Raw Feeding Basics & Getting Started
Best Raw Dog Food in South Africa

Hi, I’m Nugget, chief taste tester and head of wagging tails at Raw Gold. I sniff, taste and approve every batch, and it’s what is in my bowl every day, so I can tell you why Raw Gold is the best. Free Range Chicken, Bushveld Harvest with beef and venison, Ocean Feast, and tasty venison treats are all in my report. If bacteria, allergies or picky eating worry you, you’re in the right place. Let’s dig in together.
What makes Raw Gold the best raw dog food South Africa offers?
Choose the best raw dog food South Africa offers, a premium raw dog food built on a species-appropriate diet. It uses real meat, raw bone, fruit and vegetables and is made from human-grade ingredients, following a grain-free raw diet. Made in South Africa from free-range meat and wild-caught game. Sold through local stockists, Raw Gold helps support local jobs.
What goes into Raw Gold’s complete and balanced raw meals?
Raw Gold’s complete minced meals give you a simple base for natural pet nutrition. You choose a protein your dog enjoys, then feed the ready-balanced meal as part of a species-appropriate diet.
Free Range Chicken Complete Minced Meal
Try the Free-Range Chicken Complete Minced Meal for everyday feeding. Formulated by a qualified animal nutritionist as a complete, balanced raw meal. Chicken is farm-sourced, certified free from routine antibiotics and growth stimulants, and includes an Act 36-approved vitamin and mineral premix. The recipe is 80% meat and bone, 20% fruit and vegetables, 0% grain and gluten to support muscles, bone health and steady energy.
Bushveld Harvest Complete Minced Meal with beef and venison
Try the Bushveld Harvest Complete Minced Meal, pairing wild-caught venison with free-range beef. It is 80% meat and bone, 20% fruit and vegetables, 0% grain and gluten. It is rich in natural branched-chain amino acids for endurance and recovery and includes Raw Gold’s vitamin and mineral premix. This premium raw dog food suits working, sporting and energetic dogs, offering a complete and balanced raw meal with free-range meat.
Ocean Feast Complete Minced Meal with Trout and Tuna
Try the Ocean Feast Complete Minced Meal, featuring sustainably sourced fresh fish. It is 80% meat and bone, 20% fruit and vegetables, 0% grain and gluten. It is rich in natural omega-3 fatty acids for skin, coat, and joint vitality and includes Raw Gold’s vitamin and mineral premix. This premium raw dog food suits dogs with protein sensitivities or inflammatory conditions, offering a complete and balanced raw meal with nutrient-dense fish.
Pure venison and other complementary options
Some dogs need extra support for allergies or food sensitivities. Raw Gold offers Pure Venison Muscle Meat, Venison Green Tripe and Wild-caught Sardines as complementary products. Venison is a novel protein, with fewer calories, less fat and more iron, and may reduce allergens and skin irritations. Use these with complete minced meals to build a natural pet nutrition plan, add omega-rich fish, raw bones or simpler ingredients for sensitive stomachs.
Why does a species-appropriate diet matter for your dog?
Raw Gold bases recipes on species-appropriate nutrition, using raw bones, meat and natural plant matter. Dogs share a similar digestive design with wolves, so they thrive on this approach rather than highly processed food. Complete and balanced raw meals can support skin and coat, dental health, energy, weight and overall resilience. Raw Gold also offers practical support, with FAQs, a How to Transition to Raw Feeding Safely guide and articles like The Best Dog Food for Seasonal Allergies.
How does Raw Gold support worried or first-time raw feeders?
Choosing the best raw dog food South Africa offers often starts with concerns: bacteria, safe handling, feeding puppies or living with fussy eaters. Raw Gold understands these worries and builds practical tools around its products.
What if I am worried about bacteria or food safety?
Raw feeding safety begins with clean ingredients and strict hygiene, utilising human-grade ingredients and blast-freezing each batch. See the FAQs for questions like “I’m worried about bacteria”, “Where do I store Raw Gold” and “How do I handle it safely”. Those answers cover thawing, fridge storage, and sensible handling, so frozen raw dog food fits safely into your routine.
Can puppies eat Raw Gold premium raw dog food?
Puppies can eat raw when fed complete, balanced meals and age-appropriate portions. Raw Gold answers, “At what age can I start feeding Raw Gold to my puppy?” and “Must I feed my puppy differently?” in the FAQs. Start with the Free-Range Chicken Complete Minced Meal as a gentle protein. Adjust portions with the Feeding Calculator and check out breed-specific FAQ entries for any special concerns.
What if my dog has allergies or a sensitive stomach?
Raw Gold’s mix of complete and complementary products suits dogs with allergies. Their guides show the value of single protein options, omega-rich ingredients and diets with no artificial colours or flavours. This makes building a grain-free raw diet simple, using clean proteins like free-range chicken, free-range beef, wild-caught venison, and fish. Start with Free Range Chicken Complete Minced Meal, then add Pure Venison Muscle Meat, venison treats, sardines or chicken hearts as needed.
How do I feed the right amount of frozen raw dog food?
Portion sizes can be stressful when you switch feeding styles. Use Raw Gold’s Feeding Calculator, enter weight, life stage and body condition to get daily grams of complete minced meal. Split that amount into two or more meals and adjust if your dog gains or loses weight. Start with Free Range Chicken or Bushveld Harvest, adding bones or treats only as occasional extras.
How does Raw Gold compare to other South African raw dog food brands?
When comparing South African raw dog food brands, Raw Gold stands apart for formulation, testing and ingredient sourcing.
Formulated by qualified animal nutritionists, complete minced meals that need no extra supplementation.
Human-grade ingredients, free-range meat or wild-caught game, clear meat-to-produce ratios and an approved vitamin and mineral premix.
Independent lab testing, rapid blast freezing for safety, plus a network of stockists, FAQs, blogs and feeding tools to support a species-appropriate diet.
How do I buy Raw Gold and start feeding one of the best raw dog foods in South Africa?
Raw Gold does not sell directly to the public; it focuses on manufacturing and quality control. Buy through trusted stockists nationwide; the Product page lists complete and balanced raw meals, complementary products, treats and raw bones. Use the Find a Stockist interactive map or the “How to Find a Raw Dog Food Supplier?” guide to pick a supplier and confirm what they stock. If unsure, contact Raw Gold or your local supplier for advice on the best raw dog food South Africa offers and delivery options.
Find A Stockist Near You and build your dog’s raw bowl
To feed your dog the best raw dog food South Africa offers, start with a simple plan. Choose a complete meal such as Free-Range Chicken Complete Minced Meal or Bushveld Harvest Complete Minced Meal with free-range beef and wild-caught venison. Use the Feeding Calculator to set daily portions and keep Pure Venison Muscle Meat, Pure Venison Green Tripe or Wild-caught Sardines for variety. Visit Find a Stockist Near You, pick a supplier and build a grain-free raw diet that fits your routine and budget.
FAQs
Is Raw Gold really among the best raw dog food South Africa offers?
Yes. Raw Gold uses human-grade, ethically sourced proteins, nutritionist-formulated recipes, vitamin and mineral premixes, and an 80/20 meat-to-produce ratio with no grain or gluten.
Is frozen raw dog food from Raw Gold safe for everyday feeding?
Yes. Raw Gold blast freezes products, maintains strict hygiene in its own facility and gives clear storage and handling guidance so you can feed frozen meals daily with confidence.
Can I use Raw Gold for dogs with allergies or skin issues?
Often, yes. The range includes single protein options, novel proteins like venison, and omega-rich complements such as sardines, all with no artificial colours or flavours to help reduce dietary triggers.
How do I start my puppy on Raw Gold?
Start with a complete, balanced meal in small, age-appropriate portions and use the Feeding Calculator to adjust as they grow. Check the FAQs for timing and consult your raw-feeding-supportive vet if the puppy has health concerns.
Where can I buy Raw Gold if I live outside a major city?
Use the Find a Stockist map to locate factory shops, pet stores and vet outlets nationwide; many stockists offer regular collections or local delivery so you can get Raw Gold even outside the big metros.
Can I mix different Raw Gold products in one feeding plan?
Yes, keep a complete minced meal as the base, then rotate proteins or add complementary items like Pure Venison, bones or sardines for variety, treating complements as extras rather than the full diet.
