Exciting times—switching your canine pal to a raw diet can feel overwhelming. Yes, most dog owners get that feeling, especially when they realize processed foods don’t really suit their dog’s nature. You’re probably here because you’ve done some reading, so you already know some of the potential benefits of raw feeding. But even with all that positive knowledge, it’s normal to feel a bit nervous. Worries about choking hazards from bones or whether the diet is balanced are completely reasonable.

The first time I introduced a raw chicken wing to my dog, I remember holding my breath, worried about what might happen. This feeling is quite common among those new to raw feeding. Moving your dog to a raw diet can seem like a big step, but it’s okay to have some fears. You’re here because you genuinely care about your dog’s health and welfare, and you’re taking the time to research the best ways to feed, rather than just shoveling loads of commercial kibble in front of him. My goal is to walk you through a process that will help you confidently transition your dog to a safe and nutritious raw diet. With over 25 years of raw feeding experience, I’ve learned a lot and want to share tips to help you avoid common mistakes.

This guide is designed with years of experience, along with my background in physiology and the Raw Food Certification Course that I helped design with Dr. Marion Smart, a noted expert in pet nutrition. But more importantly, I’ll break it all down into six simple steps to help you devise a balanced raw diet. If you’re considering the switch to raw, you’re making a great decision. It’s fab that you’re doing your homework. It’s true that an unbalanced raw diet can be just as bad as kibble. Following these steps will help you avoid that. I’m here to offer you a rocking, straightforward approach to raw feeding.

Step 1: Get the Balance Right with Your Protein and Fat

Meat is the foundation of a dog’s raw diet, and you really shouldn’t have too much trouble finding some: any local supermarket or butcher shop will have plenty to choose from. You want the fat content in the meat to fall between 10% and 20%; oils may be added as needed. A dog gets energy from three main sources: protein, fat, and carbohydrates, but carbs aren’t strictly necessary. Protein provides the amino acids that are vital for both energy and tissue maintenance.

Fat is a key energy source too, packing twice the calories of protein. So, it’s important to pay attention to the fat level in your dog’s diet. While fat is essential for cushioning cell membranes, creating hormones, and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins, too much of it can throw off the balance, especially in puppies and senior dogs. Protein and fat are your dog’s essential nutrients. For your dog to function and live well, there must be a consistent supply of a healthy amount of either. Carbohydrates, however, aren’t necessary. Your dog can live a long, healthy life on a diet free of carbs, though good, healthy carbs can enhance immunity and lower the risk of various diseases.

The best diet for dog is high in quality proteins and fats. It can be as simple as just buyin’ ground meat or chunks, then portioning them out into your pet’s bowl. It’s really important to get balance. Ideally, the diet should have fat content from 10% to 20%. This range makes sure your dog gets the energy it needs without upsetting the balance, especially in puppies and older dogs.

If fat is below 10%, your dog might start to have dry, itchy skin. That’s a sign they ain’t getting enough fat. A good rule is keep the fat between 10% and 20% in meals most times. Here’s a rough guide to the average fat in popular meats you can get at the local butcher or grocery.

Your dog’s body, like your own, requires consistent minerals and trace elements to function properly. A lack of minerals can lead to serious health conditions, such as joint issues, heart problems, or even seizures. The good news is it’s easy to ensure they get enough—just feed them bones. Bones are packed with necessary calcium and other essential minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc.

To get a good balance in your dog’s raw diet, he should eat about 10% to 15% of bones. Puppies need 12% to 15% bone while their skeletons and teeth growin’. Always use raw bones, never cooked—cooked bones is dangerous and brittle. Dogs in the wild eat whole prey, like rabbits or deer, which is about 12% bone. Give your dog meaty bones to reach 10-15% bone content. Pick bones that fit your dog’s size—a Chihuahua can’t eat a beef rib bone, but a Rottweiler would be fine with it. Make sure your dog chews the whole bone to get the minerals needed. Avoid bones they could swallow whole, it could cause choking or blockages in their gut.

Calculating bone content in your dog’s diet isn’t too hard. Just know the percentage of bones in the foods you give. For example, if feeding a half-pound of meat in morning and a half-pound of chicken necks at night, and chicken necks are 36% bone, then that diet would have about 18% bone. That’s high, so maybe feed 2/3 meat and 1/3 chicken necks to lower bone content to around 12%. Much better.

If your dog too small to handle bones or have issues with them, think about a bone substitute. Some raw feeders use eggshell powder, but it don’t have magnesium and isn’t as good for puppies or high-fat diets. Other options like seaweed or coral calcium are out there, but they have their own issues. Bone meal is best alternative since it’s from real bones. Just sprinkle two teaspoons of bone meal over each pound of food for adult dogs. For puppies or pregnant dogs, pick a calcium supplement made just for them.

Step 2: Adding Organ Meats

Organ meats are real important in diet since they are rich in vitamins and minerals. Liver, for example, should make up about 10% of your dog’s diet, storing essential vitamins like B and C, and minerals like copper and folate. But that’s not all; other organs got varied nutrients. Heart meat, for instance, is a good source of taurine, which is essential for heart health.

Feedin’ a variety of organ meats gives your dog a broad range of nutrients. Besides liver and heart, you can include kidneys, pancreas, spleen, lung, eyes, brain, sweetbreads, and green tripe. These organs feed your dog’s organs, givin’ them diverse nutrition. For example, pancreas meat is good ‘cause it has enzymes that help dogs with pancreatic issues. Brain meat has DHA, which is good for the brain and nerves.

Start adding organ meats slowly, they rich and could upset your dog’s stomach if added too quick. Start with like 5% of the diet, then go up to 20% very gradually if your dog handles it good. Go for organ meats from grass-fed animals when you can, since those tend to be higher in good nutrients.

Author Bio: Mike is the founder of Pawfect Bowls, a specialized online store dedicated to offering top-quality bowls and mats for dogs. With a passion for enhancing the daily lives of dogs, Mike focuses on providing products that are both functional and stylish. Whether you’re looking for the perfect bowl or a durable mat, Mike’s expertise and commitment to excellence make Pawfect Bowls the go-to destination for dog owners who want the best for their pets. Visit his store at pawfectbowls.com to explore the collection.