Can I feed my puppy raw food?

Quick facts

• Puppies can absolutely eat a raw diet.
• They can start their raw dog food journey from weaning (around 4 weeks).
• If they’ve started life on kibble or other food, you can transition them to raw gradually.

 

Bringing a new puppy into the family is an incredible (and tiring) experience – and it can come with lots of big decisions. From training and walking them to choosing the right food.

Our puppy raw feeding guide will help you decide whether it’s right for you and your pup and how to transition gradually.

 

Is raw food for puppies a good idea?

Introducing your puppy to a raw food diet can be a good idea.

A raw dog food diet offers a natural and nutritious option, providing essential nutrients that support your puppy's growth and development.

Your puppy might not look like a grey wolf, but they’re related! And raw food closely mimics what wolves and dogs would eat in the wild.

From healthy skin and teeth to a supported immune system, research and our customers have found plenty of raw food benefits. Read more about them here.

 

When can a puppy start eating raw food?

Puppies can start eating raw food from as early as 4 weeks. So, if your breeder has chosen to wean their litter onto raw food, you can start them on raw straight away when you pick them up.

If they haven’t been eating raw before you pick up or re-home your pup, you’ll need to do the transition gradually over a couple of weeks.

 

How often should you feed a puppy?

Puppies must have a regular feeding cycle. They normally benefit from being fed multiple times a day, with younger pups needing more than 3 meals per day.

Older puppies can then move to 2 meals as they grow. This routine gives them a steady supply of energy throughout the day and supports healthy growth.

 

How can I switch my puppy to raw?

When your puppy arrives at your home, they’ll be used to whatever diet their breeder or rescue shelter has been feeding them.

So, it’s best to phase them into a raw food diet gradually if they’re not already used to it. Here’s how to do it, according to our veterinary nurse, Melanie Sainsbury:

 

If your puppy is eating 2 meals a day:

• For days 1-7, serve them one meal of their usual food, and the other of raw food. Try to space the meals out by 12 hours to allow each one to digest.
• After the first week (day 8+) you can feed your puppy raw 100% of the time.

If your puppy is eating 3 or more meals a day:

• Start by replacing one of their meals with raw food for 2 days.
• Slowly increase the number of raw bowls to 2-3 until they’re enjoying all raw meals.

Keep an eye on how your puppy responds, checking their poos to see how well they’re digesting their new diet.

This gradual transition lets your puppy’s stomach adjust bit by bit and helps avoid an upset tummy.

 

How much raw food should I feed my puppy?

It’s best to speak to the breeder or rescue centre to get their advice and understand how much your puppy has been fed before.

How much you feed will depend on their breed and activity level.

The good news is that we can calculate the exact amount of food they’ll need when you sign up for our personalised meal plans for puppies.

 

What’s the best raw food to feed a puppy?

At Nature’s Menu, we offer personalised puppy raw food delivered to your door. Our complete and balanced raw puppy food like these puppy nuggets contains a range of meat, offal and veg.

They’re specially designed to help your puppy grow up strong and healthy, and they’re easy to serve too.

Still have some questions or aren’t sure where to start? Check out our beginner's guide to raw feeding.

 

Help! My puppy has sickness or diarrhea

It’s worrying when your pup has a tummy upset, but this can be common.

While they usually clear up on their own, they could be the sign of something more serious.

So, it’s always best to check with your vet if you’re worried – especially if they have severe diarrhea or sickness that’s lasted longer than 1 day.

 

Can puppies have raw treats?

Puppies can have natural, raw treats, such as bones and chews.

There will likely be minimum age requirements on the packaging of raw treats – so keep an eye out to make sure the chew suits your pup.

Gnawing on these treats will also help them develop motor skills.

If you’re starting to train them as well, our meaty treats for puppies give them a nutrient boost as you go.

 

When should I switch from puppy to adult dog food?

Puppies grow up so fast! As they grow, their dietary needs change too.

Most vets recommend transitioning your puppy to adult dog food around 1 year.

Larger breeds might benefit from transitioning a bit later – at around 18 months, as their growth can be more gradual.

If you’re unsure, speak to your vet for advice based on your puppy's breed, size, and overall health.

Then, once you’re ready to make the switch, a gradual shift to adult dog food will help them get the right nutrients for their life stage.

 
Try our personalised meal plans with high-quality raw ingredients – including fresh fruits and vegetables – to help keep your puppy healthy and happy.