How to Read a Raw Dog Food Label (and What to Look For)

When you're new to raw feeding, standing in front of a freezer full of different brands can feel overwhelming. Every product looks slightly different, ingredient lists vary, and terms such as complete, complementary and 80:10:10 can quickly become confusing.

The good news is that once you understand the basics, reading a raw dog food label becomes much easier. In this guide, we'll explain what information you should expect to find on a label, what it all means, and how to make an informed choice for your dog.

Why labels matter

Pet food manufacturers in the UK must follow legal labelling requirements, ensuring key information is provided to help owners understand what they're feeding. This includes the product's composition (ingredients), analytical constituents (nutritional analysis), feeding guidelines, storage instructions, and whether the food is complete or complementary.

While all manufacturers must meet these requirements, the way they present their information can vary. Some provide detailed ingredient breakdowns and percentages, while others use broader ingredient categories. Understanding the label allows you to compare products based on what's actually inside rather than relying solely on marketing claims.

Quick label checklist

When picking up a raw dog food for the first time, ask yourself:

• ✅ Is it complete or complementary?

• ✅ Are the ingredients clearly listed?

• ✅ Is the protein source named?

• ✅ Does it contain bone and offal?

• ✅ Are the analytical constituents provided?

• ✅ Are there feeding and storage instructions?

If you can answer "yes" to these questions, you're already well on your way to understanding what you're buying.

1. Is it complete or complementary?

This is one of the most important things to check.

A complete raw food is formulated to provide all the nutrients your dog needs when fed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. It is designed to be nutritionally balanced as a standalone diet.

A complementary raw food, on the other hand, isn't intended to provide complete nutrition by itself. It forms part of a balanced diet and should be fed alongside other suitable foods or ingredients.

Neither is inherently better than the other. Many experienced raw feeders successfully feed complementary products, while others prefer the convenience of complete meals. The important thing is understanding which one you're buying.

If you're unsure of the difference, have a read of our guide to Complete vs Complementary Raw Food.

You may also come across the term 80:10:10. This refers to a recipe containing approximately 80% muscle meat, 10% edible bone and 10% offal, with around half of the offal portion being liver. Many complementary raw foods follow this model, but it's important to remember that not every 80:10:10 recipe is nutritionally complete.

2. Read the ingredient list

The ingredient list (often called the composition) tells you exactly what's in the product.

Ingredients are usually listed in descending order by weight, meaning the ingredient present in the greatest quantity appears first.

Some manufacturers provide a detailed percentage breakdown, for example:

• Beef (80%)

• Beef bone (10%)

• Beef liver (5%)

• Beef kidney (5%)

Others may simply list the ingredients without percentages.

Look for clearly named proteins such as beef, duck, lamb, turkey or rabbit. You may also see ingredients such as green tripe, heart, liver and kidney, all of which have an important place in many raw diets.

3. Don't be afraid of offal

Offal is one of the most nutrient-rich parts of a raw diet.

Ingredients such as liver, kidney and spleen naturally provide essential vitamins and minerals that support your dog's overall health.

Some people mistakenly assume offal is simply a cheap filler. In reality, it plays an important nutritional role in many balanced raw diets.

It's also worth remembering that the term meat by-products doesn't automatically mean poor-quality ingredients. Under pet food legislation, it can refer to perfectly nutritious parts of the animal, such as heart, liver and kidney, which many people simply choose not to eat. Rather than judging the wording alone, always look at the full ingredient list.

4. Bone isn't the enemy

Raw edible bone provides an important source of calcium and phosphorus, both of which are essential for healthy bones and teeth.

Too much bone may contribute to dry, white or crumbly stools and constipation, while too little bone may mean the diet doesn't provide enough calcium.

Knowing roughly how much bone a product contains can help you choose foods that suit your individual dog, particularly if they have a sensitive digestive system.

5. What do analytical constituents mean?

The phrase analytical constituents often sounds complicated, but it's simply the nutritional analysis of the food. It's a legal requirement on pet food labels and tells you the typical levels of key nutrients within the product.

You'll commonly see values for:

• Crude Protein

• Fat Content

• Crude Fibre

• Moisture

• Ash (sometimes called Inorganic Matter or Incinerated Residue)

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounds ash.

Despite the name, ash is not added to pet food. It refers to the natural mineral content left behind after a sample of the food has been analysed in a laboratory. Higher ash levels don't automatically indicate poorer quality—they often simply reflect the mineral content of ingredients such as edible bone.

It's also important to understand moisture.

Raw food typically contains around 65–75% moisture, whereas kibble usually contains around 8–10%. This is one of the main reasons nutritional percentages, particularly protein, shouldn't be compared directly between raw food and dry food.

6. Added vitamins and minerals

Some complete raw foods achieve nutritional balance using carefully selected natural ingredients.

Others include added vitamins, minerals or trace elements to ensure they meet recognised nutritional standards.

Neither approach automatically makes a food better or worse. What matters is whether the overall recipe provides balanced nutrition for the dog it is intended to feed.

7. Feeding guidelines are just that – guidelines

Every dog is different.

Feeding recommendations are based on an average healthy dog, but factors such as age, breed, activity level, metabolism and body condition all influence how much food your own dog needs.

Use the manufacturer's recommendation as a starting point, then monitor your dog's weight and body condition, adjusting their food if necessary.

8. Check the storage instructions

Raw food should always be stored and handled correctly.

The label should tell you how to store the product, how to defrost it safely and how long it can be kept once thawed.

Following these instructions helps maintain food quality and supports good food hygiene.

9. Batch numbers and Best Before dates

These details are easy to overlook but are incredibly important.

Batch numbers allow products to be traced if necessary, while Best Before dates help ensure you're feeding the food within the manufacturer's recommended timeframe.

If you ever have a question about a product, having the batch number to hand can be extremely helpful.

10. Is the manufacturer DEFRA approved?

Commercial raw pet food manufacturers in the UK must comply with strict legislation covering hygiene, handling, storage and traceability.

Buying from reputable manufacturers and trusted retailers gives added confidence that the food has been produced to the required standards and can be traced if necessary.

11. Don't judge a food by the front of the packet

Words such as:

• Natural

• Premium

• Superfood

• Gourmet

• Human Grade

can all sound impressive, but they don't tell you everything you need to know.

Instead, turn the packet over and ask yourself:

• Is it complete or complementary?

• What ingredients does it contain?

• Is the protein source clearly identified?

• Does it suit my dog's individual needs?

Those answers tell you far more than any marketing slogan on the front of the packaging.

Bonus tip: Don't be afraid to ask the manufacturer

A reputable raw food manufacturer or retailer should be happy to explain what's in their food, how it's made and why particular ingredients have been included.

If they can't answer basic questions about their products, it may be worth asking yourself why.

Common myths

"Higher protein always means better food."

Not necessarily. Protein quality, digestibility and the overall balance of the diet are far more important than a single percentage.

"Ash means they've added ash."

No. Ash is simply the measured mineral content remaining after laboratory analysis.

"Long ingredient lists are always better."

Not at all. A longer ingredient list doesn't automatically mean a better food. Focus on the quality and suitability of the ingredients rather than the number of them.

"Added vitamins mean poor-quality food."

No. Many excellent complete raw foods use carefully selected vitamins and minerals to ensure they provide balanced nutrition.

Final thoughts

Reading a raw dog food label doesn't need to be complicated.

Once you know what to look for, you'll be able to understand exactly what you're buying and make informed decisions based on your dog's individual needs rather than clever marketing.

If you're ever unsure, pop into Naturally Raw or get in touch with our team. We're always happy to explain the differences between products, help you understand labels and recommend a food that suits both your dog and your budget.

Reading a label takes less than a minute, but understanding it can make a lifetime of difference to your dog's diet. Once you know what to look for, you'll be able to choose raw food with confidence—not because of clever marketing, but because you understand exactly what's inside.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered individual nutritional or veterinary advice. Every dog has different dietary requirements depending on their age, breed, health and lifestyle. If you're unsure which raw food is most suitable for your dog, speak to a qualified veterinary professional or canine nutritionist before making significant changes to their diet.