Raw Feeding Basics & Getting Started
Raw Dog Food Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeding Raw Gold

Hi, I’m Nugget, Raw Gold’s resident taste tester and head of wagging tails. Ready for a simple, honest take on the raw dog food diet? I’m here to talk all about it in a way even a distracted tail-wagger can follow. Let’s dig in.
Why switch to raw dog food
Many owners move to raw when they want real ingredients they can see in the bowl. A fresh, species appropriate diet uses named meats, organs and bone, not vague by products, so you know what your dog is eating at every meal.
This brings them back to their natural instincts and way of eating, very often leading to a happier and healthier dog.
Benefits of feeding raw
A well balanced raw dog food diet supports steady energy, good digestion and a healthy coat. Fresh meat and organ ingredients provide natural amino acids and fats for muscle tone and skin health. Many dogs on raw produce smaller, firmer stools, which is a sign of better nutrient absorption.
Because raw diets are built around animal proteins, they often suit dogs that struggle on highly processed foods. Owners frequently report calmer behaviour, less gas and a more consistent appetite. When you use complete raw meals from brands like Raw Gold, you also get a controlled calcium and phosphorus balance to support bones and joints.
Getting Started with Raw Feeding
Raw feeding can feel like a big step, but a raw dog food diet is simply feeding complete raw dog food, species appropriate meals made from whole ingredients, with clear labels and balanced raw nutrition.
Raw Gold offers ready-formulated options such as Free-Range Chicken, Bushveld Harvest, a beef and venison mix, and Ocean Feast each including a vitamin and mineral premix, so meals are complete for everyday feeding. If you worry about allergies, picky eaters, or safe handling, the site answers common concerns and provides practical tools like a feeding calculator to set portions for your dog.
Practical steps to start a raw dog food diet
When you’re ready to try raw, small changes work best. Use the short checklist below to introduce new proteins slowly, get portion sizes right, and spot any sensitivities without stress.
Start slow, introduce one new protein at a time, and weigh portions for accurate feeding.
- Use the brand’s feeding calculator to set the right daily amount for your dog’s age, size and life stage, then adjust for activity and preference.
- If allergies are a concern, try novel protein meals or pure muscle meats to identify triggers.
- Raw Gold provides product variety, including poultry, beef and venison mixes, and fish options, so you can rotate proteins while keeping feeding simple.
How Raw Gold helps
Raw Gold offers complete raw dog food options that are formulated by leading animal nutritionists; for example, the Free Range Chicken Complete Minced Meal contains 100% free-range chicken, Bushveld Harvest Complete Minced Meal is a free-range beef and venison mix designed for active dogs, and Ocean Feast Complete Minced Meal contains responsibly-sourced trout and tuna.All Raw Gold’s complete minced meals are formulated with 80% meat with bone, 20% seasonal vegetables and fruit, and a vitamin and mineral premix approved under regulatory standards.
The website also highlights product qualities pet parents care about, such as growth stimulant-free and routine antibiotic-free ingredients, preservative-free recipes, and no added grains, colourants or flavourings. These products and labelling details are published on Raw Gold’s site.
Products from the range
Raw Gold’s meals are formulated by animal nutritionists and include a clear ingredient list plus a vitamin and mineral premix. Choose from free range poultry, free-range beef and venison mixes, and sustainably sourced fish to rotate proteins, manage sensitivities, or feed every day.
Free Range Chicken, a complete minced meal, formulated by a qualified animal nutritionist, with an approved vitamin and mineral supplement.
Bushveld Harvest, a free-range beef and venison complete minced meal, with 80% venison and beef with bone, plus vegetables and fruit, for endurance and strength.
Ocean Feast, a nutrient-packed complete minced meal, rich in natural omega-3s to support a radiant coat, healthy skin, and supple joints, made from sustainably sourced fresh fish, and seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables.
Handling and practical tips
Keep all raw meals refrigerated or frozen until use, defrost safely in the fridge, serve on clean surfaces, and wash hands and bowls afterwards. If you are unsure about portion size, the feeding calculator on the Raw Gold site gives a simple starting point to avoid over or under feeding.
Find a Raw Gold stockist near you
If you want to try a balanced raw dog food diet for your dog, find a Raw Gold stockist near you and try the feeding calculator for exact portion guidance. Raw Gold lists its bestselling complete meals and provides resources and FAQs to help you transition safely and simply, whether you want a grain free raw diet, species appropriate diet options, or balanced raw nutrition with free range meat and sustainably sourced fresh fish. Find a Raw Gold stockist near you and learn more about our raw meals.
FAQs
What is a raw dog food diet and is it complete?
A raw dog food diet means feeding raw, whole ingredient meals formulated for dogs. Raw Gold offers complete raw dog food formulations that include fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, and a vitamin and mineral premix, so each meal is intended to be balanced for daily feeding.
Are Raw Gold meals made with free range meat?
Yes, Raw Gold highlights free-range chicken, ethically raised free-range beef, and venison among its ingredient descriptions and lists wild-caught sardines as a fish option.
How do I switch my dog onto a raw dog food diet?
Introduce one product at a time, start with small amounts mixed into current food or offered alone for short trials, and use the feeding calculator on Raw Gold’s site to set portion sizes for your dog’s weight and life stage.
Is Raw Gold suitable for dogs with allergies or picky eaters?
Raw Gold offers novel protein options for dogs with sensitivities; many owners on the site report success with rotation and novel protein meals.
Where can I buy Raw Gold in South Africa?
Use the Find a Stockist page on Raw Gold’s site to locate local retailers or stockists near you; the brand also links to product pages and a feeding calculator for extra help.
Will switching to a raw dog food diet improve my dog’s coat or digestion?
Raw Gold shares owner testimonials that describe shinier coats and improved digestion after switching; these are owner reports rather than guaranteed outcomes, but they are common experiences described on the site.
