Raw Food: The Basics

Before we start, Dr Nick gives a little context to the new edition of Raw Food: The Basics. He explains that it is updated and extended from 10 chapters 5 years ago to 14 chapters now. He looks at learning objectives and his raw food journey over thirty years.

How to get over the fear everyone faces when they begin feeding raw, and some recommended UK, US and European brands to lean on for the first few months as you find your feet in raw.

How to get over the fear everyone faces when they begin feeding raw, and some recommended UK, US and European brands to lean on for the first few months as you find your feet in raw.

If you're moving on to raw, doing food trials or merely changing brands, this is an essential chapter because it focuses on what to do before transitions and the four common methods for moving from food A to food B. He discusses feeding kibble and raw together - that thorny question. Simples!

Yes, this is the meat of the matter. Nick explores the more and less common options for feeding proteins. He discusses organ meats and Dalmations, meat quality, food sensitivities, and freezing protocols.

Bones and chews are at the heart of a good raw diet, but Dr Nick clearly and simply explains how to introduce them, what bones to choose, and what benefits they can give. He also explains his love of bone broths and discusses non-bone chew additions to the diet.

Whether to add veg and what veg and fruit to give can be contentious for some raw feeders. Here we go through how and why to feed veg and which fruits to feed.

NHSS is the spice of life and the quick way to supercharge the dog's bowl with otherwise difficult-to-source micronutrients. Feeding NHSS is fun and will push even the experienced raw feeder to the next level.

Dr Nick explains why he avoids lab-made and synthetic supplements where he can. He presents a variety of real-food and pre- and probiotic options to promote excellent micronutrient absorption.

We live in an inflammatory world. Crucial to this unhealthy state of affairs is an excess of omega-6 pro-inflammatory fatty acids. He discusses how to increase omega-3 and reduce omega-6, including algal oil.

Having tried every method to guide people with the correct proportions of foods in the bowl and how to feed your dog the right amount for them, Dr Nick shares his simple guidelines to make things simple and easy to translate to dogs of any breed and size.

Everyone loves to feed treats to their dogs. Dr Nick is not going to tell you to stop. Instead, he tells you what to look for in healthy treats and how and why to avoid junk food treats for all dogs in every situation. You and your dog will love this chapter.

New for 2025, Nick includes an examination and home made and pre-prepared fresh frozen options. He's not against lightly cooked food, but there are a few mines you don't want to tread on if you're feeding fresh. He highlights how toxic seed oils are, how he rejects insect-based foods and lab-grown meats.

Another new chapter for this year - the water chapter is on the face of it very simple, but Dr Nick lays out some guidelines to keep you and your dog on the right side of clean, healthy water.

Due to overwhelming demand, Dr Nick has included pages and pages of references: from Canine Nutrition books he recommends, to human nutrition books and audiobooks, recommended US Supplement Manufacturers, learning resources in the UK and the US, and Canine Health Resources, including links to the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society.