Does your dog wag its tail with boundless energy, or does mealtime feel like a guessing game? Many devoted dog owners want the best nutrition for their furry family members. Feeding them the right food can feel overwhelming, especially when you hear conflicting advice about raw diets. You might worry about safety, cost, or if you can even do it correctly.
Switching to a raw food diet promises vibrant health, shinier coats, and better digestion for your pup. But knowing where to start—what ingredients to use, how to balance meals, and what the real benefits are—can stop many people in their tracks. It’s a big commitment that requires clear, trustworthy information.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down the essentials of feeding your dog a raw diet, making the process simple and stress-free. You will learn exactly what a balanced raw meal looks like and how to introduce it safely. Get ready to unlock your dog’s full potential!
Top Dog Raw Food Recommendations
No. 1
Nature's Diet Simply Raw Freeze-Dried Whole Food Meal - Makes 18 Lbs Fresh Food with Muscle, Organ, Bone Broth, Whole Egg, Superfoods, Fish Oil Omega 3, 6, 9, Probiotics & Prebiotics (Beef)
- 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.
No. 2
Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Raw Chicken Hearts Dog Treats | Single Ingredient | Premium Quality | Grain Free Treats for Dogs, 1.9 oz Bag
- 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.
No. 3
Team Dog Raw Frozen Dog Food | 65% Beef Muscle, Organ Meats, Herring & Green Tripe for Dogs | All Natural Grain Free Dog Food for Optimal Health, Digestion & Coat | 24 x 1lb Rolls
- COMPLETE & BALANCED PROTEIN POWERHOUSE: TEAM DOG's RAW dog food formula mirrors the ancestral diet of dogs, providing a high-protein, low-carb diet that modern dry food can't compete with. TEAM DOG RAW ensures the ideal balance of 65% muscle meat, 10% bone, and 25% organ meats and fish, for the most complete nutrition possible
- RAW DOG FOOD TOPPER FOR DRY KIBBLE: TEAM DOG RAW is a cost-effective, high-quality choice you and your dog will love. TEAM DOG RAW has even the pickiest eaters licking the bowl clean. This real meat dog food is perfect for augmenting your dog's mealtime. TEAM DOG promotes feeding 75% dry dog food or kibble with 25% raw. Always consult with your veterinarian to make sure your dog's unique nutritional needs are met. Team Dog Raw is not suitable for puppies
- BETTER DIGESTION, FEWER SENSISTIVITIES: The combination of raw meat & green tripe for dogs in TEAM DOG RAW's blend has helped dogs with digestive issues. The 10% unwashed fatty tripe adds probiotics and enzymes for improved digestion, while organ meats like frozen beef heart, spleen and kidney support heart health with coenzyme Q10
- HEALTHIER JOINTS, SKIN & COAT: Herring is an excellent source of low fat protein rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Beef liver is packed with vitamins A and B as well as essential minerals. These high quality ingredients support healthy skin, a glossy coat, and offer a boost in energy and overall vitality
- SUPERIOR, NO NONSENSE INGREDIENTS: While many raw dog food brands rely on fillers like grains or starches, TEAM DOG RAW is a grain free dog food that focuses on what matters – 100% raw meat, organ meats, and herring. This means no preservatives, additives, or artificial ingredients, just pure nutrition your dog was meant to eat
No. 4
Open Farm, RawMix Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, Protein-Packed Kibble Coated in Bone Broth with Freeze Dried Raw Chunks, Beef Pork & Lamb, Front Range Recipe, 3.5lb Bag
- 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.
No. 5
ULTIMATE PET NUTRITION Nutra Complete, 100% Freeze Dried Raw Veterinarian Formulated Dog Food with Antioxidants Prebiotics and Amino Acids (1 Pound, Beef)
- 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.
No. 6
Instinct FreshDried Bites, Natural Freeze-Dried Dog Food, Grain Free - Real Beef, 25 oz. Bag
- UPGRADE FROM KIBBLE TO FREEZE-DRIED RAW: 3x more real meat & nutrient-rich organs than Instinct Original Kibble, delivering high-quality animal protein for strong, lean muscles
- MINIMALLY PROCESSED: Never cooked and less processed than kibble to preserve ingredient integrity, nutrients, and deliver complete, balanced nutrition
- POWER OF RAW: Feeding raw supports lean muscles, strong bones, healthy digestion, immune health, improved energy & vitality, and a vibrant skin & coat
- NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Made with 85% meat & organs and 15% non-GMO fruits, vegetables, vitamins & minerals; free from grain, corn, wheat, soy, legumes, artificial colors & preservatives.
- CRAFTED IN THE USA: Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world for a wholesome, complete diet
No. 7
ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Dog Food – Beef - All Natural, High Protein, Grain Free, Limited Ingredient w/ Superfoods (16oz)
- HIGH PROTEIN, NUTRIENT DENSE: Featuring free-range Beef, Organs, Bone, and New Zealand Green Mussels, this grain-free dog food delivers nutrition with a mouth-watering taste for all dogs. Gentle air dried processing retains the goodness of the raw ingredients. This food offers stimulating crunchy texture small enough for puppy food but soft enough for senior dog food.
- GRAIN FREE RAW ALTERNATIVE: Gently air-dries raw ingredients for a nutritious, raw alternative dry dog food with a delicious jerky-like texture that dogs love. This process preserves the nutrition and flavor and is perfect for all life stages, from puppy food to senior dog snacks, with added vitamins and minerals. This formula is free from fillers commonly found in kibble.
- FRESH FOOD NUTRITION with SHELF STABILITY: This superfood blend of cold-washed Green Tripe, New Zealand Green Mussels, and Organic Kelp supports digestion, joint health, and healthy shiny coats. The air-dry process provides all the shelf stability of freeze dried dog treats and food with the nutritional benefits of fresh dog food.
- MEALS, TREATS, and FOOD TOPPERS: Serve as a complete balanced meal. Useful as a treat reward, or dog food toppers to provide texture stimulation with a supplement boost.
- ETHICALLY SOURCED: ZIWI sources only 100% free-range, grass-fed, grass-finished meats, and wild-caught seafoods, all from New Zealand farms and pristine oceans. Farmed without added hormones, antibiotics, or growth promotants.
No. 8
Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties - Beef Recipe - High Protein Grain-Free Puppy & Dog Food - Perfect For Picky Eaters - 25 oz
- EXCEPTIONAL FOR PICKY EATERS – Consistently entices even the most finicky dogs to eat when other foods fail – our freeze-dried raw patties deliver irresistible taste that transforms mealtime for selective dogs.
- VERSATILE SERVING OPTIONS – Perfect as complete meals, crumbled food toppers, or high-value training treats – ideal for puppies and adult dogs with options to serve dry or rehydrated with water.
- 95% GRASS-FED BEEF & ORGANS – Premium freeze-dried raw nutrition with whole-prey approach delivers muscle-building protein, enhanced digestibility, and natural nutrients that support coat, skin, and overall health.
- BALANCED NUTRITION FOR ALL LIFE STAGES – Complete and balanced diet for growing puppies and adult dogs with probiotics for digestive health and omega fatty acids for skin and coat – free from grains, gluten, fillers, and artificial preservatives.
- MADE IN USA WITH PREMIUM INGREDIENTS – Small-batch production with 100% organic fruits and vegetables, responsibly-sourced ingredients, and no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors – trusted by thousands of pet parents.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Raw Dog Food
Switching your dog to a raw food diet can seem complicated. This guide helps you understand what to look for. Raw food offers great benefits for your dog’s health, like shinier coats and better digestion. Knowing the right things to check ensures you pick a high-quality product.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for raw dog food, several key features matter most. These tell you about the food’s balance and safety.
1. Complete and Balanced Nutrition
- Look for statements confirming the food meets AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or all life stages).
- This means the food has the right mix of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.
2. Meat Content and Variety
- Good raw food uses whole, identifiable muscle meats as the main ingredient.
- Check the label for variety. A good diet rotates proteins (chicken, beef, turkey, fish).
3. Inclusion of Organs and Bone
- Raw diets need ground bone for calcium and phosphorus. They also need secreting organs like liver and kidney for essential nutrients.
- Ensure these are listed in the ingredients in appropriate amounts.
Important Ingredients and Materials
The quality of the raw materials directly affects your dog’s health.
Protein Sources
- Prioritize human-grade or high-quality meat sources. Avoid vague terms like “meat by-products.”
- If your dog has allergies, look for novel proteins like venison or rabbit.
Fats and Supplements
- Healthy fats, often from fish oil or flaxseed, provide Omega-3s. These support skin and joint health.
- Some commercial raw foods include safe, natural supplements like kelp or probiotics.
What to Avoid
- Avoid excessive fillers like grains (corn, wheat, soy) if you are seeking a truly ancestral diet.
- Never buy raw food that contains artificial colors, flavors, or chemical preservatives (like BHA or BHT).
Factors Affecting Quality
The manufacturing process significantly impacts the final product’s quality and safety.
Processing Methods
- **High Quality:** Food that is flash-frozen immediately after mixing retains the most nutrients.
- **Lower Quality:** Food that has been heavily processed or extruded is not truly “raw.”
Handling and Sourcing
- Brands that source their ingredients from reputable, inspected farms generally offer a safer product.
- Look for certifications related to animal welfare or sourcing standards.
User Experience and Use Cases
How easy is the food to use? This depends on your lifestyle.
Convenience Levels
- **Pre-Made Patties/Grinds:** These are the easiest to use. You simply thaw and serve. They fit busy schedules well.
- **DIY Ingredients:** Some owners prefer buying individual components (muscle meat, organs, bone dust) to customize recipes. This takes much more time and requires nutritional knowledge.
Storage and Thawing
- Ensure the packaging is sturdy and easy to store in your freezer.
- Plan ahead; raw food requires thawing time, usually overnight in the refrigerator.
Top 10 FAQs About Raw Dog Food
Q: Is raw dog food safe for my dog?
A: When sourced and handled properly, raw food can be very safe. Reputable brands follow strict safety guidelines to minimize pathogens like Salmonella.
Q: How do I switch my dog to raw food?
A: Most experts recommend a slow transition. You can mix a small amount of the new raw food with their old food for about a week, gradually increasing the raw portion daily.
Q: What is the difference between freeze-dried and frozen raw food?
A: Frozen raw food is kept cold to maintain freshness. Freeze-dried food has the moisture removed; you add water back before serving. Both are considered raw but have different storage needs.
Q: Does raw food have to contain bone?
A: Yes, raw food must contain ground bone. Bone provides necessary calcium, which balances the phosphorus found in muscle meat.
Q: Can I feed my puppy raw food?
A: Yes, puppies need raw food formulated specifically for growth, ensuring they get the correct balance for their rapid development.
Q: How much raw food should I feed my dog?
A: Generally, dogs eat about 2% to 3% of their ideal body weight daily, split into two meals. This amount changes based on your dog’s activity level.
Q: What if my dog has a sensitive stomach?
A: Start with a single, easily digestible protein source, like chicken or turkey, and monitor your dog closely for any digestive upset.
Q: Do I need to add vegetables to commercial raw food?
A: If you buy a complete and balanced commercial raw meal, you do not need to add anything extra. The recipe is already formulated to be nutritionally complete.
Q: How long does raw food last once thawed?
A: Thawed raw food usually lasts safely in the refrigerator for about two to three days. Always follow the manufacturer’s specific guidelines.
Q: Is raw food more expensive than kibble?
A: Typically, yes. Raw food is generally more costly because it uses high-quality, minimally processed ingredients.