Raw Food Meal Prep for Dogs: Save Time and Get the Portions Right

Simplify your feeding routine with smart batch prep tips, portioning guides, and local support from Ottawa's raw food experts.

If you’ve ever spent a Sunday prepping meals for the week, you already know the power of saving time and staying consistent. The same approach works beautifully when feeding your dog a raw diet—but with a few extra considerations.

Portioning raw meals correctly and storing them safely can be a time-consuming process, especially for first-timers. Many dog owners in Ottawa are shifting to bulk prep strategies to make raw feeding easier and more sustainable over time. But it still raises questions: 

• How do you know the portions are right? 

• What’s the best way to freeze and thaw? 

• And where do you buy everything without driving across town?
  

That’s exactly what we cover here. Whether you’re prepping from scratch or blending in pre-made meals, this guide will help you plan, portion, and store your raw dog food like a pro all while keeping things simple and efficient.

Why Raw Meal Prep Makes Sense for Dog Owners

Let’s face it: preparing individual meals daily can become a chore. By batch prepping, you get ahead of the game. Not only does it free up your weekday routine, it also helps you stick to accurate feeding ratios and avoid those last-minute ingredient runs.

Here’s what prepping in bulk gives you:

• Time savings (weekly instead of daily prep)

• Consistency in portion sizes and nutrition

• Reduced waste and better use of perishable ingredients

• Budget control by buying in larger quantities
  

At Raw Fed and Furry, we regularly help Ottawa pet owners build meal prep systems that actually stick. With the right approach, you can prep an entire month’s worth of meals in one afternoon—and feel confident doing it.

Step One: Know Your Dog’s Daily Intake

The most common mistake raw feeders make? Guessing portions.

To get this right, use your dog’s ideal adult weight and feed approximately 2% to 3% of that weight per day, adjusting for age, activity level, and body condition.

Basic daily raw food calculator:

• 10 lb dog: ~3–5 oz/day

• 30 lb dog: ~9–12 oz/day

• 60 lb dog: ~18–24 oz/day

• 90 lb dog: ~27–36 oz/day
  

At Raw Fed and Furry, we offer portioning charts and even printable planners you can pick up in-store. They make it easy to stay on track—especially if you’re feeding more than one dog.

Step Two: Choose a Balanced Feeding Approach

Most raw feeders follow either the 80/10/10 ratio (muscle meat / bone / organ) or use commercial raw blends that are already balanced to meet canine nutritional needs.

DIY Style:

• 80% muscle meat (chicken thigh, beef chunks, turkey, etc.)

• 10% raw edible bone (chicken necks, duck wings)

• 10% organ meat (half liver, half other secreting organ)
  

Pre-Made Combo:

• Use our Raw Fed and Furry frozen blends, already balanced

• Add in extras like eggs, fish, tripe, or supplements to round out the plan
  

The advantage of mixing both approaches? Flexibility. You can prep what you’re comfortable with and rely on trusted, ready-to-go options when time is tight.

Step Three: Plan Your Weekly or Monthly Prep Day

Here’s a simple step-by-step flow that works well for most dog owners:

1. Calculate Total Needed

• Multiply your dog’s daily food requirement by 7 (for a week) or 30 (for a month)

• Example: 18 oz/day × 30 days = 540 oz = ~34 lbs/month
  

2. Make a Shopping List

Include:

• Muscle meat variety (e.g. beef, turkey, lamb)

• Organ meats (liver, spleen, kidney)

• Meaty bones (neck, wing, foot, or ground)

• Add-ons (eggs, tripe, sardines, broth)
  

If sourcing is tough, we’ve got ready-to-freeze bundles at our Orleans location—custom-portioned based on your dog’s size and needs.

3. Prep & Portion

• Use a digital kitchen scale

• Portion into freezer-safe containers, zip bags, or silicone trays

• Label with date and type for easy rotation

• Freeze flat to save freezer space
  

Step Four: Master Safe Handling and Storage

Safety matters. You’re handling raw meat, and your dog’s health depends on your prep habits being clean and consistent.

Best practices:

• Always thaw in the fridge (not the counter) for 12–24 hours

• Use separate cutting boards and knives for raw dog food

• Wash hands and surfaces with hot, soapy water

• Rotate freezer meals using FIFO (first in, first out)

• Keep a dedicated shelf or bin in your freezer to stay organized
  

We also carry freezer-safe containers, scoopers, and labels in-store to support your setup.

Time-Saving Tips from Ottawa’s Raw Feeding Community

Here’s what our customers say has helped them the most:

• “Double batch when you're already prepping.” Even if you only meant to prep a week, go for two. It’ll pay off.

• “Pre-portion per day—not per meal.” Reduces prep steps and keeps things easy to grab and thaw.

• “Use a whiteboard on the freezer.” Track what’s inside without opening and digging around.

• “Don’t do it alone.” Turn prep day into a weekend project or team up with another raw feeder.
  

You’ll find many of these folks at our free monthly meal prep workshops, held right here at Raw Fed and Furry. We walk through real prep scenarios and provide hands-on demos with different meat types.

Ingredient Sourcing: Where to Buy in Ottawa

Here’s what we stock locally at Raw Fed and Furry:

• Raw meaty bones (duck necks, turkey frames, chicken backs)

• Muscle meats (rabbit, lamb, beef, turkey)

• Secreting organs (liver, kidney, spleen)

• Pre-blended 80/10/10 patties and bulk chubs

• Optional add-ons (fermented broth, tripe, sardines, green lipped mussel)
  

Need delivery? We’ve got you covered across Ottawa and surrounding areas with weekly drop-offs and order scheduling online.

Final Thoughts: Meal Prep Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Feeding your dog a raw diet is a commitment—but it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With a little organization, smart sourcing, and a solid prep routine, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and feed with more confidence.

Whether you’re just starting or fine-tuning your system, we’re here to help. Come visit our team in Orleans, browse our prep-friendly products, or sign up for a one-on-one consultation. We’re passionate about helping Ottawa pet parents get raw right.

Visit Us or Reach Out Today

Raw Fed and Furry

 5929 Jeanne D’arc Blvd S Unit 9, Orleans, ON, K1C 2N1

 (343) 883-1818

 thatsrawsome@gmail.com