Practice Manual · Section 2

RMBD Essentials: Staff Resource Hub

Version 1.0 · April 2026 · Mandatory onboarding reading for all staff

2.1 Why We Feed Raw

At Rawesome Vets, nutrition is not an afterthought — it is the foundation of everything we do. Research consistently shows that 80% of dogs over three years old and 85% of cats over three years old have active dental disease, and highly processed commercial pet food is the primary driver. A raw meaty bones diet (RMBD) addresses this at the root: the mechanical action of tearing and crushing raw bones cleans teeth daily, stimulates the immune system, and provides the full nutritional profile carnivores evolved to thrive on. Food is medicine — and this is the message we share with every client we see.

The difference between RMBD and other pet food

Compare feeding other pet food vs the raw meaty bones diet

2.2 What Is (and Isn't) RMBD

✅ RMBD Includes

🍗 Chicken wings, necks, frames, spatchcock
🐦 Quail frames, turkey frames and necks
🐰 Rabbit, duck, deer
🐟 Fish — including whole fish heads
🥩 Whole rack of lamb ribs, lamb necks
🦘 Kangaroo tails
🫀 Offal: heart, liver, tripe — fortnightly or monthly

❌ RMBD Does NOT Include

Minced or chopped meat alone — no bone action
Cooked bones of any kind — splinter risk
Halved marrow bones — tooth fracture risk
Commercial kibble or wet food — ultra-processed
Excessive fruit or vegetables
Multi-ingredient processed recipes

The key test: Can they tear it, crunch it, and work for it? If yes — it's RMBD. If it's cooked, minced, or can be swallowed whole — it's not.

2.3 The 10 Benefits of RMBD

🎯 Feeding Frenzy Endorphin release and immune stimulation from natural feeding behaviour

💪 Physical Exercise Whole-body muscular effort promotes health and immune function

🦷 Teeth Cleaning Natural daily plaque removal — no anaesthesia required

🔬 Natural Enzymes Supports pancreatic and digestive enzyme activity

🦠 Probiotics Healthy gut bacteria and microbiome maintenance

⚡ Biochemicals Full-spectrum nutritional compounds found in whole prey

⚖️ Bacterial Balance Promotes beneficial colon bacteria and reduces pathogen load

🧘 Behavioural Health Stress reduction through natural chewing behaviour

🌿 Optimal Nutrition Balanced macros and micronutrients as carnivores evolved to eat

🫁 Gut Enzymes Improved nutrient absorption and digestive efficiency

2.4 Vets: The Consult Room Standard

This subsection is being drafted — Q&A with Dr. Mei in progress. Coming soon.

2.5 Nurses & Support Staff: Quick Reference Guide

Think Natural — mimic what they would prey on in the wild: whole carcasses, tearing, crunching.

Keep It Simple — feed once daily or less. No over-engineering. No exotic recipes.

Bigger is Better — always go bigger. Larger bones prevent wolfing, choking, and tooth fractures.

Pet	Daily Amount	Bone Type	Frequency	Weight Management
Puppy / Kitten	2–4 quail or 2–3 spatchcock frames	Quail / spatchcock	3–4× daily	Rarely overweight — feed freely
Adult Cat	1 spatchcock frame	Spatchcock	Once daily	Fast 2 days/week if overweight
Small Dog	1 spatchcock or small chicken frame	Spatchcock / chicken frame	Daily or alternate days	Every other day if overweight
Medium Dog	1 chicken frame	Chicken frame	Daily or alternate days	Every other day if overweight
Large Dog	1 chicken frame	Chicken frame	Once daily	Fast 2–3 days/week if overweight
XL Dog	2–3 chicken frames or 1 duck/turkey frame	Duck / turkey frame	1–2× daily	Fast 1–2 days/week if overweight

Special Cases

Senior or toothless pets: fully thawed frames — softer and easier to manage
Brachycephalic breeds (French bulldog, pug, English bulldog): always go larger or frozen; supervise throughout feeding
Fast eaters: feed frozen to slow consumption and reduce choking risk
Offal (heart, kidney, liver): fortnightly or monthly — not daily

What to Say at the Counter

"My dog won't eat raw bones."

→ Fast them for a full day first. Offer the bone fully thawed — softer smell and texture. Smear a small amount of their favourite food on the carcass to entice them. Most dogs come around within 2–3 attempts. If they still won't take it, check in with the vet team.

"Is that a balanced diet?"

→ Yes. Whole carcasses naturally provide the macros and micronutrients carnivores evolved to eat. Feed a variety of proteins and add offal fortnightly for trace minerals. It's what they ate before someone invented a bag of biscuits.

"What size bone should I get?"

→ Always bigger than you think. The whole point is that they have to work for it — tear, crunch, chew. If they can swallow it whole, it's too small. Tell me the breed and weight and I'll point you to the right product.

"Is raw food safe? I'm worried about bacteria."

→ Pets have highly acidic stomach acid designed to handle raw meat and bone. Basic hygiene applies the same as handling raw chicken for yourself. The real risk is cooked bones, not raw.

2.6 Frequently Asked Questions

Is raw chicken safe to feed?

Yes. Pets have highly acidic stomach acid designed to break down raw meat and bone — including bacteria like Salmonella. Standard hygiene precautions apply, but raw chicken is safe for your pet.

Can I feed cooked bones?

No. Cooked bones splinter into sharp shards that can perforate the gut — a genuine emergency. Always feed raw. The rule: raw = safe, cooked = dangerous.

What about bacteria?

Pets' digestive systems are adapted for raw meat. Their highly acidic stomach environment neutralises pathogens. Maintain normal food-handling hygiene and there is no elevated risk.

How do I know the diet is balanced?

Feed a variety of whole proteins — chicken, rabbit, fish, game, kangaroo. Add offal (liver, kidney, heart) fortnightly or monthly. Whole carcasses naturally provide the macro and micronutrient profile carnivores evolved to thrive on. No supplements needed for a healthy adult.

My pet won't eat raw — what do I do?

Fast them for a full day before the next attempt. Offer the bone fully thawed. Smear a small amount of their favourite food on the carcass. Most pets come around within a few attempts. Cats can take longer — patience and persistence is key.

Can puppies and kittens eat raw meaty bones?

Yes — and the sooner the better. Most puppies and kittens will readily take to carcasses from 6 weeks old. Start with soft, small frames: spatchcock or quail for kittens, spatchcock for puppies. Early introduction makes lifelong feeding much easier.

What about constipation or loose stools?

Some loose stools in the first few days of transitioning are normal. Post-transition: expect smaller, firmer, less odorous stools. Straining is common and normal. True constipation (no stool 48+ hours, distress) warrants a vet check. Cooked pumpkin helps pets prone to constipation.

Are lamb bones good?

Yes — lamb necks are great for medium to large dogs. Whole racks of lamb ribs are excellent for larger breeds. Avoid halved marrow bones — tooth fracture risk for any dog.

Can I mix raw with commercial food?

We generally advise against mixing kibble and raw at the same meal — different digestion rates can cause gut upset. If transitioning, separate the meals. Long-term, the goal is a full RMBD.

What about bladder stones?

A species-appropriate diet promotes urinary tract health and reduces stone-forming conditions. The high carbohydrate load in commercial food is a significant contributing factor to many urinary issues. Discuss individual cases with the vet team.

Is raw food expensive?

In Australia, raw food is generally comparable to or cheaper than good-quality commercial pet food — particularly when you factor in reduced dental treatment costs over the pet's lifetime.

Are there parasite risks?

No increased worm risk from reputable raw food sources. Routine worming every three months is recommended for all pets regardless of diet.

What if there's a bowel obstruction?

Vomiting, lethargy, or abdominal pain after eating bones — seek veterinary attention immediately. This is rare with appropriately sized raw bones; risk increases significantly with cooked bones or bones that are too small.

How do I transition my cat?

Fast for a day, then offer quail frames or small spatchcock. Warm the bone slightly to enhance smell. Some cats take weeks — persistence pays off, especially in the first year. We have a dedicated cat transition guide available in the pet food shop.

How often should I worm a raw-fed pet?

Every three months, the same as any pet. Staff can advise on appropriate products available in-clinic.

2.7 Resources

Rawesome Pet Food — Our Own Resources

How to Feed RMBD — species-specific feeding guide with portion sizes and frequency
RMBD Information Hub — overview of the diet, what's included, and dental disease statistics
Transitioning Your Pet — step-by-step guide for dogs and cats switching to raw
RMBD FAQs — client-ready answers to the most common questions
Case Studies & Testimonials — real-world outcomes; useful for client conversations

Dr. Tom Lonsdale's Work

thepetfoodcon.com — current primary site; case studies, open letters, podcast and blog. Essential for understanding the commercial pet food landscape.
rawmeatybones.com — archive site with 30+ years of articles, research, and clinical observations
Work Wonders — shorter owner-facing guide; free PDF available via his sites. Excellent to recommend to clients.
Raw Meaty Bones — foundational clinical text; core reading for all vets joining the practice
Multi-Billion-Dollar Pet Food Fraud — exposes the commercial pet food industry's practices; builds conviction behind the RMBD message

2.8 Onboarding Quiz

Mandatory for all new staff. Complete this quiz as part of your onboarding. You must score 100% to pass. Retake as many times as needed. Once you pass, notify your manager to record completion.

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