✦  THE HOLISTIC PET — BLOG POST  ✦

Beginner’s Guide to Raw Feeding for Dogs 🥩

Simple. Natural. Species-Appropriate.

By Jolandie Koen  |  Holistic Animal Practitioner & Pet Nutritionist

theholistic-petnamibia.com

📍 Tag: Raw Feeding | Dogs | Natural Nutrition | Beginner’s Guide

Is Raw Feeding Really That Complicated?

If you have ever typed “raw feeding for dogs” into a search engine, you already know the overwhelm that follows. Conflicting opinions. Complicated ratios. Warnings from some, enthusiastic testimonials from others. It can feel impossible to know where to start.

But here is the truth: raw feeding is not complicated. It is simply going back to basics — feeding your dog the way nature always intended. And with the right guidance, it is one of the most powerful changes you can make for your dog’s long-term health.

In this guide I will walk you through everything you need to know to get started — calmly, clearly, and practically. No overwhelm. No jargon. Just real, species-appropriate nutrition that works. 🌿

What Is Raw Feeding?

Raw feeding is exactly what it sounds like — feeding your dog a diet based on raw, whole foods rather than processed kibble or tinned food. It is rooted in the idea that dogs are biologically designed to eat what their wild ancestors ate: raw meat, raw bone, organs, and a small amount of plant matter.

There are two main approaches you will hear about:

BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)	Prey Model Raw (PMR)
Includes muscle meat, raw bone, organ meat, plus a small amount of vegetables, fruit and supplements. Most recommended for beginners and family dogs.	No vegetables or plant matter at all — modelled purely on what a dog would eat from a whole prey animal. Better suited to experienced raw feeders.

For this guide we will focus on BARF — it is the most beginner-friendly, well-researched, and practical approach for most dog owners.

Why Raw Feeding Supports Dog Health

Dogs are facultative carnivores — meaning they are built to thrive primarily on animal protein. Commercial kibble, while convenient, is heavily processed. The high-heat manufacturing process destroys naturally occurring enzymes and reduces the bioavailability of nutrients. Many kibbles are also high in carbohydrates, which a dog’s digestive system was never designed to process in large quantities.

Pet owners who switch to raw feeding consistently report improvements in:

• Coat quality — shinier, softer, less shedding
• Energy levels — more vitality and stamina
• Digestion — smaller, firmer, less odorous stools
• Dental health — raw bone naturally cleans teeth
• Weight management — easier to maintain a healthy weight
• Skin and allergy symptoms — many dogs see significant improvement
• Breath — noticeably fresher without processed food

The Basic BARF Ratios

The foundation of the BARF diet is a simple ratio that ensures your dog receives a balanced range of nutrients. Think of each meal as being made up of four components:

Percentage	Component	Examples
70%	Muscle Meat	Chicken, beef, lamb, pork, turkey, sardines, heart (counts as muscle meat)
10%	Raw Edible Bone	Chicken necks, chicken wings, chicken feet, lamb ribs, duck wings
5%	Liver	Beef liver, chicken liver — introduce slowly, very rich
5%	Other Organ Meat	Kidney, spleen, pancreas, lung — do not overfeed
10%	Vegetables, Fruit & Extras	Leafy greens, carrots, berries, pumpkin, eggs — lightly blended or grated

How Much to Feed:

A general starting point is 2–3% of your dog’s ideal body weight per day, split into two meals. Puppies need more — around 5–10% of body weight depending on age. Always monitor your dog’s condition and adjust accordingly. Every dog is different.

How to Transition Safely From Kibble

One of the most important things to know is this: never rush the transition. A dog’s digestive system takes time to adjust — the gut bacteria need to rebalance, and digestive enzymes need to adapt to a new food source. Going too fast can cause loose stools, vomiting, or stomach upset that puts you off raw feeding entirely.

The recommended approach for most dogs:

1. Days 1–3: Feed only chicken (one protein source) as 100% of the diet. Chicken is the most easily digestible protein for a beginner raw feeder. Use chicken mince, chicken frames or chicken necks.
2. Days 4–7: Continue with chicken only. Watch your dog’s stools — they should firm up significantly. Slightly grey-white stools are normal and actually indicate the bone ratio is working correctly.
3. Week 2: Introduce a second protein — beef or lamb works well. Start with 70% chicken and 30% new protein, slowly increasing the new protein over several days.
4. Week 3: Begin introducing organ meat — start with a small amount of chicken liver (about 5% of the meal). Too much too fast causes loose stools as the body detoxes.
5. Week 4 onwards: Gradually add variety — different proteins, a small amount of blended vegetables, raw eggs, and fish (sardines in spring water are excellent).

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Knowing what NOT to do is just as important as knowing what to do:

❌ Never feed cooked bones. Cooking makes bones brittle and dangerous — they can splinter and cause internal injuries. Only ever feed raw bones.

❌ Do not over-supplement. A properly balanced raw diet does not need a long list of supplements. Start simple. Add only what is necessary.

❌ Never mix raw and kibble in the same meal. They digest at different rates, which can cause digestive upset. If you want to mix, feed at completely separate meal times.

❌ Do not introduce too many proteins at once. This is the single biggest cause of loose stools in new raw feeders. One protein at a time, slowly.

❌ Avoid too much liver too soon. Liver is incredibly nutrient-dense — wonderful in the right amounts, but too much causes diarrhoea. 5% of the total diet is the guide.

❌ Do not use pork as a first protein. Pork can carry parasites if not sourced carefully. It is fine once established, but save it for when your dog is well-adjusted to raw.

Excellent Proteins to Start With

• 🐔 Chicken — the ideal beginner protein. Easy to digest, widely available, affordable.
• 🐄 Beef — excellent muscle meat and bone source. Well tolerated by most dogs.
• 🐑 Lamb — great for dogs with sensitivities to chicken or beef.
• 🦃 Turkey — lean, gentle on the stomach, good for weight management.
• 🐟 Sardines in spring water — brilliant omega-3 source. Add 2–3 times per week.
• 🥚 Raw eggs — whole, including the shell if your dog will eat it. A perfect whole food.

Your Quick-Start Checklist

Before you start, make sure you have:

☐  A reliable supplier of fresh, human-grade raw meat in your area

☐  Freezer space to store bulk purchases safely

☐  A dedicated chopping board and knife for raw meat

☐  A food scale for accurate portioning

☐  Chicken mince or chicken frames to begin Day 1

☐  Patience — the transition takes 3–4 weeks but is absolutely worth it

You Are Ready to Start 🌿

Raw feeding is not a diet trend. It is a return to something ancient and deeply right — feeding your dog what their body was actually built to eat. The results speak for themselves.

I have seen it time and time again in my practice: dogs who were sluggish become energetic. Dogs who were itchy become calm. Dogs who were always at the vet become robust and thriving. Raw feeding, done correctly, works.

Start slowly. Use one protein. Watch your dog. Trust the process. And if you ever feel unsure — reach out. I am always here to help you get it right. 💚

⚠️ Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every dog is unique — if your dog has an existing health condition, please consult with a veterinarian before making significant dietary changes.

Want personalised raw feeding guidance for your specific dog?

Book a Raw Food Planning Consultation → theholistic-petnamibia.com/services/

Or explore the Canine NutriCraft™ tool for ongoing raw feeding support →

theholistic-petnamibia.com/canine-nutricraft/

© 2026 The Holistic Pet · Jolandie Koen t/a The Holistic Pet · theholistic-petnamibia.com

🌿 Rooted in Nature. Raised with Love.