With so many pet food options on the market today, choosing what to feed your dog can feel overwhelming. It’s an important decision, one that plays a direct role in both quality of life and longevity. Many commercial pet foods promise nutrition and quality but fall short when you look closely at the ingredient list. Corn, grain, soy, starches, excessive fats, and preservatives can take a toll on your dog’s system and contribute to health issues over time. Removing fillers and unnecessary ingredients allows your dog to digest food more efficiently and fully utilize the nutrition provided by healthy, whole ingredients.

Even if you choose a dry kibble that is grain-free, starch-free, or even organic, most of the naturally occurring enzymes and vitamins from fresh ingredients don’t survive processing. This is why many kibbles rely on added synthetic vitamins. Once food is heavily processed and cooked at high temperatures, it becomes a hard, crunchy version of its original form. Strip away the additives, processing, and cooking, and you’re left with what your dog’s body is designed to digest: raw meat, bone, and organ. The difference often becomes apparent very quickly after making the switch.

Smaller, firmer, and less odorous stools. A soft, shiny coat. Healthy teeth and gums. Clear eyes. Increased energy and vitality. Fewer common ailments, fewer vet visits and most importantly, longevity. We want our dogs by our side for as long as possible, and feeding raw is a powerful contributor to a long, healthy, happy life.

Before You Start

How old is your dog? What is their activity level like? Are they at their ideal weight? Do they have any known allergies? These are all important questions to consider when figuring out portions and meal planning. No two dogs are exactly alike, and feeding should always be adjusted to the individual in front of you.

Portions

For an adult dog with a moderate activity level, we recommend feeding approximately 2–3% of their ideal body weight per day. Puppies under one year of age, as well as pregnant or nursing dogs, will eat closer to 5–8% of their body weight.

Our online feeding calculator is a great place to find a starting point. Use these guidelines loosely, portions will change with activity level, age, breed, metabolism, and overall health. A good rule of thumb: you should be able to feel your dog’s ribs, but not see them. Adjust accordingly.

Start Simple

Choose one or two fully balanced meal options (meat, bone, organ, veggie) to begin the transition. Stock up on raw tripe, it’s smelly, but the natural digestive enzymes can be incredibly helpful during the switch.

Get both you and your dog settled into the routine first. Once things are running smoothly, you can start getting creative. Variety is the spice of life, so don’t be afraid to introduce new proteins and options over time.

Cold Turkey

To minimize potential digestive upset, we highly recommend a cold turkey transition. Cooked food and raw food digest at different rates, and mixing the two can be harder on the digestive system than a clean switch.

The worst that typically happens is a slightly loose stool, and in rare cases, vomiting. This is normal and often expected, think about how your own body reacts when your diet changes suddenly, like during travel. The system may be confused at first, but it adapts quickly.

If you know your dog has a particularly sensitive stomach, we suggest supporting their system with a probiotic for about a week before transitioning to help reduce temporary digestive upset.

Allergies?

If you suspect your dog has allergies, start with a single protein your dog has never eaten before. Once you’ve confirmed there are no new symptoms, and previous symptoms have significantly improvedyou can begin introducing additional proteins.

Talk to one of us at True Carnivores to get your dog set up on what we call the elimination diet. It’s simple, effective, and we’ll guide you every step of the way.

More Questions?

It’s normal to have questions when making the switch, that’s what we’re here for. Give us a call or stop by the store for a one-on-one consultation with one of our knowledgeable raw food advocates at True Carnivores.

Safe Handling Tips

Since you’re handling raw food, always follow basic food safety guidelines. Wash your hands and any surfaces used during feeding, and clean your dog’s dish after each meal. Do not leave thawed raw food out of the fridge for more than 20–30 minutes before discarding.

Many people feel intimidated by the idea of feeding raw at first, assuming it will be far more time-consuming than simply pouring food into a bowl. In a fast-paced world where time always feels limited, adding something new to your routine can seem daunting.

The truth is, feeding raw is surprisingly easy. Once you establish a simple system for thawing food ahead of time, the process becomes quick and effortless. For some, it’s as straightforward as taking one meal out of the fridge to feed and moving the next meal from the freezer into the fridge to thaw. For others who feed vacuum-sealed portions, it can be as simple as pulling a meal out 15 minutes before feeding and submerging it in warm water until thawed.

Before long, raw feeding becomes just another part of your daily routine, as easy and familiar as your morning coffee, walking your dog, or brushing your teeth.

One way or another, you can make it work. Each of us has different economic circumstances, and at True Carnivores we’re here to help tailor a diet for your dog that is not only extremely healthy, but also within your means. We want every dog to have the opportunity to thrive on a biologically appropriate diet without breaking the bank. That said, we also recognize that raw food diets are often more expensive than conventional dry food.

It’s important to consider the long-term health benefits of feeding raw, which can help prevent many common ailments and potentially save you thousands of dollars in vet bills over your dog’s lifetime. Even with those benefits, we understand that some budgets simply can’t be exceeded on a monthly basis.

Don’t let that discourage you. Talk to one of us at True Carnivores and we’ll share tips and strategies to help lower your overall feeding costs while still feeding raw. We’re able to accommodate most budgets and are always happy to help you find a solution that works.

Slight digestive upset during the transition period is normal. Dogs and cats are born with naturally acidic stomachs, which help them digest raw meat and eliminate harmful bacteria they may encounter in their natural environment. Feeding dry kibble over time can shift the stomach to a more alkaline state, similar to humans, which is not natural for dogs or cats. This can weaken the digestive system and make it harder to properly process raw food at first.

During the transition, the body may need time to increase stomach acid production again, which can result in temporary digestive upset. This phase is usually short-lived and resolves as the digestive system adapts.

If your dog experiences vomiting or diarrhea during the transition, there are ways to support them. Adding a digestive enzyme and/or probiotic for the first couple of weeks can help reduce tummy troubles. Starting enzymes or probiotics one to two weeks before switching to raw can also make the transition smoother.

And finally, start with tripe. On the first day of feeding raw, we always recommend taking home some raw tripe. It’s rich in natural probiotics and digestive enzymes and can be incredibly helpful in supporting digestion during the switch.

This is one of the most common questions we hear from people new to raw feeding. Most of us have been warned never to feed dogs bones from our own food, and that advice is absolutely correct when it comes to cooked bones. Cooked bones are sharp, brittle, and can be extremely dangerous once consumed.

Raw bones are different. When fed raw and in an appropriate size, bones are not only safe for dogs, they offer many health benefits. Raw bones do not splinter like cooked bones and are designed to be chewed and digested properly. The key is choosing the right bone for your dog.

So how do you decide which bone is suitable?

The Bigger the Better

To reduce the risk of your dog getting overly excited and attempting to swallow a bone whole, always choose a bone that is much larger than their mouth. In the beginning, we recommend starting with a knuckle bone roughly the size of your dog’s head. This encourages slow, controlled chewing and builds good habits.

Once your dog has shown a mature attitude toward bones, you can introduce smaller options such as femurs, ribs, chicken necks, turkey necks, lamb necks, or elk neck slices.

Oral Health

Bones are the most natural way to support your dog’s oral health and reduce the risk of tooth and gum issues as they age. In most cases, raw-fed dogs do not require routine dental cleanings when bones are fed at least once per week.

Gnawing on a knuckle or femur helps scrape away plaque buildup, while chewing on raw meaty bones naturally flosses the teeth. This is nature’s way of keeping your dog’s mouth clean and healthy.

Recreational Bones vs. Meal Bones

We consider bones with little to no meat attached to be recreational bones. These are great for oral maintenance, mental enrichment, and keeping your dog happily occupied between meals. Some people even use them on fasting days as a psychological meal. Examples include knuckles, femurs, and rib bones.

Meal bones, on the other hand, can replace a full feeding. These include raw meaty bones such as chicken or turkey necks or carcasses, lamb necks, elk necks, or similar options. These provide nutrition, satisfy hunger, and give your dog’s teeth and jaw a great workout.

Looking for an Alternative?

While we strongly recommend raw bones for dental health and enrichment, some people prefer an alternative. Appropriately sized bully sticks or antlers can be used as substitutes, depending on your dog.

Important Safety Note

True Carnivores recommends supervising your dog during the feeding of all bones, as well as bully sticks and antlers. Always choose an appropriately sized bone, bigger is better, to reduce the risk of swallowing. With the right approach, bones are a safe, enjoyable, and essential part of a well-balanced raw diet.

There are many opinions when it comes to supplementing a raw-fed dog’s diet. Some believe a properly balanced raw diet provides all the nutrients a dog needs, making supplements unnecessary. Others feel there’s no harm in filling potential gaps as a precaution. At True Carnivores, we believe supplementation should be guided by your dog’s individual needs. Age, activity level, health history, and lifestyle all play a role, and what’s appropriate may change over the course of your dog’s life.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are an important part of any dog’s diet. They support healthy skin and coat, help reduce inflammation in the joints and throughout the body, and contribute to proper brain function, among many other benefits.

Omega-3s can be provided through food or supplements—it ultimately depends on what works best for you and your dog. Omega-3–rich foods include high-quality grass-fed beef, pasture-raised meats, grass-fed beef tripe, wild salmon, sardines, and other wild-caught cold-water fish. If these aren’t readily available or don’t provide enough omega-3s, supplementation may be helpful. Options include flaxseed oil or ground flaxseed, high-quality wild-caught fish oils (salmon, sardine, anchovy), or chia seeds.

Probiotics

Probiotics help restore and maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, supporting digestion and immune function. They’re especially helpful during the transition to raw, for dogs with sensitive stomachs, chronic or occasional diarrhea, irritable bowel issues, intestinal inflammation, or after antibiotics or vaccinations. Probiotics may also help prevent urinary tract infections and support overall gut health.

For a natural, food-based probiotic, we often recommend raw grass-fed beef tripe (green tripe). It’s rich in natural probiotics and digestive enzymes and provides excellent digestive support. If your dog needs a stronger or more targeted approach, one of our probiotic supplements may be appropriate. Talk to one of us at True Carnivores and we’ll help you choose the right option for your dog’s situation.

Joint Support

Many raw-fed dogs don’t need joint supplements early in life. However, you may want to consider joint support sooner if your dog has suffered an injury, experienced rapid growth between 3–8 months of age (common in large breeds), or is predisposed to hereditary joint or bone issues.

As dogs age, joint support often becomes more important. Signs to watch for include stiffness, difficulty standing after resting, reluctance to jump or use stairs, or visible discomfort. If you’re already using flaxseed oil for omega-3s, you’re providing some joint support already. Additional options include wild-caught fish oil, glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin (often combined), or advanced support such as hyaluronic acid.

Multivitamins

One of the advantages of feeding a properly balanced raw diet is that many dogs don’t need a multivitamin for a large portion of their lives. A rotational diet that includes red and white meats, organ, bone, tripe, and raw meaty bones naturally provides a wide range of nutrients.

That said, there are times when a multivitamin may be beneficial, such as during illness, periods of poor appetite, or for puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, and seniors. If you’re unsure, talk with us and we’ll help you decide whether a multivitamin makes sense for your dog.

Specialty Supplements

Today, there are supplements available to support nearly every condition, from itchy skin and anxiety to liver, kidney, immune, cardiovascular, and digestive support. At True Carnivores, we always recommend starting with a holistic approach, beginning with diet, whenever possible. We’ve seen some incredible results when nutrition is addressed first.

Still Not Sure?

Feel free to give us a call or stop by the store to explore our supplement wall. We’re always happy to answer questions and help you find what’s right for your dog.

The most common reason a raw-fed dog develops hard stool is too much raw bone in the diet. When excess bone is fed, stools often become very firm, chalky, and light in color. Your dog may strain more than usual to pass the stool, and you may notice a mucus coating, this is the body’s way of trying to move things along.

Quick Fix

If your dog is struggling to pass a particularly hard stool, feeding pumpkin can help. Use 100% pure canned pumpkin or raw or frozen pumpkin as a fast-acting, gentle remedy for constipation.

Long-Term Solution

If hard stool becomes a recurring issue, it’s important to slightly reduce the amount of bone in your dog’s diet. This is especially true if you’re feeding raw meaty bones, knuckle bones, or chicken and turkey necks more than a couple of times per week.

Feeding large amounts of carcass (chicken, turkey, pheasant, etc.) can also contribute to constipation. When including these meals, make sure to balance them with tripe, pumpkin, or both to help keep things moving smoothly through your dog’s system.

Not every dog will eat anything placed in front of them. Living with a picky eater can be frustrating, and the worry around whether your dog is eating enough can feel overwhelming at times. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to encourage even the most finicky dogs to eat.

Try New Things

Experiment with different proteins, brands, and combinations, with veggies, without veggies, and everything in between. Just because your dog doesn’t like lamb or turkey from one company doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy it from another.

Keep It Interesting

Some dogs thrive on variety. Rotating proteins and offering different textures and scents can help keep meals exciting and stimulate appetite. For many dogs, novelty alone is enough to spark interest at mealtime.

Make Mealtime Fun

Interactive feeders, such as a Kong, can help turn meals into a rewarding activity. Stuff the raw food inside and let your dog work to get every bite. Once they’re eating consistently, you can gradually transition back to feeding from the bowl while keeping that excitement alive.

Entice Them

Toppers can be a great way to encourage reluctant eaters. Try adding raw tripe, freeze-dried treats, salmon oil, flax oil, or another healthy option your dog already loves. A little goes a long way.

A Little Tough Love

Sometimes, without meaning to, we teach dogs to be picky. If food is removed and replaced every time they refuse a meal, they quickly learn to hold out for something “better.” If your dog skips a meal, try putting it back in the fridge (don’t leave raw food out for more than 10–15 minutes) and offering the same meal again later. Repeat this process for a couple of feedings. It’s natural for dogs to fast occasionally, and missing a meal or two will not harm a healthy dog.

Always Have a Backup

If you find one meal your dog will always eat, keep it on hand for particularly finicky days. While a little tough love is okay, extended food refusal isn’t the goal. Balance consistency with common sense, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need guidance.

Occasional grass-eating during a walk or backyard adventure is very common for dogs. Some dogs may be seeking a bit of extra roughage, while others simply enjoy it as a light, nutrient-rich snack. In many cases, it’s completely normal behaviour.

If you notice your dog eating large amounts of grass quickly and then vomiting shortly afterward, this can be a sign of mild digestive upset. When swallowed in excess, grass blades can irritate the stomach lining and trigger vomiting, which may actually be your dog’s way of settling an unsettled stomach.

If this behaviour continues, consider following up with a day of raw tripe and a few scoops of pumpkin to help calm and support digestion.

One important note: while grass-eating itself is generally safe, it’s best to avoid areas that may have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals. Allow grass-eating only in controlled spaces where you know the grass is clean and chemical-free.

You may notice that after switching your dog to a raw diet, they drink noticeably less water. This is completely normal. Raw food has a much higher moisture content than conventional dry food, and even more than most canned foods, so your dog is getting a significant amount of hydration directly from their meals.

Because raw food naturally supplies much of the moisture your dog needs to stay hydrated, it’s normal for water intake from the bowl to decrease. As long as your dog is eating well, acting normally, and has access to fresh water at all times, this change is safe and expected.

Vaccinations are one of the most debated topics in animal wellness. As a society, we’ve been taught that being a responsible dog guardian means keeping up with routine, often yearly, vaccinations to protect our pets’ health and safety. At the same time, as holistic approaches to health become more widely accepted, many people are questioning whether frequent, or even one-time vaccinations are always necessary or beneficial. With strong opinions on both sides, it can be difficult to feel confident in any decision without second-guessing yourself.

Preventative Measures

If you’re feeding raw, you’re already approaching your dog’s health from a more natural, preventative mindset. A species-appropriate raw diet supports the immune system, digestion, and overall vitality in a way that aligns more closely with how dogs have thrived for thousands of years, long before highly processed food existed.

When a dog’s body is properly nourished, exercised, and cared for, it is often better equipped to handle everyday environmental challenges. The same principle applies to humans: those who rely on fresh, whole foods tend to build stronger foundational health than those whose bodies are constantly under stress from poor nutrition. As the well-known quote attributed to Hippocrates reminds us, “All disease begins in the gut.” Supporting health from the inside out may be one of the most powerful preventative tools available.

Have You Made Your Decision Yet?

There’s no way to predict with absolute certainty how any individual dog will respond to a vaccine, or whether they’ll ever encounter the disease it’s intended to prevent. For most of us, the goal is the same: to minimize unnecessary stress on the body while doing what we believe is best for our dog’s long-term health.

Rather than viewing vaccination as an all-or-nothing decision, many people choose a more individualized approach. Regular check-ups with a knowledgeable, holistic veterinarian can help you evaluate risk, lifestyle, and overall health when making decisions about vaccines as they arise.

“Every medical intervention carries potential risk and should be considered thoughtfully, in the context of the individual.”

There are many factors that can contribute to loose stool in dogs, and sometimes it can take a bit of detective work to identify the cause. When someone reaches out with concerns about their dog’s stool, we usually suggest walking through the following possibilities.

Diarrhea or Loose Stool?

It’s important to distinguish between the two. Diarrhea is more severe, often explosive, liquid, difficult or impossible to control, and may occur more than six times per day. This can lead to dehydration quickly and should be monitored closely and addressed with urgency.

Loose stool, on the other hand, is watery, harder to pick up than normal, and typically results in two to three bowel movements per day. Identifying which one you’re dealing with will help determine the best course of action.

Is There Enough Bone in the Diet?

Bone plays an important role in a raw diet. It provides calcium, helps maintain a proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, and contributes to firm, well-formed stools. One of the most common reasons a raw-fed dog experiences loose stool is too little bone content in their meals.

This is often an easy fix, ensure the next meal includes an appropriate amount of bone, and maintain that balance moving forward.

Is the Organ Content Too High?

Organ meat is essential in a raw diet, but moderation matters. Organ should make up approximately 10% of your dog’s daily intake. Feeding too much, especially liver, which is very rich can result in loose stool.

Treats count too. Dehydrated or freeze-dried liver treats are nutritious and tasty, but should be fed sparingly to avoid digestive upset.

Is Your Dog Detoxing After a Diet Change?

If your dog has recently transitioned to a raw diet, loose stool can be part of a temporary detox phase. As the body clears remnants of a highly processed diet, mild digestive upset can occur for 2–7 days. If this is the cause, patience is often all that’s needed, the stool should normalize as the system adjusts.

Are the Proteins Too Rich?

Some proteins, such as lamb and duck, are higher in fat. While excellent in moderation, they can be too rich for some dogs when fed too frequently. Diets consistently high in fat may lead to loose stool.

A rotational feeding approach, with richer proteins fed less often, can help prevent this issue.

None of the Above?

If you’ve ruled out the factors above, it may be time to support your dog’s digestive system more directly. A probiotic can help re-establish healthy gut bacteria, especially if the balance has been disrupted by stress, diet changes, or environmental factors.

In some cases, an internal parasite may be involved. A gentle herbal anti-parasite protocol for 5–7 days, combined with probiotics, can help reset the gut. Temporarily reducing meal portions and incorporating green tripe for a few days may also give the digestive system a chance to settle.

If loose stool persists and your dog begins showing signs of lethargy or dehydration, it’s best to bring a stool sample to your local holistic veterinarian for evaluation.

Pumpkin: The Miracle Worker

Keeping a can of 100% pure pumpkin on hand is one of the simplest ways to help regulate your dog’s stool. Pumpkin can be mixed into meals or fed on its own and is effective whether stool is too loose or too firm. It’s a gentle, natural tool that often does the trick.

A little itching or scratching here and there is normal for dogs. However, when it becomes constant or is paired with chewing, flaky skin, hot spots, restlessness, or visible frustration, it’s a sign that something needs attention. Ongoing itchiness affects your dog’s comfort and quality of life and shouldn’t be ignored.

Food Allergies

Food sensitivities are increasingly common in dogs. One of the advantages of feeding raw is how easy it is to identify problem ingredients using an elimination diet.

Choose a single protein your dog has never eaten as a primary food source and simplify the diet to only that protein. For example, elk can be fed as a balanced combination of meat, bone, and organ, along with meaty bones and treats from the same source. Other commonly used elimination proteins include bison, rabbit, or Cornish hen.

During this period, remove all vegetables, fruits, supplements, and extra treats. If symptoms improve, you can consider that protein “safe.” After about 3–4 weeks, introduce one new protein at a time in the same controlled way, slowly building a list of tolerated foods.

Environmental Allergies

Seasonal or environmental allergies often appear in the spring and fall and can cause itching and skin irritation. These can be harder to manage, but some dogs benefit from supportive additions such as local bee pollen or natural antihistamine support like MSM, especially during peak allergy seasons.

Gut Health

In some cases, itching isn’t caused by food or environmental triggers at all. An imbalance in gut bacteria or a yeast overgrowth can also lead to skin issues. Common signs include hot spots, redness between the paws, or flaky and/or smelly ears.

In these situations, a probiotic is often necessary to help restore balance and should be introduced as soon as symptoms appear. Gut health plays a major role in skin health, and addressing it early can make a significant difference.

If you’re unsure which direction to take, talk to one of us at True Carnivores, we’re happy to help you determine the best course of action for your dog’s specific needs.

One of the most appreciated benefits people notice after switching their dogs to a raw diet is smaller, firmer, and far less smelly stools. By removing hard-to-digest ingredients like corn, soy, grains, and other fillers commonly found in highly processed foods, a balanced raw diet allows your dog to use what they eat far more efficiently.

Instead of eliminating large amounts of unusable material, the nutrients in raw food are absorbed and put to work, supporting a strong immune system, healthy digestion, and overall well-being. The result is less waste and better stool quality. It’s just another perk of feeding a species-appropriate raw diet.

Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio, and Clostridium botulinum are among the bacteria commonly associated with foodborne illness in humans when consuming undercooked meat or seafood. It’s natural to wonder whether these same bacteria pose a risk to dogs when feeding raw food. While preventative measures are taken to ensure meat is fresh and clean, there is always a small chance that bacteria may be present, just as there is with highly processed conventional dry food, which has also been recalled for bacterial contamination.

There are recorded cases of dogs becoming ill from bacteria found in food, but an important factor often overlooked is the dog’s diet at the time. Dogs eating a highly processed kibble diet typically have lower stomach acidity, which can make it harder for their bodies to neutralize harmful bacteria. In contrast, dogs fed a raw diet develop a much more acidic stomach environment, along with a healthier gut flora and stronger immune response, making them far better equipped to handle naturally occurring bacteria found in raw meat.

Once a dog has transitioned fully to raw and their digestive system has adapted, these bacteria are generally not a realistic threat to a healthy dog.

Interesting fact: a dog’s intestinal tract is only about 2–3 times the length of their body, compared to a human’s digestive tract, which can stretch up to 8 metres. This shorter digestive system means food and any bacteria present passes through much more quickly. Combined with the highly acidic stomach of a raw-fed dog, it creates an environment where harmful bacteria struggle to survive.

That said, proper food handling is still essential. Washing your dog’s bowl between meals, cleaning feeding areas, and storing raw food correctly all help minimize bacterial growth.

Handling Raw Food Safely

Even though many raw feeders don’t worry about these bacteria affecting their dogs, it’s important to remember that we do not have the same highly acidic digestive system as a raw-fed dog, which means these bacteria can pose a greater risk to us than to them. Always follow proper food-safety guidelines when handling raw food, including washing your hands and cleaning any surfaces used to prepare your dog’s meals.