March 26, 2025

Raw Feeding for Puppies: A Guide to Starting Them Right

Feeding your puppy a raw diet is one of the best ways to ensure they grow up healthy, strong, and full of vitality. Puppies have unique nutritional needs as they grow rapidly in their first year, and a raw diet can provide the optimal balance of nutrients required for their development.

Here’s everything you need to know about raw feeding for puppies.


Why Raw Feeding is Ideal for Puppies

A raw diet closely mimics what dogs’ ancestors would have eaten in the wild. For puppies, it offers:



  • Balanced Nutrition for Growth: High-quality proteins support muscle development, while natural fats provide essential energy.
  • Better Digestion: Raw diets are free from fillers and artificial ingredients that can upset sensitive puppy stomachs.
  • Improved Immunity: Fresh, unprocessed ingredients support a strong immune system during critical growth periods.
  • Healthy Teeth and Gums: Chewing on raw bones and whole ingredients promotes dental health from an early age.

How to Start Raw Feeding Your Puppy

1. Choose the Right Supplier


Look for a trusted raw food provider that ensures:

  • Balanced, pre-portioned meals.
  • High-quality, human-grade ingredients.
  • A commitment to safety and nutrition, like Natural Raw Dog Foods.


2. Understand Puppy Portioning


Puppies require more calories per pound of body weight than adult dogs to support their rapid growth. Here’s a general guide:

  • Feed 2-3% of their expected adult body weight per day.
  • Divide meals into 3-4 feedings daily for puppies under six months.
  • Transition to 2 meals per day as they grow older.

 

Use tools like an open-source raw feeding calculator to determine the exact portions for your puppy’s weight, age, and breed. These resources are incredibly helpful for ensuring accuracy and confidence in your feeding routine.

 

3. Transition Gradually

 

Introduce raw food slowly to avoid digestive upset:

  • Days 1-2: Mix 25% raw food with 75% of their current diet.
  • Days 3-4: Adjust to a 50/50 mix.
  • Days 5-6: Move to 75% raw.
  • Day 7: Feed 100% raw.

Common Concerns About Raw Feeding for Puppies

1. Can Puppies Handle Raw Food?


Yes! Puppies are biologically designed to digest raw food. Starting them young helps build strong digestive systems and healthy eating habits.


2. Is It Safe?


Raw feeding is safe when you:

  • Source food from a reputable supplier.
  • Handle and store food properly.
  • Keep feeding areas clean.


3. How Do I Know If They’re Getting Enough?

  • Monitor your puppy’s growth and energy levels. Adjust portions as needed and consult with your veterinarian if you’re unsure.

Benefits of Starting Raw Feeding Early

  • Optimal Growth: Proper nutrition ensures healthy bone and muscle development.
  • Stronger Immunity: Fresh, nutrient-dense food boosts their immune system.
  • Fewer Allergies: Starting raw early reduces the risk of developing food sensitivities.
  • Better Behavior: Balanced nutrition supports mental focus and reduces hyperactivity.

Tips for Making Raw Feeding Easy

  1. Use Pre-Portioned Meals: Our 1lb trays with six individual pockets make it simple to serve the right amount for your growing puppy.
  2. Incorporate Enrichment: Serve meals in a puzzle feeder or use mealtime as an opportunity for training.
  3. Stay Consistent: Regular feeding times help establish healthy habits.

Why Choose Natural Raw Dog Foods?

At Natural Raw Dog Foods, we’re passionate about giving your puppy the best start in life. Our meals are:



  • Balanced and Complete: Meeting the highest nutritional standards.
  • Locally Sourced: Supporting Canadian farmers and ensuring quality.
  • Convenient: Pre-portioned for easy feeding.


📍 Serving Ontario, including the GTA, Durham, York, Peel, Halton, and Toronto.

A dog is eating from a white bowl in a living room.
April 16, 2025
The conversation around pet nutrition is changing, and across Ontario, more pet parents are rethinking kibble. From Hamilton to Ajax, families are searching for food that supports energy, longevity, and better overall health. That’s where Natural Raw Dog Foods comes in. Our blends are formulated to reflect what dogs were biologically meant to eat. We offer complete and balanced raw meals using human-grade, locally sourced proteins and whole produce—nothing synthetic, nothing artificial. Each portion is tailored to exceed AAFCO standards, ensuring your dog is getting everything they need to thrive. What sets us apart is our focus on transparency and simplicity. Our packaging offers six individually portioned servings per 1lb tray, making raw feeding achievable even for new pet parents. Whether you're using Natural Raw as a full diet or a nutrient-dense topper to enhance your kibble routine, we make it easy to get started and stay consistent. With direct delivery to most of Southern Ontario, including the GTA, Durham, York, Peel, Halton, and beyond, plus a growing list of retail partners, we’re committed to making raw feeding more accessible and sustainable. Customers report shinier coats, healthier stools, better digestion, and fewer vet visits—all signs of a dog truly thriving. If you’re curious, concerned, or ready to switch, Natural Raw Dog Foods offers a trusted, Canadian-made solution backed by quality and care.
A black and white dog is licking a person 's hand.
April 9, 2025
Southern Ontario experiences all four seasons, and each one impacts your dog differently. That’s why year-round, species-appropriate nutrition is key. More and more dog owners across Ontario are discovering that a raw diet helps their pets maintain consistent health regardless of temperature swings or environmental factors. During our cold winters, raw feeding provides dogs with dense, nutrient-rich meals that support joint health, immunity, and skin resilience—perfect for preventing dry, flaky skin and boosting warmth through metabolism. Come spring and summer, raw meals rich in hydration-friendly ingredients like fresh meat and organ content help keep dogs feeling energized and cool. At Natural Raw Dog Foods, we take this one step further. Our blends are made in Pickering, Ontario using only Canadian-sourced proteins and vegetables. This means reduced food miles and maximum freshness. Our customers love the convenience of our pre-portioned trays—easy to thaw, simple to serve, and perfect for seasonal meal prep. Each recipe is created with intentionality: from omega-rich proteins like duck and beef to antioxidant-packed greens and fiber from fresh produce, our meals are crafted to nourish and protect all year long. Southern Ontario dogs thrive on Natural Raw because it's tailored to support them through the changing seasons with quality ingredients you can trust.
A dog is sitting on a chair and smiling at the camera.
April 2, 2025
If you’re a pet parent in the Greater Toronto Area looking for high-quality raw dog food, you’re in luck. Natural Raw Dog Foods is proudly Canadian, sourced and made in Pickering , Ontario , and delivers to cities across the GTA including Toronto, Mississauga , Ajax , Oshawa, Whitby, Burlington , Hamilton, and more. As raw feeding continues to grow in popularity, it’s essential to know where to find trustworthy, locally made options that prioritize your pet’s health. Natural Raw Dog Foods stands out for its commitment to using locally sourced, human-grade proteins and fresh produce. Each of our blends is carefully crafted to exceed AAFCO guidelines for complete and balanced canine nutrition, without any fillers, preservatives, or artificial additives. Our products are designed for convenience, too. Each 1lb tray is divided into six 75g portions, making it easy to feed the right amount whether you have a toy breed or a large working dog. This user-friendly format ensures minimal waste, optimal freshness, and straightforward storage and thawing. We also understand that accessibility matters. That’s why we offer online ordering with delivery throughout Southern Ontario, including our key service areas: Toronto, Durham, York, Peel, Halton, and surrounding cities. In addition, you can find our products in-store at select locations like The Fluffy Carnivore in Mississauga and Pet Valu in Pickering and Ajax. If you're searching "where to buy raw dog food in the GTA," Natural Raw Dog Foods has you covered with high-quality, species-appropriate nutrition delivered right to your door .
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