Raw dog food is rising in popularity, with many owners including it in their dogâs diet. If done right, raw food can have lots of benefits, but there isnât as much information about it out there as there is for commercial dog food.
With arguments on both sides to whether itâs right to feed your dog raw food, it can get confusing. We have all the facts and safety tips, plus some trustworthy raw dog food choices so you can decide what will work for your pooch.
What is raw dog food?
Raw dog food can be anything from raw meat to raw fruit and veg (typically a combination of both) that your dog can eat as part of or their entire diet. It's seen as an alternative food choice to wet dog food and dry dog food. You may pick raw feeding for multiple reasons and knowing if itâs right for your dog is very important. Our picks are from the best raw food brands and offer a variety of health benefits.
The best raw dog food shortlist:
Nutriment Adult Working Dogs Raw Food
Pure Pet Food Dehydrated Raw Dog Food
Poppyâs Picnic Fresh Raw Food
Crave Dog Food Paté
Country Hunter Raw Nuggets
ProDog Raw Complete Rabbit Formula
The Farmerâs Dog, Raw Mixed Chub Box
AniForte Barf Dog Food Mix
Best raw dog food
1 of 8Nutriment Adult Working Dogs Raw Food
This raw food is made with strictly natural ingredients and comes frozen. It's grain-free and formulated with essential fatty acids, protein, vitamin and minerals. This sample tray is perfect for finding out which meat and ingredients will work best for your dog. Each recipe is full of highly digestible, quality meat and lots of nutrition. Amount: 10 trays, 5kgFlavours: Chicken, turkey, salmon and boneless beef
ÂŁ32.99Â
2 of 8Pure Pet Food Dehydrated Raw Dog Food
All of Pure Food's dog food is made at a human-grade facility. The brand's process keeps all the nutrition but removes nasties like pathogens. It's all naturally prepared and then dehydrated to preserve it. It's tasty but also super healthy. Your dog will be getting meat, fruit and veg in every bite. Amount: 4kg (16kg dehydrated)Flavours: Chicken Dinner (Also comes in Turkey Terrific and Chicken Delicious)
3 of 8Poppyâs Picnic Fresh Raw Food
Award-winning raw dog food delivered to your door? Sounds pretty great to us. This food is the best raw dog food delivery service in our books as it's so easy to get what you want. No nasties, nothing artificial, just good, yummy food for your pooch. Poppy's Picnic has worked with nutritionists and vets to create their raw food and you can create a food hamper or meal plan specially for your dog's needs. It promotes oral, digestion and skin health plus it encourages calmness and weight management. Amount: Poppy's Picnic has different food amounts and formulas, including mince and 'power balls'. Flavours: Beef broth, lamb broth, raw power chicken and more.
4 of 8Crave Dog Food Paté
This unique food is high in protein and completely grain-free. An alternative to standard raw food, all the natural ingredients Crave includes come in paté form which is easy to digest. It's suitable for all breeds and promotes overall health plus strong muscles. It's the best value raw dog food if you're looking for a good deal.Amount: Pack of 10 300g traysFlavours: Turkey and salmon
5 of 8ProDog Raw Complete Rabbit Formula
Rabbit can often be overlooked, but it's lean and rich in protein. This food is a great low-fat, raw food option. It's packed with vitamins, minerals and quality meat, plus it supports brain function, bone development and healthy skin. It's also hypoallergenic. ProDogRaw also offers lots of other flavours, so you're sure a variety your dog loves.Amount: 500g or 1kgFlavours: Rabbit, lamb with offal, beef with chicken, salmon with turkey and more.
6 of 8Country Hunter Raw Nuggets
With 80% quality poultry, these little yummy bites will be a hit with your dog and you can freeze them. It's grain-free, complete and balanced. They'll get meaty mouthfuls but it also includes veg like carrots and peas for a fulfilling, nutritious food choice. These will be great if you have just decided to switch to raw food. Amount: 1kg bagFlavours: Turkey and goose (also comes in duck and grass-fed beef)
7 of 8The Farmerâs Dog, Raw Mixed Chub Box
Made for working dogs, this food can feed your dog for up to six weeks. It contains raw meat and safely-used bone to create a high protein food. Every mix is made with premium ingredients that will help working dogs with their energy levels. Amount: 16-48 'chubs' Flavours: Chicken, beef, lamb and wild venison
8 of 8AniForte Barf Dog Food Mix
If you're looking to add raw feeding into your dog's existing diet, then this supplement will be ideal. The natural raw food supplement is gluten and grain-free, plus full of nutritious fruit and vegetables with herbs. It's tasty, developed by experts and suitable for adult dogs. It's the best raw dog food for sensitive stomachs, as well.Amount: 1kg bagFlavours: Fruit and veg with herbs
Is raw dog food good for dogs?
First, itâs essential to acknowledge that not every dog can benefit from raw feeding. Puppies, dogs with health concerns and certain breeds canât thrive on a raw food diet as itâs too high in protein for them. If you arenât sure then always consult your vet.
Related: The best dog food for puppies
For the dogs that can enjoy raw food, there are some great health benefits. Many owners say it helps their dogs maintain a shiny coat, have more energy and, and their toilet habits offer a less offensive odour. Many see it as a more natural diet for their pups. Raw food isnât bad for dogs, it does have some great nutritional value. But, however you choose to incorporate it into your dogâs diet, it has to be done correctly.
Traditional dog food isnât the enemy, so donât worry if thatâs what you prefer. Itâs worth noting that raw food isnât a necessity, but you can include it in your dogâs existing diet. There are multiple fruits and vegetables that dogs can have as treats that will add nutritional value, plus some fun textures into their food. My dog loves a crunchy carrot slice or a small melon cube from the fridge for a hot summerâs day. The right raw meat can be a great protein boost, too, and some dogs might even find it easier to digest.
Is raw dog food safe?
All of the best raw dog foods on our list are prepared by companies who know what theyâre doing and care about your dogâs health. Unless itâs a chopped fruit or veg as a snack, we do not recommend preparing your dogâs raw food at home as that can be unsafe for many reasons. Cross-contamination and the spread of things like E-coli bacteria is a real risk. Removing hazardous bones is essential and thatâs a job for the professionals. Save yourself the hassle and buy from a safe raw food company.
Raw dog food can be safe if you treat it like you would your own food. Wash your hands after handling, freeze or refrigerate according to the packaging guidelines and regularly clean out what you store it in. Wash your hands after handling your dog's business or drool, too, as that may also include harmful bacteria. Once raw dog food is defrosted, make sure itâs used within 24 hours and not put back in the freezer.
As previously mentioned, always ask your vet for advice about your dogâs food. Not all vets will recommend raw dog food as itâs not for every dog, but theyâll be happy to help you if it does work for your pooch.
Yummy fruit and veg that dogs can eat raw
This is also in moderation. Always wash your fruit and vegetables, plus remove any seeds:
Banana, mango, melon, carrots, apples, peas, potatoes, cucumber, blueberries and pineapple.
Pop them in the fridge or freezer during summer for a cool treat.
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Eve Miller is a Storytelling Executive for WhatsTheBest with a love for writing, film, her dog and beauty. She also writes for Yours.co.uk.
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