Bella & Duke: The Best Raw Dog Food for Dutch Dogs?

Raw dog food is closer to a dog's ancestral diet and typically contains higher-quality protein with no fillers or artificial preservatives. Many owners report improvements in coat, digestion, energy, and dental health after switching. That said, high-quality kibble works well for most healthy dogs — raw feeding requires more planning with storage and hygiene, so it's worth weighing the practicalities for your lifestyle before committing.

Yes — Bella & Duke follows FEDIAF European pet food nutritional guidelines and produces nutritionally complete meals, meaning you don't need to add any supplements. The key is standard raw meat hygiene: defrost in the fridge, use clean bowls, and wash hands after handling. Dogs have much shorter, more acidic digestive tracts than humans and are well-adapted to raw meat. Over 13,000 Trustpilot reviews back up the safety and palatability of their range.

Yes — Bella & Duke delivers to the Netherlands and Belgium, always frozen. Delivery is free and flexible on subscription orders. Their website has a Benelux-specific delivery page where you can check current lead times, minimum order sizes, and any active promotions for new Dutch customers.

Ja — Bella & Duke is een premium merk en kost meer dan supermarktbrokken. Een kleine hond (onder 10 kg) kost je ongeveer €45–€70 per maand; een grote hond (25–40 kg) al gauw €130–€200. Vergeleken met andere premium rauwe merken is het echter concurrerend geprijsd. Met een abonnement bespaar je bovendien op de prijs per maaltijd. Gebruik de voedingscalculator op hun website voor een exacte schatting op basis van het gewicht van jouw hond.

Yes — Bella & Duke has puppy-specific raw meals formulated for the higher calcium, phosphorus, and protein demands of growing dogs. Always use puppy-formulated food rather than adult recipes for dogs under 12 months. Starting puppies on raw from the beginning is actually easier than transitioning an adult dog — their digestive systems adapt quickly. Always check with your vet first, especially for large-breed puppies where calcium balance is critical.

A gradual 10–14 day transition works well for most dogs: start with 25% raw + 75% current food for 3–4 days, move to 50/50, then 75% raw, then 100% raw. Dogs with robust digestion can often switch cold turkey in 3–5 days. Loose stools during the transition are normal — the gut microbiome is adjusting. If digestive upset persists beyond 2 weeks, slow the transition or consult your vet. Most dogs fully adapt within 3 weeks.

Keep it frozen until needed. Defrost 24 hours in advance in the fridge — never at room temperature. Use within 3 days of defrosting and never refreeze. Their pre-portioned packs are sized to make daily routine easy: pull tomorrow's portion from the freezer each evening. A medium freezer drawer is usually enough for a small or medium dog's monthly supply. For large dogs, a chest freezer is worth considering.

Their range includes beef, chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, venison, and fish-based recipes — giving you plenty of rotation options to avoid protein fatigue or sensitivities. Most complete meals include muscle meat, ground raw meaty bone (for calcium), and organ meat such as liver and kidney. They also offer single-protein pure meat packs for owners who want more control over their dog's diet composition.

Ervaringen met dierenartsen en rauwe voeding lopen uiteen in Nederland. Sommige dierenartsen zijn enthousiast, anderen staan er sceptisch tegenover. Bella & Duke's recepturen zijn ontwikkeld door voedingsdeskundigen en voldoen aan de FEDIAF-richtlijnen — dat is dezelfde norm als voor commercieel brokkenvoer. Als je dierenarts twijfels heeft, kun je vragen om hun specifieke bezwaren en die bespreken aan de hand van de voedingswaardentabel van Bella & Duke. Uiteindelijk is het jouw keuze als baasje.

Most dogs take to raw food readily — it's closer to what they're instinctively drawn to. If your dog is hesitant at first, try gently warming the food to release the aroma (15 seconds in a warm water bath, not a microwave). You can also try mixing a small amount with their current food before transitioning. Bella & Duke offers multiple protein varieties, so if one doesn't appeal, switching proteins often helps. Their customer support team is known for being responsive and helpful with fussy eater situations.