For many pet owners, switching their dog to a raw diet can seem daunting – but the rewards can be astounding. Poppy’s Picnic, an award-winning raw dog food company in the UK, has seen countless dogs transform their health and happiness after ditching processed kibble for fresh raw meals. Raw feeding has so many benefits; dogs often develop shinier coats, better digestion (and smaller poops!), cleaner teeth, and stronger joints – just to name a few . In this post, we share three inspiring success stories of dogs who experienced significant health improvements after switching to Poppy’s Picnic raw food.

Each of these case studies features a different dog with a unique challenge.  Bella, a young dog plagued by skin allergies; Max, a senior Labrador with aching joints; and Rocket, a high-energy Collie who needed top-notch nutrition to fuel his active lifestyle. Read on to see how the right raw diet made all the difference for these beloved pups – and how it might do the same for your dog.

Bella: From Itchy Skin to Shiny Coat

Bella, a 4-year-old French Bulldog, had suffered from itchy, irritated skin since puppyhood. She would constantly scratch, lick her paws, and break out in red patches on her belly. Her owners tried everything – hypoallergenic kibbles, medicated shampoos, even daily antihistamines – but Bella still couldn’t get relief. It was heartbreaking to see her so uncomfortable and having to wear a cone to stop the scratching.

Switching to Raw: In a hopeful attempt to cure Bella’s allergies, her vet suggested trying a natural, unprocessed diet. That’s when Bella’s family discovered Poppy’s Picnic. They transitioned her to Poppy’s Picnic Mighty Mince Wild Boar, a single-protein raw recipe enriched with omega-rich oils and absolutely no artificial additives. The difference was apparent within weeks. Because Poppy’s Picnic raw food contains none of the starchy fillers or synthetic ingredients that can trigger inflammation, Bella’s skin finally had a chance to heal . Her itching reduced dramatically as the raw diet “starved out” the yeast and irritation that had been plaguing her.

Amazing Results: Three months into her new raw feeding regimen, Bella is like a different dog. Her once patchy, dull fur has become glossy and soft. The redness on her tummy disappeared, and she’s no longer gnawing at her feet. Bella’s ears (which frequently suffered yeast infections before) have cleared up too. Her owner, Jane, also noticed that Bella’s digestion improved – no more gurgly stomach or messy, loose stools.

“I can’t believe the change in Bella,” says Jane. “She’s finally itch-free and so much happier. Plus, her fur is the shiniest I’ve ever seen – she looks like a new dog!”

Bella’s turnaround isn’t an isolated case. In fact, a survey of over 300 dogs who switched to raw found that more than 90% got relief from skin issues just by eating real fresh food . By eliminating common allergens and providing bioavailable nutrients, Poppy’s Picnic gave Bella the relief that no kibble could. Seeing Bella snooze comfortably (without scratching herself awake) and strut around with that gorgeous coat has convinced her family that raw feeding was the best decision they ever made for her.

Max: Golden Years Revitalised

Max is a 10-year-old Labrador Retriever who had started slowing down considerably. Once an eager walking companion, Max began suffering from stiff hips and creaky joints as he entered his senior years. On cold mornings it would take him a long time to get up from his bed, and he often limped after any vigorous play. His owners noticed he had lost that spark – instead of greeting them at the door with a toy, Max would wag his tail gently from his rug, preferring to stay put. He was on pain medication for arthritis, but his mobility was still limited, and his family worried about his quality of life.

Switching to Raw: Determined to help their grey-muzzled friend feel young again, Max’s owners decided to try a dietary change. They switched Max from a typical “senior” kibble (full of grains and fillers) to Poppy’s Picnic Mighty Mince Beef. This complete raw diet is rich in high-quality protein, natural glucosamine and chondroitin (from ground bone and cartilage), and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids from seeds and oils. Almost immediately, Max’s appetite improved – he licked his bowl clean at every meal and seemed excited about food again. Over the next few weeks, subtle changes emerged: Max started moving more fluidly and even began trotting over to his leash when it was time for a walk. The omega-3s in his new raw meals were likely soothing his joints (studies show that fish oil supplementation can significantly improve pain and mobility in arthritic dogs) .

Amazing Results: After three months on Poppy’s Picnic’s raw diet, Max’s transformation is nothing short of remarkable. He’s now able to climb the stairs and even jump into the car for his favourite outings, whereas before he needed a boost. His once stiff joints have loosened up – friends and neighbours remark that Max “moves like a dog half his age” these days. Even his coat has become thicker and shinier, and he shed a bit of excess weight, which further eased the strain on his joints. Most importantly, Max is enjoying life again – he brings his tennis ball to his owners for fetch and has regained that cheeky Labrador enthusiasm.

Max’s vet is equally impressed. At a recent check-up, they were able to reduce Max’s pain medication because he simply didn’t seem to need as much anymore. A nutrient-dense raw diet acted like natural therapy for his body, providing the building blocks for joint repair and reducing inflammation. It’s likely that the fresh nutrition gave Max’s immune system the boost it needed to help heal his aching joints. As a happy side effect, his teeth are cleaner too (gnawing on the occasional raw Poppy’s Picnic bone has helped scrape away tartar). Seeing Max trot – not trudge – across the garden is proof that even senior dogs can get a new lease on life with the right food.

Rocket: Fueling a Canine Athlete

Rocket is a 3-year-old Border Collie who lives for action and adventure. He competes in agility competitions on weekends and never seems to run out of energy – at least, that was until he hit an unexpected wall. Despite being young and active, Rocket occasionally struggled with stamina during long agility trials and would come home utterly exhausted. His owner, Sam, noticed that Rocket’s focus in late-day runs was slipping and his recovery after intense exercise was slow. Rocket was eating a high-performance kibble, but Sam wondered if even better nutrition could give his dog the edge and endurance he needed.

Switching to Raw: After some research, Sam decided to transition Rocket to Poppy’s Picnic’s RAW POWER range – recipes specifically formulated for working dogs and canine athletes. Rocket started on Poppy’s Picnic RAW POWER Chicken, a protein-packed raw mince with an optimal balance of muscle meat, bone, and offal to fuel his active days. The effect was evident within a month. With real, bioavailable nutrients (not processed meals or fillers), Rocket’s body was now truly being fed rather than just filled up. Sam noticed that Rocket’s midday energy dips disappeared; his agility training sessions could go longer without him flagging. In fact, dogs on raw diets often show better focus and increased energy levels  – and Rocket proved to be no exception.

Amazing Results: A few months later, Rocket is in peak condition. He’s building lean muscle and maintaining a healthy weight with ease. At their latest agility meet, Rocket not only had the stamina to power through every round, but he also set a personal-best time on the course! Sam observed other benefits too: Rocket’s digestion is superb on raw. He used to have occasional soft stools and gas on kibble, but now his tummy is much happier. His poops are small and firm, and far less smelly – a sign that he’s absorbing more nutrients and leaving less waste . Plus, keeping him hydrated is easier, since raw food naturally contains more moisture than dry kibble.

Rocket’s daily antics around the farm have even ramped up – he’ll herd anything that moves (including the garden hose water) and then turn on a dime, ready for a game of fetch. Sam loves the change he sees in his dog:

“Rocket was always energetic, but now he’s on another level,” Sam says. “He has endless endurance and seems more focused during training. And I must admit, clean-up is easier with his tiny poops now!”

By switching to Poppy’s Picnic RAW POWER, Sam gave Rocket the high-octane fuel he needed to truly thrive as the canine athlete he is.

Ready for Your Dog’s Transformation?

These three stories highlight just a few of the incredible benefits that a balanced raw diet can provide:

• Relief from Allergies: A natural, grain-free raw diet can clear up itchy skin and hot spots, giving dogs like Bella healthy skin and comfort.

• Improved Mobility: High-quality proteins and natural nutrients (like omega-3s and glucosamine) support joint health and can help senior dogs move more easily.

• Increased Energy & Focus: With easily digestible protein and no sugar crashes, raw-fed dogs often have more stable energy levels and better focus throughout the day .

• Better Digestion: Raw food is highly digestible, leading to smaller, firmer stools and less waste to clean up . Many dogs with sensitive stomachs also experience less gas and tummy upset on a raw diet.

• Shinier Coat & Healthy Weight: The rich fatty acids in raw diets promote healthy skin and a glossy coat, while the high-protein, low-carb nature of raw feeding helps build lean muscle and maintain an ideal weight .

It’s no coincidence that Bella, Max, and Rocket each thrived after switching to raw – these benefits are commonly reported by pet parents who make the change . When you feed fresh, species-appropriate ingredients, you’re giving your dog the tools to truly thrive, not just survive.

If you’re feeling inspired by these transformations, why not explore Poppy’s Picnic’s raw dog food range for your own canine companion? Whether your dog needs relief from a specific issue or you simply want to boost their overall wellbeing, we have a variety of recipes to suit dogs of all breeds, ages, and activity levels. Head over to our Poppy’s Picnic shop to discover the perfect raw meals for your pup. Give your dog the gift of optimal nutrition – and perhaps one day you’ll be sharing your own raw feeding success story with us!