What Should I Feed My Dog? Natural Diets, Raw vs Cooked and How to Get It Right

By Dr Duncan Houston

Quick Answer

Dogs can be fed a natural diet using a mix of high-quality commercial food and fresh whole-food additions, as long as nutrition is balanced over time. Raw and cooked diets can both work, but safety, nutrient balance, and life stage are critical.

As a veterinarian, I focus on practical, balanced nutrition rather than extremes, because poorly balanced “natural” diets are one of the most common causes of preventable health problems in dogs.

Feeding your dog “naturally” sounds simple.

In reality, it is one of the most misunderstood parts of pet care. Between raw feeding, cooked meals, kibble debates, and online advice, it is easy to overcomplicate something that should be practical and sustainable.

The goal is not perfection. It is balance, consistency, and safety.

What Is a Natural Diet for Dogs?

A natural diet generally refers to:

• Whole or minimally processed ingredients

• Fresh meats, organs, vegetables, and fats

• Fewer artificial additives and fillers

But natural does not mean raw only.

Cooked diets can be just as effective and are often safer in many households.

The Most Important Principle: Balance Over Time

Dogs do not need every single meal to be perfectly balanced.

What matters is:

• Nutritional balance across days and weeks

• Consistent intake of essential nutrients

• Avoiding long-term deficiencies or excesses

This is where many home-prepared diets go wrong.

A diet can look healthy but still be nutritionally incomplete.

Cooked vs Raw Diets

Both approaches can work, but they come with different considerations.

Cooked Diets

Cooked diets are often the most practical option.

They:

• Reduce bacterial risk

• Are easier to digest for many dogs

• Are safer for households with children or vulnerable individuals

However, long-term feeding still requires proper nutrient balance.

Raw Diets

Raw feeding can be done well, but it must be approached carefully.

• Commercial raw diets are generally safer

• DIY raw diets carry higher risk if not properly formulated

• Bacterial contamination is a real concern

Raw feeding is not about throwing raw meat in a bowl. It requires structure and balance.

Feeding Puppies

Puppies have very little room for nutritional error.

They require precise, complete, and balanced nutrition to support growth, bone development, and organ function.

Puppies can be fed raw diets, but it is strongly recommended that these are commercial diets formulated to be complete and balanced for growth.

This is critical because:

• Incorrect calcium and phosphorus balance can affect bone development

• Nutrient deficiencies can impact growth and long-term health

• Excesses can be just as harmful as deficiencies

For this reason, feeding a properly balanced commercial diet is the safest approach during growth.

Supplements cannot fix an unbalanced base diet.

Feeding Pregnant and Lactating Dogs

Pregnant and lactating dogs also have increased nutritional demands and less tolerance for imbalance.

They require complete, balanced nutrition to support:

• Healthy foetal development

• Milk production

• Maternal health

Raw diets can be used, but ideally should be commercial diets formulated for reproduction or all life stages.

Balance is critical during this stage, particularly:

• Calcium and phosphorus ratios

• Energy intake

• Protein levels

Incorrect calcium balance can lead to serious problems, including issues with foetal development and complications during lactation.

Adding supplements without guidance can be harmful, as excess nutrients can cause just as many problems as deficiencies.

A Practical Natural Feeding Approach

For most adult dogs, a flexible approach works best.

A practical structure is:

• Majority of diet from a complete commercial food

• Fresh additions such as lean meats, eggs, fish, and vegetables

• Occasional treats without overcomplicating things

This allows:

• Nutritional stability

• Variety and enrichment

• Real-world flexibility

This approach is often called co-feeding.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many natural diets fail due to imbalance.

Watch for:

• Lack of calcium or incorrect ratios

• Missing essential nutrients such as zinc or vitamin E

• Excess liver or organ meats

• Too much fat leading to pancreatitis

• Poor omega-3 intake

Balance matters more than ingredients alone.

How to Tell If the Diet Is Working

Your dog will usually show you.

Good signs include:

• Consistent energy levels

• Healthy skin and coat

• Firm, well-formed stools

• Stable body condition

Signs something may need adjusting:

• Loose stool

• Dull coat

• Low energy

• Weight loss or gain

These are early indicators that the diet may not be properly balanced.

Treats and Real Life Feeding

Perfection is not required.

• Treats are part of normal feeding

• Variety is acceptable when balanced over time

• A practical approach is more sustainable than a strict one

The goal is consistency, not restriction.

When to Get Professional Advice

Consider guidance if:

• You are feeding a fully home-prepared diet

• Your dog has a medical condition

• You are unsure about nutrient balance

• You are feeding a puppy or pregnant dog

Nutrition is one of the most important long-term health decisions you make.

Final Thoughts

A natural diet can be excellent when done properly.

It is not about raw versus cooked or avoiding certain ingredients. It is about ensuring your dog receives safe, balanced nutrition over time.

Simple, consistent feeding will always outperform complicated, unbalanced approaches.

FAQs

Is it okay to mix kibble and fresh food?
Yes. Combining complete commercial food with fresh additions is a practical and effective approach.

Can puppies eat raw food?
Yes, but it should ideally be a commercial raw diet that is complete and balanced for growth, as nutritional precision is critical during development.

Can pregnant or lactating dogs eat raw food?
Yes, but it should ideally be a commercial diet formulated for reproduction or all life stages. Calcium and phosphorus balance is especially important during this stage.

What is better, cooked or raw?
Both can work, but cooked diets are generally safer for home feeding. Raw diets should be commercially prepared or professionally formulated.

If you are unsure whether your dog’s current diet is balanced, tracking meals, stool quality, and energy levels can help identify patterns early. The ASK A VET™ app can help you review your feeding approach and make adjustments where needed.