Our site uses cookies. By clicking on accept you agree with our Terms of Service and privacy policy.
Raw Feeding Advice & Support – Everything You Need to Know to Get Started
Quick raw feeding calculator
A sensible starting point. Adjust to your pet’s condition/activity.
What is raw feeding?
Raw feeding is a species-appropriate, minimally processed diet for dogs, cats and ferrets. You’ll hear terms like prey-model, BARF, 80:10:10 and completes. On this page we focus on 80:10:10 and Completes. There’s also DIY raw feeding (build your own meals from parts) — we’ll cover that in a separate guide (link coming soon).
Goal: fresh meat, edible bone and organs in sensible ratios, rotated across proteins and brands for balance over time.
80:10:10 vs Completes
80:10:10 (Prey-model style)
- Approx. 80% muscle meat, 10% edible bone, 10% offal (usually 5% liver + 5% other secreting organ).
- Often labelled “dog food” or “working dog” for VAT reasons — it’s still just meat, bone and offal, suitable for species-appropriate feeding.
- Best practice: as much variety as possible — aim for 4+ proteins over a couple of weeks, and mix reputable brands.
Completes
- Available for dogs and cats (and some for ferrets): a raw 80:10:10 style base with extras such as veg, oils, seeds or herbs.
- Some are formulated to meet the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) guidelines for a complete & balanced diet — i.e. they contain everything a dog or cat/ferret needs in the tub.
- Others may not be FEDIAF-compliant but still include useful extras; still rotate proteins/brands.
Bottom line: 80:10:10 = simple, flexible, cost-effective. FEDIAF-compliant completes can be fed “as-is”; we still recommend rotating proteins where you can.
How to feed correctly
- 80:10:10: Go for maximum variety. Rotate 4+ proteins (chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, duck, venison, etc.) and mix trusted brands.
- Completes: If it’s FEDIAF complete, you can feed as-is. We still suggest rotating proteins/brands to keep things interesting and cover natural variation.
- Keep it simple: introduce one protein at a time, keep portions sensible, and adjust based on stool/bowl/body condition.
Puppies
Puppies cope well with raw from weaning. Edible bone in an 80:10:10 provides natural calcium/phosphorus for growth. Texture matters — finer minces (e.g. Dougies-style) can suit tiny mouths.
Switching methods
- Straight swap: Works for most pups; raw digests cleanly so many adapt overnight.
- Gradual: If you prefer, start with one raw meal/day for a few days and build up.
- Start with mild proteins: chicken or turkey is usually easiest.
Feed by % of bodyweight and adjust as they grow (see calculator & FAQs).
Adult dogs: switching to raw
- Straight swap: Often fine — many adults transition overnight without drama.
- Gradual suits: very sensitive guts, cautious owners, or dogs with pancreatitis/IBD history — begin with lower-fat proteins and build up.
- Start with mild proteins: chicken or turkey tends to land best first.
- Keep raw and kibble as separate meals during any mix phase. It’s simpler.
Cats & ferrets
Both are obligate carnivores. Plain 80:10:10 (meat, bone, offal) labelled as “dog” for VAT is fine to use — just rotate proteins. Aim for regular taurine-rich foods like heart (great as a topper). Many cats and ferrets do well with slightly lower bone than dogs, so watching stools and adding heart works nicely.
Prefer a balanced tub? We stock PurrForm — a FEDIAF-compliant complete for cats (and suitable ferret options) — which you can feed as-is, while still rotating proteins where possible.
Supplements & toppers – smart ways to boost the bowl
Supplements and toppers can target specific needs (skin, joints, gut) or simply round out a bowl. Use with purpose, not in a giant stack.
- Omega-3 (e.g. salmon oil) — coat/skin, cognition; balances omega-6 heavy diets.
- Joint support (turmeric, GLM, devil’s claw) — big breeds, seniors, active dogs.
- Probiotics — during transitions, after antibiotics, or if stools wobble.
- Bone broth — hydration + gut lining; great topper for fussy eaters.
- Goat’s milk — gentle gut support and palatability boost.
- Functional toppers — kelp (trace minerals), berries (antioxidants), tripe (enzymes).
Pick the right tool for the job; rotate and don’t over-stack.
Treats (training & everyday)
“Raw-fed” doesn’t mean treats must be raw. We stock pure, natural treats that align with raw feeding whether they’re cooked, cold-pressed, freeze-dried or air-dried.
- What’s in: 100% meat, or meat plus simple superfoods like cranberry, pumpkin, kale.
- What’s never in: grains, glycerine, sugars/syrups, starchy fillers, artificial colours/flavours.
- How they’re made: dehydrated, freeze-dried, cold-pressed or gently steamed — no bulking agents.
- Puppy training: smooth training pates are ideal — high-value, mess-free, easy to portion. Use tiny pieces.
- Cats & ferrets: stick to pure-meat, single-protein bites.
- During transitions: keep treats lean/simple and don’t overdo rich items.
Treats count toward daily calories — reduce meal portions if you’re treat-heavy that day.
Common myths — busted
- “Raw makes dogs aggressive.” Behaviour is training/genetics, not the meat.
- “You can’t mix brands.” You can — and you should; variety is smart.
- “Raw causes worms.” Hygiene/sourcing issue, not automatic. Buy reputable; store/handle properly.
- “Cats/ferrets need veg with raw.” No — obligate carnivores.
- “You must fast before switching.” Not required for most pets.
- “You can’t feed kibble and raw the same day.” You can — keep them as separate meals, especially while switching.
- “‘Working dog’ labels mean different food.” Same recipe; label is often VAT/admin.
Allergies & health
Food sensitivities, itchy skin, gut flare-ups — this is a whole topic on its own. Raw can help because it’s simple-ingredient, high-moisture, and protein-led, which makes elimination trials and targeted rotations easier. But there’s no one-size-fits-all.
- Start simple: pick one mild protein (chicken or turkey) and keep ingredients minimal.
- Change one thing at a time: so you can see what actually helped (or didn’t).
- Use supports wisely: add probiotics/omega-3 if indicated; don’t stack 10 products at once.
Need a tailored plan? Message us — we’ll help you build something practical for your pet.
FAQs
- How much do I feed? Adults: ~2–3% of ideal bodyweight per day. Puppies: ~5–10% split over 3–4 meals (reduce % as they grow). Cats: ~2–3% (kittens higher). Ferrets: adults ~5% (kits higher).
- Best proteins to start with? For most pets: chicken or turkey.
- Do I need veg? Optional for dogs (unless you choose a FEDIAF complete). Not needed for cats/ferrets.
- Stomach upsets at the start? Keep it simple: one protein, sensible portions, add probiotics if needed.
- Do treats count toward daily food? Yes — reduce meals to balance the day.
You’re not on your own
We might be an online shop right now — we’re new and not in a unit yet — but we’re not faceless. If you want help choosing products or planning a transition, message us. Straight talk, practical steps, no nonsense.
Raw Dog Food Raw Cat/Ferret Food Health & Care (Supplements)