Raw Feeding FAQ Guide

With the launch of our new raw dog food, we think it is important to provide our community of pet parents with all the answers to all the questions they could possibly have for raw feeding.

Is your raw food DEFRA approved?

Our 80:10:10 raw dog food is DEFRA approved, with all our raw dog food tested and following UK regulations as set by the governing body for the Pet Food Industry.

Where do you source ingredients for your raw food, and are they traceable?

All raw food ingredients are sourced in the UK and are fully traceable.

Is raw food safe for me to handle?

All of our 80:10:10 raw food is safe for you to handle as long as you are following good hygiene practices. This involves ensuring that the raw dog food is stored correctly and that hands, feeding utensils and worktop surfaces are cleaned thoroughly after handling and preparing raw food.

Is it safe to feed my dogs bones?

Uncooked bones are an excellent addition to a dog’s diet. They’re ideal for cleaning teeth and include nutrients not found within meat – which is why we have included bone in our 80:10:10 raw food.

However, never feed your dog cooked bones.

This is because uncooked or raw bones are softer, more flexible and more manageable for dogs to digest, while cooked bones are more likely to splinter and cause choking for dogs.

How much raw dog food should I feed my dog?

We recommend feeding your dog 2-3% of their body weight in raw dog food per day. However, this is a feeding guideline.

All dogs are different, and you should use your best judgement according to how your dog looks. Factors that can affect how much you feed per day include age, activity levels, how hot the day is and even what they’ve been doing that day.

How much raw dog food should I feed my dog if they’re a working dog?

If you have a working dog, depending on their activity levels, we would recommend feeding them 2.5 – 3% of their body weight in raw food per day. However, this is a guideline and can be adjusted based on the dog’s needs.

How do I start my dog on a raw food diet?

Unless your dog has a particularly sensitive digestion, the easiest way is to allow 12 hours after their last meal and then switch straight over to raw.

If your dog does have a sensitive digestion, spend up to 7 days gradually reducing their kibble and increasing their raw food e.g. Day 1: 80% kibble, 20% raw. Day 2: 70% kibble, 30% raw etc.

Always feed kibble and raw separately with a morning meal for one and an evening meal for the other the best option.

Can I feed my dog raw and dry dog food?

You certainly can give your dog a mixed diet of raw and dry food, but it’s important not to feed both of these simultaneously. This is because the food can clump together and become difficult for your dog to digest.

Instead, feed raw in the mornings and dry in the evenings or vice versa and ensure that you keep the two foods as separate meals.

Can I feed my puppy raw dog food?

It is perfectly safe to feed your puppy on a raw dog food diet as with adult dogs. The only difference is the amount of raw food you feed a puppy each day due to them being in their growth and development stage, which means they need to consume more and often to match their growth.

This can be done in two ways. If you know the expected adult weight of your dog, then you can feed your puppy 2% of their expected adult weight per day and continue this once they reach adulthood.

Alternatively, you can start your puppy on 10% of their current body weight in raw food per day and decrease as they get older until you reach 2% when they reach adulthood.

Like with adult dogs, this is only a guideline as you’ll know your puppy best so feel free to adjust based on their breed, age, activity levels and temperament.

For more information, visit our raw feeding for puppies guide.

Can I feed my senior dog raw dog food?

As with adults and puppies, a raw dog food diet is perfect for senior dogs as well. Since the 80:10:10 formula of our raw food is designed to provide dogs with all their nutritional needs, it is perfect for more senior dogs.

The recommended amount for senior dogs is the same as adults at 2-3% of their body weight, although this may need to be lowered depending on their activity levels.

For more information, visit our raw feeding for senior guide.

I forgot to take some raw dog food out of the freezer; how do I defrost it the same day for my dog to eat?

If you’ve forgotten to take some raw food out from the freezer to defrost the night before, you can defrost it in warm water (making sure it’s in a bag or tub, of course). This usually takes between 30 and 40 minutes.

How much freezer space do I need to store the raw food for my dog?

From Darren’s standard freezer, we’ve discovered that a standard upright fridge-freezer with drawers (a freezer capacity of approximately 80 litres with 4 compartments), that each drawer will comfortably contain 5 packs of 1kg portions of raw dog food.

This means for the 12kg offer of raw dog food; this will work out as around two and a half drawers of raw dog food packs.

Do I need to add supplements to the raw food for my dog?

This depends on whether you consider the ‘Barf’ or ‘Prey’ model of raw feeding to be correct.

Prey feeders simply feed their dogs approximately 80% meat 10% bones 10% offal

Whereas most Barf (biologically appropriate raw food) feeders believe it should be more like 70% meat, 10% bones, 10% offal, 10% fruit/veg/dairy and may add an Omega 3 supplement.

Our view is a variety is perfect for dogs, especially puppies so you can add a raw egg, some sprats or cooked vegetables or even any freshly made leftovers for them to enjoy with their raw dog food.

Will raw food affect my dog’s poo?

Your dog’s new raw dog food diet is nutrient-dense, providing all the nutrients that your dog needs.

However, many dry foods contain ingredients, such as grains, that your dog doesn’t digest easily and eliminates in big piles on your lovely lawn!

As a result, dogs on a raw food diet often poo less frequently as their body absorbs much more of the ingredients.

The result means that as well as pooing less frequently, stools are firmer and less odious.

Is the packaging recyclable?

Yes, the pouches that our raw dog food comes in are fully recyclable.

How will my raw dog food be delivered?

Delivery of the raw food is free and with DPD.

However to avoid food spoiling over the weekend – they only deliver on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (Friday is a spare day in case they miss Thursday).

So if you order today it’ll be despatched on Monday for delivery on Tuesday.

There are some of the furthest reaches of the UK that they can’t deliver to because they’re unable to guarantee delivery within the time frame needed to avoid spoiling the food.

That includes Northern Ireland and the following postcodes:
AB31-39, AB41-56, FK17-21, G83, GY, HS1-9, IM, IV, JE, KA27, KA28, KW0-14, KW15-17, PA20-78, PH19-29, PH2-99, PO30-41, TR21-25, ZE

Or if you’d like to check out our raw dog food for yourself, you can find it here: https://shop.bounceandbella.co.uk/collections/raw-dog-food