Raw Feeding
RAW FED AND NERDY
For the Nerds
Feed Homemade Dog Food with Confidence
Nutritionally sound homemade dog food- from start to finish. The book you need to feed nutritionally balanced food at home.
For years, the Raw Fed & Nerdy course has helped thousands of pet owners learn how to formulate balanced homemade diets using science, nutrient requirements, and practical formulation principles. Now, that information has been brought together into a single, expanded, fully updated reference designed specifically for modern eBook readers.
Inside, you’ll learn:
(Table of contents below)
• The fundamentals of canine nutrition and nutrient requirements
• How to formulate balanced raw and cooked diets
• The role of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals
• How to evaluate ingredients and select appropriate foods
• Common formulation mistakes and how to avoid them
• Growth, adult maintenance, and life-stage nutrition considerations
• Supplement selection and nutrient balancing strategies
• Practical recipe formulation techniques used by experienced formulators
This edition goes beyond the original course material with expanded explanations, updated content, improved organization, and formatting designed for comfortable reading on any device.
As a bonus, purchasers also receive access to guided recipe formulation videos for both raw and cooked diets, a free digital recipe of their choice from Feed Thy Dog, and additional exclusive content not included in the free course.
Table of Contents
Unit 1: Introduction
- Introduction
- Popular Approaches to Raw Feeding
- Issues with Popular Approaches to Raw Feeding
- A Nutritional Approach to Raw Feeding
- Raw vs. Cooked and Common Raw Feeding Myths
- Introduction to Feline Nutrition
Unit 2: Raw Feeding Risks
- Proper Food Handling + Sanitation
- Risk of Bacteria
- Raw Bones
Unit 3: Water and Energy
- Water
- What is Energy in Food?
- How Much Energy Does My Pet Need?
- Unit 3 Recommended Reading
Unit 4: Digestion
- Introduction to Canine Digestive System
- Unit 4 Recommended Reading
Unit 5: Macronutrients
- Introduction to Macronutrients
- Protein and Amino Acids
- Carbohydrates
- Fats & Fatty Acids
- Unit 5 Recommended Reading
Unit 6: Micronutrients
- Introduction to Micronutrients
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Interactions
- Unit 6 Recommended Reading
Unit 7: Ingredients and Nutrients
- Protein Sources, Organic Protein Sources, Grass-Fed Beef, and Taurine
- Vitamin D and Food Sources
- Vitamin E
- Optional Vitamin E Video
- Fatty Acid Sources
- Liver
- Zinc and Ingredients
- Raw Meaty Bones for Cats
- Raw Meaty Bones for Dogs (and other calcium sources)
Unit 8: Your Pet’s Nutritional Needs
- AAFCO, FEDIAF, and NRC
- NRC Requirements: MW and ME Explained
Unit 9: Recipe Formulation
- Tools for Recipe FormulationAAFCO, FEDIAF, and NRC
- RFN Formulation Guide for Cooked and Raw Diets
- Unit 9: Recipe Formulation
- 5 Mistakes NRC Feeders Might Make
- Lesson Four: Video Lessons on Formulating Recipes for Your Dogs
Unit 10: Advanced Topics
- Feeding the Overweight Dog
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Senior Dog Nutrition & Lifestyle
- Pancreatitis
- Elimination Diets
- Kibble Topper Formulation Guide
- Balance: Vitamin D and Vitamin A
- Which Supplements/Nutrients Can Be Balanced Over Time?
Educational Courses
Raw Fed & Nerdy Full Course
The free original Raw Fed & Nerdy Full Course. Build a strong foundation in companion animal nutrition. Type in any price starting at $0.
Canine Formulation Course
Puppy Formulation Course
Formulation course + sheet that helps advanced formulators to create balanced, fresh food puppy diets. Quiz must be passed to enroll.
Professional Formulation Courses
Learn to formulate for different kinds of dogs professionally. Advanced, applied nutrition for all life stages, including growth & reproduction.
Vet, Help! Videos & Bundles
Ranging from liver disease to itchy dogs, these videos by Dr. Gray help pet owners navigate many different conditions. Single or bundled videos.
Formulación de dietas para perros
Este curso teórico-práctico recopila la información técnica y científicamente fundamentada para la formulación de dietas caseras (cocidas o crudas), de modo que la fórmula final sea completa y balanceada, es decir, cubra los requerimientos nutricionales de macro y micro nutrientes en cantidades totales y proporciones relativas adecuadas indicados por NRC. Sigue las recomendaciones nutricionales para el mantenimiento de perras/os adultas sanas en la literatura vigente disponible. Ofrece herramientas para la formulación y orienta de manera concreta durante TODAS LAS ETAPAS de la misma, de modo que al finalizar el curso las/os estudiantes se sientan capacitadas/os para aplicar los conocimientos y comenzar a formular.
Fue creado por 2 profesionales médico veterinarias, con más de 5 años de experiencia exclusiva en la formulación y balanceo de dietas caseras para perros sanos y con patologías. Reúne la capacitación y actualización constante con la aplicación práctica, de modo que quienes tomen el curso tengan la certeza de un adecuado balance nutricional, palatabilidad y digestibilidad de las fórmulas.
Formulation Products
RFN Single Formulation Sheet
The original Raw Fed & Nerdy Formulation sheet. Formulate unlimited balanced raw and cooked formulations for dogs and cats. Thousands of copies sold. Used by active nutrition & veterinarian professionals, as well as pet owners.
Hoja de formulación de Raw Fed and Nerdy
La hoja de formulación original de Raw Fed and Nerdy. Realiza formulaciones crudas y cocidas balanceadas de forma ilimitada para perros y gatos. Miles de copias vendidas. Utilizada por profesionales del área de nutrición, veterinarias/os y por tutoras/es de mascotas.
Puppy Formulation Sheet
RFN Puppy Formulation video course and formulation sheet helps advanced formulators to create balanced, fresh food puppy diets. Quiz must be passed to enroll. Access to private FB group included with sheet purchase.
RFN Pack Formulation Sheet
The Pack Formulation sheet is like no other formulation product available. Formulate for multiple adult pets at once. Make one formulation for your cats or dogs and ensure that the formulation is meeting their unique nutrient requirements
Digital Canine & Feline Formulations
About
Defined by Science
RAW FED AND NERDY was created in response to the growing concern regarding the lack of nutritional guidelines being considered when raw feeding. Raw Fed and Nerdy is science based raw feeding. RFN is primarily a Facebook Group Community for those feeding raw and wishing to collaborate with other raw feeders utilizing specific nutritional guidelines of dogs and cats, and venture away from pop-cultural raw feeding guidelines and hardcore ratio antics. Raw feeders using nutrient guidelines face unique challenges. As a community driven group, we bring together science based sources for nutritional excellency. Raw Fed and Nerdy also provides education in cooked, homemade diets and education in commercial food selection.
All admins are enrolled in or have taken pet nutrition courses and actively work in science based raw feeding.
We are a small, motivated, community driven, and well researched group.
PSST! Care about human nutrition?
Now introducing a side project for members of the Raw Fed & Nerdy Human Support group on Facebook: ELYP. Eat Like Your Pet. Formulation sheet for humans! Check out ELYP over here!
Freebies for all
RESOURCES
New Members Start Here
Please take the time to read about us, rules, and frequently asked questions. Then follow the steps to begin learning to raw feed using nutrient requirements.
Full Course
The Official Raw Fed & Nerdy Full Course provides in-depth education surrounding raw and cooked diets for dogs and cats. Now available for $0 and up (“Name Your Price”). Click here.
Quick Start | Learn to Feed Raw
This is a quick start guide to get adjusted to using nutrient requirements. Click here.
Get Help
If you would like to request a free one-on-one Q and A with Savannah Welna, click here.
MEMBERS
Blog
What is an Obligate Carnivore?
Written by Bonnie Edkin The term “obligate carnivore” comes up repeatedly in online social media cat groups. There are a lot of misunderstandings about what the term means. Here is some clarification regarding what an obligate carnivore is and what that means...
Hunger Pukes and Acid Reflux- Thoughts from The Raw Vet
Written by Dr. Charley Gray, Edited by Jenny Ryoo What is Acid Reflux (Gastroesophageal Reflux) Acid reflux describes the reverse-movement of acidic stomach contents back into the esophagus (the tube that goes from your mouth to your stomach). If it happens regularly...
Vitamin C and Dogs
Savannah Welna, Cert. ACN | 4/16/2020What is It? Vitamin C is considered a non-essential nutrient for dogs and is water soluble. Because of de novo synthesis, dogs do not require this nutrient to be provided in their diet. If you have been around Raw Fed & Nerdy...
Chloride
What is Chloride? Chloride, simply put, is chlorine when chlorine gains an electron. Chlorine on its own at room temperature is a diatomic element that exists as a highly corrosive gas. However, because chlorine only needs one electron to complete its octet, it...
Debunking Popular Nutrient Guideline Myths
Text Summary Below CLAIM: The way a dog would eat in the wild is preferred because without human intervention, nature thrives perfectly. Human involvement is what caused the domestication of dogs. Dogs learned that they benefited from their relationship with humans-...
How to Get the Best Feedback on Your Recipes
Guidelines for posting your recipes to Raw Fed and Nerdy Facebook GroupThis is a quick blog post to help RFN members get feedback on their recipes they share to the group. Posting all of the required information will help yoor post not get lost in the Facebook Group...
Food or Supplements
Quite often, we are accused of valuing supplements over whole food sources or even “fear mongering.” After all- for every nutrient, there is a whole food that provides it. When possible, nutrient needs should absolutely be met using whole foods. There is more in bones...















