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What Should Dogs Actually Eat?
Updated: May 2
A Simple Guide for Dog Owners
What should dogs eat?
In short, dogs are biologically designed to eat a diet primarily made up of meat, bone and organs.
But let's dig deeper...
Even though dogs have lived alongside humans for thousands of years and can digest some starch, their anatomy still reflects that of a carnivorous animal. Their teeth, digestive system and stomach acidity are all adapted to break down animal protein and fat efficiently.
This is why many dog nutritionists and raw feeding advocates support diets that try to mirror a dog’s natural evolutionary diet.
Prefer to watch? Here’s a quick breakdown of what dogs should eat and how natural feeding works in the UK.
Video Summary: What Should Dogs Eat? Natural Dog Diet Guide (UK) This video explains what dogs should eat from a biological perspective, including the role of meat, bone, and organs in a natural diet, and why more UK dog owners are moving towards raw feeding.
What Should Dogs Eat? (UK Guide): Video Transcript
So, what should dogs actually eat?
The short answer is: meat, bone, and organs — and there’s a fascinating biological reason why.
Even though dogs have lived alongside humans for thousands of years, their bodies are still built very much like carnivores.
Take their teeth, for example. Dogs have sharp carnassial teeth designed for ripping, shearing, and shredding meat — almost like scissors. They don’t have flat molars for grinding plant material like herbivores do.
Then there’s their digestive system.
Dogs have a relatively short digestive tract and highly acidic stomachs, which are designed to break down proteins and fats quickly. This strong stomach acid also helps them process raw meat and bone efficiently.
Another interesting point is that dogs don’t produce amylase in their saliva — the enzyme humans use to start breaking down carbohydrates.
When people talk about biologically appropriate feeding, they’re referring to diets that mirror a natural prey animal. This is often described as an 80-10-10 ratio:
– 80% meat– 10% bone– 10% organs
For dog owners in the UK who are starting to question processed dog food, this approach focuses on feeding real, natural ingredients that dogs are biologically designed to eat.
At ROAR, we believe dogs thrive on food their bodies actually recognise — by recreating the natural balance they evolved to eat.
Because when you take feeding back to nature, you’re supporting happier, healthier dogs.
Why Dogs Are Biologically Designed to Eat Meat?
To understand what dogs should eat, it helps to look at their anatomy.
Dogs may be domesticated, but their bodies still closely resemble those of their wolf ancestors.
Teeth Designed for Shearing Meat
Dogs have sharp carnassial teeth designed for grabbing, tearing and shearing meat.
Unlike herbivores or omnivores, they do not have flat molars designed for grinding plant material. Their teeth function more like scissors, allowing them to rip and cut through muscle and bone.
This dental structure strongly reflects a carnivorous diet.
A Short Digestive Tract
Dogs also have a relatively short digestive tract compared with omnivores and herbivores.
This shorter digestive system allows them to break down and absorb nutrients from animal protein and fat quickly and efficiently.
Foods that take longer to digest, such as large amounts of plant material or fibre, are not processed in the same way.
Highly Acidic Stomach
Dogs also have extremely acidic stomachs.
This high stomach acidity helps break down raw meat, connective tissue and bone. It also reduces the time harmful bacteria can survive in the digestive system.
No Salivary Amylase
Unlike humans, dogs do not produce amylase in their saliva.
Amylase is an enzyme used to begin breaking down carbohydrates in the mouth. Because dogs lack this enzyme in their saliva, carbohydrate digestion begins later in the digestive process.
This is another indicator that dogs evolved primarily eating animal-based foods.
What Does a Natural Dog Diet Look Like?
Raw feeding diets aim to mimic the nutritional composition of a WHOLE prey animal.
One common raw dog diet is the 80-10-10 model.
This represents the approximate nutritional balance found in natural prey.
80% Muscle Meat
Muscle meat provides high-quality protein, amino acids and energy for growth, maintenance and overall health.
10% Raw Bone
Raw bone provides natural calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for healthy bones, teeth and muscle function.
It is important to note that raw bones are soft and pliable, while cooked bones become brittle and dangerous.
10% Organs (Including Liver)
Organs such as liver and kidney are extremely nutrient-dense.
They provide vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, B vitamins, iron and copper that are essential for a balanced diet.
Many owners who start researching natural diets quickly discover that dogs are biologically designed to eat meat, bone and organs. If you'd like to explore more about how raw feeding works, you can visit The ROAR Blog, where we explain dog nutrition and natural feeding in simple terms.
Why Many Dog Owners Choose Raw Feeding...
Many dog owners choose raw diets because they believe they better reflect what dogs evolved to eat.
Benefits reported by raw feeders include:
• improved digestion
• smaller, firmer stools
• healthier skin and coats
• cleaner teeth
• improved energy levels
While every dog is different, most owners notice positive changes when switching from highly processed foods to more natural diets!
Our Philosophy at ROAR.dog
At ROAR, we believe dogs should be more than just “fine”.
They should be thriving.
Because when a dog is fed the way nature intended…
You see it.
In their energy. In their health. In their excitement for life.
That’s what ROAR means to us.
A dog that is:
Healthy.
Energetic.
Fully alive.
Not just getting by on ultra-processed food…
But truly thriving on real, natural nutrition.
Because dogs didn’t evolve eating biscuits from a factory.
They evolved eating real food.
And when you bring them back to that…
You don’t just feed them better, you unleash their ROAR.
Final Thoughts...
Understanding what dogs are biologically designed to eat helps many owners make more informed decisions about their dog’s diet.
While there are many feeding approaches available, diets centred around high-quality animal ingredients align closely with a dog’s natural anatomy and digestive system.
For many owners, feeding real food simply means taking it back to nature for healthier, happier dogs.
If you're just starting your raw feeding journey, you can also download our free raw feeding guide for dog owners, which explains how to transition your dog to a natural diet step-by-step.
FAQ's
What should dogs actually eat?
Answer: Dogs are biologically designed to eat a diet primarily made up of animal ingredients such as meat, bone and organs. Their teeth, digestive system and stomach acidity are all adapted to break down protein and fat efficiently. Many natural feeding approaches aim to mirror this biological structure.
Do dogs need carbohydrates in their diet?
Answer: Dogs can digest some carbohydrates, but they do not biologically require large amounts of them. Their bodies are primarily adapted to process animal protein and fat. This is why many natural dog diets focus mainly on meat-based ingredients.
Is raw dog food safe for dogs?
Answer: Raw dog food can be safe when sourced from reputable suppliers and handled using proper hygiene practices. Many dog owners choose raw diets because they contain minimally processed ingredients and mirror a dog’s natural diet.
Why do dogs often have smaller poos on raw diets?
Answer: Dogs often produce smaller stools on raw diets because the food contains fewer fillers and more digestible nutrients. When a dog’s body absorbs more of the nutrients in their food, less waste is produced.
What is the 80-10-10 raw feeding ratio?
Answer: The 80-10-10 model refers to a common raw feeding structure made up of approximately 80% muscle meat, 10% raw bone and 10% organs. This ratio aims to mimic the nutritional balance found in whole prey animals.
