Knowing what to feed your dog can feel a bit overwhelming. There are so many options, it can be tough to know which one is best for your dog.
Of course, we’d always recommend incorporating raw food into any dog’s diet – even if you’re not able to feed it to them 7 days a week. Whether your dog has a sensitive tummy, itchy skin, dental problems, or struggles with their weight, a raw diet can help support and combat these very common issues. NAKEDDOG raw dog food provides deliciously nutritious raw feeding options for dogs at every stage of life, allowing for all kinds of sensitivity - whether they need to avoid chicken, require a novel protein diet, or could do with a little extra support for their joints as they get older or more active. We’ve got dog nutrition covered.
What exactly is raw dog food?
Raw feeding isn’t just trendy fad. It’s a seriously nutritious method of feeding that relies on high protein, natural ingredients and nothing else – not high temperature cooking, no fillers, no artificial ingredients. The reason why an increasing number of dog owners are switching to raw is that it’s a simple, 100% natural way to ensure you're giving your dog everything they need to thrive.
Raw dog food traditionally consists of uncooked meat, bone, and organs. Balanced and complete recipes like NAKEDDOD Original also include fresh fruit and vegetables for additional vitamins and nutrients. 80/10/10 recipes - like our Pure range - contain 80% meat (human grade at NAKEDDOG) 10% bone, 10% offal and nothing else. Adding the extras (fruit, veg, supplement powders) to make these recipes complete and balanced is then down to the individual dog owner.
Our NAKEDDOG Superfoods offers another raw menu which has added natural Trachea Glucosamine, Turmeric, Spirulina, Ginger & Black Pepper. It’s particularly beneficial for very active dogs, or seniors that need some extra support. And we’ve created a range of raw food for puppies too. NAKEDPUP contains higher protein recipes, more finely ground and with added chicory root to support the energy and growth requirements of your puppy.
What are the benefits of feeding raw?
There are solid reasons why raw feeding is trending for dog owners - the benefits are clear, noticeable, and hugely satisfying for both dog and owner.
The benefits of raw feeding include:
● Shinier, thicker coats and healthier skin due to essential fatty acids, high quality protein, and being rich in moisture.
● Increased energy levels and stamina due to being packed with nutrient-dense proteins that sustain fuel, as opposed to carb-heavy options that can result in sugar spikes.
● Improved dental health due to containing bones - through chewing the bone contents, tartar and plaque is naturally scraped off.
● Smaller, firmer, less potent stools due to being so easily digestible.
Is raw food safe?
Some owners are skeptical of raw feeding because of implications around the safety of handling raw meat. However, that’s not a risk with NAKEDDOG. Alongside over 50 years of experience in the meat industry and knowledge of what constitutes safe, effective, nutrient dense raw feeding, we were the first UK brand to be UK Pet Food certified. This badge represents our commitment to safety and demonstrates the rigorous safety standards we adhere to. Everything is monitored - from ingredient sourcing, all the way to your dog’s food bowl. This ensures optimal safety standards of raw ingredients which protects your pet and you from any contaminants.
Our recyclable trays also make it super easy to avoid cross contamination and simplifies the transfer from tray to bowl! Each one arrives frozen and ready to defrost in the fridge and store safely for up to four days.
Raw feeding guide
We believe in starting your dog as early as possible on the best level of nutrition – so start as you mean to go on! Providing your puppy with all the raw nutrients and protein they need helps support their growth, energy levels, coat and skin health, so that they’re feeling their best from the inside out.
Our raw feeding guide covers all life stages of your dog, from newborn to adulthood, and how to keep their raw feeding journey coherent and consistent. Spoiler alert - it’s super simple to use. But if you’re in any doubt, contact the NAKEDDOG team who are always ready to help.
● Puppies (0-3 months): rely solely on their mother’s milk which is essential for key nutrients and fatty acids.
● Puppies (3-4 months): require 3 meals a day and around 8% of their body weight. And never fear - NAKEDPUP is curated especially for this stage of your pup’s life, with finely minced proteins that are gentle on their little tummies. Just be sure to mash the food up so that it’s easier to eat and digest. You should continue to feed 8% of their body weight until around 12 weeks old.
● Puppies (3+ months): at this stage, you can start to introduce some more NAKEDPUP recipes including chicken, beef, rabbit, surf and turf. These recipes all consist of the right proportions of meat (90%), fat and protein your puppy needs to support their growth and rising energy levels. They also contain chicory root, which supports digestive health, nutrient absorption, and strengthening the immune system. Here, you can also start to reduce the amount of food you feed your pup - about 6% of body weight.
● Adult dogs: dogs are usually fully grown from around 1 year to 18 months old. At this point, you should reduce the amount of food they’re getting to around 2-3% of their body weight. You can also start to transition from NAKEDPUP to NAKEDDOG Original or Pure after age 6 months.
Just remember - all puppies are different. Keep an eye on your dog’s weight to help determine whether they may be having too much or too little.
Switching from a non-raw to raw diet
Switching your dog might feel daunting. But we’re here to reassure you that the transition is super simple. Many owners make an instant switch safely and happily; you might prefer to take a little more time to undergo the transition than to do it in one sitting. If this is the case, we recommend you serve your dog their usual meal in the morning and then their second meal of the day can be their new NAKEDDOG raw food. Do this for a week then once their stomach has had time to fully adjust you can switch raw full-time.
If you don’t want to feed raw full-time, that’s okay too. Even switching in a few raw meals every week can deliver health benefits to your dog.
A few things you may notice after switching:
- Looser stools - this is normal during the transition due to digestive adjustment, and should resolve itself after a couple of days. Always talk to your vet if you are in any way concerned.
- Your dog drinking less water - raw food has a much higher moisture content than kibble, so your dog is being hydrated more by their meals a lot more than before.
More tail wags - NAKEDDOG meals are as nutritious as they are delicious, so don’t be surprised to see more energy and a shinier coat!