The first twelve months of a puppy's life represent the most nutritionally critical window of its entire lifespan. Bone mineralisation, gut microbiome establishment, immune system calibration, neurological development, and skeletal growth all happen simultaneously during this period, and every meal contributes to or detracts from these parallel processes. Raw puppy food in Australia provides a feeding framework matched to how dogs evolved to grow: high digestibility protein from muscle meat, calcium and phosphorus from raw bone, micronutrient density from organ meat, and omega-3 for brain development from fish. This guide covers everything you need: how much to feed week by week, which bones are safe at which ages, the large breed calcium rule that prevents developmental bone disease, the breed-specific transition ages to adult feeding, and the exact Rogue Raw protocol that covers every stage.
The single most important rule in puppy raw feeding
Never add calcium supplements to a raw diet that already includes bones. Excess calcium in large breed puppies causes developmental orthopaedic disease by disrupting chondrocyte activity in growing growth plates. A properly balanced 80/10/10 raw diet provides the correct calcium-to-phosphorus ratio from bone. Adding extra calcium on top creates dangerous excess. If you are feeding a complete commercial raw product with the correct bone percentage, do not add eggshell powder, calcium carbonate, or any other calcium supplement.
"Started my kelpie cross on Rogue Raw at 8 weeks. His gut settled within 10 days, his coat has always been glossy, and his vet has commented at every check that he is in exceptional condition. He is now 18 months and still on Rogue Raw. Raw feeding from puppyhood is the best decision I made."
"My golden retriever puppy has been on Rogue Raw since 8 weeks. Her breeder recommended it. The Puppy Pack makes it so simple. Everything is pre-portioned, the variety is already in there, and her development has been excellent. The vet at her 16-week check said her condition was outstanding."
"Was nervous about raw feeding my new staffy puppy. Started with the Puppy Pack #1 as my guide. Within two weeks his stools were perfect, he is eating enthusiastically, and the chicken necks have kept his teeth clean from the start. Wish I had known about raw feeding when I had my previous dogs."
Why raw food is the best diet for puppies in Australia
Puppy nutrition in the first twelve months establishes the biological foundations that determine adult health outcomes. Three specific advantages of raw puppy food over commercial kibble are directly relevant to this developmental window.
Higher protein digestibility for rapid growth. Puppy muscle and organ development requires more dietary protein per kilogram of body weight than adult maintenance does. Raw food provides protein digestibility of 99.3% compared to 79.5% for kibble in peer-reviewed research. The difference means more amino acids reach the developing muscle, immune system, and neurological tissue rather than passing through as waste.
Natural calcium and phosphorus ratio from raw bone. Raw edible bone provides calcium and phosphorus in the natural ratio of approximately 1.4:1 to 2:1, which matches the ratio required for healthy bone mineralisation. This ratio is more difficult to achieve precisely with supplement-based calcium additions to home-prepared diets.
Gut microbiome establishment during the critical imprinting window. The puppy gut microbiome is established during the first 6 to 12 weeks after weaning and is significantly influenced by early dietary exposure. Puppies weaned onto raw food develop a more diverse microbiome dominated by protein and fat-metabolising bacteria rather than the starch-fermenting bacteria associated with kibble feeding. Research suggests this early microbiome establishment has lasting effects on immune regulation, allergy risk, and inflammatory status throughout adulthood.
How much raw food to feed your puppy: the complete age-based chart
Puppy raw feeding uses a percentage of current body weight that decreases as growth rate slows. Weigh your puppy weekly for the first 3 months and adjust amounts at each weight measurement. Do not set amounts once and leave them unchanged: puppies grow rapidly and can quickly receive too little food if not adjusted regularly.
Raw puppy feeding chart by age (percentage of current body weight)
| Age | % of body weight | Meals per day | Example: 5kg puppy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 to 10 weeks | 10% | 4 | 500g/day, 125g/meal |
| 10 to 16 weeks | 8% | 4 | 400g/day, 100g/meal |
| 16 to 20 weeks | 7% | 3 | 350g/day, 117g/meal |
| 20 to 24 weeks | 6% | 3 | 300g/day, 100g/meal |
| 24 to 36 weeks | 5% | 3 | 250g/day, 83g/meal |
| 36 to 52 weeks | 4% | 2 | 200g/day, 100g/meal |
| 52 weeks to adult | 3 to 4% | 2 | 150 to 200g/day |
These are starting points. Adjust based on weekly body condition assessment: visible ribs = increase 10%, cannot feel ribs without pressing = decrease 10%. Use the Rogue Raw calculator for your puppy's specific breed and projected adult weight.
The 80/10/10 ratio explained: what it means for puppy raw feeding
The 80/10/10 Prey Model Raw ratio provides the framework for nutritionally complete puppy raw feeding.
80% muscle meat provides complete protein with all essential amino acids, fat for energy and fat-soluble vitamin absorption, and the majority of the B vitamins, zinc, iron, and selenium your puppy needs. Muscle meat is the bulk of every meal.
10% raw edible bone provides calcium and phosphorus in the natural ratio required for skeletal mineralisation. This 10% bone content should come from raw edible bones that the puppy fully consumes (not weight-bearing bones that are chewed and discarded). Chicken necks and chicken feet are the appropriate format for most puppies. The bone content provides calcium that supports the 1,000-plus bones a puppy's body needs to develop, mineralise, and fuse across the first 12 to 24 months depending on breed size.
10% organ meat provides the highest micronutrient density of any food group. Liver provides retinol (pre-formed vitamin A), B12, folate, and iron. Kidney provides B12, selenium, and riboflavin. Other organs (heart, spleen, emu organs) provide taurine, CoQ10, zinc, and concentrated enzyme activity. Organ meat should not exceed 5% liver specifically, as excess vitamin A from liver is toxic. The remaining 5% comes from other organ types. Our Emu Organ Jerky provides a palatable, appropriate organ treat for puppies from 10 weeks onward.
Which bones are safe for puppies and at which age
Bone size selection for puppies is determined by jaw strength and the size ratio between the bone and the puppy's mouth. A bone is appropriate when the puppy must chew progressively through it rather than swallowing it whole or attempting to crack it with force.
From 8 weeks: chicken necks and chicken feet
Chicken necks are the safest and most appropriate puppy bone from 8 weeks for all breed sizes. The cervical vertebrae require sustained progressive chewing that cleans teeth mechanically and provides calcium from bone without risk of fracture. Chicken feet are almost entirely cartilage with minimal bone content, providing joint-supporting glucosamine and gum-margin cleaning with very low fracture risk. Both are appropriate from the first week of raw feeding for puppies of all sizes. Links: Chicken Necks, Chicken Feet.
From 12 to 16 weeks: chicken frames for medium and large breeds
As the puppy grows and jaw strength develops, chicken frames provide a larger bone chew that takes longer to consume and provides more calcium per session. Appropriate for medium breeds (projected adult 15kg plus) from 12 weeks and large breeds from 10 to 12 weeks as their jaw strength develops faster with their larger skulls.
Never appropriate for puppies
Weight-bearing bones from large animals (beef femurs, lamb leg bones, pork bones, knuckle bones) should never be given to puppies regardless of breed size. The density of these bones exceeds the jaw force of a puppy and most adult dogs, creating tooth fracture risk and potential intestinal obstruction from chunks of dense bone material. Cooked bones of any type at any age are never appropriate: cooking makes bones brittle and increases fracture and splintering risk.
Breed-specific puppy raw feeding: large breeds vs small breeds
Large and giant breed puppies (projected adult over 25kg)
The most important breed-specific rule in raw puppy feeding applies to large and giant breeds: never supplement calcium beyond what the 10% bone content in the 80/10/10 ratio provides. Breeds in this category include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, and all other breeds with projected adult weights over 25kg.
These breeds are susceptible to developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD) from calcium excess during the growth phase. Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD), and radius curvus syndrome are all associated with excess calcium during the growth plate active phase. Growth plates in large breeds remain open until 15 to 18 months (24 months in giant breeds), meaning the calcium management window extends longer than in small breeds.
Large breed puppies also benefit from lower body fat maintenance during the growth phase. A leaner body condition during growth reduces the mechanical load on developing joints and growth plates. Use lean proteins (venison, emu, chicken breast) as the primary muscle meat and avoid high-fat proteins like duck as the primary protein until skeletal development is complete.
Large breed transition to adult feeding percentages: begin reducing from 4% toward 2 to 2.5% between 15 and 18 months as growth slows. Giant breeds transition at 18 to 24 months.
Small and toy breed puppies (projected adult under 10kg)
Small breed puppies have three specific differences from large breed feeding. First, they reach their adult size much earlier (6 to 9 months) and transition to adult feeding percentages sooner. Second, toy breeds are at risk of hypoglycaemia if meals are delayed or skipped: maintain 4 meals daily until at least 12 weeks, and never fast a toy breed puppy for more than 6 to 8 hours. Third, small breed puppies eat chicken necks and chicken feet throughout their puppyhood as the appropriate bone size, and never progress to the larger bone formats appropriate for medium and large breeds.
Small breed transition to adult feeding percentages: begin at 9 to 10 months, but maintain the higher small breed adult percentage of 2.5 to 3% rather than the 2% appropriate for large breeds, because small breed metabolic rates are higher per kilogram of body weight.
The Rogue Raw puppy protocol: week by week from 8 weeks
Weeks 1 to 2: single protein baseline (venison or emu)
Feed Primal Venison or Primal Wild Emu as 100% of the daily ration at the appropriate percentage for the puppy's current age. Four meals per day for puppies under 16 weeks. No additional proteins, treats, or supplements. This establishes the digestive baseline and confirms no immediate adverse reactions before introducing variety.
Week 2: introduce chicken necks twice weekly
Add one chicken neck on two days per week, counted within the daily total. Supervise all bone chewing sessions. Confirm the puppy chews progressively rather than swallowing whole before leaving unsupervised.
Week 3: introduce green tripe one meal per week
Replace one complete daily meal with green tripe to seed the gut microbiome with Lactobacillus acidophilus and provide rumen-derived digestive enzymes. Green tripe at this age establishes a gut microbiome diversity that early kibble feeding does not provide, with research suggesting lasting effects on immune regulation and allergy risk.
Week 4: introduce sardines twice weekly
Replace two complete daily meals per week with whole sardines for EPA, DHA, taurine, and B12. DHA is specifically required for neurological and retinal development in puppies. The first 3 to 6 months of a puppy's life represent the period of most rapid brain growth and the window during which dietary DHA has the most significant impact on cognitive and sensory development.
Week 5 onward: expand protein rotation
From week 5, introduce additional proteins one at a time (emu, water buffalo) monitoring for 5 to 7 days between new introductions. Build toward the adult rotation of venison, sardines, green tripe, emu, and sardines across the week.
Our puppy transition guide and puppy raw feeding guide cover the transition protocol in full detail.
Recommended Rogue Raw products for puppies
Every product below has been verified live on rogueraw.com.au before inclusion. Every Add to Cart button links directly to the exact product page.
When to transition from puppy raw feeding to adult raw feeding
Puppy to adult raw food transition age by breed size
| Breed size | Adult weight | Transition age | Adult feeding % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy and small | Under 10kg | 9 to 10 months | 2.5 to 3% |
| Medium | 10 to 25kg | 12 months | 2 to 2.5% |
| Large | 25 to 45kg | 15 to 18 months | 2 to 2.5% |
| Giant | Over 45kg | 18 to 24 months | 2% |
Why choose Rogue Raw
Why Rogue Raw is the best raw puppy food choice in Australia
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No sulphite preservatives
Human-grade supply chain with no sodium metabisulphite (220/224). The Australian-specific risk that caused pet deaths from thiamine deficiency is eliminated at source. Particularly important for puppies whose smaller body reserves make thiamine depletion more consequential.
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Purpose-built Puppy Packs
Two pre-formulated puppy packs ($75 and $110) that remove the ratio calculation and protein combination guesswork entirely. Everything the 80/10/10 ratio requires is already assembled.
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Widest novel protein range
Venison, emu, water buffalo, sardines, green tripe. Starting puppies on novel proteins from day one establishes a dietary history that keeps every Rogue Raw protein novel for future allergy management.
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Single-ingredient proteins
Primal Venison and Primal Wild Emu are single-ingredient with no cross-contamination. Safe for puppies with family allergy histories where clean novel protein baselines matter from the start.
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30,000+ customers
Over a decade of puppy raw feeding support across every Australian breed, life stage, and starting condition including kibble-raised puppies transitioning to raw.
Related reading
Transitioning your puppy to raw feeding - the step-by-step transition protocol for weaned puppies coming from kibble
Puppy raw feeding guide: how to safely feed your puppy a raw diet - why Rogue Raw's puppy approach differs from other raw food suppliers
Raw feeding guide: amounts and schedules for all life stages - the full Rogue Raw feeding reference
Benefits of beef tendons for dogs - introducing connective tissue chews for joint support from puppyhood
Frequently asked questions: raw puppy food Australia
Can puppies eat raw food in Australia?
Yes from 8 weeks onward. Raw food provides highly digestible protein (99.3%), natural calcium from bone, DHA for brain development, and gut microbiome diversity that kibble cannot match. The key differences from adult feeding are higher daily percentages (10% at 8 weeks), 3 to 4 meals daily due to smaller stomachs, and age-appropriate bone size selection.
How much raw food should I feed my puppy per day?
8 to 10 weeks: 10% of body weight, 4 meals. 10 to 16 weeks: 8%, 4 meals. 16 to 20 weeks: 7%, 3 meals. 20 to 24 weeks: 6%, 3 meals. 24 to 36 weeks: 5%, 3 meals. 36 to 52 weeks: 4%, 2 meals. Weigh weekly and adjust. Use the Rogue Raw calculator for your breed and projected adult weight.
What is the 80/10/10 ratio for puppy raw feeding?
80% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, 10% organ meat. The bone provides calcium for skeletal development. The organ provides retinol, B12, zinc, iron, and copper. Never exceed 5% liver specifically to avoid vitamin A toxicity. Never add separate calcium supplements to a diet already providing 10% bone content.
What bones are safe for puppies?
From 8 weeks: chicken necks and chicken feet for all breeds. From 12 to 16 weeks: chicken frames for medium and large breeds. Never: weight-bearing bones (beef femurs, knuckle bones), lamb leg bones, pork bones, or any cooked bone at any age. Supervise all bone chewing until the puppy reliably chews progressively rather than swallowing whole.
Do large breed puppies need different raw food from small breeds?
Yes in one critical way: never add calcium supplements to a large breed puppy diet that already includes raw bone. Excess calcium causes developmental orthopaedic disease in large breeds by disrupting growth plate chondrocyte activity. Large breeds also need longer at puppy feeding percentages: transition to adult at 15 to 18 months (not 12 months as for medium breeds).
When should I transition my puppy from raw food to adult raw food?
Toy and small breeds: 9 to 10 months. Medium breeds: 12 months. Large breeds: 15 to 18 months. Giant breeds: 18 to 24 months. Transition by reducing from puppy percentage (4% at 36 to 52 weeks) to adult percentage (2 to 2.5%) gradually over 2 to 3 weeks rather than abruptly.
What is the best first protein for a raw fed puppy?
Venison. It is novel (absent from all major Australian commercial puppy foods), lean for easy gut transition, and available as a single-ingredient product. Run venison only for 2 weeks to establish a clean baseline, then add green tripe week 3, sardines week 4, and expand rotation from week 5.
Is raw feeding safe for puppies in Australia?
Yes from human-grade sulphite-free supply chains. The specific Australian risk is pet-grade meat containing sulphites (220/224) that destroy thiamine. Rogue Raw uses exclusively human-grade supply chains with no sulphites. Standard kitchen hygiene applies: wash hands after handling, clean bowls after meals, defrost in fridge, use within 2 to 3 days.
Raw puppy food in Australia gives your dog the best possible start across every developmental system simultaneously. The key is matching the feeding percentage to the growth stage, selecting age-appropriate bones, observing the large breed calcium rule if relevant, and following the week-by-week protocol that establishes protein variety without overwhelming a developing digestive system. Start with the Puppy Pack #01 to remove all the calculation guesswork, use the feeding calculator for weekly adjustments, and follow the puppy transition guide for the complete step-by-step protocol.
Rogue Raw Nutrition Team
NSW-based raw pet food specialists with over a decade of experience supporting Australian puppy owners through every stage of raw puppy feeding, from 8 weeks to adult transition. Over 30,000 customers fed across Australia.
