🐾 How to Start Your Dog on a Raw Diet – Step-by-Step Guide

Transitioning your pet to a species-appropriate raw diet is one of the best choices for their health. A well-balanced raw diet promotes better digestion, improved coat health, stronger teeth, and a boosted immune system.

🔹 Step 1: Start with Chicken

Choose chicken thighs or leg quarters (soft bones, easy to digest).
Ensure no added sodium or preservatives (check for less than 100mg sodium per 4oz serving).
Begin feeding 2–3% of ideal adult body weight per day.
Adjust portions based on weight — add more meat if ribs/hips are too bony, reduce if getting plump.

🐶 Step 2: Feeding Puppies on Raw

Weaning starts at 4 weeks old with finely ground meats mixed with goat's milk or water.
4–7 weeks: Continue mixing liquid until puppies chew confidently and do not swallow too fast.
4–16 weeks: Feed 4–5 small meals per day.
16 weeks – 6 months: Reduce to 3 meals per day.
6 months – 1 year: Reduce to 2 meals per day.
1 year+: Most dogs can transition to one meal per day, though two meals are perfectly fine.

🥩 Step 3: Rotating Proteins & Identifying Allergies

Keep each new protein for 2–3 weeks to watch for allergies.
If itching, licking paws, chewing feet, or red ears occurs, switch to another protein.
After chicken, introduce turkey, venison, pork, duck, rabbit, lamb, beef, fish, or other exotic meats.

🍖 Step 4: Bone, Muscle, & Organ Ratios

Follow the 80/10/10 Rule:

80% Meat, Fat & Muscle
10% Edible Bone (Calcium for teeth & bones)
10% Organs (Liver, kidney, spleen for vitamins)

Avoid weight-bearing bones (large leg bones such as femur or knuckle bones) because they are very dense and can cause broken teeth or slab fractures.

🌱 Supplements & Additives

It is best to wait to add supplements until you know your dog has no protein allergies. If itching starts, you want to know whether it came from the protein or the supplement.

Kelp & Alfalfa Powder – Immune-boosting super-foods.
Salmon Oil – Natural Omega-3 & 6 source for skin and joint health.
Organic Kelp Powder – Adds essential vitamins, but do not exceed recommended doses.

📢 Need More Help?

Become a CCO member and join our private Facebook group for exclusive raw feeding tips.
Check out our Raw Feeding Menu 1-8 Weeks for more details.
Questions? Visit our Contact Page or our Help Section.

Switch your dog to a natural raw diet and see the difference in their health.

🛒 Order bulk, high-quality raw meats at wholesale prices.

Even owners of small dogs often buy 2–3 cases at a time and save significantly compared to retail raw food prices. With freezer storage, many feeders end up getting several pounds essentially free compared to what they would have paid at pet store prices.

All Carnivore Carry-Out members also receive access to the private Carnivore Carry-Out Raw Feeding Group, where over 400 experienced raw feeders share tips, ask questions, and help each other succeed. The group contains nearly two decades of real-world raw feeding experience, covering everything from transitioning puppies and picky eaters to balancing bone, organs, and proteins correctly.

New members are welcome to ask questions anytime. Many beginners become confident raw feeders within just a few weeks with the help of the group.

Questions? Call or text: 810-510-9547

Learn More About Raw Feeding

Start Your Dog on Raw
Raw Feeding Menu (Weeks 1-8)
Raw Feeding Calculator – How Much to Feed