How to feed a carnivore diet for dogs

Our “facultative carnivore” dogs have more in common with carnivorous cats than with us as omnivores. Think about that for a few seconds, and you’ll realise how true that statement is.

This is why a carnivore diet for dogs makes sense.

Ideally your dog should have a diet at least 75% from “prey” – meat, offal, bone content – if not more, whatever type of food you feed them.

Some dog foods well and truly meet this, but most fall very short even if they comply with pet food regulations like AAFCO or state they’re “complete and balanced”.

In this guide we’ll cover what you need to consider to feed your dog a carnivore diet.

Why feed your dog a carnivore diet?

Dog food is as controversial as human food, often plagued by misinformation, emotional bias, and profit-driven motives.

Let’s get one thing clear – dogs are carnivores. Or at the very least, much more carnivore than they are omnivore.

Feeding your dog a carnivore diet aligns with their evolutionary biology and digestive systems.

Unlike humans, there is little evidence dogs need carbohydrates. Needless to say there are many healthy raw fed dogs in the world who aren’t fed carbohydrates.

In fact, the National Research Council’s Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (2006) states that a dog’s health and vitality do not depend on dietary carbohydrates.

A dog’s body lacks salivary amylase, the enzyme herbivores and omnivores use to break down starch.

Instead, dogs produce small amounts of amylase only in their intestines, making carbohydrate digestion harder and placing extra stress on the pancreas.

Domestic dogs and cats are carnivores. Feeding them the appropriate carnivore diet represents the single most important contribution to their welfare.

Dr. Tom Lonsdale, Raw Meaty Bones.

Natural evidence: how dogs thrive in the wild

FACT: Wild dogs, dingoes, and feral cats thrive on whole carcasses.

Wolves – your dog’s direct ancestors – eat freshly hunted meat with negligible plant matter.

Their feeding habits mirror their physiology – sharp teeth for tearing meat, strong jaws that move up and down (not side to side), and short digestive tracts built for processing meat.

Dogs have large, elastic stomachs that accommodate feasts, while their highly acidic gastric juices kill pathogens found in raw meat.

Unlike herbivores which ferment plant matter over extended periods, dogs process meat quickly. Plant-based fibre? Useless for dogs and often irritating to their digestive systems.

What should you feed for a canine carnivore diet?

Feeding your dog a carnivore diet is simpler than you may imagine.

To mimic a natural prey diet, aim for variety and balance:

• Raw meaty bones – Chicken carcasses, turkey necks, lamb ribs, and fish heads.
• Whole prey – Rabbits, quail, and small fish (fed whole with entrails).
• Offal – Liver (no more than once or twice weekly, and no more than 5% of the diet), heart, tripe, and lungs.
• Table scraps – Used sparingly (less than one-third of the diet), ideally blended for easier digestion.

Animal products provide complete proteins, essential fats, and a spectrum of vitamins and minerals: B12, A, iron, zinc, and selenium – all highly bioavailable in meat, organs, and bones.

For instance, a half-pound of 80/20 ground beef delivers over 40g of protein and essential micronutrients without the fillers found in commercial kibble.

How much and how often should you feed?

Feed your dog 2-3% of its body weight daily.

Adjust amounts based on activity level, age, and life stage – pregnant or working dogs may need more.

Puppies can start raw food at three weeks and transition to whole carcasses by six weeks.

Dogs evolved on feast-famine cycles. Mimic this by fasting healthy adults once or twice weekly to allow their digestive systems to reset.

Average daily feeding guide by breed size

Example: For a 25 kg dog, feed 500–750g per day.

Kibble vs. raw food: what’s the difference?

A recent DogRisk study found that dogs fed on kibble experience significant metabolic stress and elevated inflammation markers.

Processed foods, rich in carbohydrates, don’t align with your dogs’ nutritional needs.

In contrast, whole-food carnivore diets enhance immune function, reduce inflammation, and improve overall vitality.

Or in short, they should offer your dog much better health, less risk of illness, and less risk of injury.

Key feeding tips

• Always provide fresh water.
• AVOID cooked bones – they can splinter and cause injury.
• Rotate protein sources to ensure a complete nutrient profile.
• Use offal in moderation. Excessive amounts can lead to nutrient imbalances.
• Observe your dog’s condition and adjust portions as needed.

Final thoughts

All evidence points to one conclusion: dogs are carnivores more than omnivores as the pet food industry would like us to believe.

Feeding your dog a carnivore diet supports longevity, dental health, and overall vitality.

While processed foods may be convenient, fresh meat, raw meaty bones, and organs are what your dog’s body instinctively craves and thrives on.

Therefore, a carnivore diet for your dog is feeding them for health, not convenience.

References

• Lonsdale, T. (2001). Raw Meaty Bones: Promote Health. Dogwise Publishing.
• Billinghurst, I. (1993). Give Your Dog a Bone. Dogwise Publishing.
• Raw Meaty Bones website (Dr Tom Lonsdale).
• National Research Council. (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats.
• Furness, J., Cottrell, J., & Bravo, D. (2015). Comparative Physiology of Digestion. Biology Journal.
• DogRisk Project (Latest Findings on Canine Nutrition and Health).