Weaning Puppies Onto a Raw Diet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Weaning puppies onto solid food is an exciting milestone, and a well-planned raw diet can provide the nutrition your puppies need to grow strong, healthy, and resilient. At Raw Essentials, we’ve been guiding New Zealand pet owners through raw feeding for over 18 years, and our team of trained pet nutrition specialists—along with our in-house vet—can help you create tailored feeding plans for every litter.

When to Start Solid Food

Puppies can start exploring solid food from around 3 to 4 weeks of age, depending on how well Mum is coping and the size of the litter. Early attempts can be messy, but puppies quickly learn to eat more cleanly over a few days.

• Keep Mum separated from the pups while they eat, then allow her to join afterward for milk top-ups and to clean the pups.

• Wipe and dry puppies after meals to keep them warm and comfortable.

Starting solid food gradually ensures the puppies transition smoothly without digestive upset.

How to Introduce Raw Food

We recommend beginning with Raw Essentials Lamb Mix, a gentle minced mix ideal for young puppies. Here’s our suggested approach:

1. Defrost and chill the food in the fridge.

2. Allow the food to reach room temperature before serving.

3. Use 1–2 shallow plates or bowls depending on litter size.

4. Start with one meal per day for 2–3 days, then gradually increase to two, three, and eventually four meals daily for small breeds.

Puppies will gradually reduce milk intake from Mum as they increase their solid food consumption.

How Much to Feed

Puppies’ appetites vary by breed. A good guideline is to provide around 5% of body weight daily once they are having 3–4 meals per day, but never more than 10%. Monitor growth to ensure puppies are developing evenly without becoming overweight.

Regular check-ins with our Raw Essentials nutrition specialists can help tailor portions as puppies grow.

Monitoring Your Puppies

It’s important to monitor all puppies to ensure they are eating and thriving. Use multiple plates if necessary to prevent more assertive puppies from dominating the food. Watch for any signs of digestive upset, including:

• Bloating

• Irregular stools

• Discomfort or reduced appetite

Early detection ensures prompt adjustments for optimal health.

Introducing Bones and Prey Variety

Once puppies are comfortable eating solid food 3–4 times per day, soft raw meaty bones can be introduced. Chewing on bones helps with teething, encourages natural chewing behaviors, and supports jaw and dental development. Suitable options include:

• Chicken necks, duck wings, and chicken frames

• Veal brisket or lamb brisket

Incorporating green tripe at this stage helps with digestion of the bone, making up about a quarter of each meal once puppies are established on raw feeding.

After 1–2 weeks on Raw Essentials Lamb Mix, gradually introduce a variety of minced prey mixes to provide essential nutrients and promote a balanced gut microbiome. By 8 weeks, puppies should be enjoying multiple prey sources along with soft bones. Monitor for signs of constipation or discomfort and adjust the diet as needed.

The Benefits of Weaning Puppies onto Raw

Research and expert veterinary guidance support raw feeding for puppies as a biologically appropriate, nutrient-rich approach. Benefits include:

• Optimal growth and muscle development from high-quality, easily digestible protein (Case et al., 2011).

• Stronger immune systems supported by natural, minimally processed ingredients rich in vitamins and minerals (Freeman et al., 2013).

• Better digestive health through natural enzymes and probiotics in foods like tripe, supporting the transition from milk to solid food (Brady et al., 2015).

• Improved dental and jaw development from safe, soft bones (Laflamme, 2010).

Raw Essentials’ vertically integrated approach ensures 100% pure, traceable NZ ingredients, and our in-house vet works alongside your pet’s existing vet to tailor feeding plans for each puppy.

Expert Support Every Step of the Way

We understand that weaning can be challenging, especially for first-time puppy parents. Our trained nutrition specialists and in-house vet are available both in-store and online to provide guidance and reassurance. We maintain customer records across our 17 stores nationwide, ensuring your puppies’ nutrition is carefully monitored and adjusted as they grow.

By following Raw Essentials’ evidence-based raw feeding principles, you can give your puppies the best start in life, supporting healthy growth, digestive wellness, and lifelong vitality.

References

Brady, F., et al. (2015). Probiotic supplementation and gastrointestinal health in puppies. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 29(3), 768–775.

Case, L. P., et al. (2011). Canine and Feline Nutrition: A Resource for Companion Animal Professionals. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Freeman, L. M., et al. (2013). Nutritional management of puppies and kittens: growth, development, and immunology. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 43(2), 319–334.

Laflamme, D. P. (2010). Nutrition for growing dogs and dental health considerations. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 40(6), 1111–1125.