Raw dog food: what it actually involves
Raw dog food means feeding meat, bone and offal instead of a cooked kibble or wet meal, usually as a frozen complete mix, a freeze-dried version of the same thing, or fresh chilled mince and chubs. The format you choose changes more about your daily routine — freezer space, defrosting, mess — than it changes what is actually in the bowl.
The three formats, and what they actually mean
Frozen complete meals arrive as portioned blocks or nuggets sized for a daily feed, usually meat, bone and offal balanced to a recognised ratio. They need proper freezer space and forward planning, because the pack has to come out and defrost in the fridge, not on the side, well before the meal it is meant for.
Freeze-dried raw is the same underlying recipe with the water removed, so it stores at room temperature rather than needing freezer space at all. It rehydrates with a splash of water before serving, which makes it the format that travels best, but it costs more per kilo than the frozen equivalent for the same recipe.
Fresh chilled mince, tripe and chubs sit closer to a butcher's counter than a pet food aisle. They are usually the least processed option and often the cheapest per kilo, but they have the shortest fridge life once opened, so they suit an owner who feeds through a pack quickly rather than one buying weeks ahead.
Storage and defrosting, in practice
A large dog on a frozen diet needs real freezer space, not a shelf. A week of meals for a bigger dog can fill a drawer on its own, and that is before you have room for anything else you actually wanted to keep frozen.
Move tomorrow's portion into the fridge the night before rather than leaving raw meat to defrost on a worktop, and keep it separate from your own food while it does. Once thawed, treat it like any raw meat: use it within the timeframe on the pack rather than refreezing it.
Portioning and mess
Complete raw meals are sold pre-portioned or in a block you cut down yourself, which makes daily amounts easier to keep consistent than guessing with a scoop. How much a particular dog needs depends on their weight, age and activity, so check the pack and, if you are unsure, ask your vet rather than eyeballing it.
Feeding raw is generally messier than kibble at the bowl end — meaty juice on a work surface, a bowl that needs a proper wash rather than a wipe, and packaging waste from individual portions that a large sack of dry food does not produce. None of that makes it impractical, but it is worth knowing before the freezer fills up.
Hygiene, and what changes day to day
Raw meat carries the same handling rules in a kitchen as it would for your own dinner: wash the bowl and any surfaces it has touched, keep it away from food you are about to eat yourself, and wash your hands after handling it.
If you have young children, anyone with a weakened immune system, or another pet with particular health needs in the house, it is worth being more careful still about where a raw meal is prepared and where a bowl is left afterwards.
What we stock
Our raw range includes frozen complete meals such as Benyfit Natural Chicken Tripe Complete Raw Dog Food and Nutriment's adult raw formulas in lamb and turkey, plus a frozen puppy option in Nutriment Puppy Raw Chicken Chubb. All of it lives in the same freezer section, bought and packed the same way as everything else we send out.
If you are trying raw for the first time, buying one bag rather than a bulk order is the sensible way to see whether your dog gets on with it and whether the freezer space actually works for your kitchen, before committing a whole shelf to it.
This format, in stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Reusable Washable Puppy Training Pad
A quilted, machine-washable training pad that absorbs accidents and locks in moisture with a leak-resistant base. Reusable for puppy toilet training and senior dogs, in several bone and paw prints.
From£7.99
Dog Calming Ear Muffs For Fireworks & Thunder
A soft stretchy snood that wraps snugly over your dog's head and ears to muffle fireworks, thunder and loud noises. Helps nervous dogs feel calmer during storms, travel and grooming.
£11.99
MPS Head Cover — Breathable Dog Head & Ear Protector
A comfortable, breathable alternative to the cone of shame — protects head and ear wounds or bandages while letting your dog move freely.
From£30.99
Leucillin Antiseptic Skincare Spray for Cats & Dogs
A versatile, alcohol-free antiseptic spray that cleans, soothes, and helps protect your pet's skin from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
From£16.49
Pressure-Activated Pet Cooling Mat
Press down, feel the cool — this pressure-activated mat absorbs body heat and stays up to 10°C cooler than the room, with no freezing required.
From£34.99
Ice-Silk Cooling Dog Bed with Bolster Edge
A breathable ice-silk cooling bed with a soft bolster edge and a cool-touch centre panel that helps your dog stay comfortable through warm weather. No need to freeze or refrigerate, it cools naturally on contact.
From£12.99
Dog Front-Limb Mobility Wheelchair
An adjustable two-wheel walker that supports dogs with front-limb weakness or injury. The lightweight frame and padded supports restore mobility, helping your dog stay active, exercise and enjoy walks with confidence.
From£176.99
Plush Foam Pet Stairs
Soft foam steps with a plush, washable cover that help senior, small or short-legged pets reach the sofa or bed safely. The lightweight, sturdy build reduces jumping strain on ageing joints.
From£21.99
Real-Time GPS Pet Tracker
A compact GPS tracker that clips to most collars for real-time location, geofence alerts and find-me sound.
£29.99
Hooded Dinosaur Dog Raincoat
A waterproof hooded dog raincoat with a fun dinosaur spine and yellow fins. It features full-coverage legs, a reflective strip and a built-in D-ring for a lead, keeping smaller dogs dry and visible on wet walks.
From£29.99
Disposable Female Dog Nappies
Disposable, absorbent nappies for female dogs — a secure, leak-proof fit for seasons (heat), excitable urination and incontinence. Soft, breathable outer with easy hook-and-loop fastening. Sizes XXS to XL.
£8.99
Dog Sports Jacket For Medium & Large Breeds
A sleek zip-up sports jacket with full leg sleeves and reflective trim, designed to keep medium and large dogs warm and dry on cold-weather walks. Easy-fit and snug at the cuffs.
From£24.99
Common questions
- Is raw dog food more work than kibble?
- Yes, day to day it usually is. You need freezer space, a plan for defrosting the next portion in the fridge, and a bit more washing up than pouring biscuits from a sack, though many owners find the routine becomes automatic within a couple of weeks.
- Can I mix raw and kibble in the same bowl?
- Plenty of owners feed raw and kibble at different meals rather than mixing them in one bowl, since the two digest at different speeds. If you want to combine formats, introduce any change gradually and keep an eye on your dog's stools, checking with your vet if anything seems off.
- Does freeze-dried raw need the freezer at all?
- No, that is the point of it. Freeze-dried raw is the same recipe with the water removed, so it stores in a cupboard at room temperature and only needs rehydrating with water before serving, which makes it useful for travelling or for owners without much freezer space.
- Is raw dog food safe to handle at home?
- It is safe if you treat it the way you would treat raw meat for yourself: wash bowls and surfaces after use, keep it separate from your own food, and wash your hands afterwards. Take extra care if there are young children or anyone with a weakened immune system in the house.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.