Welcome to Raw Feeding (Without the Overwhelm)
Feeding your dog shouldn’t feel like a chemistry exam or a moral debate. It should feel intentional, empowering, and—yes—even a little fun.
This resource was created to help dog parents confidently feed fresh, raw meals using simple ingredients and clear guidance. Inside, you’ll find five dog food recipes (raw and gently cooked), each paired with a nutritional breakdown so you can see exactly how the meals support your dog’s health. Whether you’re brand new to feeding fresh food or looking to expand your rotation, these recipes are designed to help you feed real food—without fear, guilt, or guesswork.
Raw feeding isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being informed, thoughtful, and willing to learn what works best for your dog.
Why Feed Raw? The Benefits of a Fresh, Whole-Food Diet
Dogs evolved eating fresh, minimally processed food. While modern life has changed how we feed our dogs, their biology hasn’t changed nearly as much as the pet food aisle would suggest.
A well-balanced raw diet can support:
Improved digestion and stool quality
Healthier skin and a shinier coat
Better dental health through chewing
Improved energy and lean muscle
Stronger immune function
Reduced inflammation for some dogs
Raw feeding isn’t a cure-all, and it’s not about being anti-kibble. It’s about choosing foods that are biologically appropriate and nutritionally supportive when done correctly.
How to Transition Your Dog from Dry Food to Raw Food
Transitioning doesn’t need to be stressful—for you or your dog.
General Transition Guidelines:
Go slow. Some dogs transition in days, others in weeks.
Start with one protein (like chicken or turkey) before adding variety.
Expect temporary changes in stool as the gut adapts.
Support the gut with patience and, if needed, gentle digestive support.
Continue educating yourself through online courses, seminars, and following holistic veterinarians and content creators in the fresh food space.
Some dogs do best with a gradual transition (feeding raw/cooked in one meal, kibble in the other meal), while others thrive with a clean switch. There is no one “right” way—there is only what works for your dog.
Commercial Raw vs. Homemade (DIY) Raw Diets
Both commercial raw and homemade raw diets can support a dog’s health—but there are some differences.
Commercial Raw Diets:
Pros
Convenient and time-saving
Often balanced to meet AAFCO nutritional standards
Great for beginners or busy households
Cons
Limited ingredient control
May rely heavily on synthetic supplements
Less flexibility for individual needs
More expensive than some homemade diets
Homemade (DIY) Raw Diets:
Pros
Full control over ingredients and sourcing
Easy to rotate proteins and whole foods
Customizable for allergies, sensitivities, or life stages
May be less expensive if pet parent has access to great sources
Cons
Requires education and planning
Must be balanced intentionally
Not just “throwing meat in a bowl”
This resource focuses on DIY raw feeding/gently cooked done responsibly, with recipes that are thoughtfully constructed and nutritionally evaluated.
Raw Dog Food vs. Gently Cooked Dog Food: What’s the Difference?
Raw and gently cooked dog food are both forms of fresh feeding, and both can support a dog’s health when they are nutritionally balanced. The main difference comes down to how the food is prepared and how that preparation impacts nutrients, digestion, and practicality for the dog and the human.
Raw Dog Food
Raw dog food is made from uncooked animal proteins, bones, organs, and whole foods.
Key characteristics:
Preserves heat-sensitive nutrients like enzymes, certain amino acids, and vitamins
Provides natural chewing opportunities when raw meaty bones are included
Closely resembles what dogs evolved to eat
Requires careful sourcing, handling, and storage
Some dogs thrive on raw food due to improved digestion, dental health, and skin and coat condition. Others may need a slower transition or additional gut support when starting.
Gently Cooked Dog Food
Gently cooked dog food is prepared using low temperatures (such as light sautéing, steaming, or slow cooking) to reduce pathogens while minimizing nutrient loss.
Key characteristics:
Easier for some dogs to digest, especially seniors or dogs with GI issues
Often feels more approachable for dog parents new to fresh feeding
Slight nutrient loss due to cooking, which must be accounted for in formulation
Still far less processed than kibble
Gently cooked food can be an excellent option for dogs who struggle with raw or for households where raw feeding isn’t practical.
Which Is Better?
Neither approach is “better” for every dog.
Raw may be ideal for dogs with healthy digestion who benefit from chewing and maximum nutrient preservation
Gently cooked may be ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs, compromised immune systems, or owners easing into fresh feeding
What matters most isn’t whether the food is raw or cooked—it’s whether the diet is:
Nutritionally balanced (by the meal, or over time)
Appropriately formulated
Matched to the individual dog
Both raw and gently cooked diets can be powerful tools when used intentionally. In fact, some dog parents successfully rotate between the two.
Fresh feeding isn’t one-size-fits-all—and that’s a good thing.
Why Nutritional Balance Matters (More Than Anything Else)
Fresh food alone does not guarantee a healthy diet.
Dogs need specific amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids to thrive. Feeding an unbalanced raw diet—over time—can lead to deficiencies or excesses that impact joints, immunity, thyroid health, growth, and more.
That’s why every recipe in this book includes a nutritional breakdown. Balance can be achieved:
Across meals (balanced over time), or
Within a single recipe, depending on your feeding style
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s informed consistency.
What Does “Balance Over Time” Mean?
Balance over time means your dog doesn’t need every single meal to be perfectly nutritionally complete—as long as their diet is balanced across multiple meals or days.
Think of it the way humans eat. Not every meal we eat contains every vitamin and mineral we need, but over the course of a week, things even out. Dogs can thrive the same way when fresh food is fed intentionally.
Instead of forcing perfection into every bowl, balance over time focuses on:
Rotating proteins (beef, turkey, pork, fish, etc.)
Including a variety of whole foods (organs, fish, eggs, vegetables)
Strategic supplementation to fill known gaps (salmon or fish oil, spirulina)
Consistency across days and weeks, not just one meal
This approach allows flexibility while still meeting nutritional needs.
What Balance Over Time Is Not
Balance over time does not mean:
Throwing random ingredients into a bowl without a plan
Ignoring calcium, trace minerals, or essential nutrients
Feeding incomplete meals indefinitely
It still requires intention and education—just without the pressure that every bowl must look identical or “perfect.”
Who Is Balance Over Time Best For?
Balance over time works well for:
Dogs eating homemade raw or gently cooked diets
Households rotating multiple recipes
Dog parents adding whole food toppers to balanced bases
Experienced feeders who understand nutrient gaps
For puppies, pregnant dogs, or dogs with medical conditions, meals are often balanced more precisely—but even then, variety still matters.
The Nutritional Power of Whole Foods
Each recipe in this book relies on whole foods that provide more than just calories. Here’s why these ingredients matter:
Animal Proteins
Beef – Rich in iron, zinc, B vitamins, and amino acids that support muscle and energy
Turkey – Lean protein with selenium and B vitamins for immune and metabolic health
Duck – Higher fat content, great for calories, skin health, and variety
Pork – Excellent source of thiamine (Vitamin B1) for nerve and brain function
Chicken – Affordable, digestible protein with essential amino acids
Venison – Lean, novel protein often used for dogs with sensitivities
Fish & Seafood
Sardines – Small, oily fish rich in omega-3s, Vitamin D, calcium, and selenium
Salmon – Supports skin, coat, joints, brain health, and inflammation balance
Oysters – Nature’s multivitamin for dogs; exceptionally high in zinc, copper, and B12
Eggs & Plants
Chicken eggs – Complete protein with choline, biotin, selenium, and fat-soluble vitamins
Leafy green vegetables – Provide folate, antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, and phytonutrients that support detox pathways and gut health
When combined thoughtfully, these foods work together to support the whole dog—not just one body system at a time.
Please note that the recipes included in this resource do not use all of the above ingredients.
A Final Note Before You Begin
These recipes were formulated with Animal Diet Formulator software using my dog Bella as a starting point. She’s 3 years old, weighs 55 pounds, is spayed, and has an average activity level. While Bella was the reference dog, I can feed these same recipes to all of my dogs—adjusting portions based on age, size, and activity level.
Raw feeding (or gently cooking) isn’t about doing what everyone else is doing—it’s about learning, adjusting, and feeding with intention. Use these recipes as a foundation. Observe your dog. Ask questions. Stay curious.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to be informed.
Let’s get started. 🐾
NRC Balanced Recipes
1 – Raw Dog Food Recipe: Duck | Page 8 |
2 – Raw Dog Food Recipe: Beef & Chicken | Page 11 |
3 – Raw Dog Food Recipe: Pork & Turkey | Page 14 |
4 – Gently Cooked Dog Food Recipe: Turkey | Page 17 |
5 – Gently Cooked Dog Food Recipe: Beef & Pork | Page 20 |
Download the complete guide by clicking the link below.
