A step-by-step guide to starting your puppy on raw food: when, what, how much and how often.
When can a puppy start raw food?
Many breeders wean puppies straight onto raw, so some puppies arrive at 8 weeks already eating it. If your puppy is on kibble or wet food, you can switch any time after they have settled into their new home. Give them a week or so to get used to you first, since a new home and a new diet at the same time can upset a young stomach.
Choose a complete food
Puppies need the right balance of meat, bone and organ for growing bones and teeth. Feed a complete food such as a Birmingham Raw 80/10/10 roll rather than single minces like tripe or chicken mince, which are complementary and not balanced on their own.
Start with one protein, usually chicken or turkey, as they are gentle and easy to digest. Once your puppy is doing well on that for a week or two, add a second protein, such as beef or lamb, one at a time.
How to switch: cold turkey or gradual?
Most raw feeders switch puppies straight over: last kibble meal one day, first raw meal the next. Mixing kibble and raw in the same bowl is usually avoided because they digest at different speeds. If your puppy has a sensitive stomach, a gentler route is to replace one meal a day with raw for a few days, then two, then all of them.
How much raw food does a puppy need?
Puppies need far more food for their size than adult dogs. As a guide, feed this much of their current weight each day:
| Age | Daily amount | Meals a day | Example: 8kg puppy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks to 4 months | About 8% | 4 | 640g |
| 4 to 6 months | About 6% | 3 | 480g |
| 6 to 9 months | About 4.5% | 2 to 3 | 360g |
| 9 to 12 months | About 3.5% | 2 | 280g |
Weigh your puppy every week and recalculate. A useful cross-check is that the daily amount should rarely be more than 2% to 3% of the weight your puppy is expected to reach as an adult. Large and giant breeds should grow slowly, so feed them at the lower end and speak to your vet. Our raw feeding calculator has puppy settings that do the maths for you.
What to expect in the first two weeks
- Smaller, firmer poos. This is normal on raw. Very pale, crumbly poos mean too much bone; very soft poos can mean too much organ or too much food.
- A loose stool or two in the first few days is common. If it carries on, or your puppy is unwell, call your vet.
- Big enthusiasm at meal times. Most puppies love raw.
Handling raw food safely around puppies and children
- Defrost rolls in the fridge overnight, in a covered container.
- Use thawed food within 48 hours and don’t refreeze it.
- Wash bowls, surfaces and hands after every meal.
- Pick up anything your puppy leaves after 20 minutes.
Chews and treats for puppies
Teething puppies love something to chew. Soft raw bones such as chicken necks or duck necks are a good start, always supervised. Small, soft treats are ideal for training; see our guide to natural treats for training.
Questions
Can puppies eat raw dog food?
Yes. Puppies can eat a complete raw diet from weaning. Choose a complete food rather than single minces, and feed more for their size than an adult dog.
How many times a day should I feed my puppy raw food?
Four meals a day up to about 4 months, three meals from 4 to 6 months, and two or three meals from 6 months. Most dogs go onto two meals a day by 12 months.
How much raw food should I feed a puppy?
Around 8% of current body weight a day at 2 to 4 months, falling to about 3.5% at 9 to 12 months. Weigh your puppy every week and adjust.
Can I mix raw food and kibble for my puppy?
Most raw feeders keep them in separate meals because they digest at different speeds. Swapping one meal at a time is a gentle way to switch.
We deliver frozen raw food across WR postcodes. Shop complete raw food
This guide is general advice from a raw feeding dog walking team, not veterinary advice. If your dog has a health condition, talk to your vet before changing their diet.