Covering Nutritional Gaps for Your Growing Raw-Fed Puppy

Bringing a new puppy home is one of life’s sweetest seasons—full of curiosity, bonding, and brand-new routines. As a natural-rearing family, you’ve already made a powerful decision: to nourish your puppy with real, species-appropriate food that supports lifelong vitality.

But even the most thoughtfully prepared raw diets—homemade or commercial—can leave gaps if they aren’t balanced with intention. Growing bodies have higher nutritional demands, and now is the time to make sure those needs are met.

Let’s walk through how to fill those gaps naturally and holistically.

Why Whole Foods Matter

One of the greatest advantages of raw feeding is the ability to rely on real foods over synthetic supplements. Whole-food additions offer a wide spectrum of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and fatty acids that support growth, digestion, and resilience.

Here are some powerhouse add-ins for puppies:

• Liver – Rich in vitamin A, copper, B vitamins, and iron.

• Eggs (with shell, if tolerated) – Provide choline, vitamin D, healthy fats, and calcium.

• Green tripe – A natural source of probiotics, digestive enzymes, and balanced calcium-phosphorus.

• Raw milk (goat, sheep, or A2 cow) – Adds calcium, probiotics, healthy fats, and bioavailable vitamins.

• Freshwater fish (sardines, smelt, trout) – High in DHA and EPA for brain and joint development.

• Phytoplankton – Dense in trace minerals, antioxidants, and plant-based omega-3s.

• Green or Blue-Lipped Mussels – An excellent source of manganese, zinc, and joint-supportive compounds.

Always start by checking your main food base—brands like Sadie’s Select, Pure Life Raw and Raw Instincts Miami already use whole-food formulations, so adjust thoughtfully to avoid excess.

Common Nutrients Missing in Homemade Raw Diets

Even with the best intentions, homemade diets can fall short if variety is limited. These are the nutrients most often lacking:

• Manganese – Needed for joints, ligaments, and connective tissue
  Best sources: green tripe, mussels, phytoplankton

• Iodine – Crucial for thyroid health
  Best source: kelp (in very small, measured amounts)

• Vitamin D – Dogs do not synthesize adequate levels from sunlight
  Best sources: fatty fish, eggs, raw milk

• Vitamin E – Supports skin, coat, and cellular health
  Best sources: pastured eggs, oily fish

• Zinc – Required for immune health and proper growth
  Best sources: red meats, oysters, mussels

• Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) – Vital for brain, eye, and joint development
  Best sources: small whole fish, mussels, phytoplankton

By filling these gaps with whole-food sources, you maintain balance naturally—without relying on synthetic additives.

Feeding Frequency for Puppies

Puppies grow fast, and their meals should support that rapid development.

• 8 weeks – 9 months: 3–4 meals per day

• 9 months – 1 year: 2 meals per day

• 1 year and beyond: Transition to 1 meal daily if it suits your dog’s lifestyle and digestion

Unlike adults, puppies should not be fasted. Their bodies need consistent nourishment to build muscle, bone, and healthy organs.

The Takeaway

When we look at canine nutrition through an evolutionary lens, the goal isn’t rigid formulas—it’s variety, intention, and a return to whole foods. By layering in nutrient-dense additions, you ensure your puppy grows strong, resilient, and vibrant—without the need for synthetic supplementation.

A thoughtfully supported raw diet doesn’t just feed your puppy today.
It lays the foundation for a healthier, longer, more radiant life.