Raw dog food comes highly recommended from pet nutritionists, especially when provided for growing puppies. Before starting your puppy on a raw food diet, there are various factors to consider, despite its many benefits. Your puppy’s unique palate and possible dietary requirements mean that extra care must be taken before diving in headfirst. So, what are the benefits of feeding your puppy raw dog food? And are there any downsides to be aware of?
Our comprehensive guide will explore the suitability of raw dog food for puppies, as well as the potential downsides to look out for, and how raw food compares to wet and dry alternatives. We will also discuss the specific raw food ingredients that may better suit your puppy’s needs, and how our raw dog food stock and canine nutrition specialist at Fetch can help.
Discover whether raw food is best for your puppy
Although raw dog food comes with plenty of benefits, there are potential downsides to consider
Compare raw puppy food against wet and dry
Consider your puppy’s needs and potential allergies when choosing raw puppy food
Browse our collection
Is Raw Food Suitable for a Puppy?
Raw dog food can be an excellent option for puppies, especially those weaning off milk and onto a solid diet. There are puppy-formulated raw food options available to ensure your pup gets the nutrients and vitamins needed to support their rapid growth. Raw food can be fed to a puppy from around three weeks old.
Raw diets that follow the BARF (Bones and Raw Food) model are nutrient-rich with the inclusion of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. You can build raw diets yourself by adding vegetables and fruit to the mix, or you can buy ready-made packs that include everything your puppy needs. Raw food also mimics your dog’s ancestral diet, which is more aligned with their digestive system, and can even support their dental health and energy.
Brands such as Naked Dog readily prepare raw food packages which are suitable for puppies, such as their puppy range, packed full of superfoods and essential nutrients. this range is available on subscription at Fetch.
Are There Any Downsides to Feeding My Puppy Raw Food?
There are some downsides to feeding your puppy raw food, but they are often outweighed by the positives. Downsides to consider include:
- Possible bacterial contamination: raw meat, if stored incorrectly, can become contaminated with harmful bacteria that can make your puppy ill. To avoid this, make sure you store the raw meat in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Storage and preparation: as mentioned, raw puppy food needs to be stored in the fridge to uphold its shelf life. Providing a raw food diet requires careful planning and storage to ensure safety for not only your puppy, but your household too.
- Cost: some raw food options, especially those carefully prepared as a meal, can be more expensive than dry and wet puppy food options. You can browse our raw dog food collection to see if it fits your budget.
- Nutritional imbalance: providing just a single protein source for your dog’s diet isn’t recommended for achieving a balanced diet. Look for options with fruits or vegetables (or add your own), and vary the protein sources to ensure balance over time.
How Does Raw Food for Puppies Compare to Wet and Dry?
| Factor | Raw Puppy Food (BARF / Homemade / Pre-made) | Wet Puppy Food (Cans, Trays, Pouches) | Dry Puppy Food (Kibble) |
| Nutritional Value | High when balanced correctly (puppy-appropriate diet, high protein, natural fats). Requires careful balance of meat, bone, offal, veg. Risk of imbalance if DIY without guidance. | Generally high moisture and palatable; good protein levels but quality varies by brand. Some contain fillers | Protein quality varies widely but not as good as raw dog food. |
| Cost in Ireland | Moderate–High. Pre-made raw from Irish suppliers' usually costs more than kibble and wet food. | High for daily feeding (more costly than kibble). Works out expensive for medium/large breeds. | Lowest cost overall. Bulk bags (e.g. 12–15kg) offer good value. Premium grain-free options more expensive but still cheaper than raw/wet. |
| Storage | Needs freezer and fridge space. Defrosting required. Not convenient for travel. | Shelf-stable unopened; bulky once stored. Open cans need refrigeration. | Very easy to store, long shelf life, minimal space required. |
| Convenience | More prep required. Needs safe handling and hygiene. | Easy to serve, no prep. Dogs often love taste. | Extremely convenient: measure and serve. Good for training rewards too. |
| Digestibility | Highly digestible; leads to smaller stools. Can help with skin/coat. | High digestibility depending on brand. Larger stools than raw. | Varies. Premium dry dog food digestibility is good; cheaper brands can cause bulkier stools. |
| Dental Health | Raw meaty bones support dental health naturally (with supervision). | Limited dental benefits; soft texture doesn’t clean teeth. | May help somewhat with chewing, though not as effective as bones/chews. |
| Environmental Impact | Higher impact if meat-heavy. Locally sourced Irish raw suppliers can reduce footprint. | Packaging waste (cans, pouches). Heavy to transport. | Lowest transport/storage impact. Still meat-dependent but less packaging per meal. |
Are There Any Specific Raw Food Ingredients That Are Better for a Puppy?
To ensure your puppy gets the healthiest raw food diet that suits them, they may benefit from some ingredients more than others. For example, beef and chicken are common allergens in dogs, so are best avoided if your puppy displays signs of intolerance. Suitable hypoallergenic alternatives include raw turkey or venison.
Muscle meats provide amino acids, perfect for your rapidly growing pup. Organ meats such as liver and kidneys offer a great source of vitamins and minerals; at Fetch, we stock Raw Necessity, whose boxes contain a mix of 80% meat, 10% bone and 10% liver. Bone can be an excellent source of calcium, so look out for raw food that includes 10%. You can also provide raw bones for your puppy to chew on to improve dental health.
Raw Puppy Food at Fetch
At Fetch, we stock a wide range of raw dog food brands, with many tailored to a puppy’s dietary needs. From single protein sources to mixed meat boxed with bone and vegetables, choose your puppy’s new raw food diet with the help of our canine nutrition specialist. You can book your wellbeing consultation here.
Browse our raw puppy food collection to make the best choice for your puppy.