How long can raw dog food stay frozen?

Most complete frozen raw dog food is fine stored in a freezer for several months, though it is worth checking the specific product's guidance and using older stock first if you are buying regularly, rather than assuming an unlimited shelf life.

Is bulk buying raw dog food actually cheaper?

Usually yes, larger orders of the same raw formula are typically priced lower per kilo than smaller ones, though it is worth comparing the actual price per kilo on the specific products rather than assuming, since this varies between brands.

Do I need a separate freezer for raw dog food?

Not necessarily, but working out your dog's typical portion against the freezer space available before ordering a large amount is worth doing. Many raw feeders do use a dedicated freezer drawer or small chest freezer once they are feeding this way regularly.

Can I refreeze raw dog food after thawing it?

It is generally not recommended to refreeze raw food once fully thawed, for the same food safety reasons that apply to raw meat for human consumption. Thaw only the amount you expect to use within a day or two.

Raw dog food in bulk

Buying raw dog food in bulk lowers the cost per kilo in the same way any large purchase does, but raw food adds two extra things to plan around that dry kibble does not: freezer space, and handling it safely from freezer to bowl. Both are manageable, but worth thinking through before committing to a large order.

Why bulk buying suits raw feeding

Raw food is sold frozen, so unlike dry kibble it does not lose freshness sitting in a cupboard between meals, it simply needs freezer space until it is needed. That makes buying a larger quantity at once, at a lower price per kilo, a genuinely practical choice for anyone already committed to raw feeding rather than trying it for the first time.

Nutriment Adult Dog Raw Lamb Formula Frozen and Nutriment Adult Dog Raw Turkey Formula Frozen are examples of complete frozen raw formulas in our range that suit exactly this kind of bulk approach, since they are designed to be a full meal on their own.

Freezer space and thawing

Work out roughly how much freezer space your dog's daily or weekly portion takes up before ordering a large amount, since a bulk order that will not fit is not actually a saving. Chest freezers or a dedicated drawer make this far more manageable than trying to fit raw food around a normal weekly food shop.

Thaw only what you need in the fridge a day or so ahead, rather than defrosting a large batch at once, both for food safety and to avoid waste if your dog's appetite varies day to day.

Handling it safely

Treat raw dog food with the same hygiene as raw meat you would prepare for yourself: wash bowls, surfaces, and hands thoroughly after handling it, and avoid leaving it out at room temperature for extended periods. This matters more, not less, when buying in bulk, simply because you are handling it more often.

Keep raw food separate from other items in the freezer and fridge to avoid any cross-contamination, and wash food bowls after every meal rather than topping up on top of what is left from before, the same way you would with raw meat prepared for anyone else in the household.

Six-ingredient grain-free dry food for adult and senior dogs, single-source turkey

£15.49

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Common questions

How long can raw dog food stay frozen?: Most complete frozen raw dog food is fine stored in a freezer for several months, though it is worth checking the specific product's guidance and using older stock first if you are buying regularly, rather than assuming an unlimited shelf life.
Is bulk buying raw dog food actually cheaper?: Usually yes, larger orders of the same raw formula are typically priced lower per kilo than smaller ones, though it is worth comparing the actual price per kilo on the specific products rather than assuming, since this varies between brands.
Do I need a separate freezer for raw dog food?: Not necessarily, but working out your dog's typical portion against the freezer space available before ordering a large amount is worth doing. Many raw feeders do use a dedicated freezer drawer or small chest freezer once they are feeding this way regularly.
Can I refreeze raw dog food after thawing it?: It is generally not recommended to refreeze raw food once fully thawed, for the same food safety reasons that apply to raw meat for human consumption. Thaw only the amount you expect to use within a day or two.

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.