Raw dog food

Which Petzyo raw recipe is best for my dog?

The best Petzyo raw recipe depends on your dog's primary need: choose Got Beef for active dogs and recovery, Roo's Clues for sensitivities and weight management, and Chick Magnet for sensitive tummies and everyday feeding. All three are complete and balanced for all life stages, so there is no wrong choice, just a best fit. Compare the three recipes below.

What is a raw (BARF) diet for dogs?

A raw, or BARF, diet feeds dogs fresh uncooked meat, organs, edible bone, and plant ingredients instead of cooked kibble. The raw food movement for dogs began in the 1980s, led by Australian veterinarian Dr. Ian Billinghurst, who created the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet to mimic the natural diet of a dog's wild ancestors: raw meat, bone, offal, and some fruit and vegetables. Modern BARF dog food follows the same template.

A related approach, the Raw Meat-Based Diet (RMBD) or Prey Model, uses only animal ingredients and excludes grains, fruit, and vegetables. Petzyo follows the BARF model, pairing Australian meat with vegetables, fruit, and superfoods for a fuller nutrient profile.

The benefits of raw feeding

Owners who switch to a quality raw diet often report visible changes. The evidence on raw feeding is still developing, so we describe these as support, not cures, and we always suggest checking with your vet:

• Supports skin and coat: omega-rich ingredients like salmon and canola oil may help maintain a glossier coat and healthier skin.
• Supports dental health: chewing and ingredients such as kelp can help reduce plaque and freshen breath as part of a wider dental-care routine.
• Supports digestion: many dogs digest a balanced raw diet well; owners often report better digestion and smaller, firmer stools.
• Supports energy and condition: owners frequently report steadier energy once a dog settles onto raw.
• Supports healthy weight: a leaner recipe like Roo's Clues can help manage weight when portioned correctly.

These are general benefits reported with raw feeding and depend on the individual dog. They are not a substitute for veterinary advice.

What's in a complete and balanced raw diet?

A complete and balanced raw diet is more than a slab of steak or a single bone. It combines the right ratio of:

• Muscle meat: forms the bulk of each recipe and provides high-quality protein.
• Organs: liver, kidney, and heart, which deliver concentrated vitamins A, D, E, and the B group.
• Edible raw bone: supplies natural calcium and phosphorus (raw and ground, never cooked).
• Vegetables and fruit: dog-safe options like sweet potato, leafy greens, and berries that provide fibre, antioxidants, and vitamins.
• Superfoods and supplements: ingredients such as salmon, eggs, kelp, turmeric, and chia seeds that complete the nutrient profile.

The BARF model uses roughly 70% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, 10% organs (at least half liver), and 10% fruit, vegetables, or suitable dairy. That ratio keeps a raw diet balanced, so Petzyo recipes are pre-formulated for you.

Is raw feeding safe? Handling and storage

Raw feeding carries food-safety responsibilities that cooked food does not, so handle it like the raw meat it is. The main points:

• Manage bacteria: raw meat can carry Salmonella or E. coli. Keep recipes frozen until use, thaw in the fridge rather than on the bench, wash hands and surfaces after handling, and do not leave food out.
• Keep the diet balanced: an unbalanced homemade raw diet can cause nutrient deficiencies over time. Petzyo recipes are pre-formulated to a complete and balanced profile, which removes the guesswork.
• Feed bones safely: feed only raw, ground edible bone as included in our patties, and never cooked bones, which can splinter.
• Reduce parasite risk: responsible sourcing and freezing lower the risk. Petzyo uses human-grade Australian meat and freezes every patty.
• Check with your vet first: puppies, seniors, pregnant dogs, and dogs with health conditions or compromised immunity should start raw only after talking with your vet.

Choosing a pre-made, professionally formulated raw diet like Petzyo is one way to keep the benefits of raw while managing the balance and food-safety risks of a DIY approach.

How to transition your dog to raw

Transition your dog to raw gradually; the gut needs time to adjust. Start by mixing a small amount of raw with the current food, then increase the raw portion over one to two weeks while reducing the old food. Watch your dog's stools and energy as you go, and slow the pace if you see a soft stool or mild upset. Once your dog is settled, rotating between the three recipes adds variety across proteins. For portion sizes, use our raw feeding guide.

Shop Petzyo's raw dog food

Give your dog a fresh, Australian-made raw diet built from natural ingredients: real meat, organs, and superfoods. Build your box from Got Beef, Roo's Clues, and Chick Magnet, choose your size, and we deliver it frozen, backed by our 30-day taste guarantee. Start your dog's switch to raw today.

Build a BARF Box