Is It OK to Feed Cavoodle Puppies a Raw Diet?

If you’re a proud Cavoodle parent like me, you’ve probably wondered: “Could raw food be better for my pup than kibble?” The idea of raw feeding is tempting, given the health benefits but, there is more to it than tossing a steak or some chicken in the bowl. Let’s chew through the facts and help you decide what’s best for your Cavoodle puppy.

What Is a Raw Diet?

A “raw diet” for dogs generally means uncooked foods: muscle meat, raw bones (edible ones), organs (liver, kidney etc.), sometimes fruits/vegetables, and often some supplements to balance vitamins/minerals. There are variations: BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), prey-model diets, home-prepared vs commercial raw diet products. 

Also consider a lightly cooked diet option like Lyka. It is a gently cooked dog food prepared with human-grade ingredients at low temperatures to retain nutrients while minimizing the health risks. It has minimal processing but still maintains the nutritional value and is suitable for all stages of life.  Click this link to get a special 50% off first box and 30% off the 2nd if you want to give it a try.

The goal with a raw or lightly cooked diet is to mirror what dogs might eat in nature (or at least parts of it), reducing processed ingredients and fillers which are in most commercial kibbles.

Possible Benefits for Cavoodle Puppies

Cavoodles are small to medium size, often energetic, clever, and sometimes sensitive (skin, gut etc.), depending on their parents’ genetics. Raw diets are claimed to bring benefits such as:

• Better coat and skin condition – raw diets often have good quality fats and less processing, which could help with glossiness, reduced itchiness.
  

• Potential for cleaner teeth – chewing raw meaty bones might help reduce tartar in some cases (though this is debated).
  

• Higher palatability – many pups prefer raw meat; it might stimulate appetite.
  

• Less fillers – if your puppy has sensitivities to grains or certain additives, a well-formulated raw diet can avoid those
  
  Important to note that the benefits depend heavily on how well the diet is balanced, how hygienic, and how appropriate for that puppy.

What Are the Risks

Raw feeding isn’t without its pitfalls, especially for puppies. Some of the risks to watch out for:

• Bacterial contamination: Salmonella, Campylobacter, Ecoli etc. Raw meat can carry pathogens. Puppies have developing immune systems so the risk is higher.
  

• Parasitic risks: Raw meat can harbour parasites if not sourced or treated correctly.
  

• Nutritional imbalance: Puppies grow fast; bones, muscles, organs need to be in correct ratios (calcium, phosphorus etc.). Too much or too little of key nutrients can lead to skeletal issues, joint problems.
  

• Bone hazards: Raw bones can injure teeth, cause choking, or gastrointestinal obstruction if the wrong kind or size are given. Even raw bones need careful handling.
  

• Cost, effort, storage: Raw diets need freezer space, careful sourcing, hygiene (cleaning tools, bowls), monitoring. It’s not “set it and forget it”.
  

Summary of pro’s & cons of raw food

When Can Cavoodle Puppies Start a Raw Diet?

Timing matters. Puppies’ digestive systems, teeth development, immune systems are still maturing. Here's a guideline with caveats:

• Weaning phase (3-4 weeks): Puppies are generally still nursing, then gradually introduced to solid food. At this very early stage, raw feeding is trickier because they may not have strong enough digestive enzymes yet.
  

• 8 weeks: Often puppies are fully weaned around this age. Many raw feeding guides say that around 8 weeks is reasonable to transition to more raw diet parts as long as everything else is managed properly. However, you need to consider your puppies individual issues and needs.
  

• After 3-4 months: A lot of people find this a “safer” time to fully commit, as immunity is stronger, growth is rapid but more stable. If starting earlier, you need to really monitor them closely.
  
  

So for Cavoodle puppies, you might begin to introduce raw components (muscle meat, soft organ, very small, manageable raw bones) around 8 weeks or just after, provided you have veterinary guidance and high-quality ingredients. If waiting until a bit later (3-4 months) to do more of the raw diet, that’s reasonable and reduces some risk.

What Safe Raw Feeding Looks Like for Cavoodle Pups

If you decide to go with raw, here are guidelines to maximise safety and ensure growth:

1. Get veterinary / nutritionist advice
    Before changing diet, consult a vet or, ideally, a veterinary nutritionist. They can help ensure the mix of proteins, organs, bones, fats and necessary vitamins/minerals is safe. Alternatively, seek the advice of a special dog nutritionist who can create diets and recipes especially for your dog.
   

2. Use high-quality, human-grade or well-regulated raw meat
   Quality matters so avoid meat that’s been treated with unknown preservatives or that’s likely to have high bacterial loads. Freeze meat appropriately, keep cold, thaw safely.
   

3. Balance calcium and phosphorus
   These minerals are critical for bone growth. Too much or too little can lead to joint problems or skeletal disorders. Raw meat often has lower calcium unless you include bone or bone meal etc. Organs provide other micronutrients.
   

4. Use variety of protein sources
   Start with one protein, then expand. Chicken, turkey, lamb, beef then perhaps introduce other proteins such as kangaroo, fish and game meats.  Giving a variety not only helps avoid allergies and ensures a broad nutrient base, it keeps it interesting for them and less chance of getting bored of the same food (a bit like us humans)
   

5. Raw bones: choose wisely
   If providing raw bones, use ones that are appropriate in size (so your pup can’t swallow whole). Bones should never be cooked (cooking makes them brittle). Monitor chewing behaviour so pup doesn’t crack teeth or choke.
   

6. Hygiene and food handling
   Wash hands, clean prep surfaces, separate raw food from human food. Clean bowls, utensils thoroughly. Store raw meats frozen or very cold, defrost in fridge not at room temp.
   

7. Monitor growth, stools, health
   Watch weight, body condition (not too thin, not too fat), coat, digestive health (diarrhoea, vomiting), appetite and even monitor there poop. Yep, sounds gross but this is a great indication of their gut health. Take a read of this blog if you missed it. Get regular vet check-ups. If you see poor growth or digestive issues, re-evaluate.

8. Supplement if needed
   Depending on your raw food mix, you may need to add omega-3s, vitamins &  minerals. If you buy a commercially formulated raw diet that is labelled “complete & balanced for puppies”, that helps reduce this risk.
   
   

When Raw Might Not Be the Best Idea

There are situations when a raw diet may not be ideal for your Cavoodle puppy:

• If immune system isn’t strong (illness, recent vaccinations, etc.)
  

• If you can’t reliably source safe, high quality raw meats
  

• If hygiene or freezer storage is an issue (raw diets require more effort)
  

• If your puppy has existing digestive problems or special dietary needs
  
  

In these cases, high quality puppy kibble or a mix may be safer, at least until your pup is stronger or you’re more confident managing raw.

Practical Tips: Transitioning Slowly

Switching diet abruptly is rarely a good idea. Here’s a smoother path:

1. Start by mixing a small portion of raw with the food the puppy is already eating.
   

2. Over 7-14 days gradually increase percentage of raw while reducing the old food. Watch stools, appetite, energy.
   

3. If all is good, move to full raw meals (if that’s your plan). But continue to monitor.
   
   

Is Raw Diet OK for Cavoodle Puppies?

Yes, if done carefully. For many Cavoodle puppies, a raw diet offers many benefits such as a better coat, potentially fewer digestive upsets, more natural ingredients. But those benefits only come when the diet is well-balanced, clean, appropriate for the puppy’s age, and feeding is managed with care.

And remember that products don’t necessarily need to be labelled “puppy food,” to be able to eat it, as it is all about not just labels. 

If starting raw, doing so after 8 weeks, with veterinary guidance, is generally safer. Earlier introduction is possible, but only with proper preparation. If in doubt, combining raw and commercial food, or waiting until 3-4 months, can be a good compromise.

Disclaimer* - This information is general in nature. We are not vets or animal nutritionists just simply providing knowledge so you can make an informed decision about what is best for you and your cavoodle. Always speak to your vet before making any changes to your cavoodle’s diet.