What Raw Meat Can Dogs Eat? A Guide for NZ Dog Owners

Dogs can eat a wide range of raw meats safely, including muscle meat, organ meat, and raw bone. The key is balance and choosing the right protein for your dog’s specific needs. Here is what NZ dog owners need to know.

Which raw meats are safe for dogs?

The main proteins dogs do well on are beef, chicken, lamb, venison, rabbit, salmon, and game meats. Each provides a complete amino acid profile and is safe to feed raw when sourced reliably and handled with the same care as any raw meat you would prepare at home.

These are not interchangeable. Choosing the right protein for your dog’s situation matters more than the brand.

Which protein should I start with?

Start with chicken, specifically a recipe that includes heart and tripe. Kuri’s chicken heart and tripe is the recommended starting point for most dogs: tripe supports the gut during the transition, and organ meat in the right ratio means your dog is getting complete nutrition from the first meal.

If you are starting a puppy, the Ultimate Puppy recipe covers the higher nutritional demands of growing dogs and is the simplest first choice.

One thing worth knowing: in all the time Kuri has been supplying raw food to Christchurch dog owners, no dog has refused any recipe in the range. You can pretty much guarantee they will love it. If anything, the challenge is getting them to slow down.

Browse Kuri City’s raw range, with same-day delivery in Christchurch and overnight across the South Island.

Which protein is right for my dog’s specific needs?

The right protein depends on your dog’s health situation: venison for allergies, lamb for coat and mass, game and rabbit for low-fat diets, tripe for digestive sensitivity. Here is how to match the protein to the dog.

Allergies and food sensitivities: Venison is a novel protein: most dogs with food-related allergies have never been exposed to it, which makes it the first choice when the current diet is causing reactions. If venison does not resolve symptoms, rabbit is the next step.

Coat condition: Lamb and salmon both support coat health. Lamb through its fat profile, salmon through omega-3s. Dogs with dull or dry coats often show visible improvement within a few weeks of rotating either protein in.

Building mass: Lamb is higher in fat and caloric density than most other proteins, which makes it the right choice for dogs that need to put weight on, particularly in winter when dogs burn more energy staying warm.

Pancreatitis or conditions requiring a low-fat diet: Game meats, venison, and rabbit are all naturally lean. For dogs managing pancreatitis or any condition that needs a low-fat diet, these are the proteins to rotate through. Avoid lamb and salmon in these cases.

Digestive sensitivity or tummy problems: Start with tripe. Green tripe has a high probiotic content and supports the gut microbiome during transitions or periods of digestive upset. Kuri’s green tripe is the go-to for any dog with a sensitive stomach.

What is the right ratio of meat, bone, and organ?

Feed 80% muscle meat, 10% raw bone, and 10% organ meat. This is the 80:10:10 ratio that reflects what dogs evolved eating and is the formulation Kuri’s range is built to.

A commercially formulated raw diet handles the ratio for you. If you are building raw meals at home, the most common mistake is either overdoing organ meat (which can cause loose stools and, over time, vitamin A imbalance) or skipping it entirely (which creates nutritional gaps). See the complete NZ raw feeding guide for more on DIY versus commercial.

How much raw meat should I feed?

Feed 2–3% of your dog’s body weight per day. A 10kg dog needs 200–300g; a 20kg dog needs 400–600g. Small dogs under 5kg typically need to sit at 3% or above due to a higher metabolic rate relative to body weight.

Use Kuri’s raw food calculator to get a precise amount based on your dog’s weight, age, and activity level.

Is raw meat safe for dogs?

Yes, for a healthy dog eating a properly formulated raw diet. Research published in 2025 found protein digestibility of 95.7% in raw-fed dogs, significantly higher than the 57.1% found in kibble-fed dogs. Raw food is digested more efficiently, not less safely.

The bacterial risks cited in raw feeding debates (Salmonella, E. coli) are real but primarily associated with poorly sourced or unbalanced homemade raw diets. A commercially formulated raw range with reliable NZ sourcing addresses both. Handle raw dog food with the same care as raw meat you would prepare for yourself: refrigerate promptly, thaw in the fridge, and wash bowls and surfaces after each meal.

How do I get started?

If your dog is currently on kibble, transition gradually over 10 days: start at 25% raw and increase every three days. See the complete guide to switching your dog to raw food for the full schedule, what to do if your dog gets loose stools, and how to know when the transition is complete.

Kuri City’s raw range ships same-day in Christchurch and overnight across the South Island.

Frequently asked questions

Can dogs eat raw chicken every day?
Yes, for most dogs. Chicken is one of the most common proteins in a raw rotation. Dogs with known protein sensitivities are sometimes reactive to chicken specifically. If that is your dog, start with venison or rabbit instead.

Can dogs eat raw mince from the supermarket?
They can, but supermarket mince is not a balanced raw meal on its own. It is muscle meat only, with no bone or organ content. It works as an occasional addition but not as a complete diet. A formulated 80:10:10 raw meal provides everything a dog needs in a single serving.

Can I rotate proteins?
Yes, and it is a good idea. Rotating two or three proteins over a month gives broader nutritional variety and reduces the chance of developing a sensitivity to a single protein. A simple rotation: chicken one week, venison the next, lamb the third.

Can dogs eat raw lamb bones?
Raw lamb bones are generally safe and good for dental health. Never feed cooked bones: cooking makes them brittle and prone to splintering. If you are new to feeding raw bones, start with a size appropriate to your dog and supervise the first few sessions.

Is raw feeding suitable for puppies?
Yes, provided the diet is formulated for puppies. Puppies have higher nutritional demands than adult dogs, so a puppy-specific recipe matters. Kuri’s Ultimate Puppy is formulated from 16 weeks and covers everything a growing dog needs.