Have you ever looked at your dog’s food bowl and wondered if there’s a better way to nourish your best friend? Many dog owners feel this way. They see ingredients lists full of things they cannot pronounce and worry if they are truly feeding their dog the best diet. Choosing the right raw dog food can feel overwhelming. You hear success stories, but you also hear warnings. How do you sort through the hype and find a safe, balanced option for your furry family member?
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the basics of raw feeding. You will learn what makes a complete and balanced raw meal. We will cover the different styles of raw diets available today. By the end of this post, you will feel confident understanding the benefits and practical steps for making the switch. Get ready to explore the world of raw feeding and discover how it can transform your dog’s health.
Top Raw Dog Foods 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.
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW CHICKEN HEART DOG TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Dog Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw dog treats are made from responsibly sourced, premium butcher cut chicken hearts.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried dog treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our dog treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Dog treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw dog food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and dogs with allergies!
- RAW DOG TREATS FREEZE DRIED FOR PEAK FRESHNESS: Our protein is frozen within 45-minutes of harvesting to lock in peak nutrients, flavor, and freshness. A slow-freeze-dry ensures minimal processing, while preserving the vital nutrients that our pets deserve, the way nature intended.
- 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.
- PREMIUM BLEND - Nutra Complete is veterinarian-developed with 95% ranch-raised beef & organs. Each delicious bite contains hand-selected ingredients for nutrition that help support healthy digestion, a thick coat, healthy immune function, and overall health and happiness.*
- HIGH QUALITY BEEF - Premium, ranch-raised beef and organs make up 95% of Nutra Complete. Our beef is 100% freeze-dried, so your dog gets easily digestible protein from every bite.*
- SEEDS, FRUITS, AND VEGETABLES - Our unique blend of seeds, fruits, and vegetables provides your dog with health-supporting nutrients. This includes flaxseed, blueberry, carrot, sweet potato, spinach, and more.*
- HEALTH-SUPPORTING VITAMINS AND MINERALS - Our food contains a variety of ingredients, carefully selected to offer your dog high-quality nutrition to help support their daily well-being and happiness.*
- USE AS FOOD OR AS MIXER - If you’d like to boost your dog’s diet with freeze-dried nutrition but don’t want to replace their current food, you can use Nutra Complete as a mixer. To add, simply reduce the amount of your dog’s food and replace it with the desired amount of Nutra Complete to avoid overfeeding. Each 1lb bag contains about 7 cups of food.
- 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 no grains, legumes or any byproducts.
- 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.
- 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 no grains, legumes or any byproducts.
- 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.
- Nutrient-Rich Formula: Packed with 81% real premium cuts of meat, fruits, and vegetables for balanced, complete nutrition
- Minimally Processed: Gently freeze-dried to maintain natural flavors and nutrients, not blasted with high heat
- Perfect for Small Breeds: Bite-sized pieces and tailored nutrition for small dogs
- Artificial-Free: No artificial preservatives, synthetic vitamins, or mineral powders, ensuring a natural diet for your pet
- 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.
- SMALL BREED RECIPE: Made with 100% freeze dried raw protein from cage-free chicken, this recipe delivers bite-sized nutrition to support muscle tone and energy for smaller dogs. Packed with flavor, it’s a meal your pup will love with every bite!
- ONLY REAL WHOLE FOODS: We use organic kale, carrots, sweet potatoes, and apples—no synthetic vitamins or minerals. Our minimally processed recipes preserve natural nutrients to help support healthy digestion and vibrant energy for small breeds.
- GENTLE ON DIGESTION: Primal freeze dried dog food is crafted without fillers or common allergens and includes added probiotics to support digestive health, leading to smaller, firmer stools.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Raw Dog Food
Switching your dog to a raw food diet can feel like a big step. Raw dog food offers many benefits, but you need to choose the right one. This guide helps you pick the best option for your furry friend.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for raw dog food, certain features make a product stand out. Look for these things first:
1. Complete and Balanced Nutrition
- The food must meet AAFCO standards. This means it has all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs to stay healthy.
- Check the label for a statement confirming it is “Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.”
2. Appropriate Meat Sources
- High-quality raw food uses muscle meat as the main ingredient.
- Good sources include chicken, beef, turkey, or fish. Avoid foods heavy in fillers or by-products.
3. Inclusion of Organs and Bone
- Raw diets need variety. Look for ingredients like liver, kidney, and ground bone. These provide essential nutrients like calcium and Vitamin A.
Important Ingredients and Materials
The quality of the ingredients directly impacts your dog’s health. Understand what should—and shouldn’t—be in the bag.
Protein Sources
Protein is the most important part of raw food. Choose single-source protein diets if your dog has allergies. If your dog tolerates everything, variety is best.
Fats and Oils
- Healthy fats are crucial for energy and skin health. Look for omega-3 fatty acids, often found in fish oil or flaxseed.
- Avoid excessive amounts of low-quality animal fats.
Vegetables and Fruits (Optional but beneficial)
Some formulas include small amounts of safe vegetables like carrots, spinach, or blueberries. These add fiber and antioxidants. Keep in mind that dogs do not easily digest large amounts of plant matter.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all raw foods are made equally. Pay attention to how the food is prepared and stored.
Factors That Improve Quality
- Human-Grade Ingredients: This shows the ingredients meet standards for human consumption, suggesting higher quality control.
- Flash Freezing: High-quality raw foods are often flash-frozen quickly. This process locks in nutrients better than slow freezing.
- Minimal Processing: The less the food is handled or heated, the better. Raw food should stay raw!
Factors That Reduce Quality
- Use of Fillers: Ingredients like corn, wheat, or excessive grains lower the nutritional value for a carnivorous dog.
- Inconsistent Sourcing: If a brand frequently changes where they get their meat, quality control might slip.
- Improper Handling: If the food thaws and refreezes, bacteria can grow, and quality suffers.
User Experience and Use Cases
How easy the food is to use matters a lot for busy pet owners.
Ease of Use
- Pre-Portioned Packs: Many brands sell food in daily serving sizes. This makes feeding time simple and removes the guesswork.
- Grinds vs. Chunks: Some dogs prefer a fine grind, while others enjoy chewing on chunks of meat and bone. Choose based on your dog’s preference and chewing ability.
Who Should Use Raw Food?
- Active Dogs: Dogs needing high energy often thrive on the dense nutrition of raw diets.
- Dogs with Sensitivities: Many owners report fewer skin issues and better digestion after switching sensitive dogs to raw food.
- Puppies (with Vet Approval): Puppies need specific calcium-to-phosphorus ratios for bone growth. Always confirm the puppy formula is balanced with your veterinarian.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Raw Dog Foods
Q: Is raw dog food safe from bacteria?
A: Reputable raw food companies use strict safety measures like High-Pressure Processing (HPP) or rigorous sourcing to minimize pathogens like Salmonella. However, owners must handle the food safely, just like they handle raw meat for themselves.
Q: How much raw food should I feed my dog?
A: Generally, dogs eat about 2% to 3% of their ideal body weight daily. This amount changes based on your dog’s age, metabolism, and activity level. Always start with the manufacturer’s suggestion and adjust slowly.
Q: Can I mix raw food with my dog’s current kibble?
A: Most nutritionists advise against mixing. Raw food digests much faster than kibble. Mixing them can sometimes cause digestive upset because the foods sit in the stomach at different rates.
Q: What is the difference between freeze-dried and frozen raw food?
A: Frozen raw food is kept cold to maintain its raw state. Freeze-dried food has the moisture removed. You must add water back to the freeze-dried version before feeding. Both are nutritious, but frozen is closer to a natural kill diet.
Q: What are “complete” vs. “supplemental” raw diets?
A: A “complete” diet has everything your dog needs daily. A “supplemental” diet is just meat or bone and needs other ingredients added to be balanced. Always choose a complete diet unless you are an experienced raw feeder.
Q: My dog is a picky eater. Will they eat raw food?
A: Most dogs love the taste of raw meat! If your dog resists, try warming the food slightly (never cook it) or mixing in a small amount of plain yogurt or water to enhance the smell.
Q: How long does raw food last once thawed?
A: Once thawed in the refrigerator, most raw dog food lasts for about 3 to 4 days. Always keep it sealed and at the bottom of the fridge to prevent cross-contamination.
Q: Do I need to add vitamins or supplements?
A: If you buy a food labeled “complete and balanced,” you do not need to add extra vitamins. Supplements should only be added under the guidance of a vet or canine nutritionist.
Q: Can I feed my dog raw chicken bones?
A: Yes, raw, edible bones are a key part of many raw diets. They provide calcium and dental benefits. Cooked bones are dangerous because they splinter. Always supervise your dog when they eat raw bones.
Q: What is HPP in raw food production?
A: HPP stands for High-Pressure Processing. It uses intense water pressure, not heat, to kill harmful bacteria while keeping the food raw and preserving nutrients.