Dog Food to Avoid: 10 Common Raw Dog Food Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Raw feeding has taken off across the UK in recent years, with more dog owners ditching kibble in favour of fresh, raw meals. When it’s done right, the results can be fantastic: shiny coats, clean teeth, and steady energy. But similar to any diet, there’s dog food to avoid, and mistakes to watch out for. Raw feeding isn’t just throwing mince into a bowl. To keep your dog safe and healthy, you need to get the balance right.

1. Feeding Only Meat

Many new raw feeders assume raw means “just meat.” But that’s only a part of the story.

Why it’s a problem:

A meat-only diet is missing calcium, key vitamins, and essential fatty acids. Over time, this can cause weak bones, poor coat condition, and health issues that shorten your dog’s life.

How to avoid it:

Follow a balanced ratio, often called BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) or the prey model:

• 70–80% muscle meat
• 10% raw bone
• 10% organ (half of which should be liver)
• Optional veg, fruit, or supplements depending on approach

Balance happens across the week, not in one meal.

2. Ignoring Bone Safety

Bones are central to raw feeding, but they’re also where owners worry most.

Why it’s a problem:

Cooked bones splinter dangerously. Weight-bearing bones from large animals (such as beef legs) can crack teeth. Bones that are too small risk being swallowed whole.

How to avoid it:

• Feed raw bones only.
• Match bone size to your dog (chicken wings for small breeds, lamb ribs or turkey necks for larger).
• Avoid heavy beef bones. They’re too dense.
• Supervise every chew session.

Pre-prepared meals with ground bone are a safe fallback.

3. Skipping Organs

Organs may look unappealing. Nevertheless, they are nutritional powerhouses.

Why it’s a problem:

Liver, kidney, and spleen deliver essential vitamins and minerals. Without them, your dog misses out on nutrients that kibble-fed dogs often get by default.

How to avoid it:

• Make organ meat about 10% of the diet.
• Introduce slowly to prevent upset stomachs.
• Rotate different organ types for variety.

If your dog refuses raw organ, lightly sear it or mix it with mince.

4. Overfeeding Fat

Cheaper cuts often mean fattier meat. However, too much fat can cause trouble.

Why it’s a problem:

Dogs that aren’t working or very active won’t burn off all those calories. Excess fat risks obesity, pancreatitis, and digestive upset. This makes fat a common dog food to avoid, particularly when it comes in excessive amounts.

How to avoid it:

• Pick leaner cuts and trim excess fat.
• Add lean proteins such as turkey, rabbit, or venison.
• Keep some fat for energy. However, ensure that it doesn’t dominate the diet.

5. Lack of Variety

Dogs need more than chicken day after day.

Why it’s a problem:

Sticking to one or two proteins risks deficiencies. For example, beef lacks omega-3s, which oily fish provide.

How to avoid it:

• Rotate proteins: chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, venison, and rabbit.
• Add oily fish such as sardines or sprats once or twice a week.
• Vary organ meats to widen the nutrient profile.

Plenty of raw dog food suppliers, such as our team at Northampton Raw Dog Food, offer mixed protein packs to make this easier.

6. Poor Hygiene

Raw meat in the kitchen demands good hygiene.

Why it’s a problem:

Raw food can carry bacteria such as Salmonella. While dogs usually cope, the risk to humans is real. Poor handling can contaminate fridges, worktops, and even the garden if bowls aren’t cleaned properly.

How to avoid it:

• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling.
• Clean food bowls and surfaces after every meal.
• Store food in sealed tubs, separate from your own shopping.
• Defrost meals in the fridge, not on the counter to avoid contamination.

DEFRA recommends standard food hygiene measures for handling raw pet food. Be sure to remember and implement them every feeding.

7. Guessing Portions

Some owners just “eyeball” meals.

Why it’s a problem:

Overfeeding leads to weight gain, while underfeeding leaves dogs undernourished. Both shorten lifespan and harm your dog’s quality of life.

How to avoid it:

• Use 2-3% of your dog’s body weight daily as a guide. Puppies need more, split into several feeds.
• Weigh food with kitchen scales until you’re confident.
• Adjust based on condition. Your dog’s ribs should be felt, not seen.

Regular weigh-ins at the vet or on home scales keep you on track. You may also use our calculator at Northampton Raw Dog Food to ensure correct portions depending on your dog’s age, weight, and activity levels.

8. Forgetting Supplements

A raw diet can cover most bases, but not all.

Why it’s a problem:

Some nutrients, such as omega-3s, iodine, and vitamin E, can be tricky to balance depending on meat choices.

How to avoid it:

• Feed oily fish like sardines or mackerel once or twice a week.
• Add kelp (sparingly) for iodine.
• Use wheatgerm oil or supplements for vitamin E.

If you’re unsure, a vet with nutrition training can advise on safe supplementation.

9. Switching Too Quickly

Dogs fed kibble for years may struggle with an overnight change.

Why it’s a problem:

Sudden shifts often cause diarrhoea or vomiting. Puppies and sensitive breeds are especially vulnerable.

How to avoid it:

• Transition gradually, over 7-10 days.
• Begin with a single protein, then add others once digestion is steady.
• Consider probiotics to support gut health during the switch.

Always remember: slow and steady works best.

10. Relying on Guesswork

Not every vet is enthusiastic about raw feeding. This can leave owners piecing together diets from social media groups, from dog food to avoid to other well-meaning but often unverified advice that doesn’t always meet a dog’s nutritional needs.

Why it’s a problem:

Unqualified advice risks nutritional gaps. Every dog is different, and what works for one won’t necessarily suit another.

How to avoid it:

• Find a vet or canine nutritionist open to raw feeding.
• Choose UK suppliers who follow FEDIAF (European Pet Food Federation) guidelines.
• Rely on evidence-based sources, not just Facebook posts.

Make Raw Feeding Work for You and Your Dog

When done properly, raw feeding can transform your dog’s health. But common mistakes, such as feeding only meat, skipping organs, neglecting variety, or mishandling bones, are easy to make if you don’t know the rules. The good news is that there’s now a wide choice of DEFRA-approved raw pet food companies and suppliers offering balanced meals. These take the guesswork out while letting your dog enjoy the benefits of a fresh, natural diet.

At Northampton Raw Dog Food, we’re a trusted family-run supplier of raw meals and natural treats, and we deliver across the UK. Whether you’re brand new to raw feeding or looking to fine-tune your dog’s diet, we’re here to help. If you’d like tips on getting started or advice on building a balanced routine, just reach out. We’re always happy to share our knowledge and support, and provide you with safe, nutritious, and high-quality raw food for your dog.