables, eggs, seafood, and supplements to fill any nutritional gaps. This balanced approach supports your puppy’s growth, energy, and a strong immune system.
How much raw food should I buy for my puppy?
How much raw food to purchase for your puppy at one time will depend on a few things: personal preference, how much your dog eats, and how much freezer space you have available to store food. You can order weekly, biweekly, or monthly depending on these factors. Many pet owners choose to have an extra freezer in their garage for bulk storage.
Tips for feeding puppies a raw diet.
Transitioning your puppy to a raw diet can be a very rewarding process. To ensure your pup thrives, follow these tips and best practices. From starting with a single protein source to handling food safely, each step is crucial for balanced nutrition, healthy growth, and a smooth transition.
Start with one balanced protein, then a variety.
For sensitive puppies, it can be beneficial to start with one bland protein such as chicken or turkey, using a complete premade food. When taking this approach, it is essential to use an AAFCO complete and balanced raw food. When feeding a DIY raw diet to puppies, it is important to be sure the diet is nutritionally balanced daily. This will require multiple proteins, whole foods, and potentially supplements. A great option is to use one of our balanced DIY recipes on our Blog. A single protein transition for puppies should not be done with a DIY diet, as that would not be appropriately balanced to support their development.
Aim for a complete and balanced diet.
If you only feed your puppy beef or another single muscle meat, they’ll miss vital nutrients found in other whole foods, bone and organ meat. Puppies need a mix of proteins, bones, organs, and whole foods to ensure they get all the nutrients necessary for proper growth, energy, and overall health.
Pro Tip: Ready-made complete and balanced raw meals for puppies make it easier to keep up with a balanced diet.
Look out for signs of allergies.
When introducing new proteins, watch for signs of allergies like itching, redness, digestive upset, or ear infections. While rare, puppies can develop food sensitivities, and identifying them early helps you adjust their diet accordingly. Addressing allergies promptly ensures your puppy’s comfort and supports their immune system, leading to healthier growth and happier mealtimes.
Pay attention to their health and growth rate.
You can determine if your puppy is following a healthy growth rate by comparing their body condition to BC charts and regularly weighing them. Look for steady, gradual weight gain rather than rapid spurts or plateaus. It is ideal to keep your puppy in a healthy body condition, and not chubby. Other signs of healthy growth include bright eyes, a shiny coat, playful energy, and firm stools. If your puppy seems underweight, overweight, or lethargic, it may be time to adjust their diet or consult your vet.
Handle raw foods safely and hygienically (wash your hands).
Always wash your hands before and after handling raw foods to prevent the spread of bacteria like salmonella. Clean all surfaces, bowls, and utensils used for raw feeding. Practicing good hygiene when handling and storing raw pet food protects both your puppy and your household from potential foodborne illnesses, ensuring a safe feeding environment for everyone.
Use pre-made options.
If preparing a raw diet feels overwhelming, consider pre-made raw meals designed for puppies. These options offer a convenient way to ensure your puppy gets a complete and balanced diet without the guesswork. They’re crafted to meet all nutritional requirements, supporting healthy growth while saving you time and effort in meal preparation.
Start with softer bones.
Begin with softer, edible bones like chicken necks or wings to help your puppy safely learn how to chew. Softer bones are gentler on developing teeth and easier to digest, reducing the risk of choking or digestive upset. Gradually introducing bones strengthens their jaws, promotes dental health, and provides essential minerals like calcium. Read more about dog bone safety best practices.
Consider adding supplements.
Even a well-planned DIY raw diet may lack certain nutrients, so adding whole foods and supplements can help fill gaps. Consider adding omega-3s for a healthy coat, or probiotics for digestion. Common nutritional gaps in a homemade raw diet include: EPA/DHA, ALA, Zinc, Manganese, Iodine, Vit D and Vit E. Whole foods and sSupplements ensure your puppy receives complete nutrition, supporting balanced growth and long-term health. Always consult a qualified raw nutritionist to choose the right ones.
Be patient.
Transitioning your puppy to a raw diet takes time and consistency. Some puppies may resist new foods or experience minor digestive issues initially. Be patient, make gradual adjustments, and stay committed. The process is worth it, as a well-balanced raw diet supports lifelong health. Remember, every puppy’s needs and preferences vary.
Schedule a consultation to plan your pup’s raw diet.
Ready to give your puppy the benefits of a raw diet but unsure where to start? Carnos offers expert guidance to create a complete and balanced plan tailored to your puppy’s needs. Get one-on-one support to help you transition your puppy smoothly.
Book your free consultation today.
More FAQs about puppies and raw food.
What is the best raw diet for puppies?
The best raw diet for puppies depends on their size, breed, and individual nutritional needs. Ideally, it should include a mix of muscle meat, organs, bones, and veggies along with any necessary whole foods and supplements.
Should I try a half-kibble half-raw diet plan?
A half-raw, half-kibble diet can work as a transitional option or for added variety or if you would prefer to gradually introduce your puppy to raw food.
Can I feed bones to my puppy?
Yes, you can feed bones to your puppy, but start with softer edible bones. Some puppies may need ground bone during teething if their mouths are sore enough that they refuse whole bones. Selecting the right raw bone for your puppy is similar to selecting the right raw bone for an adult dog, make sure it’s an appropriate size for the size of your pet – not too big, not too small.