A guide to raw feeding your puppy
Raw food is a great option for puppies! All Big Dog products aside from Kanga are suitable for puppies. Combo for Small Dogs is a popular choice for small puppies, as are our Chicken, Sensitive Skin and Tassie Salmon Raw Bites.
Raw Feeding Puppies
When you first bring home your puppy, it's hard not to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of decisions to make. From choosing the right toys and training methods to finding the perfect bed, the list of things to consider seems endless. But there's one aspect of puppy care that needs careful consideration, what goes into their bowl.
While traditional kibble is the go-to for many dog owners and nervous first time pet parents, more and more Aussies are turning to raw feeding as a natural and nutritious alternative to help their puppies grow into strong, healthy dogs that thrive.
In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of raw feeding for puppies, how to safely transition them onto this diet, and the key nutrients they need for healthy growth. If you’re a raw dog food beginner, you’ll find everything you need to know in this article.
When Can I Start to Feed My Puppy Raw Food?
If your breeder weaned your puppy onto a raw food diet, you can generally offer them our recipes once they're home and settled.
If your pup was weaned onto cooked or processed food (canned food, dry food or cooked rolls), transitioning your puppy onto a raw diet should be done gradually to avoid upsetting their digestive system.
When you first bring your puppy home, it is best-practice to continue feeding what your breeder feeds or if you rescued a pup, what they have been fed on previously, while they settle in.
How to Introduce Your Puppy to a Raw Diet
Introducing your puppy to a raw food diet is easy.
Here’s how to make the switch:
Introducing your puppy to Big Dog raw foods
Day 1-3: 20% New 80% Old
Day 4-6: 40% New 60% Old
Day 7-9: 60% New 40% Old
Day 10-12: 80% New 20% Old
Day 12+: 100% New Diet
This example pictured uses our Raw Bites.
Introduce raw food into your puppy’s diet by gradually mixing small amounts of raw food with their current food. This is just a guide, don’t stress about percentages too much. Your dog definitely won’t be pulling you up if you serve them 22% and 78%. Just work towards slowly swapping your dog’s food over the 2-week period.
Once your puppy is about 3 months old, we recommend adding in a meaty bone 1-2 times a week to help promote optimal dental health. Find out which bone is best suited for your dog’s size here.
On days that you feed a bone, feed less Big Dog to make sure you aren’t over feeding.
Monitoring your dog’s poo can tell you a lot about their health! Our poo guide is about to be your new best friend, (aside from your puppy of course). You can use it to determine if your dog is adjusting well to changes their diet (bones, treats, daily meals etc).
Remember, our food does not contain preservatives and will only last about 2-3 days in the fridge once defrosted, so be sure to only defrost what you need.
What to Feed Your Puppy on a Raw Diet
Big Dog recipes are a complete and balanced meal, ensuring your puppy is getting everything they need.
Our Small Dog Combo diet is often most suitable, especially for smaller pups. Our small dog recipe is minced more finely and is portioned into smaller patties which can help reduce wastage in the transition phase or in smaller breeds.
If your puppy has no known allergies or health conditions, then you can start them on any flavour from our core range (Beef, Chicken, Combo, Tasmanian Salmon, and Lamb). Most people choose chicken as it is highly palatable, especially when starting off on raw food for the first time.
For giant breed puppies, we recommend feeding our Goat recipe. It has a calcium phosphorus ratio of 1:0.7.
Tip: If your puppy only needs half a patty, the rest can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2-3 days.
We also have 3 recipes in our Raw Bites range that are perfect for puppies, particularly small breeds. They’re an excellent way to introduce any puppy or dog to a raw diet.
The recipes available are Chicken, Tasmanian Salmon, and Sensitive Skin.
If your puppy has a diagnosed allergy or they suffer from skin conditions, we recommend either our Single Protein Allergy Diet – Turkey or our Scientific Diet – Sensitive Skin.
How Much Should You Feed a Puppy?
Puppies eat quite a lot of food for their size, they need the calories to help them grow. This is why we do not recommend our Kangaroo diet, as it is very low in fat, meaning they aren’t suitable for puppies at all. You can include it from time to time, but it shouldn't be fed exclusively.
We have a feeding guide on every box and our website provides a feeding calculator which shows you know how much to feed based on age, weight and recipe. The younger the puppy, the more food/calories they need, with growing puppies, it’s best to slightly overfeed, rather than underfeed if you’re ever unsure. Keep in mind that feeding guides are just a guide and optimal feeding amounts may vary with breed, and activity level. You may need to increase or decrease the calories your pup consumes daily to ensure a healthy weight is maintained. Feed the dog in front of you, you know them best! Your vet will also help monitor their weight, growth and wellbeing at their check ups.
For large breed puppies we recommend our Single Protein Goat as it has a calcium/phosphorous ratio of 1:07. Giant breed puppies require calcium content between 0.8% to 1.2% (DM) and calcium / phosphorus ratio of 1:0.9 to 1:0.7. Our Goat recipe ticks both boxes which is why it’s our recommended product for large breed puppies. Please note that giant breeds growth continues up to about 2 years of age, it's important to monitor your giant puppy because they grow faster and are at risk of developing orthopaedic abnormalities if the ratio is too high or too low. We recommend consulting your vet to make sure they’re growing at a healthy rate.
Our Active Bulk Roll is also a great option for puppies with the highest fat content of our products at 18%. Once your pup is fully grown, you can monitor their weight more closely to maintain their health throughout their life
For further reading on weight management, Dr. Nicole talks about how to monitor their weight accurately here.
Why Should You Feed Your Puppy a Raw Diet?
Puppies have specific nutritional needs during their first year of life as they grow and develop. By switching to a raw diet, you’re offering them the best possible fuel for their growth and overall wellbeing. For those raw dog food beginners, here’s everything you want to know about what a raw diet is going to provide your puppy
Healthy Growth and Development:
Raw food is packed with high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and essential nutrients that support a puppy’s development. The protein from meat and organs aids in muscle growth, while healthy fats support the development of a strong brain and nervous system. Raw foods are more bioavailable, meaning your puppy’s body can absorb nutrients more easily, leading to better overall health and growth.
Healthy Digestion:
One of the most noticeable changes pet parents report after switching to a raw food diet for puppies is improved digestion (and poos!). You should begin to notice smaller, less smelly stools as you transition towards a 100% raw food diet - and they are easier to pick up! Loose stools are OK during the transitioning period but ensure it does not become persistent or excessively watery.
Raw food closely resembles the diet dogs would naturally eat in the wild, making it is easier for their digestive system to process. Raw meat, bones, and plant matter provide high-quality, bioavailable nutrients, that help puppies experience less gas, bloating, and stool issues.
Shiny Coat & Healthy Skin:
Nothing makes a puppy look cuter than a shiny, soft coat, and raw feeding can help achieve that. Plus, their coats become incredibly soft to the touch! The healthy fats in raw food, especially from fish oils, support the skin and coat, helping to prevent dryness, flakiness, or irritations. A well-balanced raw diet can also help reduce common skin issues like hot spots or allergies. A healthy coat is often a reflection of good internal health, so feeding your puppy nutrient-dense raw foods can keep them looking great!
Stronger Immune System:
Puppies have developing immune systems, so feeding them nutrient-dense food is essential for keeping them healthy. Raw food is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help strengthen your pup's immune system and keep them healthy as they grow. A strong immune system is especially important for puppies, who are still building their defences against environmental stressors and infections.
Better Teeth & Breath:
Teething puppies are known for chewing on anything and everything! Raw bones can help with this, acting as a natural chew toy and boredom buster. Plus, they help clean your puppy’s teeth and keep gums healthy. The act of gnawing on raw meaty bones not only supports dental health but also mental health. This activity should always be supervised.
Playfulness & Personality:
Raw-fed puppies often display increased energy levels and a more vibrant personality. With all the right nutrients fuelling their growing bodies, they have the stamina to play longer, explore more, and learn quicker. Plus, the lack of fillers and additives in their food means there’s less chance of them experiencing energy crashes or mood swings. Good luck keeping up with those zoomies!
Common Raw Feeding Myths Busted
You may have heard some myths about raw feeding, so let’s set the record straight:
Myth #1: Raw feeding is unsafe and causes bacteria issues.
Fact: While it’s true that raw meat can carry bacteria, proper handling and sourcing, significantly reduces the risks. Being raw food there will always be a very small number of bacteria in our food, but at a safe level. Bacteria is everywhere in life and our food isn’t any different.
Our pets have shorter digestive systems than we do which are designed for foods to enter and exit quickly, not ferment like in a human digestive system. This reduces the time bacteria can sit in the system, replicate and thrive. Furthermore, dogs also have a gastric acid pH level of about 1.5 - 2.3 which allows them to digest raw meat and bones and is why they can handle a certain amount of bacteria without getting sick, therefore they are more than capable of digesting raw food. Read further about the evolution of dogs and a species appropriate diet here and read Dr Duncan's article on digestion and pH levels here.
Myth #2: Raw bones are dangerous for puppies.
Fact: Raw, meaty bones are completely safe and beneficial for puppies. They help with teething, provide essential minerals like calcium, and promote dental health. Never feed cooked bones, as they can splinter and cause harm. Just ensure the bones are the right size and type for your puppy’s age and size. Check which size bones are right for your dog here.
Myth #3: Raw feeding is too expensive.
Fact: While raw feeding may seem like an investment upfront, it can actually save you money in the long term by promoting better overall health and reducing vet visits.
We’re Here to Help
We've been feeding puppies since 2000! You can count on us to provide your pups with high quality, nutritious meals.
You can read our interview with our Quality Assurance Manager here.
Whether you’re a raw dog food beginner or have been doing this for years, we’re here to help! If you have any questions, reach out to our customer care team here.
Big Dog is available Australia wide; you can find your closest stockist here.
Looking for advice from other Big Dog feeders, our Facebook group is a great place for advice! Join here: facebook.com/groups/bigdogfamily/
