Raw Dog Food for Beginners: First Steps With Raw Gold Meals

Hi, I’m Nugget, chief taste tester and head of wagging tails at Raw Gold. I’m here to sniff out the facts for pet parents new to raw feeding. Change is nerve-racking, so here’s a short guide to starting raw feeding with Raw Gold: switching from kibble, or cooked food, portioning, storage, safety and starter meals. Speak to your raw-feeding-supportive vet and use Raw Gold’s feeding calculator to set portions.

Problems pet parents face

Many pet parents worry about balanced nutrition, bacterial safety, and whether a picky dog will accept new flavours. They also fret about time, cost and getting portions right. Below we answer these common concerns with simple, practical steps you can try at home, and remind you to speak to your vet if you’re unsure.

How to start raw feeding, step by step

Start calmly, with small changes that let you watch how your dog responds. The three steps below make the switch simple, keep meals complete, and help you adjust portions safely.

Start slow, use Raw Gold complete minced meals, they include a vitamin and mineral premix so you do not need extra supplements.

1. Mix small amounts into usual food and increase over several days, watch stool and appetite.
2. When switching from their current food, swap over 5–10 days, monitor energy, coat and digestion, and update portions with the feeding calculator.

Portion size basics and the Raw Gold feeding calculator

Weigh meals rather than eyeballing portions. Puppies and active dogs need regular checks and updates to portion sizes; use Raw Gold’s feeding calculator to set daily amounts by age, weight and activity and adjust during rapid growth phases or changes in workload.

Raw feeding safety and frozen storage tips

Handle raw food safely, defrost in the fridge, and keep surfaces clean. Store 1 kg frozen portions in the freezer and only thaw what you will use in a day or two; this keeps handling simple and portioning accurate. Raw Gold’s complete minced meals are sold in convenient frozen portions that thaw quickly for daily feeding.

Simple raw meal plan for beginners

These simple plans give a gentle transition and clear portioning for beginners. Use the feeding calculator to set exact grams and try one complete meal at a time if your dog is sensitive. Here is a starter plan over one week:

Day 1–2: 25% Raw Gold, 75% previous food

Day 3–5: 50% Raw Gold, 50% previous food

Day 6–7: 75% Raw Gold, 25% previous food

After week one, most dogs will happily eat mostly Raw Gold meals; use the feeding calculator to set exact grams. If you have a sensitive dog, try one complete meal at a time to identify triggers before rotating meals.

How Raw Gold helps

Raw Gold lists clear, named proteins and ready-formulated complete meals such as Free-Range Chicken Bushveld Harvest, and Ocean Feast, plus complementary meals such as pure Venison Muscle Meat, pure Venison Green Tripe, and Wild-caught Sardines for variety and specific needs.

The complete minced meals include a vitamin and mineral premix, so you do not have to piece together supplements, and the site highlights growth-stimulant-free, antibiotic-free, preservative-free, flavourant-free, and other quality markers.

Find a Raw Gold stockist near you

If you’re ready to try raw dog food for beginners with practical, complete meals, find the right Raw Gold product for your dog and check portions with the feeding calculator. Visit Raw Gold’s product pages to read ingredient details for Free Range Chicken, Free Range Beef, Venison, or sustainably sourced fish options, and use local stockists to buy frozen packs. For personalised portioning, use the feeding calculator on the Raw Gold site and speak to your raw-feeding-supportive vet if your dog has special needs.

Find a Raw Gold stockist near you and give your dog a simple, balanced start to raw feeding.

FAQs

What is the easiest way to start raw dog food for beginners?

Start slowly, mixing small amounts of a complete Raw Gold minced meal into your dog’s usual food, then increase over several days while you watch stool and appetite; use the feeding calculator to set daily amounts.

Are Raw Gold meals nutritionally complete?

Yes, several Raw Gold recipes include a vitamin and mineral premix and are formulated to meet regulatory standards, so they are presented as complete meals for everyday feeding.

How do I portion for puppies and growing dogs?

Weigh food rather than eyeballing; update portions every few weeks during growth and use Raw Gold’s feeding calculator to adjust for age, weight and activity.

Is handling raw food safe at home?

Yes, with sensible hygiene. Defrost in the fridge, keep surfaces clean, portion on a dedicated chopping board and wash hands and utensils after handling.

What products should beginners try first?

Try the complete minced meals such as Free-Range Chicken or Bushveld Harvest, or Ocean Feast. If you need an elimination or sensitive dog plan, then rotate once the transition is stable.

Where can I buy Raw Gold in South Africa?

Use the Find a Stockist tool on the Raw Gold website to locate local retailers and order frozen packs near you.