Curious about raw dog food, a seasoned raw food pro, or simply want to try something new? Our raw dog food selection is the best and biggest in the Peterborough area. Our dedicated raw food room is stocked with freezers featuring all your favourite brands and local suppliers. From complete meals, to minced raw and frozen treats.

Want to learn more about raw dog food? Check out our ultimate guide to raw food below.

Although there have never been any peer-reviewed studies, many surveys on the benefits of feeding raw food to dogs consistently highlight positive features.

• According to BMC veterinary research, 80% of owners have reported a shinier coat (attributed to the essential fatty acids and protein sources).
• Better digestion (and better poops!) – dogs with sensitive stomachs are often reported to do better with a raw food diet.
• Many dog owners find they don’t need to incorporate additional teeth cleaning practices as chewing on raw bones can help to clean teeth and prevent the buildup of tartar.
• Around half of raw food advocates notice that their dogs have higher energy and vitality.

Veterinary opinion in the UK is very mixed on raw food – but the majority of vets will tell you that they’re not against raw feeding, they can’t dispute the benefits, they’re just all for SAFE raw feeding. 

When feeding a raw food diet, several factors need to be considered to ensure it is completely safe for your dogs (and you!). Not all raw food is equal, and what suits one dog may not suit another. 

Bacteria – raw foods can carry bacteria, and while dogs can cope with low levels, humans can’t! When feeding a raw food diet, hygiene needs to be a top priority:

• Use separate bowls for raw food
• Clean up immediately after
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling
• Keep raw food away from human food
• Give your dog a place to eat raw bones so they’re not jumping all over your sofas and other surfaces with raw food.

Balanced Nutrition – like humans, dogs ideally need a mixed balance of nutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and omega 3s. For those who prepare their raw food meals at home, this can be a considerable amount of work. That’s why ready-made complete raw meals are fantastic, as they take away all the guesswork. Our freezers are FULL of complete meals from a range of brands, giving you a considerable choice for your dog and their individual preferences (yes we DO understand that your dog prefers chicken to beef!).

We also stock a large range of raw-only minces and minces with bone (small enough that your dog can digest), so you can make up your own meals.

However, you want to feed raw, it’s entirely up to you – we offer the flexibility to choose.

Choking hazards/broken teeth – As with all treats that involve bones, you need to keep a close eye on your dog. Are there any breakages that mean your dog might be able to choke on smaller pieces? Are their teeth in good condition?

One thing you must never do is feed your dog cooked bones, as they splinter and cause all sorts of problems. Instead, choose uncooked bones, such as the treats we sell in our raw food section. From marrow bones to knuckles, we’ve got them all!

Only you know your dog well enough to know how to incorporate bones safely. Some of our customers choose to remove the bones once their dogs have stripped them of meat. 

(Remember to never take a bone directly from a dog, as you might inadvertently increase the risk of guarding behaviour; remove it without them seeing)

Dogs (and humans) with weaker immune systems – it should go without saying that dogs and humans who are more vulnerable to infections, or have weaker immune systems, need to tread carefully with raw food because of the increased risk of bacteria. 

If your dog has a compromised immune system, always consult with your vet or a qualified pet nutritionist before changing their food routine.

There is a significant amount of content in the mainstream media about the risks of Salmonella in raw dog food; however, actual reports say these are potentially lower than the risk in kibble. 

At the end of the day, as with all dog foods, hygiene is key. So, whether you’re handling kibble, raw, dried animal treats or bones, follow the hygiene rules above.

First-time feeder? We’ve got you!

The easiest way to get started with raw food is with a complete meal. The nutrition is all calculated for you – proteins and veggies, it’s all there. All you need to decide is which type of meat you want to try first. Chicken, Lamb, Beef, Duck or Fish tend to be the main raw food ingredients. 

There are lots of different types of complete meals, but one of the easiest ones to get started with is something like Nature’s Menu.

They do a bag of nuggets, which come in small cubes so you can take a handful out to defrost at a time. It also looks more like dog food for those who are a bit more squeamish when it comes to the appearance of pure raw food.

You can defrost and add to a bowl. Or partially defrost and squeeze the cubes into something like a Kong for your dog to enjoy as a slightly longer-lasting treat.

If you want to explore the world of frozen treats, some nice easy ones to start with are:

Frozen Mackeral – fish are full of omega fatty acids, and owners report shiny, healthy coats when feeding fish as regular snacks throughout the week

Marrow Bones- one of our most popular treats. Dogs love to empty the marrow from the bone. Just remember to discard the bones when they’ve finished chewing off all the meat and cleaning out the marrow to avoid chipped teeth or breakages, depending on how strong your dog’s teeth are.

Ask in store!

Owning the biggest raw food selection for dogs in the area, we know a thing or two when it comes to raw food! If you’re not sure, pop into the store and we’ll show you the range, help you choose something suitable for your dog, and answer all your raw food questions or concerns.

If you’re moving your puppy or dog over from kibble to raw, we recommend rapid switching. This is where you don’t feed them their evening meal and introduce the new raw food in the morning. Essentially, fasting overnight. Start with Chicken or Turkey, as it is the more gentle option for the first few days.

You can add things like probiotics to aid digestion during the process, as you might notice some looser stools to begin with.

Feeding a raw diet for your dog can be hugely beneficial, but it’s a personal choice. The anecdotal research is good in terms of the benefits for your dog, and we certainly hear the same from our customers.

We offer a vast selection of foods at Pet Stop. We believe in having the flexibility to choose. So if you’d like to know more about all the different types of food we have pop in and we’ll happily give you a tour and tell you more.