Dogs can thrive on a fresh, natural diet made from a variety of whole foods. For many owners, this means moving away from highly processed foods and towards fresh meat, bones, organ meats, vegetables and other natural ingredients.
A fresh food diet should provide variety and appropriate amounts of protein, fat, essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. The exact diet will vary according to your dog's age, size, activity level and individual needs.
The Basic Fresh Food Ratio
As a general guide for healthy adult dogs, a fresh food diet can be made up of:
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70% raw meat
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10% raw meaty bones
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5% organ meats
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10% vegetables
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5% extras such as fruit, eggs, herbs, seeds and other suitable foods
These percentages are a starting point rather than a requirement to measure every meal precisely. Variety over time is important.
70% Raw Meat
Choose a variety of fresh meats, preferably free-range, grass-fed or organic where practical.
Suitable choices include chicken, rabbit, mutton, duck, kangaroo, lamb, turkey, pork and beef.
Avoid processed and cured meats such as bacon, sausages, ham and other smoked, salted or pickled meats.
Varying protein sources can help provide a broader range of nutrients and gives your dog a more varied diet.
10% Raw Meaty Bones
Raw meaty bones can form part of a fresh food diet and provide nutrients including calcium and phosphorus.
Choose appropriately sized bones with some meat attached. Softer bones such as chicken wings, feet and necks may be suitable for many dogs, while larger bones require more care.
Always supervise your dog when feeding bones and choose bones appropriate for the size and chewing ability of your dog. Avoid cooked bones, which can splinter and cause serious problems.
Large, very hard marrow bones can also be unsuitable for some dogs and may damage teeth.
If your dog cannot safely eat bones, ground bone or an appropriate calcium source may be considered instead.
5% Organ Meats
Organ meats provide a range of nutrients that are not found in the same concentrations in muscle meat.
Include a variety such as liver, kidney, heart, tripe, spleen and other suitable organs. Heart and liver are particularly useful additions to a varied fresh food diet.
If fresh organ meats are difficult to obtain, dried organ products can be a convenient alternative.
If heart is not included in the diet, additional taurine may sometimes be appropriate, particularly for certain dogs. Individual nutritional needs should be considered when supplementing.
10% Vegetables
Vegetables can add fibre, vitamins, minerals and a variety of plant nutrients to your dog's diet.
Raw vegetables should generally be finely chopped, minced or puréed to make them easier for dogs to utilise.
Suitable vegetables include:
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Kale
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Broccoli, including stems and leaves
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Mushrooms
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Fennel
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Carrot
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Celery
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Beetroot
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Sweet potato
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Okra
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Asparagus
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Cucumber
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Endive
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Radicchio
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Cauliflower
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Zucchini
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Capsicum
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Peas
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Tomato
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Pumpkin
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Cooked Brussels sprouts
Sprouts and microgreens can also be included in small amounts. Broccoli sprouts are particularly nutrient-rich.
Fermented vegetables may also be included as a small addition to the diet. Choose onion-free varieties.
Avoid onions, chives and other foods known to be unsuitable for dogs.
5% Extras
The remaining portion of the diet can include a variety of nutritious foods used as meal toppers or occasional treats.
Fruit
Berries such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, mulberries and cranberries are good choices.
Other fruits that can be offered in moderation include banana, kiwi fruit, papaya, apple, pineapple, rockmelon and watermelon.
Avoid grapes, sultanas and raisins, which can be toxic to dogs.
Eggs
Free-range eggs can be a nutritious addition to a fresh food diet. Cooked or appropriately prepared eggshell can also provide calcium.
Herbs
Fresh or dried herbs can add variety and nutrients to meals. Suitable herbs include parsley, basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, coriander, ginger and turmeric.
Use herbs in small amounts and introduce new ingredients gradually.
Fish and Seafood
Fresh fish can provide protein and beneficial fatty acids. If feeding fish with bones, choose appropriately sized edible bones and always consider your dog's size and chewing ability.
Sardines are a popular addition to fresh diets and can be offered fresh or canned in water.
Green-lipped mussels and other seafood can also provide a range of nutrients.
Nuts and Seeds
Some nuts and seeds can be offered occasionally in small quantities.
Pumpkin seeds provide zinc, while Brazil nuts contain selenium. Linseed (flaxseed) can provide plant-based omega-3 fatty acids and is best ground before adding to food.
Avoid macadamia nuts, which are toxic to dogs.
Nuts and seeds should only make up a small part of the diet because they are relatively energy-dense.
Seaweed
Small amounts of suitable seaweed such as nori, wakame and dulse can provide trace minerals. Because seaweed can be naturally high in iodine, it is best used sparingly.
Coconut
Fresh coconut meat or small amounts of dried coconut can be offered occasionally as a treat.
Spices
Small amounts of suitable spices can add variety to your dog's meals. Ceylon cinnamon, cumin and turmeric are examples that can be used sparingly and mixed well into moist food.
Avoid nutmeg.
Grains and Dairy
Grains are not essential for every dog, but some dogs may benefit from their inclusion as part of a balanced diet.
If grains are used, appropriately prepared or soaked grains may be easier to digest for some dogs.
Dairy is not necessary for a healthy adult dog. Small amounts of plain natural yoghurt or cottage cheese can be offered occasionally if well tolerated.
How Much Should You Feed?
The amount your dog needs depends on their size, age, metabolism and activity level.
As a general starting point, adult dogs may require around 2–3% of their ideal body weight in food per day. Very active dogs may require more.
For example:
A 10 kg dog may need approximately 200–300 g of food per day.
Using a 2.5% starting point, a 10 kg dog would receive approximately 250 g per day.
As a rough example, this could consist of:
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175 g meat
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25 g raw meaty bone
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12–13 g organ meat
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25 g vegetables
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12–13 g extras
A 25 kg dog at 2.5% would receive approximately 625 g per day, divided according to the same general ratio.
These amounts are only a guide. Monitor your dog's body condition and adjust the quantity as necessary.
Puppies have different nutritional requirements while growing and should not simply be fed according to adult ratios. Growing dogs need an appropriately balanced diet to support healthy development.
How to Prepare a Fresh Food Diet
Vegetables, sprouts and other plant ingredients can be finely minced or puréed in a food processor. Mix them with the meat and serve with the appropriate amount of raw meaty bone or another suitable calcium source.
Meals can be prepared fresh each day or made in batches and divided into individual portions. If freezing, thaw portions in the refrigerator before feeding.
Good hygiene and safe food-handling practices are particularly important when preparing raw food.
Convenient Fresh Food Options
If you don't have time to prepare vegetables and other ingredients at home, a quality food blend can make preparing fresh meals much easier.
At Greenpet, options include:
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Lenny's Kitchen Natural & Complete Muesli – an air-dried blend of vegetables, fruits, herbs and other nutritional ingredients designed to be combined with fresh meat.
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Phud's Natural Dog Food – an air-dried blend designed to complement fresh or cooked meat.
These products can be particularly convenient for owners who want to include a wider variety of plant ingredients without preparing them from scratch.
For Fussy Dogs
When changing your dog's diet, introduce new foods gradually.
Start by adding a small amount of the new food to your dog's usual meal and gradually increase it as they become accustomed to the taste and texture.
Consistency is often the key with fussy eaters.
If your dog is reluctant to eat raw meat but accepts lightly cooked meat, you can gradually transition towards the texture you want to feed rather than changing everything at once.
Tasty meal toppers can also help encourage fussy dogs to try new foods.
Greenpet options include:
Nutritional Supplements
Even with a varied fresh food diet, some dogs may benefit from additional nutritional support, particularly when certain foods are unavailable or excluded.
Greenpet Essentials Supplement provides a range of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and trace nutrients to complement a natural diet.
Augustine's SuperBoost is a wholefood-based supplement that can be added to dry, canned, raw or homemade meals.
Supplements should complement a nutritious diet rather than replace a varied range of whole foods.
A Few More Fresh Feeding Tips
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Offer a variety of suitable meats and organ meats rather than relying on just one protein source.
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Avoid leaving fresh food sitting out for long periods, particularly in warm weather.
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Serve food at a suitable temperature rather than directly from the refrigerator if your dog prefers it that way.
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Supervise dogs when feeding bones and chews.
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If your dog cannot eat bones safely, consider an appropriate calcium source instead.
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Monitor your dog's body condition and adjust food quantities as their activity level changes.
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Introduce dietary changes gradually.
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Fresh food diets need to provide appropriate nutrition over time, rather than relying on one perfectly balanced meal every day.
Is a Fresh Food Diet Right for Your Dog?
A fresh, natural diet can provide plenty of variety and whole-food nutrition, but there is no single diet that suits every dog.
Puppies, senior dogs, pregnant or lactating dogs, dogs with specific health concerns and dogs with unusual nutritional requirements may need a more carefully formulated diet.
If you are unsure how to transition your dog to a fresh food diet or whether their current diet is providing everything they need, contact Greenpet for guidance.
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