Q: Why is my dog drinking less on raw? A: Don't worry, this is normal. Raw food has a very high moisture content (≈70%) so fluids don't need to be consumed as often. Dogs on a dry diet need to consume enough fluid to rehydrate the dry food they consume, as well as fluids to be able to perform physiological and cellular functions. It is important to still have fresh, clean water available at all times though, as they may still drink after exercise or in hot weather.
Q: Why isn't my dog going for a poo as much on raw? A: Fibre is a dietary material important for maintaining bowel movements. Insoluble fibre found in grains and vegetables add bulk to the stool, increasing the frequency and size of bowel movements. Dry foods need to contain some form of carbohydrates in order to maintain their extruded shape, so they have a higher fibre content. Raw foods, on the other hand, have a very low fibre content and this is reflected in the smaller and less frequent stools. Puppies will go to the toilet more frequently than adult dogs regardless of diet.
It is important to know that constipation (the inability to pass any stool or passing stool with difficulty and pain) is not good. Stools should not be dry, overly crumbly, white or difficult to pass and the diet should be adjusted if this is a frequent occurrence.
Q: Is an 80/10/10 or ratio diet nutritionally balanced? What do I need to add? A: 80/10/10, 80/10/5/5 and other ratio diets are very popular styles of feeding in the raw community, but we know that they are often deficient in a few key nutrients. It is important to realise that dog’s have nutrient requirements, not necessarily ingredient requirements; liver is included in a raw diet primarily for provision of vitamin A and is seen as an irreplaceable ingredient in an 80/10/10 ratio, but vitamin A can also be provided through inclusion of leafy green vegetables in the diet. 80/10/10 is a good foundation, but it only half the story; protein rotation, fruits, vegetables, herbs, seeds, oils, eggs, and fish (or other sources of omega 3 fatty acids) will help to fill the nutrient gaps found in such diets.
Q: Can I feed raw food and dry food together in the same meal? A: Yes, absolutely! If this suits your dog, there is no reason why you cannot. Have a look here for a bit more information. Q: How much raw should I feed my dog? A: This is all down to the individual! Feeding quantities depend on the individual’s age, bodyweight, metabolic rate and activity levels. Guidelines for raw feeding are based upon percentages, in relation to the dog’s current bodyweight and age- so the younger the dog, the higher the percentage they will receive. You can read all about this here, and there are handy charts that give you the guideline amount to feed; you just need to know your dog’s age and current weight.
Puppies
Q: When can I switch my puppy to raw food? A: Puppies can be weaned onto raw food, so there is no minimum age! If you have just brought your puppy home, I would advise giving them a few days to settle in before introducing a new food, in order to avoid stomach upset. You can read more about the types of food to feed here, and follow our puppy transition guide here when you're ready to make the switch.
Q: When can I switch my puppy to adult formulas? A: Most manufacturers recommend adult formulas are introduced at around 16 weeks (4 months), but only if these formulas are nutritionally balanced (choose green tick ✓ formulas from here). If you want to put together your own diet, either DIY or following an enhanced ratio diet, then it is best to wait until 12 months as there is little more leeway with adult dogs when it comes to nutrients in the diet.
Transitioning to Raw
Q: How do I transition my dog to a raw diet? A: Most dogs do well with a straight “cold-turkey” swap to a raw diet, but of course this depends on the individual. There are also graduated transitions if your dog has existing gastrointestinal issues, tends to have a sensitive stomach or is senior. Once the initial transition is made, it is recommended to gradually introduce different proteins or “flavours” over a period of time, as too much variety introduced at once may cause adverse effects.
For puppy transitions, see here. For adult dog transitions, see here
Hygiene & Storage
Q: Can I defrost and then refreeze the raw food? A: Yes, but it is important to make sure the food doesn’t reach room temperature when defrosting. If you are defrosting to portion, it is best practice to defrost in a sealed container in the bottom of the refrigerator until just defrosted enough to allow you to get a knife through to separate into portions. The raw food should then be frozen immediately. Repeatedly defrosting and refreezing will degrade the quality and texture of the mince.
Q: Will freezing kill bacteria? A: No, freezing will not kill bacteria. Freezing will render the bacteria inactive and dormant, but it will "reactivate" when it starts to defrost. Bacteria multiplies rapidly when it reaches room temperature, so good storage and defrosting practices are essential.
Q: Will freezing kill parasites? A: Yes, provided that the temperature and duration of freezing is correct. There are different parasites and protozoa that affect raw meat, but by freezing for 10 days at a temperature of -18°c, there will be lethal effects on the parasites that render them inactive,
Vets & Raw Feeding
Q: My vet doesn't recommend raw- why? A: This is a very complex question and there will be many perspectives, but here is my answer to this question from a raw feeder in the veterinary profession. 1. Veterinary staff exist to help unwell and sick animals. They see dogs who have nutritional deficiencies, intestinal blockages, dental fractures and other related illness from poorly executed raw feeding. I have also experienced this first hand (quite literally!) when I was elbow deep performing an enema on a dog who had eaten 5 cooked lamb shank bones as part of a ‘raw diet’. As they say, “when you assume, you make an ass out of you and me!”, and a veterinary surgeon cannot assume that all pet owners have the capacity and ability to ensure their dog has a nutritionally balanced and adequate diet unfortunately. Raw feeding can be complex and it often requires a delicate balance between multiple ingredients. Poor nutritional balance, especially in developing puppies, can have detrimental consequences on the musculoskeletal system that is retained into adulthood, even when the diet is corrected early on. Osteoarthritis, osteochondral lesions, rickets, nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteomalacia are just some of the conditions seen from poorly balanced calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D (most ratio diets are deficient in vitamin D and typically have an inappropriate Ca:P ratio).
2. Raw feeding does carry bacterial and pathogenic risks. There are inherent risks when handling and preparing raw meat, and anyone who tries to convince you otherwise is silly. It is rare, but dogs do suffer from nutritionally associated salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, neosporosis and Escherichia coli to name just a few (although the diet is not always the primary cause of these conditions). There are methods to reduce these risks, including sourcing your raw ingredients from a reliable brand, and having good handling, storage and hygiene procedures.
3. Perhaps the most significant reason being a limited evidence base in favour of raw diets. Many of the touted benefits that exist are anecdotal and cannot be substantiated by science. Veterinary medicine functions and evolves because of scientific evidence; thus, it is frowned upon to recommend something that science disagrees with. There are many clinical trials that assess dry food, and this is something that is very neglected in fresh feeding. Fortunately, there is emerging evidence in favour of raw diets in certain areas (such as in the treatment of atopic dermatitis for example) and hopefully, this will continue to extend into all areas.
I can, hand on heart, say that I have never heard a veterinary professional wish a patient would become ill or come back so they could get more money from the owners. It’s always “I wish we could make them better so they can go home and not come back”. Very few vets receive commission from supplying or recommending certain brands of dry food; they may get a pen, a measuring cup or a lunch and learn occasionally though!