Raw dog food diet for beginners:
How to start feeding raw –
Taco’s real journey
If you’re thinking about how to start raw feeding a dog, you’re probably overwhelmed by conflicting advice. We were too. In 2021, we brought Taco home and started him on half kibble, half raw. This site is everything we learned, what worked, what didn’t, and what we wish we knew on day one.
Raw fed German Shepherd since 2021
Dog owner, not a vet
Real results, honest mistake
No sponsored content, ever
Why I started raw feeding
How to start raw feeding a dog, what I learned the hard way with Taco
When we brought Taco home as an 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy in 2021, we split his meals from day one, half premium kibble, half raw meat. Not because we had a plan. Honestly, we just had a gut feeling that dogs should eat something closer to real food.
Like a lot of dog owners thinking about how to start raw feeding a dog, I started noticing things that didn’t sit right. Not dramatic symptoms, just a German Shepherd that seemed like he could be doing better.
“I’m not a vet, and I want to be clear about that. This site documents personal experience. Taco’s real raw feeding journey from 2021 to today. Nothing here is professional veterinary advice.”
What changed when Taco switched to raw
Before Raw (Kibble)
– Coat looked dull, shed heavily
– Loose stools most mornings
– Low energy after meals
– Gassy, often
– Not excited at mealtime
After raw (6 weeks in)
– Coat noticeably shinier
– Firm, small, less frequent stools
– Higher energy, no post-meal slump
– No more gas
– Super excited at every meal
Raw dog food daily portions by dog weight (2–3% body weight rule)
| Dog Weight | Daily Raw Food (2%) | Daily Raw Food (3%) | Meals Per Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 lbs | 0.4 lbs / 180g | 0.6 lbs / 270g | 2 |
| 40 lbs | 1.2 lbs / 540g | 1.8 lbs / 815g | 2 |
| Taco – 75lbs | 1.5 lbs / 680g | 2.25 lbs / 1kg | 2 |
| 90 lbs | 1.8 lbs / 815g | 2.7 lbs / 1.2 kg | 2 |
2021 – Taco arrives, half kibble/half raw from week one
8-week-old German Shepherd. We started cautiously at 50/50, half kibble, half raw. He took to it immediately.
Late 2021 – fully raw, no more kibble
Dropped kibble entirely around 6 months old. Taco’s coat visibly changed within 6 weeks. Digestion improved immediately.
2022–2025 – building the full raw feeding system
Four years of experimenting with freeze-dried, BARF ratios, supplements, and cost-cutting methods for a large breed dog. All documented here.
Taco
German Shepherd · Male
Raw Since
2021
Weight
~80 lbs
Started
50/50
Now on
Full BARF
Taco went from half-kibble puppy to fully raw within his first year. Everything on this site is from his actual experience.
Not vet advice. This is personal experience only. Always consult a veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet, especially for puppies, seniors, or dogs with health conditions.
Step by step
The raw dog food transition plan we used for Taco
The exact 28-day method worked for Tacos brother Tito. Go slower if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Days 1–7
25% raw
75% kibble. Let the gut adjust. Watch for loose stools or vomiting.
Days 8–14
50% raw
Equal split. This is where Taco started as a puppy. Most dogs are fine here.
Days 15–21
75% raw
Mostly raw. Keep one small kibble serving as a safety net.
Days 22–28
100% raw
Fully raw. Taco hit this point around 6 months old.
Taco’s note: We actually kept the 50/50 split for several months before going fully raw; there’s no rush. We were trying different meats and wanted to see how his body would react. All of our trials lasted for 14 days, and we had no issues. The 14-day plan works for most dogs, but trust your dog’s response over any schedule. And always check with your vet first. Also the kibble we were using was highly recommended to us by a veterinarian. It was grain-free, but we knew it contained ingredients we were trying to avoid.
Raw feeding 101
What is a raw dog food diet, BARF vs prey model explained
Two approaches, one goal. Here’s the honest difference, and why Taco is on BARF.
BARF DIET
BARF diet for dogs (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)
Meat, bone, organs, vegetables and supplements. More flexible, slightly more prep. Here is what Taco eats:
- Raw muscle meat (chicken, beef, lamb, pork)
- Raw meaty bones – never cooked
- Organ meat (liver, kidney, heart – 10% max)
- Vegetables and fruit (small amounts)
- Daily supplements
BARF DIET
Prey model raw diet – whole prey approach
Mimics whole-prey eating. No vegetables, no supplements. Stricter ratios. Often better for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs.
- 80% raw muscle meat
- 10% raw edible bone
- 5% liver
- 5% other secreting organs
- No vegetables, no grain
What Taco eats daily
Beef and pork shoulder as base, raw meaty bones 1x a week, beef liver, beef heart, or beef kidneys twice a week, vegetables, and supplements daily. Full breakdown: Taco’s raw feeding schedule for beginners →
Beginner guides
How to start raw feeding a dog for beginners, three guides to read first
The exact guides we wish existed when Taco was a puppy. Start with guide 01.
Guide 01
How to transition your dog from kibble to raw food
The 14-day method we used for Taco, from 50/50 to fully raw. What to watch for, when to slow down, and how to handle digestive upset.
Guide 02
Raw feeding schedule for dogs, beginners guide
What to feed, when to feed, and how to build a simple weekly raw feeding schedule. Taco’s actual schedule included as a free download.
Guide 03
How to raw feed a large dog on a budget
German Shepherds eat a lot. Here’s how we keep Taco’s raw food costs reasonable: bulk buying, local butchers, and the best value freeze-dried brands.
Taco’s picks
Best raw dog food for beginners, what Taco actually eats
Everything below is on Amazon. These are not random picks; they’re what Taco has eaten, tested over four years.
Tacos #1
365 by Whole Foods Market Ground Beef 90% Lean/10%
Hormone-free beef and very easy to make raw food for beginners. No prep. Real ingredients. Great for all breeds.
Buy 365 Ground Beef from Amazon
Budget Pick
365 By Whole Foods Market, Whole Chicken
Best affordable option for raw food for beginners. Works out cheaper per serving than the Ground Beef.
Buy 365 Whole Chicken from Amazon
Essential Tool
LEM Products BigBite #8 Meat Grinder
When you’re ready to make your own raw meals. Paid for itself within 2 months for Taco. It grinds through small chicken bones. Best there is.
Buy LEM Meat Grinder from Amazon
Beginner essential
Standard Process Catalyn – General Well-Being Tablet
Fills nutritional gaps in a beginner’s raw diet. We add this to Taco’s bowl 7x per week.
Buy Catalyn supplement from AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, Dog Tales Hub earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
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