Switching your dog to raw has somehow become one of those things that sounds far more complicated than it actually is.
Forums. Feeding charts. People arguing about percentages like it’s a GCSE exam.
Meanwhile your dog is just thinking:
“Can I eat that now please”
Good news; it’s simple.
Step 1: Stop overthinking it
You don’t need:
- a spreadsheet
- a calculator
- a 12-week transition plan signed off by a panel
You need… food.
Specifically: meat.
Step 2: Make the switch
You’ve got two options:
Cold turkey (ironically, still meat)
or
Gradual switch
Most dogs handle a straight switch just fine.
Some prefer a slower change over a few days.
Either way - this isn’t a fragile system.
Dogs are built to handle variation.
They’ve been doing it a lot longer than we’ve been reading ingredient labels.
Step 3: Feed the right amount
Rough guide:
- Adult dogs: around 2–3% of body weight per day
- Puppies: more (because they’re basically eating machines)
You don’t need to be perfect.
Watch your dog:
- gaining too much weight? Feed a bit less
- looking lean? Feed a bit more
Simple.
Here's a cheeky table to help you:
| Dog Weight | Daily Food (2%) | Daily Food (3%) | MFD Packs (Approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5kg | 100g | 150g | ¼ – ⅓ pack |
| 10kg | 200g | 300g | ½ – ⅔ pack |
| 15kg | 300g | 450g | ⅔ – 1 pack |
| 20kg | 400g | 600g | 1 – 1⅓ packs |
| 25kg | 500g | 750g | 1 – 1⅔ packs |
| 30kg | 600g | 900g | 1⅓ – 2 packs |
| 40kg | 800g | 1200g | 2 – 2⅔ packs |
| 50kg | 1000g | 1500g | 2¼ – 3⅓ packs |
Step 4: Expect a few changes (this is the good bit)
Within days, you’ll probably notice:
- shinier coats
- better stools
- more energy
- better overall condition
- 10% more smugness
And yes - often fewer of those room-clearing gas incidents.
Funny how that works.
Step 5: Don’t panic
Some dogs might have:
- a slightly upset stomach for a day or two
- a bit of inconsistency while adjusting
That’s normal.
What’s not normal is:
- constant issues
- constant smells
- constant “something’s not quite right”
If that’s been happening already…
it might not be the switch that’s the problem.
The biggest mistake people make
They treat raw feeding like it’s complicated.
So they:
- over-research
- over-plan
- overthink
…and never actually start.
Meanwhile, the dog’s still eating the same ultra-processed pellets.
The reality
Switching to raw is less about precision…
and more about common sense.
Feed meat.
Feed enough of it.
Keep it consistent.
That’s it.
Make it easy on yourself
At Meat for Dogs, we’ve stripped it right back.
- Meat
- Bone
- Offal
- Nothing weird
No fillers.
No fluff.
No “superfood blend” to decode.
Just proper food that makes the switch simple.
Final thought
If your dog could choose…
They wouldn’t be asking for a gradual transition plan.
They’d be asking:
“Why didn’t we do this sooner?”