Does your dog have itchy skin, a dull coat, or seem sluggish? Many pet owners notice these issues and start looking for better food options. You’ve probably heard about raw dog food. It promises vibrant health, shiny coats, and boundless energy for your furry friend. But diving into the world of raw feeding can feel overwhelming. Which ingredients are safe? How do you balance the meals correctly? Sorting through the mix of expert advice and conflicting internet claims leaves many feeling confused and unsure where to begin.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will clearly explain the benefits of a raw diet and show you exactly how to start feeding your dog safely and confidently. Forget the confusion! By the end of this post, you will understand the core components of a balanced raw meal and feel ready to take the next step in your dog’s nutrition journey. Let’s explore how raw food can transform your dog’s well-being.
Top Raw Dog 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
Raw Paws Signature Blend Pet Food for Dogs & Cats - Beef Recipe, 1-lb Rolls (20 Pack) - Fresh Pet Food Made in USA, Grass-Fed Beef, Natural Dog Food Rolls, Raw Frozen Dog Food & Cat Food
- 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.
No. 3
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. 4
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. 5
Primal Kibble in The Raw, Freeze Dried Dog Food, Beef, Scoop & Serve, Made with Raw Protein, Whole Ingredient Nutrition, Crafted in The USA, Dry Dog Food 1.5 lb Bag
- 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.
No. 6
Open Farm, RawMix Dry Dog Food with Ancient Grains, Protein-Packed Kibble Coated in Bone Broth with Freeze Dried Raw Chunks, Chicken & Turkey, Open Prairie Recipe, 20lb Bag
- HUMANELY SOURCED POULTRY - Crafted with a blend of 100% animal welfare certified chicken and turkey, this flavorful 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.
No. 7
RawTernative Air Dried Dog Food, High Protein, Over 90% Real Beef & Beef Organs + New Zealand Green Mussels, Complete Meal or Topper, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Non GMO, (3 lb Bag)
- 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
No. 8
Pawstruck Air Dried Dog Food with Real Beef, Grain-Free, Made in USA, Non-GMO & Vet Recommended, High Protein Limited Ingredient Full-Feed for All Breeds & Ages, 2lb Bag
- Upgrade to Air Dried for More Nutrients: We slowly oven roast our food at a low temperature so each bite retains maximum nutrition and a crunchy texture bursting with flavor—a great alternative to highly-processed kibble.
- Real Beef is the #1 Ingredient: Single-protein, grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo-inspired recipe made with 96% beef to satisfy your pup’s carnivore cravings and a 4% blend of flaxseed, salmon oil, vitamins, & minerals to help support healthy joints and hips.
- Safely Made in the USA with only wholesome ingredients from around the globe, with added vitamins and minerals - entirely free from fillers. Get the digestibility of raw or freeze dried dog foods with the safety and convenience of dry dog food.
- Vet Recommended Complete Nutrition for All Life Stages: Our healthy dog food is vet recommended, AAFCO Compliant, and made in an SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified facility so you can rest assured that your pup is getting a safe, nutritious meal.
- For Pet Parents, By Pet Parents: All dogs deserve the very best - that’s why as a small business Pawstruck only makes natural & healthy recipes that we proudly feed our own dogs, using the strictest of quality standards.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Navigating the World of Raw Dog Food
Switching your dog to a raw food diet can feel like a big step. This guide helps you pick the best raw dog food for your furry friend. Raw food offers fresh ingredients, which many owners believe leads to a healthier dog.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for raw dog food, certain features tell you a lot about the product’s quality and suitability for your dog.
- Balance: The food must provide the right mix of meat, organs, and bone. This mimics what a dog eats in the wild. Look for labels that mention AAFCO nutrient profiles.
- Protein Source: Check the main ingredient. Is it named meat (like chicken, beef, or salmon)? Vague terms like “meat by-products” are less ideal.
- Variety: Good brands offer different protein options. This prevents your dog from eating the same thing every day and covers all nutrient bases over time.
- Convenience: Raw food comes in several forms: patties, grinds, or nuggets. Choose the format that fits best into your freezer space and feeding routine.
Important Materials in Raw Dog Food
Raw food is simple, but the ingredients must be high quality. Think of this as the building material for your dog’s health.
The core components are:
- Muscle Meat: This is the primary source of protein and energy. It should make up the largest portion.
- Organs: Liver, kidney, and spleen are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. They are crucial for a complete diet.
- Edible Bone: Bones provide calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for strong bones and teeth. They must be ground finely in commercial raw foods for safety.
- Supplements (Sometimes): Some recipes add vegetables, fruits, or healthy fats (like fish oil) for extra fiber or Omega-3s.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all raw foods are created equal. A few key differences separate the best from the rest.
Quality Boosters:
- Human-Grade Ingredients: When ingredients are fit for human consumption, the quality control is usually higher.
- Ethically Sourced Meat: If the meat comes from animals raised without routine antibiotics or hormones, the overall health profile improves.
- Minimal Processing: The food should be flash-frozen quickly after preparation to lock in nutrients.
Quality Reducers:
- Fillers: Ingredients like grains, corn, or excessive starchy vegetables lower the nutritional density of a raw diet.
- High Water Content (If not intended): While raw food has moisture, excessive water content can sometimes indicate less concentrated nutrition.
- Inconsistent Sourcing: If a brand frequently changes its main protein source without explanation, it suggests supply chain issues that might affect quality.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the food affects which type you should buy. Consider your lifestyle.
- For Busy Owners: Pre-portioned nuggets or patties are easiest. You simply thaw and serve. This reduces measuring errors.
- For Transitioning Dogs: Starting with a single-source protein (like just chicken) makes it easier to identify any allergies or sensitivities your dog might have.
- For Picky Eaters: Sometimes, adding a small amount of warm water or bone broth to the thawed food enhances the smell and encourages consumption.
Remember, always consult your veterinarian before making a major diet change. Slow introduction prevents digestive upset.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Raw Dog Food
Q: What is the main benefit of feeding raw food?
A: Many owners report shinier coats, better digestion, smaller stools, and increased energy levels in their dogs.
Q: Is raw food safe from bacteria like Salmonella?
A: Reputable commercial raw foods are prepared using strict hygiene standards and often use High-Pressure Processing (HPP) to reduce pathogens. However, you must handle it like raw meat you would cook for yourself.
Q: Do I need to add supplements if I buy a complete and balanced raw food?
A: If the label states it meets AAFCO standards for a specific life stage (like growth or maintenance), no extra supplements should be needed.
Q: How should I store raw dog food?
A: Keep it frozen until you are ready to use it. Thaw it safely in the refrigerator overnight. Never thaw raw food at room temperature.
Q: Can I mix raw food with my dog’s dry kibble?
A: Most experts advise against mixing them in the same bowl. Different foods digest at different rates, which can sometimes cause stomach upset.
Q: How much raw food should I feed my dog?
A: This changes based on your dog’s weight, age, and activity level. A general starting point is often 2% to 3% of their ideal body weight per day, split into two meals.
Q: What if my dog is a puppy?
A: Puppies need more calcium and phosphorus for growth. Ensure the food is specifically formulated and labeled for “Growth” or “All Life Stages.”
Q: Is raw food expensive?
A: Generally, yes. Raw food costs more than many traditional dry kibbles because it uses higher quality, fresh ingredients.
Q: What does “prey model” mean in raw feeding?
A: The Prey Model focuses only on meat, organs, and bone, aiming to perfectly mimic a whole animal carcass without adding vegetables or fruits.
Q: How long can thawed raw food stay in the fridge?
A: Once fully thawed, most raw meals are safe in the refrigerator for about two to three days. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines.