Featured Image of two hungry canine with cool bandanas

Are you looking for proper raw dog food? Do you know which ingredients are best for your pet? How to avoid mistakes and still provide the best nutrients?

As it turns out, unprocessed dog diet has been a highly debated topic for years. While some pet parents support this type of nutrition, others are adamantly against it.

So where the truth lies?

We would say somewhere in between! It all depends on your dog and his feeding requirements.

In today’s article, we will review the best raw dog food, pointing out benefits and side-effect. Using our comparison, you will have a clear picture, which will help you determine whether mildly-processed dog food works for your canine or not.

As while you’re here check out our best overall dog food guide.

Our Top 10 Raw Food For Dogs Compared

IMAGEPRODUCTINGREDIENTS 
Best Overall

Small Product image of Stella & Chewy s
Stella & Chewy's
Best Overall
Chicken with ground bone
Chicken liver
Chicken Gizzard
Pumpkin seed
Organic cranberries
Check Price
Most Digestible

Small Product image of The Honest Kitchen
The Honest Kitchen
Most Digestible
Free-Range Chicken
Organic Barley
Potatoes
Organic Flax
Organic Oats
Check Price
Balanced Nutrition

Small Product image of TruDog
TruDog
Balanced Nutrition
Beef
Beef Tripe
Beef Lung
Ground Beef Bone
Beef Liver
Check Price
Grain Free

Small Product image of I and love and you
I and love and you
Grain Free
Beef
Yellow Split Peas
Sweet Potato
Cabbage
Carrots
Check Price
With Probiotics

Small Product image of Instinct Raw Boost All life stages
Instinct Raw Boost
With Probiotics
Chicken
Turkey Meal
Chicken Meal
Peas
Chickpeas
Check Price
All Dogs

Small Product image of K9 Natural
K9 Natural
All Dogs
Beef
Beef Liver
Beef Tripe
Beef Kidney
Beef Heart
Check Price
Limited Ingredient

Small Product image of Vital Essentials
Vital Essentials
Limited Ingredient
Beef
Beef Lung
Beef Liver
Beef Stomach
Beef Heart
Check Price
Antioxidants

Small Product image of Stewart Raw Naturals
Stewart Raw Naturals
Antioxidants
Lamb
Lamb Heart
Lamb Liver
Ground Lamb Bone
Broccoli
Check Price
Supplemental Feeding

Small Product image of Bravo
Bravo!
Supplemental Feeding
Beef
Beef Liver
Sweet potatoes
Chickpeas
Beef hearts
Check Price
Human-Grade

Small Product image of Tylee s
Tylee's
Human-Grade
Beef Heart
Ground Beef
Water
Beef Liver
Spinach
Check Price

Stella & Chewy's - Best Overall

First Five Ingredients:

  • Chicken with ground bone
  • Chicken liver
  • Chicken Gizzard
  • Pumpkin seed
  • Organic cranberries

Stella and Chewy’s variety of raw frozen or freeze-dried recipe will meet the requirements of every pet and his owner. The product is made with care, and the presence of high-quality ingredients makes it a number one choice on our list.

It features an unprocessed, single-sourced protein, combined with 100% organic fruits and vegetables. The company proudly points out that recipe is made with 95% cage-free chicken, including bones and organs.

This product is formulated to mimic a dog’s natural diet and avoids the use of grains, gluten, and cheap fillers.

Overall, the Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties will offer your canine balanced and complete nutrition, while keeping his health in check.

The Honest Kitchen - Most Digestible

First Five Ingredients:

  • Free-Range Chicken
  • Organic Barley
  • Potatoes
  • Organic Flax
  • Organic Oats

The Honest Kitchen whole grain blend features a particular formula that rich in calories and protein. Whether you have an active canine, a puppy, or a pregnant pooch, this freeze-dried meal will match their needs and promote healthy digestion.

In the last couple of years, the recipe has gained a lot of supporters. And, it’s one of the best-sellers in the dehydrated raw dog food range.

Finally, if you are into budget-friendly dog sustenance, which fulfills nutritional values and stimulates digestion, then the Honest Kitchen should be your next pick.

TruDog - Ideal For Balanced Nutrition

First Five Ingredients:

  • Beef
  • Beef Tripe
  • Beef Lung
  • Ground Beef Bone
  • Beef Liver

When it comes to raw diet, feeding your canine with natural ingredients will ensure proper development and high absorption of nutrients.

The TruDog Feed Me dehydrated recipe contains a real grass-fed Wisconsin beef, and leaves out all harmful ingredients. Extracted from a herring oil, amino acids and omega fatty acids will promote softer coat, fewer allergies, and fresh breath.

The freeze-dried process locks in all crucial nutrients, and it doesn’t require refrigeration.

To conclude, TruDog is a reasonable food choice if you want to achieve a balanced diet with your pet.

I and love and you - Best Grain Free

First Five Ingredients:

  • Beef
  • Yellow Split Peas
  • Sweet Potato
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots

The nutritional benefits of unprocessed formulas are undisputable. However, many pet parents feel that raw feeding requires too much time and hassle. That’s why I and Love and You dog food manufacturer sets to unite these two aspects.

They offer a convenience of kibble and the nutritional quality of raw diet. The free-range beef serves as a primary protein source. Combined with whole eggs, fruits and vegetables, I and Love and You will offer you canine a complete meal, without skimping on nutrients.

To sum up, this grain-free low glycemic meal has a vast nutritious potential, which enhances bodily functions of your pet. Check our top rated grain-free dog recipes here.

Instinct Raw Boost - Best Food With Probiotics

First Five Ingredients:

  • Chicken
  • Turkey Meal
  • Chicken Meal
  • Peas
  • Chickpeas

The Raw Boost diet from Nature’s Value combines healthy proteins while retaining full flavors of dehydrated ingredients. Your canine will have an opportunity to experience real meats such as chicken, turkey, salmon, and menhaden fish.

The delicious flavors will awake your pet’s taste buds, enabling him perfect meal that will satisfy all his needs. We should also mention the presence of the fish. It boosts up the levels of EPA and DHA, providing with the optimum ratio of omega fatty acids.

Want to know the best?

A crucial ingredient, Bacillus coagulans, promotes balanced digestion and immune system, which is excellent for extra energetic hounds.

K9 Natural - Safe For All Dogs

First Five Ingredients:

  • Beef
  • Beef Liver
  • Beef Tripe
  • Beef Kidney
  • Beef Heart

K9 Natural Beef Feat is a combination of grass-fed, free-range beef and best fruits and vegetable cultivated in New Zealand. The food is packed with high-quality ingredients, and therefore, can be served to canines at any stage of life.

This formula is in accordance with your pet natural digestive system, which makes it an excellent frozen raw dog food. The K9 nutrition is perfect for picky dogs, considering it doesn’t contain additives or artificial preservatives. It’s gluten-free, rice-free, wheat-free, and corn-free.

In summary, the K9 Natural Beef Feast recipe is appropriate for any breed of dog. It will meet his nutritious needs, and help him lead a long and healthy life.

Vital Essentials - Best Limited Ingredient

First Five Ingredients:

  • Beef
  • Beef Lung
  • Beef Liver
  • Beef Stomach
  • Beef Heart

Some dogs only rely on meat in their diet. They don’t want grains, gluten, or fillers, just real, fresh meat. If you are dealing with such a pet, then Vital Essential, limited ingredient formula will be a perfect match for him.

The recipe contains gluten-free dehydrated beef meat. You can serve it as a balanced meal, a nutritious treat, or mix it with kibble.

Considering it features a single protein, it’s a good match for canines with food sensitivities and allergies.

The bottom line: with Vital Essential nutrition you will offer your pet a high-quality diet and best features a raw pet food can have.

Stewart Raw Naturals - Contains Antioxidants

First Five Ingredients:

  • Lamb
  • Lamb Heart
  • Lamb Liver
  • Ground Lamb Bone
  • Broccol

Stewart Raw Naturals combines only the finest freeze-dried nutrients, to retain natural aromas, flavors, and nutritional value. A single protein source will keep your canine healthy and sated.

The formula is enriched with real fruits and vegetables which offers your pet a balance and variety in one single meal. The presence of antioxidants enables your pooch to maintain a healthy weight and have a controlled diet.

This gluten-free and grain-free recipe provides optimal levels of essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. It promotes your pet’s health and well-being.

In the end, the Stewart Raw Naturals is one of few raw dog food companies that payс attention to canine’s nutritional needs. So, make sure to try it next time!

Bravo! - Ideal For Supplemental Feeding

First Five Ingredients:

  • Beef
  • Beef Liver
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Chickpeas
  • Beef hearts

Bravo beef recipe is a natural diet featuring crucial vitamins and minerals. The combination of vegetables and cranberries offers your pooch balanced nutrition.  

It doesn’t contain artificial colors, preservatives, or cheap filler. With a bit of water, you can have a nourishing meal in a matter of minutes.

This meal incorporates carefully-picked components, which are essential for a dog’s diet.

In all, Bravo beef formula is an excellent selection for canines which demand additional supplementation. Therefore, their feeding-related requirements will be satisfied.

Tylee's - Best Human-Grade

First Five Ingredients:

  • Beef Heart
  • Ground Beef
  • Water
  • Beef Liver
  • Spinach

Tylee’s Beef Recipe allows you to experience all the benefits of a homemade meal for your pooch. Considering it contains human-grade ingredients, like the ones you’ll find in a grocery store, it means their product goes through a rigorously regulated manufacturing process.

It’s a grain-free formula, containing one protein source, which is valuable for dogs with food sensitivities. Tylee’s Beef Recipe features real fruits and vegetable. They are packed with antioxidants, fibers, vitamins, and minerals.

To conclude, we have to admit that Tylee’s offers a different approach to dog nourishment and it can be а perfect option for canines with specialized needs.

Image of woman and dog near the river

Buying Considerations

Ingredients

When it comes to unprocessed dog food, components play a crucial role. The meals should be complete and balanced, providing the right amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.  

The best meals feature a single sourced animal protein as its 1st ingredient. And, they all should comply with AFFCO and NCR regulations.

Brands or Suppliers

Another thing to consider when purchasing raw nutrition is a brand or company you choose to trust. However, considering the number of brands, it’s quite challenging to find the right one.

Preferably, you should pick a manufacturer in the country you reside or, the company that has a high number of positive reviews.

Sourcing

Dehydrated meat should go through a highly-monitored and vigorous process of preparation. However, customers don’t have insight into the company’s manufacturing rules.  But, it essential to know where the meat is coming from.

That’s why it’s crucial to purchase formula from a highly trusted source. Otherwise, you will compromise your pet’s well-being.

Price

A well-balanced raw diet isn’t always an affordable one, especially if you are using innovative protein source. On the other hand, if the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

Make sure to compare the prices before you make a purchase. The nutritional analysis should help you as well. Meal rich in fats should indicated the low price.

What Is Raw Feeding?

Unprocessed food for canines is designed to simulate the nutrition of your dog’s early ancestors.  A couple of main ingredients found in this type of diet are meat, bones, and vegetables. They require minimal processing and should meet all the dietary requirements of your pet.

Also, this type of nutrition includes:

  • Muscle Meat
  • Bones
  • Organ meats
  • Eggs
  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Diary

However, as we mentioned before, pet owners need to be extra careful when purchasing minimally-processed dog recipes. Considering meat doesn’t have a long shelf life, it’s prone to bacteria and other contaminants. If not processed fittingly, it can get spoiled in a matter of hours.

Image of golden dog and little girl in nature

Benefits of Raw Food For Dogs

Healthy Skin And Shiny Coat

Have you ever noticed how wild dogs and wolves have beautiful and shiny fur? Well, it all comes to diet.

Thanks to a raw diet, around 40% of the protein your pet eats goes into his skin and coat. There is no need to add an extra oil fish, or a ton of supplements, let nature take care of it.

Better Digestion

Say goodbye to gasses and digestive issues. Overall, gastrointestinal functions will be improved, and your dog will never feel digestive discomfort.

With dehydrated dog food, you will eliminate upset stomach disorder with canines and help your pet keep his health in balance.

Weight Control

Canines which consume unprocessed food are in better physical shape. None of them seems to be struggling with weight management and obesity.

Just ripping and chewing meat is an exercise itself. With this type of diet, there is no additives and preservatives, which can damage your pet’s health.

Prevents Allergy

Do you know that wheat and corn are primary food allergens? By eliminating these two ingredients, you will avoid allergies with canines.

If your pet is prone to allergies, or food sensitivities, then switching to best organic raw dog food, will help you solve this issue. Plus, it’s cheaper than a vet’s treatment.

Firmer Stools

Are you tired of cleaning the mess all the time? How would you like for your four-legged friend to have a firmer stool? Well, it can happen, if you use fitting nutrition. You can also try the one from our list of top rated food for dogs with diarrhea.

Natural ingredients and unprocessed diet will help you kiss this problem goodbye.

Drawbacks

Bacterial Contamination

Raw meat contains various bacteria and parasites. The most frequent one are salmonella, e-Coli, and listeria.

However, they don’t pose a threat to canines only, but to owners as well. The risk of contagion is a massive health concern; that’s why unprocessed food should comply with all safety standards.

Less Convenient

People who live in small apartments have less space for freezers and refrigerators. The majority of raw food requires a cold environment, which is a commodity many pet parent can’t afford.

On the other hand, if you have a basement with two chest freezers, then this might not be a problem after all.

Image of white fluffy dog in grass

What Are Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food?

Benefits

  • Dogs Enjoy The Taste

With freeze-dried raw dog nutrition, canines can explore a variety of tastes. Dogs are quite fond of it and enjoy eating this type of food.

Additionally, it’s not messy, and it doesn’t get all over the area where you feed your pet.


  • Top-Quality Ingredients

In most cases, freeze-dried nutrition doesn’t contain cornmeal or byproducts. This formula features only high-quality components, such as beef, chicken, lamb, organ meat, vegetables, and fruits.

These ingredients are formulated to provide optimal nutrition. They are high in protein and low in carbs, and it’s just what you need to stimulate lean muscles in your pet, and overall health.


  • Longer Shelf Life Than Kibbles

One of the crucial benefits of a freeze-dried raw diet is the stable shelf life. It can be utilized in the same way as kibble. However, there is no mess or handling raw food to provide a balanced meal.

Pet parents only have to measure a cup, feed their dog, and experience all nutritional perks.

Varieties

Dehydrated food combines only top-rated ingredients, including muscle meat, organs, and ground bones. Some of them are even enriched with freeze-dried fruits and vegetables.

Commercial raw dog food for dogs features a couple of varieties. Depending on a primary protein source, you can choose between chicken, beef, and lamb.

Ingredients

When it comes to components, the majority of minimally-processed food feature one protein course. It is often combined with fruits and vegetables for additional fiber implementation.

This diet is packed with vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, and probiotics, which will promote digestion and healthy bones.

Why is Raw Diet Better Than Normal Dog Food?

Before switching to this type of diet, pet owners should consult their vet. However, one piece of evidence indicates that raw nutrition can improve canine’s health.

On the other hand, you have to be aware of pathogens, which can lead to illnesses to cats and dogs, as well as humans

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you feed your dog raw meat?

In essence, dogs are carnivores. They have the ability to digest unprocessed meat. The opinions are divided when it comes to this topic.

It all depends on your canine and whether he enjoys eating this type of food. If you are ready to switch to raw diet, then you need to make sure that meat is contaminant-free.

Can you buy it online?

Of course!

However, you have to be extra careful with suppliers and brands. To be sure that your furry companion is eating the finest ingredients, go for pet stores, regular stores, and butches.

They all comply with the safety regulations, which means their food safe and protected.

What should beginners know about raw feeding?

Unprocessed food is designed for carnivore’s digestive system. Pet parents should start with muscles meat to help their dogs adjust to this type of diet.

On the other and, if you notice some reaction, stop immediately, not all pooches can adapt to raw feeding.

Is it recommended for cats too?

Yes, and no!

However, to ensure the success of this process, you must follow certain stages:

  • From dry food to canned
  • From canned to unprocessed
  • Adding meaty bones

The crucial thing is patience. This transition can be fast, or very slow, it all depends on your cat, and how well she accepts this type of diet.

What are good recipes that I can make at home?

Chicken and carrots

This one of the easiest recipes you can make. To premade raw dog food, you will need:

  • Up to 50% of chicken breast
  • Up to 30% of chicken hearts and liver
  • Up to 12% of ground chicken bone
  • Up to 5% of organic carrots
  • Up to 5% of organic green beans

Conclusion

There has been a lot of controversy about commercial raw dog food. Nowadays, pet owners can experience a variety of brands, formulas, and ingredients.

However, we advise you to talk to your vet, before making a transition. For instance, if you choose a commercial diet, then you don’t have to worry about nutrient deficiency, which is a typical case with homemade meals.

Even though it’s still new and disputable approach in the pet care industry, people who are feeding their canines this way, only have words of pray.

References: