• Raw Feeding Your Dog - A Natrual Approach to Canine Nutrition

Feeding Your Dog the Way Nature Intended

Dogs thrive on a diet built around fresh meat, bone and natural nutrients—mirroring what they are biologically designed to consume. This page is your practical guide to understanding raw feeding, how it works and how to apply it confidently to your dog’s daily routine.


Raw feeding doesn't need to be complicated. When you focus on balance, variety and quality ingredients, it becomes a straightforward way to fuel your dog for performance, condition and long-term wellbeing.

Feed with Confidence:
This page is designed to give you the clarity and confidence to make informed feeding decisions - whether you're just starting out or refining your current approach.

Why Raw Feeding Works for Dogs
Learn how a raw diet aligns with your dog’s natural biology—supporting digestion, energy levels, coat condition and overall health through real, unprocessed food.


The Core Components of a Raw Diet

Understand how to build a balanced diet using muscle meat, raw bone and organs, reflecting a natural prey-based feeding model.


Feeding Variety & Nutritional Balance
Discover why rotating different protein sources is key to delivering a broad range of nutrients and keeping your dog engages at mealtime.


How much to Feed?

Clear guidance on portioning based on your dog's size, age, activity level and condition, helping you feed with accuracy - not guesswork.


Transitioning to Raw Food

Step-by-step insight into switching from kibble or processed diets to raw, including what changes to expect and how to manage the adjustment.


Real-World Benefits You'll Notice

From healthier coats and improved dental hygiene to smaller stools and better digestion, raw feeding delivers visible results when done correctly.

Feeding Your Carnivore...

A balanced raw diet includes meat, bones, organs and green tripe from a variety of sources, in approximate prey proportions.

And, as a rule of thumb we recommend feeding from at least three different prey species over a week. This ensures a good variety of nutrients in your dog's diet.

  • Minces: Our minces can contain a mixture of muscle meat, bone and organs. Feed the minces alongside other products listed below to make it a well-balanced raw diet.
  • Meaty Bones: Rabbit legs, rabbit shoulders, hare shoulders, possum pieces.
  • Green Tripe: Green Tripe is an important part of your dog's daily raw food - its the 'green vegetable' of your dog's diet. It is quite smelly, but your dog will LOVE it. It can be fed every day.
  • Organ Meat: Organs should be included in your dog's diet for a healthy balanced diet.

Never feed any cooked bones to your dogs.

How Often and How Much?

Adult dogs can be fed 1 - 2 times per day. For a dog with a healthy weight, aim to feed them approximately 2% of their body weight each day. But this is a guide only. Refer to the suggested feeding guide on your feeding plan for detailed info.

If your dog is burying bones, being fussy or leaving food in the bowl you may be over feeding them. Just take the food away and offer less for the next meal or you can fast your dog for a day. Exercise your dog before feeding them.

If your dog is losing weight or seems very hungry then you should up their daily intake a little at a time until you are happy with their weight and demeanour. In turn, if your dog is gaining weight then you can feed a little less until their weight stabilises.

What else to expect when Changing to a Raw Diet?

  • A small amount of initial weight loss is common - adjust the amount fed to suit.
  • Dogs may appear very hungry at first - this is probably because they love the food! This usually settles down.
  • Dogs may drink less - this is because a raw diet has a high water content.
  • Bowel movements will be small, firm and less smelly.

Stop All Grains and Starches

Cats and dogs are carnivores. Their digestive tracts are uniquely geared to meat–based proteins. They’re not meant to eat diets that include starches and grains. All brands of dog biscuits contain corn, soy, wheat or rice. You must also stop bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, kumara, pumpkin etc. This is very important!


Feeding Puppies

Nourish your growing puppy with a balanced blend of meat, bone, organs, and tripe sourced from a variety of prey—just like nature intended, and completely free of carbohydrates!

They typically need around 5% of their body weight in food, but during those exciting growth spurts, their portions should bump up towards 10%. As they grow, so should their meals—don’t let the portions stay the same!

Monitor their condition and adjust their intake as needed; most pets see their requirements naturally taper off around 8-10 months of age.

Keep things on track with regular weight and body condition checks. And remember, we’re always here—drop by the store anytime for expert advice and a friendly chat with your pet!

Initial Phase:
For the first two weeks, feed puppies a raw minced mix that includes meat, bone, organs, and green tripe. 

Bone Broth Addition:
Introduce bone broth as a soothing addition during the settling-in period. 

Gradual Changes: After two weeks, if all is settled, start introducing changes one at a time:

  • New Minced Mix: Introduce a different variety of minced mix gradually.
  • Whole Raw Meaty Bones: Begin by offering one whole raw meaty bone every couple of days, replacing some of the minced mixes. Initially, choose one type of bone—soft options like necks or brisket are ideal for starters.
  • Green Tripe: Feed green tripe alongside each raw meaty bone, using an amount approximately ¼ to ⅓ of the bone’s size.

Expanding the Diet:
Once your puppy adapts to this routine, you can gradually introduce more variety. 

Always add one new item at a time and monitor your puppy's response.

< 12 WEEKS : 3 Meals per day

12 WEEKS - 6 MONTHS : 2 - 3 Meals per day

6 MONTHS - 1 YEAR : 2 Meals per day

1 YEAR + (ADULTS) : 1 - 2 Meals per day

Calcium & Phosphorus: Raw meaty bones naturally provide a balanced blend of calcium and phosphorus in their whole food form—taking the guesswork out of meal formulations and eliminating the need for extra supplements. When young puppies receive an appropriate amount of these bones, they obtain exactly the nutrients required for optimal growth and development, with any excess simply excreted by the body. Balanced nutrition is essential, as feeding only meat can lead to nutrient imbalances. Although some veterinarian's express concerns regarding raw diets—often due to the risks associated with unbalanced feeding—many experts also recognise the value of a diet that includes raw meaty bones for promoting strong, healthy development. We are proud to offer a nutritional approach that not only addresses these concerns but also supports the natural, robust growth of your beloved pet.

  • Raw Meaty Bones:
    Chewing raw meaty bones helps promote healthy gums and aids in the natural shedding of baby teeth as adult teeth come in. Chat to our team about the suitability of whole bones for your pet.

  • Strong Teeth Development:
    Pet teeth continue to harden until about 2 years of age. A balanced approach to dental health is key during this phase - incorporating suitable whole bones, chews, chew toys and teeth brushing.

  • Hard Chews and Treats:
    While durable chews can be satisfying, they may increase the risk of tooth breakage.


Tip: Supervise and offer a variety of chew options to keep your pet’s teeth safe.

A little caution goes a long way toward ensuring your pet’s dental health and overall happiness!


  • THE SCIENCE BEHIND RAW FEEDING
  • WHY ITS GREAT FOR DOGS HEALTH

BENEFITS OF RAW FEEDING DIETS FOR DOGS

A raw diet focuses on feeding dogs real, meat-based nutrition in a form that is closer to what their bodies are naturally designed to process. Instead of relying heavily on processed ingredients, fillers and artificial additives, raw feeding provides quality animal protein, natural fats, moisture, minerals and essential nutrients that support everyday health, performance and long-term condition.

SUPPORTS LEAN MUSCLE & STRONG BODY CONDITION

Raw diets are naturally rich in animal protein, which is essential for maintaining strong muscles, healthy growth and overall body condition. For active dogs, working dogs, and growing dogs, quality protein helps support strength, recovery and stamina.

A meat-based diet also allows owners to better manage condition. Leaner blends can support weight control, while richer blends with higher fat content can help dogs needing extra energy or condition.

PROMOTES HEALTHY DIGESTION

Many dogs do well on raw diets because the food is simple, natural and easier to digest. Without unnecessary fillers, excess carbohydrates, or heavily processed ingredients, the body can focus on absorbing usable nutrients.

Owners often notice smaller, firmer stools, reduced stool odour and improved consistency. This is because more of the food is being used by the body, leaving less waste behind.

SUPPORTS SKIN & COAT HEALTH

Raw feeding provides natural fats, oils, amino acids and nutrients that help support healthy skin and a glossy coat. Dogs with dull coats, dry skin, or itchiness may benefit from a cleaner, more natural diet that removes unnecessary additives and common food triggers.

A healthy coat is often one of the first visible signs that a dog is thriving on their food.

PROVIDES NATURAL ENERGY & STAMINA

Raw diets supply energy through quality protein and natural fats, helping dogs maintain steady energy throughout the day. This can be especially beneficial for farm dogs, sport dogs, hunting dogs, growing dogs and high-energy breeds.

Rather than relying on carbohydrate-heavy processed feeds, raw feeding provides slow-burning, nutrient-dense fuel that supports endurance, recovery and daily vitality.

HELPS SUPPORT DENTAL HEALTH

Chewing raw meaty bones, natural chews and textured raw foods can help support cleaner teeth and healthier gums. The chewing action may assist in reducing plaque build-up while also providing mental enrichment.

Dental health depends on the full diet and chewing habits, but raw feeding can be a useful part of a natural dental care routine.

ASSISTS WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Raw feeding gives owners greater control over what goes into their dog’s bowl. Portion size, protein type and fat content can all be adjusted depending on the dog’s needs.

For dogs needing to slim down, leaner raw options can help maintain muscle while reducing excess calories. For dogs needing weight gain or higher energy, richer blends can provide extra fuel without relying on processed fillers.

MAY HELP DOGS WITH FOOD SENSITIVITIES

Simple raw diets can make it easier to identify what your dog does and does not tolerate. Single-protein options, such as beef, lamb, rabbit, or other novel proteins, can be useful for dogs with suspected sensitivities.

By keeping ingredients simple and avoiding unnecessary additives, owners can better manage feeding plans for dogs with itchy skin, digestive upset, or recurring food-related issues.

IMPROVES HYDRATION

Raw food naturally contains moisture, which helps support hydration. This is especially useful for dogs that do not drink large amounts of water, active dogs, or dogs fed mainly dry food in the past.

Better moisture intake supports digestion, kidney function, urinary health and overall wellbeing.

ENCOURAGES BETTER APPETITE & MEALTIME ENJOYMENT

Many dogs find raw food highly palatable because it smells, tastes and feels more natural. For fussy eaters, raw feeding can encourage stronger interest in meals.

Natural variety also helps keep feeding interesting, especially when rotating between different proteins and textures.

SUPPORTS OVERALL VITALITY

When dogs are fed a diet that suits their biology, owners often notice improvements in energy, coat shine, body condition, digestion, stool quality and enthusiasm for food.

Raw feeding is not about overcomplicating nutrition. It is about returning to simple, quality ingredients that support your dog from the inside out.

Your Choosing a Difference

Raw Feeding is not just a trend; it's scientifically backed approach to canines nutrition that honours your dog's evolutionary dietary needs. By choosing raw food, you are investing in your dog's long term health, vitality and happiness.

At Paw Cuisine, we are happy to assist you in every step of the way in providing the best possible nutrition for your beloved canine companion.

Embrace the power of raw feeding and watch your dog thrive like never before. For more information and advice on raw feeding, please view our other educational pages link below.

  • WILDY GOOD NUTRITION 🐾