Does your furry friend deserve the absolute best when it comes to their meals? Many pet parents think so, and that’s why raw dog food has become so popular. But navigating the world of raw diets can feel like a jungle! You might be wondering: Is it safe? What kind of food should I pick? How much should I feed my dog? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the information and the sheer number of brands out there.
Choosing the right raw dog food is a big deal because it can impact your dog’s health and happiness. You want to make sure you’re giving them a diet that’s nutritious and delicious, but without all the confusion. This post is here to help clear the air and make your decision much easier.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a much clearer understanding of what raw dog food is all about. We’ll break down the basics, explore the benefits, and offer practical tips to help you find the perfect raw food for your canine companion. Get ready to discover how a raw diet can truly transform your dog’s well-being, one bite at a time.
Top Raw Dog Food Recommendations
- Raw Food Made Easy : Simply Raw combines the safety, easy prep and shelf stable convenience of kibble and canned food with the unsurpassed nutrition offered in real, fresh raw food. Just add water to make this 3 lb bag into over 18 lbs of raw whole food, ready to serve in minutes.
- Ingredients With Purpose : Simply Raw is made with only the freshest human grade ingredients. Every ingredient is chosen with care to support holistic health and provide functional benefits for lasting wellness : Freeze-dried raw beef muscle, organ meat, chicken bone broth, whole egg, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, OMEGA fatty acids, probiotics & prebiotics. Raw, whole food ingredients you can see.
- All Natural Nutrition : At Nature’s Diet, we believe in honest, transparent labels. We are proud of the wholesome, clean ingredients we use to make Simply Raw - unlike some other brands, we never put anything into our dog food that isn’t listed on the label. No fillers, no grains, no GMOs, no unnatural preservatives, no soy, no added flavorings or dyes. Just honest, raw, whole food nutrition. Key Product Features
- USA Sourced, Sustainable, Thoughtful : Made lovingly in small batches in the USA with regionally sourced ingredients & humanely raised meat. Real food for healthy dogs and a healthier planet.
- Safe Raw : Freeze-Drying is a natural food preservation process which removes moisture while maintaining the nutritional integrity of food. Freeze-Dried Raw is always free of pathogens, making it the safest way to feed a raw diet. Shelf stable, safe to handle & easy to store.
- ALL-NATURAL DOG FOOD ROLL AND CAT FOOD ROLL: Raw Paws beef frozen dog food roll is made from 100% natural beef dogs and cats and even ferrets love! This single-protein cat food and dog food beef recipe has no preservatives, fillers or additives. High-protein grain free beef dog food and cat food that is fully digestible, improves skin and coat health, supports oral hygiene and helps pets build and maintain lean muscle mass. Your pet will love our raw frozen dog food and beef cat food!
- CAT FOOD AND DOG FOOD MADE IN USA ONLY: Our frozen raw dog food beef blend comes from grass fed beef sourced from Indiana family farms. We partner with local farmers to guarantee the best beef dog food and cat food made from healthy free-range cows raised in humane living conditions. When you feed your pet raw blend beef grain free dog food and cat food, you’re imitating your pet’s natural, species-appropriate diet, which helps your pet achieve optimal health, vibrancy, and longevity.
- NUTRIENT-DENSE ALL BEEF DOG FOOD AND CAT FOOD: Not only is our dog and cat food beef roll irresistible, our raw beef dog food has a blend of 80% muscle meat, 10% organ and 10% bone. Raw fresh dog food and cat food made from beef is rich in the amino acids L-carnitine and taurine, both of which are essential for cardiac health but are often lacking in pet food. High in iron, copper and zinc, our all natural beef raw food for dogs and cats has vitamins that are vital for health and vitality.
- EASY-TO-SERVE CAT AND DOG BEEF ROLL: Our 1-lb cat food and dog food log is super easy and convenient to handle, serve and store! Simply thaw the dog and cat tube food and serve as needed or partially thaw our frozen dog food and cat food in the fridge and cut into portions with a serrated knife. Refreeze extra portions or form into cat food and dog food patties for future feedings. The convenient size of our grain free dog food roll also makes it simple to rotate proteins for all your pets.
- WE VALUE YOU: We stand behind our brand and strive to ensure that you and your pet are truly happy. Meeting your expectations is our top priority at Raw Paws Pet, Inc.
- Raw Food Made Easy : Simply Raw combines the safety, easy prep and shelf stable convenience of kibble and canned food with the unsurpassed nutrition offered in real, fresh raw food. Just add water to make this 3 lb bag into over 18 lbs of raw whole food, ready to serve in minutes.
- Ingredients With Purpose : Simply Raw is made with only the freshest human grade ingredients. Every ingredient is chosen with care to support holistic health and provide functional benefits for lasting wellness : Freeze-dried raw beef muscle, organ meat, chicken bone broth, whole egg, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, OMEGA fatty acids, probiotics & prebiotics. Raw, whole food ingredients you can see.
- All Natural Nutrition : At Nature’s Diet, we believe in honest, transparent labels. We are proud of the wholesome, clean ingredients we use to make Simply Raw - unlike some other brands, we never put anything into our dog food that isn’t listed on the label. No fillers, no grains, no GMOs, no unnatural preservatives, no soy, no added flavorings or dyes. Just honest, raw, whole food nutrition. Key Product Features
- USA Sourced, Sustainable, Thoughtful : Made lovingly in small batches in the USA with regionally sourced ingredients & humanely raised meat. Real food for healthy dogs and a healthier planet.
- Safe Raw : Freeze-Drying is a natural food preservation process which removes moisture while maintaining the nutritional integrity of food. Freeze-Dried Raw is always free of pathogens, making it the safest way to feed a raw diet. Shelf stable, safe to handle & easy to store.
- NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Features all natural, minimally processed bites of real beef— free from grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives
- POWER OF RAW: A unique blend of crunchy kibble and FreshDried Raw for bold flavor, irresistible texture, and boosted nutrition
- NUTRIENT-DENSE: USA-raised beef as the first ingredient delivers protein for strong, lean muscles, with fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-rich ingredients for balance
- 6-IN-1 HEALTH BENEFITS: Supports digestive health, immune function, skin & coat health, heart health, joint support, and lean muscle
- CRAFTED IN THE USA: Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world for a wholesome, complete diet
- HUMANELY SOURCED MEAT - Crafted with a blend of 100% animal welfare certified grass-fed beef, pasture-raised lamb and pork, this irresistible recipe includes nutrient-dense meat, organ, and bone with non-GMO grains, fruits, and veggies.
- RAWMIX - These recipes offer pet parents whole-prey, meat-focused, nutrient dense, kibble recipes with the added benefits of bone broth and freeze dried raw. These diets include meat, organs and bone broth, and deliver optimal taste and nutrition for your pet!
- REWILD YOUR DOG’S BOWL - Perfect for pet parents that are seeking to feed animals as they thrive in the wild, with protein-focused diets, and the convenient, added nutrient of freeze-dried raw. For those pet parents curious about raw nutrition, but not yet ready to fully switch to raw, RawMix is a great option for your furry friend.
- QUALITY & SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES - At Open Farm we believe that great nutrition is rooted in the integrity of our ingredients. All of the meat, organ and bones included in these recipes are sourced from 3rd party animal welfare certified farms. By working exclusively with farmers who share our commitment to exceptional quality and sustainable practices, we can make better food for your pets, while also doing some good for family farms, farm animals and the environment.
- 100% TRANSPARENCY: As a part of our commitment to transparent sourcing practices, we provide owners with the ability to trace the origin of every ingredient using the lot number on the bag, because where pet foods come from shouldn’t be a mystery.
- FREEZE DRIED RAW MEAT: Kibble in the Raw locks in the nutrients and flavor of raw meat through our freeze-dried process. Unlike traditional kibble, it delivers optimized nutrition and digestibility without high-heat cooking and overprocessing.
- EASY SCOOP AND SERVE: Skip the prep and mess! Kibble in the Raw is ready to serve straight from the bag, offering the convenience of dry dog food with the nutrition of a raw diet. No preparation or hydration necessary.
- BEEF RECIPE: Made with 100% freeze dried raw protein and grass-fed beef, this recipe delivers protein-rich nutrition to help maintain muscle health and support sustained energy. Packed with flavor, it’s a meal your pup will love with every bite!
- ONLY REAL WHOLE FOODS: We use organic apples, sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, and kale—no synthetic vitamins or minerals. Our minimally processed recipes preserve natural nutrients to help support healthy digestion and overall wellness.
- GENTLE ON DIGESTION: Primal freeze dried dog food is crafted without fillers or common allergens to help support digestive health, leading to smaller, firmer stools.
- Love Is Raw: Our Raw Blend dog food offers the protein-rich taste dogs crave with the nutrition they deserve; the flavor and nutrition of raw is in every bite with freeze-dried raw coating, plus freeze-dried raw chunks
- Feed Your Dog’s Wild Side! Our Red Meat Recipe includes six poultry-free animal protein sources: beef, pork, lamb, bison, venison and goat
- Whole Prey Ingredients: Feeding your pet a diet similar to what their ancestors enjoyed in the wild helps your pet thrive; 90% of the recipe’s protein comes from animal muscle meat, organ meat and cartilage
- Grain-Free: Our nutritious, grain-free recipe is easy for dogs of all life stages to digest, with no unnecessary fillers and only the finest ingredients
- Supports Whole Body Health: Fortified with vitamins, minerals and amino acids, our Raw Blend formula helps improve your dog’s entire well-being, with fiber and probiotics for digestive support and taurine for heart health
- RawTernative Beef and Beef Organs Recipe is made from grass-fed beef raised ethically in the pristine farm country of New Zealand
- 93% Beef and Beef Organs
- AIR DRIED FOOD: A small batch technique used for centuries. No need to add water. Moist, chunky texture like real meat.
- NEW ZEALAND GREEN MUSSELS: Natural source of Glucosimine and Chondroitin
- FLAXSEED FOR PREBIOTICS: Fiber, Omegas, Skin & Coat
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Fueling Your Dog with Raw Food
Choosing the right food for your dog is a big decision. Raw dog food is a popular option for many pet parents. It mimics what dogs might eat in the wild. This guide will help you understand raw food so you can make the best choice for your furry friend.
Why Consider Raw Dog Food?
Many owners switch to raw food because they see health improvements in their dogs. These can include a shinier coat, better digestion, and more energy. Raw food is often made with simple, whole ingredients.
Key Features to Look For in Raw Dog Food
1. Ingredient Quality
Look for foods with high-quality protein sources. These should be the first ingredients listed. Good options include muscle meat, organs, and edible bones. Avoid fillers like corn, wheat, or soy. These don’t offer much nutritional value for dogs.
2. Nutritional Balance
A balanced raw diet provides all the nutrients your dog needs. This includes protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Many reputable brands offer complete and balanced meals. They follow guidelines set by organizations like the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).
3. Protein Variety
Dogs benefit from a variety of protein sources. Look for foods that offer different meats like chicken, beef, lamb, or fish. This helps ensure your dog gets a wide range of amino acids and nutrients.
4. Source of Fats
Healthy fats are important for energy and a healthy coat. Look for sources like fish oil or flaxseed. These provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Important Materials in Raw Dog Food
- Muscle Meat: This is the primary source of protein. It provides essential amino acids.
- Organs: Liver, heart, and kidney are packed with vitamins and minerals. They are very nutrient-dense.
- Edible Bones: Ground bones provide calcium and phosphorus. These are crucial for bone health.
- Vegetables and Fruits: Small amounts of certain vegetables and fruits add fiber and antioxidants.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Human-Grade Ingredients: Using ingredients fit for human consumption shows a commitment to quality.
- Minimally Processed: Raw food should be as close to its natural state as possible.
- No Artificial Additives: Preservatives, colors, and flavors are unnecessary and can be harmful.
- Reputable Brands: Brands with good track records and transparent sourcing are generally higher quality.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Excessive Fillers: Ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy can lower the overall nutritional value.
- Low-Quality Protein: Using by-products or rendered meals instead of whole meats reduces quality.
- Artificial Ingredients: These offer no nutritional benefit and can cause allergies or sensitivities.
- Poor Handling Practices: Inconsistent temperature control during production or shipping can compromise safety.
User Experience and Use Cases
Many dog owners report positive changes in their pets. Dogs often have more energy and better breath. Digestion can improve, leading to smaller, firmer stools. Some dogs with allergies find relief with raw diets because they eliminate common allergens found in kibble.
Raw food comes in different forms. You can find frozen patties, chubs, or even freeze-dried options. Frozen is the most common and closest to fresh. Freeze-dried is convenient for travel and has a long shelf life.
Transitioning to raw food needs to be done slowly. Mixing a small amount of raw with your dog’s current food helps their digestive system adjust. Always consult your veterinarian before making major diet changes.
Raw Dog Food: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is raw dog food safe for my dog?
A1: When handled properly, raw dog food can be safe. It’s important to follow safe food handling practices to prevent bacterial contamination.
Q2: What are the main benefits of feeding raw?
A2: Benefits include improved digestion, shinier coats, increased energy, and potentially fewer allergies.
Q3: How do I transition my dog to a raw diet?
A3: Transition slowly by gradually mixing raw food with their current food over 7-10 days.
Q4: Can I feed my dog raw bones?
A4: Yes, raw, edible bones are a good source of calcium. Cooked bones, however, are dangerous and can splinter.
Q5: What if my dog doesn’t like the taste of raw food?
A5: Try different protein sources or brands. Some dogs may need more time to adjust to new flavors.
Q6: How should I store raw dog food?
A6: Keep it frozen until ready to use. Once thawed, store it in the refrigerator and use it within a few days.
Q7: Is raw food expensive?
A7: It can be more expensive than kibble, but many owners find the health benefits justify the cost.
Q8: Can puppies eat raw food?
A8: Yes, puppies can thrive on a balanced raw diet. Ensure it’s formulated for puppies’ specific nutritional needs.
Q9: What are the risks of raw dog food?
A9: The main risks are bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances if the diet isn’t complete and balanced.
Q10: Should I talk to my vet before feeding raw?
A10: Absolutely. Your vet can offer guidance and ensure the raw diet is appropriate for your dog’s individual health needs.