Once you learn how to create your dog’s raw bowl, it’s normal to rush out and grab the ingredients and want to start immediately. While transitioning can be simple for some dogs, others require a transition period while weaning from their traditional food. 

Once a dog parent has decided to switch to fresh feeding, there is an urgency to make the transition. However, it is essential to do some research first. The following questions should be addressed:

How did your dog’s body react when you transitioned from one food to another? Did she have diarrhea for the first week? 

What information can you obtain from your dog’s poop?

How are you going to incorporate variety into the bowl every several weeks?

Are there any whole food items your dog particularly enjoys?

Does your dog have any conditions limiting what she’s allowed to eat?

Taking the time to answer the questions above will better prepare you for the journey to fresh feeding. It’s not that it’s overly complicated. Like any other adventure, you just want to ensure you’re prepared and understand your dog’s health. 

As a dog transitions to fresh feeding, she will undergo many physical and physiological changes. Keeping a journal throughout the process to note observations is helpful. Details to include are:

Consistency - used to determine the percentage of raw maty bones to be used.

Color - reflects the foods recently eaten

Odor - usually decreases with the raw diet.

Volume - usually decreases with the raw diet.

You should also note the recipes used and the food source. Proteins and other components should be varied every two to three weeks to prevent food intolerances and provide the dog with a complete amino acid profile over time. 

The Feed Resl calculator is the most accessible dog food calculator in the world! Use it to create your dog’s nutritionally balanced meals. 

The calculator is compatible with any commonly used fresh feeding models: Prey Model Raw (PMR), Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF), and the Real Ancestral 6X DietTM. 

The calculations are based on your dog’s age, weight, and activity level. The calculator provides a starting point for your dog’s meals that are then tailored to your dog as needed.

Understand How to Balance Raw, Meaty Bones

First, you should know that different meat cuts have varying bone percentages . You can determine how much bone is in the meat cut or use the calculator to vary the type or amount of bone you feed. 

All bones, even raw bones , can splinter. However, the way the bones splinter differs. RMBs have connective tissue and meat lining the outside of the bone that covers the sharp edges and aids in the digestion of the bones.

The potential of harming the mouth or teeth does exist, especially if you give your dog the wrong bone. As your dog ages, you must change the size and type of bone. Do not provide recreational bones to dogs who have had dental work done.

You should also pay attention to your dog’s poop. To determine if you are providing the correct balance of bone in your dog’s bowl. If your dog’s poop looks chalky or dry, reduce the bone content in its bowl. Conversely, if the stools are loose, you can add more bone to your dog’s meals. 

You are feeding the dog in front of you. The entire transition can be a trial-and-error process. It takes time to configure the correct ratios of nutrients for your dog. And these ratios will continually change over your dog’s life span.

Start with Simpler Foods and Work Your Way to the Exciting Ones

Too many abrupt changes in the diet can lead to digestive tract problems, especially acute diarrhea. When noting the observation in the journal, detail the foods fed within 24-48 hours of the GI upset. Avoid any foods that appear to cause diarrhea until the issue is resolved.

Although the thought may be to try new and exciting meats, starting with proteins the dog has previously encountered is best. When introducing new proteins, duck meat, for example, begins with a small piece to see how your dog reacts. If, after a few days, your dog seems to be handling it well, it can be incorporated into their raw food bowl recipes.

Organs are classified into two categories: muscle meat organs and secreting organs. The heart, gizzards, lungs, and green tripe are muscle meat, while the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and spleen are secreting organs. The meat organs are used in the muscle meat portion of your dog’s meals.

The requirement for liver and other secreting organs is 5% of each. To facilitate meal prep, there are a couple of processing tips. When you purchase a large amount of liver or other secreting organs, freeze the entire package. When preparing for food prep, cut the organs when they are partially frozen. Cut it into the portion sizes needed for your dog’s meals and refreeze in molds, ice cube trays, or wrapped in parchment paper to make future prep much more manageable!

Some dogs may refuse to eat raw organs due to the string odors and different textures. Tips to encourage your dog to eat organs include offering the organs still slightly frozen, lightly seared, or air-dried and sprinkled over the meal. 

Over-Supplementation is Another Common Mistake

Dog parents will be led to believe that their dogs are not getting a complete nutrition profile when fed a raw diet, so that they will buy numerous supplements based on social media posts. If you're offering variety, your dog should get the nutrients needed. If a deficiency is detected, it is best to find the nutrient in whole food sources rather than store-bought supplements.

The problem with supplements is the reduction of bioavailability. Synthetic supplements are not biologically the same as natural vitamins and minerals. Overdosage of synthetic supplements can lead to vitamin or mineral toxicities. 

Performing a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) test and gut microbiome analysis will provide a complete profile of the dog’s vitamin and mineral levels. Test reports offer guidelines for the dog parent to create their dogs’ individualized meals. meals 

Don't Overcomplicate Raw Feeding in Your Mind

Some dog lovers give up on raw feeding because they have overcomplicated the process. It doesn’t have to be frustrating or stressful. Putting your dog’s raw bowl together should be fun. You don’t have to get the ingredients right to the decimal point. Don't stress a slight discrepancy in the amounts of each component you have available. If the recipe calls for 0.89 ounces of raw liver and you’re at 0.78, there will not be a problem! 

Also, although you need variety in the bowl, you don’t necessarily need everything acceptable on the raw feeding list incorporated into their diet. Pick and choose what you want to feed based on what is accessible and affordable. 

If you have a dog that refuses to eat fiber, try offering it in a different form. Dogs that refuse vegetables may eagerly eat furred items. Vegetables must be processed to be bioavailable to dogs. Blending steamed and pureed vegetables in bone broth may make them palatable.

Don’t forget to make a shopping list each time you grab ingredients for your dog’s raw bowl. 

If you don’t plan your dog’s food bowl appropriately, you may purchase too much of one component and not enough of another. Or, you could run out of space and become overwhelmed quickly.

A great option for meal components is treats and chews for Real Dog Box (RDB). The monthly RDB subscription box contains a pack of seafood, secreting organs, muscle meat, and three levels of chews: light, medium, and heavy. The chews can be used for the raw meaty bone component. A 50/50 ground organ blend is also available for the liver and other secreting organ requirement. 

Get Help From Real Dog Box and the Feed Real Institute

If you’re feeling even slightly overwhelmed with the raw feeding process, schedule a nutrition consultation to help you get started. You’ll quickly see that it’s much easier to transition to a raw diet than your mind has made it out to be. Of course, if you research raw feeding, you may find raw feeders making it seem a bit complicated, but if you reach out to a nutritionist, you can see from a different perspective. 

Attending a virtual DIY Dog Food Basics workshop can give you hands-on instruction to boost your confidence. The hands-on interactive workshop is intentionally limited to 8 - 10 seats, allowing for individualized mentoring and sharing among the participants. You can ask questions specific to you and your dog. 

Before the workshop, you are expected to go out and shop for fresh food components to prepare seven days of meals for your dog. During the workshop, topics covered include your dog’s nutritional requirements, addressing common concerns about raw feeding and bacteria, and successfully transitioning your dog to DIY-prepared raw food. 

Do not be afraid to prepare your dog’s meals. Including the six essential components detailed on the Feed Real calculator and providing variety will provide a nutritionally balanced meal over time. 

Prepare for meals before starting the food prep. Make a shopping list based on the Feed Real calculator to source the correct amount of each component. 

You can use Real Dog Box products in your dog’s meals if sourcing is an issue or if you find a shortage of components during prep.

Brady, C. (2020). Feeding dogs dry or raw? The science behind the debate. Farrow Road Publishing. 

Recommending raw bones in the veterinary practice | IVC Journal 

Habib, Rodney; Becker, Karen Shaw. (2021). The Forever Dog. HarperCollins. Kindle Edition. 

Articles from future units will be accessible once you have completed that unit.

Unit 6 - Testing Your Raw-Fed Dog's Health 

Once you’ve learned how to build your dog’s raw bowl, it’s completely natural to feel eager and want to start feeding fresh food right away. While some dogs adapt easily to the switch, others may require a more gradual transition to adjust from traditional kibble or canned diets. That’s why it’s essential to take a moment to plan before diving in.

Before making the switch, consider how your dog has responded to food changes in the past. Did she experience diarrhea or digestive upset? Paying attention to stool quality—such as consistency, color, frequency, and odor—can provide insight into how well she’s adjusting to her new diet. Consider the whole food items your dog enjoys and whether any health conditions might limit her options. You’ll also want to map out where to source your ingredients and how you’ll rotate proteins and other components every few weeks to promote nutritional balance and reduce the risk of food sensitivities.

Taking the time to answer the questions above will better prepare you for the journey to fresh feeding. It’s not that it’s overly complicated. Like any other adventure, you want to ensure you’re prepared and understand your dog’s health. 

Keeping a journal during the transition can be a valuable tool. Track changes in your dog’s appetite, energy levels, preferences, and any adverse reactions. Make note of the specific meals and sources of ingredients you’re using, along with how your dog’s stools evolve. For example, raw-fed dogs often produce smaller, less smelly stools. Recording this information will help you fine-tune the raw feeding process and ensure your dog thrives on her new diet.

You should also note the recipes used and the food source. Proteins and other components should be varied every two to three weeks to prevent food intolerances and provide the dog with a complete amino acid profile over time.&nbsp;

The Feed Resl calculator is the most accessible dog food calculator available! Use it to create your dog’s nutritionally balanced meals.&nbsp;

The Feed Real calculator is compatible with all major fresh feeding styles, including Prey Model Raw (PMR), Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF), and the Real Ancestral 6X Diet™. The calculations are based on your dog's age, weight, and level of activity. The calculator provides a starting point for your dog's meals, which are then tailored to your dog's needs as required.

You can use the Feed Real calculator even if you plan to feed your dog gently cooked meals. Follow the raw food recommendations provided by the calculator, then cook the ingredients as desired, except for raw meaty bones, which should never be cooked, as cooking alters the matrix, making it less digestible and more likely to splinter.

When feeding a raw diet, it’s essential to understand that different cuts of meat contain various amounts of bone. The Feed Real calculator has a comprehensive list of commonly fed edible bones, including the percentage of bone in each type. For example, a chicken neck consists of approximately 30% bone and 70% muscle meat, tendons, and other tissues.

While raw bones are generally safer than cooked bones, all bones can splinter. The difference is that raw meaty bones (RMBs) are surrounded by connective tissue and muscle, which helps cushion sharp edges and supports digestion. Still, bones can cause mouth injuries or damage teeth, especially if the wrong type is given. As your dog ages, it’s essential to adjust the size and hardness of the bones you offer. Avoid giving recreational bones to dogs who have had dental procedures or weakened teeth.

Your dog’s stool is a helpful indicator of whether you’re feeding the right amount of bone. If the poop is chalky or dry, it likely means you’re feeding too much bone; reduce the amount of bone. If the poop is soft or loose, try adding a bit more bone.

Feeding raw is about observing and adjusting for the individual dog in front of you. Finding the right balance takes time and may require trial and error. Your dog’s nutritional needs will also shift with age, so stay flexible and continue to assess and refine their diet over time.

Excessive changes in diet can lead to digestive tract problems, particularly acute diarrhea. When noting the observation in the journal, detail the foods fed within 24-48 hours of the GI upset. Avoid any foods that appear to cause diarrhea until the issue is resolved.

Although the thought may be to try new and exciting meats, it is best to start with proteins the dog has previously encountered. When introducing new proteins, such as duck meat, start with a small piece to observe how your dog reacts. If, after a few days, your dog seems to be handling it well, it can be incorporated into their raw food bowl recipes.

Some dogs may refuse to eat raw organs due to the strong odors and different textures. Tips to encourage your dog to eat organs include offering the organs still slightly frozen, lightly seared, or air-dried and sprinkled over the meal.&nbsp;

Dog parents may be led to believe that their dogs are not receiving a complete nutrition profile when fed a raw diet, to encourage them to purchase numerous supplements based on social media posts. If you're offering variety, your dog should receive the necessary nutrients to maintain a balanced diet. If a deficiency is detected, it is best to find the nutrient in whole food sources rather than store-bought supplements.

The problem with supplements is the difference in bioavailability. Synthetic supplements are not biologically the same as natural vitamins and minerals. Overdosing on synthetic supplements can lead to vitamin or mineral toxicity.&nbsp;

Performing a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) test and gut microbiome analysis will provide a complete profile of the dog’s vitamin and mineral levels. Test reports offer guidelines for dog parents to create their dogs’ individualized meals. meals&nbsp;

Some dog lovers give up on raw feeding because they have overcomplicated the process. It doesn't have to be frustrating or stressful. Assembling your dog's raw food bowl should be a fun experience. You don't have to get the ingredients right to the decimal point. Don't stress a slight discrepancy in the amounts of each component you have available. If the recipe calls for 0.89 ounces of raw liver and you're at 0.78, there won't be a problem.&nbsp;

Additionally, although variety is essential in the bowl, you don’t necessarily need to incorporate everything acceptable on the raw feeding list into their diet. Pick and choose what you want to feed based on what is accessible and affordable.&nbsp;

If your dog refuses to eat fiber, try offering it in a different form. Dogs that refuse vegetables may eagerly eat furry items. Vegetables must be processed to be bioavailable to dogs. Blending steamed and pureed vegetables in bone broth may make them palatable.

Don’t forget to make a shopping list each time you grab ingredients for your dog’s raw bowl.&nbsp;

A great option for meal components is treats and chews for <a href="http://real.dog">Real Dog Box</a> (RDB). The monthly RDB subscription box contains a pack of seafood, secreting organs, muscle meat, and three levels of chews: light, medium, and heavy. The chews can be used for the raw meaty bone component. A 50/50 ground organ blend is also available to meet the requirements of the liver and other secreting organs.&nbsp;

If you’re feeling even slightly overwhelmed with the raw feeding process, schedule a nutrition consultation to help you get started. You’ll quickly see that it’s much easier to transition to a raw diet than your mind has made it out to be. Of course, if you research raw feeding, you may find raw feeders making it seem a bit complicated; however, if you reach out to a nutritionist, you can gain a different perspective.&nbsp;

Attending a virtual DIY Dog Food Basics workshop can give you hands-on instruction to boost your confidence. The hands-on, interactive workshop is intentionally limited to 8-10 seats, allowing for individualized mentoring and sharing among participants. You can ask questions specific to you and your dog.&nbsp;

Before the workshop, you are expected to go shopping for fresh food components to prepare seven days' worth of meals for your dog. During the workshop, topics covered include your dog's nutritional requirements, addressing common concerns about raw feeding and bacteria, and successfully transitioning your dog to a DIY-prepared raw food diet.&nbsp;

Switching your dog to a raw food diet is a powerful way to support long-term health and vitality, but, like any significant lifestyle change, it requires planning, observation, and a bit of patience. While it’s tempting to dive in right away, taking time to learn about your dog’s individual needs, adjusting slowly, and using tools like the Feed Real calculator will set you up for success. Keep a journal, pay attention to poop, and focus on sourcing high-quality, species-appropriate ingredients—like raw meaty bones, seafood, organs, and fiber—to ensure your dog gets everything they need to thrive.

Remember, raw feeding doesn’t have to be perfect or overwhelming. Variety over time, not precision in every bowl, is the key. Use the support available, from Real Dog Box’s convenient chews and organ blends to nutrition consultations and DIY workshops through the Feed Real Institute. With the right mindset and preparation, feeding your dog real food becomes an enjoyable, rewarding routine that strengthens your bond and supports their lifelong well-being.

Unit 6 - <a href="https://feedreal.com/articles/testing-your-rawfed-dogs-health">Testing Your Raw-Fed Dog's Health</a> 

Feed Raw with Confidence: Troubleshooting Tips

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