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You’re busy with work, family, friends, exercise, and more. But you shouldn’t put your dog’s diet on the back burner. Maybe you’ve taken a stab at preparing your dog’s food yourself but found that it eats up a lot of time. Many owners are interested in a raw dog food diet but don’t know where to start. There are several raw dog food brands to consider.
Table of Contents
No more shopping for ingredients, grinding, chopping, measuring, and mixing them yourself. Order your dog’s raw dog food online and have it shipped directly to your door. That way, you can spend time walking Fido instead of preparing his food. We’ve researched the best raw dog food brands and share our top picks with you.
| Winner | Runner-Up | Third Place | Honorable Mention |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| We Feed Raw | BARF World | Instinct | Maev Raw |
| Visit Website | |||
| Read Review |
Why Feed Raw?
Raw dog food typically includes no fillers, so many dogs have smaller bowel movements. Some claim that raw feeding aids in better digestion, balanced nutrition, and increased nutrient absorption. This means cleaning up Fido’s waste with a pooper scooper and bags is much easier.
If you’re unsure about the benefits and risks of a raw diet, or you’re interested in making your dog’s raw food yourself, read our in-depth article.
Ingredients To Look For
Our beloved pups count on us to give them what they need, so choosing a high-quality diet is essential. All dog food should meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines, so look for this AAFCO approval. It’s also crucial to look at the ingredients list to ensure that it includes the following components that all dogs require.
Protein
Protein is one of the most important aspects of a dog’s diet. It supplies energy, keeping the body strong and allowing it to build and maintain muscle mass. Protein is essential for your dog’s development and the health of their muscles, bones, nails, and skin. It also provides the essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals all dogs need. Plus, juicy meat adds moisture and flavor that all dogs crave.
The best protein source is high-quality meat, which should always be the first ingredient in any food. Whole meats such as chicken, beef, lamb, fish, and duck are common proteins in dog foods. Raw nutrition has the advantage that it does not include controversial by-products or meat derivatives. Other ingredients provide protein, such as grains, but they offer a much lower protein content compared to meat.
Healthy Carbohydrates
Healthy carbohydrates are another essential aspect of doggy diets, as they provide glucose which supplies energy. Without glucose, the body will take away amino acids from elsewhere. Healthy carbs are the primary source of fiber, which improves digestive health. Ingredients such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, lentils, peas, rice, barley, oats, and other grains provide healthy carbs.
Omega Fatty Acids
Although fats have a bad reputation, they are another vital aspect of your dog’s diet. Fats provide energy for daily life and the healthy development of puppies. Fatty acids also support skin, coat, joint, bone, brain, and eye health. Plus, fats improve the overall health of your dog. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are the most important. Look for high-quality ingredients such as fish, meats, oils, eggs, and flaxseeds to deliver these crucial fats.
Fruits & Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables offer multiple benefits. Firstly, they provide fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive system. Secondly, they contain vitamins and minerals that boost your dog’s immune system to fight disease and infections. Raw food usually contains a variety of fruits and vegetables. Look for dog-safe fruits and vegetables like blueberries, bananas, broccoli, and pumpkin.
Vitamins & Minerals
Dogs need a variety of vitamins and minerals to support most of their bodily functions. Most of these vitamins and minerals are naturally found in the ingredients, particularly protein, fruits, and vegetables. Some diets have added vitamins and minerals to meet your dog’s nutritional needs.
- Vitamin A bolsters the immune system and eye health
- Vitamin B12 supports the nervous system and digestive health
- Vitamin C and E are antioxidants that support overall health
- Vitamin D helps your dog to use vitamins and minerals effectively
- Vitamin K promotes healthy blood and prevents blood clots
- Calcium and phosphorus are vital for bone health
- Choline supports brain and liver function
- Iron carries oxygen and supports most bodily functions
- Zinc promotes healing and healthy immune and thyroid function
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is crucial for bone, joint, and cartilage development and function. It is vital in the developmental stages and when movement becomes more complex later. It is present in meat, fish, eggs, and oils. The glucosamine content is usually higher in better-quality dog food. Glucosamine supplements are also an option, but discuss this with your veterinarian.
Don’t Forget Brand History
Picking a brand is also part of the raw dog food decision-making process. Not all dog brands are equal, and some are better than others. Doing your research is essential. Look at what the company stands for and what its ingredient ethos is. If sustainability is important to you, consider their methods and how they tackle environmental problems.
Learn about any recalls they have had, lawsuits, and rebranding. Reputable companies work with veterinarians and pet nutritionists to ensure top quality and safety. Plus, they usually have good reviews from other customers, too.
Frozen vs Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
The companies in this article offer frozen and/or freeze-dried raw dog food (or dehydrated).
Frozen Raw Dog Food:
- Less processed than freeze-dried
- Typically, it has no artificial preservatives
- You must store it in the freezer and thaw it before feeding (thawing times vary based on brand and food formation, e.g., nuggets, patties, etc.)
Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food:
- More convenient and easier to travel with since you can store it at room temperature
- With some, you don’t have to add water, but most require rehydration before your dog eats it
How To Handle Frozen, Raw Food
- Wash your hands, utensils, and working surfaces with warm, soapy water before opening the bag.
- Using a utensil, remove the correct-sized portion of frozen food and place it in a container with a lid.
- Place the container in the refrigerator for it to thaw.
- Once the frozen food thaws (or you’ve added water to the freeze-dried food), it forms a mushy consistency, which makes it easy for your dog to eat.
- Put the raw food into your dog’s stainless steel bowl* for your dog to enjoy.
- After your dog has finished eating, wash the dish with warm, soapy water. Don’t use the dishrag on other dirty dishes, as it could contaminate them with raw food particles.
*The container should be stainless steel because other materials like plastic and porcelain are porous and can trap germs over time. Here are some cool stainless steel dog dishes that you can customize with your dog’s name for Check Amazon for availability .
Best Raw Dog Food Delivery
We chose some of the best raw dog food delivery services for those of you who may want to start your dog on a raw diet and want to learn more. If you are already feeding your dog raw and don’t have time to prepare Fido’s meals, having a company do it for you can be much easier.
The deciding factor on which company to go with could come down to one of a few things:
- How do you want to store the food?
- Whether or not you’ll be traveling?
- What type of food does your dog like? (patties, kibble, etc.)
Looking for fresh, cooked dog food delivery? Read this.
Winner: We Feed Raw Review
We Feed Raw wins our top spot based on their exceptional food safety practices, a large variety of options, nutritionally balanced meals, easy ordering process, and fantastic customer reviews. This family-owned company gives your dog a customized raw meal plan based on your pet’s age, breed, current weight, ideal weight, and activity level. With recurring deliveries right to your door, We Feed Raw takes the hassle of preparing meals off your plate.
They have a variety of meat options to choose from, and you can mix and match them in any plan (beef, chicken, duck, lamb, turkey, and venison recipes). If you have room in your freezer, you can order in bulk to save and stock up (stays good for up to six months). Their flexible plans allow you to cancel at any time after your initial trial.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 6 animal protein options (more than most competitors) | Expensive compared to premium kibble (but competitively priced for raw and fresh dog food delivery) |
| USDA human-grade meats | Must allow time for the food to thaw out (12-24 hours) |
| Formulated by a Ph.D. animal nutritionist and vet-approved | No freeze-dried options |
| Meets AAFCO nutrition standards for a complete and balanced diet for all life stages | |
| Ability to choose full, 75%, or 50% meals for recurring deliveries | |
| No fillers or artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors | |
| Food is complete and balanced for cats as well | |
| Made in the USA |
Price
Meal plan pricing varies on your dog’s portion size, weight goals, and the type of meal plan you choose (100%, 75%, or 50%). The prices below are for their 100% meal plan for a 3-year-old, 35-pound mixed-breed dog at his ideal weight (with a daily dose of 13 oz). You get free shipping on all orders.
- Chicken: $54.51/week
- Turkey: $54.51/week
- Beef: $54.08/week
- Duck: $66.24/week
- Lamb: $60.48/week
- Venison: $60.48/week
- View all options
You can also order patties in bulk (minimum of 30 lbs) without a subscription. Pricing for bulk orders starts at $227.94 for 30 lbs of chicken patties.
Our readers can get 25% off their trial box. Use this link and code CJ25 to take advantage of this offer (no discount code needed).
In-Depth We Feed Raw Review
View our full We Feed Raw review to learn more about the different plan options and how this brand works.
Runner-Up: BARF World Review
BARF World is the pioneer of the raw dog food diet. BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) claims that a raw diet can free your pet of allergies and digestive problems. They offer raw diets in multiple forms, including frozen patties and chubs (tubes of the raw blend) and free-dried nuggets.
Their website is very informative and includes information on the best proteins for dogs with allergies, digestion, and weight issues. We love that BARF works on educating pet parents to help them make the best diet changes for their dogs.
I also like that BARF offers both frozen and freeze-dried options, so if it’s easier to serve frozen at home and travel with freeze-dried for trips and overnight stays, you can.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No preservatives | Made and sourced in the USA, except for lamb (from Australia) |
| Grain-free | Must allow time for frozen patties and chubs to defrost |
| Frozen and freeze-dried options | |
| Freeze-dried is easy to travel with | |
| Includes bones and organ meat |
Pricing
- Frozen Chubs — Beef, Chicken, Lamb: starts at $128.97 for six 2 lb chubs
- Frozen Patties — Beef, Chicken, Lamb: starts at $131.97 for two 6 lb patty bags (containing 24 – 8 oz patties)
- Freeze-Dried Nuggets — Beef, Chicken, Lamb: starts at $38.97 for one 14oz bag
- View all options
Full BARF World Review
View our detailed BARF dog food review for more details on the these raw food options.
Third Place: Instinct Pet Food Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
Instinct’s raw dog food is frozen and never cooked, and they also offer two freeze-dried recipes. All of their meals consist of 85% meat and organs and 15% fruit, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals.
For frozen meals, all you have to do is store the bag of food in the freezer and follow the thawing instructions on the bag. The dog food should be shipped in packaging to keep it frozen during transit. But if you receive the dog food already thawed, do not feed it to your dog and contact customer service about a new shipment.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No grain, corn, wheat, artificial colors, or preservatives | Must allow time for frozen meals to defrost |
| Non-GMO fruits and vegetables | Doesn’t include bones |
| Made in the USA | |
| Includes organ meat |
Pricing
Instinct by Nature’s Variety has different options depending on your dog’s taste and size preferences. Below are your options from least expensive to most.
- Raw Boot Mixers Kibble Topper —Gut, Digestive, Skin & Coat, Mobility, Immune Health, Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Blend: Starts at $15.99 ($46.52 / lb)
- Limited Ingredient Diet — Lamb (kibble or web), Turkey, Salmon: Starts at $26.34 ($0.33 / Ounce)
- Raw Boost Kibble + Raw — Chicken (with or without grains, Healthy Weight, Large Breed, Skin & Coat, Toy Breed, Gut Health, Puppy with or without grains, Senior, Small Breed), Salmon (with or without Grains), Beef (small breed), Lamb + Oatmeal, Duck: Starts at
- Raw Meals —Senior, Lamb, Beef, Chicken (puppy): Starts at $23.99 ($40.40 / lb)
Honorable Mention: Maev Raw Review
Maev is a newer company that makes top-of-the-line, frozen, raw dog food formulated by veterinarians. Recipes focus on 7 Essential Health Benefits. These are Weight & Digestion, Hip & Joint, Skin & Coat Health, Anxiety & Calming, Immune function, Oral Health, and Early Development. All recipes offer balanced nutrition, are simple, and use no artificial additives or fillers. Ingredients are as fresh as they can get. Proteins include organ meats and bone. Recipes also use organic ingredients like blueberries and organic chicken. All ingredients are easily identifiable and undergo very minimal processing.
Maev is a higher-end and higher-priced product, but it is well worth the cost. Owners can serve it mixed in with kibble to make food last longer. Food is available online from the company. Owners set up a custom subscription or pick from preselected bundles. Delivery frequency is available every one week to every ten weeks.
Currently, Maev offers beef, chicken, and puppy recipes, along with bone broth and supplement bars. Foods are made in the USA with USADD-compliant ingredients.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Biologically designed raw food diets | No freeze-dried option |
| Frozen, raw food | Higher price point |
| Made in the USA | |
| Includes bones and organ meat | |
| Developed with Ph.D.-certified pet nutrition experts | |
| Organic ingredients | |
| Made with 100% USDA-certified meat and vegetables |
Pricing
Starting at $152 per 20-lb bag every 4 weeks. Bundles include bone broth and/or supplements. Bundle pricing is below. All prices are based on delivery every 4 weeks. New customers receive 10% off orders.
- Itchy Dog – $194 beef, $207 chicken
- Small Dog – $131 beef, $137 chicken
- Gassy Dog – $181 beef, $194 chicken
- Achy Dog – $221 beef, $234 chicken
- Senior Dog – $221 beef, $234 chicken
- Puppy – $164 beef, $170 chicken
- Big Dog – $221 beef, $234 chicken
- Reactive Dog – $188 beef, $201 chicken
- View all options
Our Personal Experience With Maev Raw Dog Food
I tried Maev with my older dog, Daisy, a Labrador Pitbull mix. She is about 11 years old and is very picky about her food. With age, she eats less and has reduced energy. This was her first time eating raw dog food. We tried mixing the Maev food with her regular kibble, which she loves. She has more energy, a glossy-looking coat, and less straining with bowel movements. Maev is very high quality, and Daisy cannot get enough of it.
– Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Dog Parent, Canine Journal Research & Writing
Detailed Maev Review
Learn more in our detailed Maev dog food review, which includes more personal experience, brand history, and more.
Other Raw Dog Food Delivery Options
Here are some alternative options to consider.
Darwin’s Review
Darwin’s offers both organic (Natural Selections) and conventional (BioLogics) formulas of raw dog food. Natural Selections uses pasture-raised, cage-free, and antibiotic-free meat as well as organic vegetables. BioLogics uses conventionally raised meat and conventional vegetables. They also offer Intelligent Design veterinary formulas for dogs with specific health issues (by prescription only).
Darwin believes that to provide the most balanced diet, you should feed your dog a variety of meats. However, they also recognize that some pets are sensitive to meat. If your dog is sensitive to beef, chicken, or turkey, you can customize the number of pounds you want to be delivered of each meat variety. If your dog doesn’t have a sensitivity, Darwin recommends you feed them beef, chicken, and turkey.
They recommend the amount of food your dog will need each week based on his ideal body weight. For example, a dog with an ideal body weight of 20 lbs should get 4 lbs of its meats each week. You’re automatically enrolled in a recurring order, and you can adjust the frequency of shipments from every week to every 20 weeks. You can cancel or change this at any time.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gluten and grain-free | No freeze-dried option |
| Frozen options | Must allow time for it to defrost |
| Made and ingredients sourced in the USA | |
| Includes bones and organ meat |
Pricing
- BioLogics — Beef, Chicken, Turkey: Starts at $6.99
- Natural Selections— Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Duck: Starts at $11.49
- Intelligent Design — Kidney, Liver, Cancer, Join & Muscle Support Formulas: Starts at $13.80
- View all options
The Honest Kitchen Review
The Honest Kitchen dehydrates the ingredients to retain natural vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. So when you buy a 10-pound box of dog food, it makes 40 pounds of food since you add water to the mix.
This dog food is 100% human-grade and meets FDA standards for human food. The ingredients are finely diced to make them easier to digest, and there are no preservatives or GMO ingredients.
The Honest Kitchen isn’t among our top picks because it lacks bones and organ meat, which are a major component of raw dog diets.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No preservatives or GMO ingredients | No bones or organ meat |
| Grain-free available | No frozen option |
| Made in the USA | |
| Dehydrated options | |
| Easy to travel with |
Pricing
- 2-pound boxes, which make 8 pounds of fresh food
- 4-pound boxes, which make 16 pounds of fresh food
- 10-pound boxes, which make 40 pounds of fresh food
- View all options
Full The Honest Kitchen Review
Our full review of The Honest Kitchen shares more about this dog food brand to help you determine if it’s right for your pup.
Primal Pet Foods Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
Primal Pet Foods offers frozen and freeze-dried raw dog food options. They use 100% USDA-inspected protein, certified organic fruits and vegetables, and non-synthetic vitamins and minerals. The ingredients are sourced from sustainable ranchers in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, and Europe.
Unfortunately, customers complain about the freeze-dried nuggets being broken up when they arrive, which can make it difficult to know how much to feed your dog. Primal Pet Foods wouldn’t be our first pick for freeze-dried, but we’d suggest them as a frozen option.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No gluten, corn, wheat, or soy | Complaints of the nuggets being broken up into crumbs when customers receive the bag |
| Made in the USA | Must allow time for the nuggets to defrost |
| Frozen and freeze-dried options | |
| Freeze-dried is easy to travel with | |
| Includes bones and organ meat |
Pricing
The prices below are for 14-oz bags of freeze-dried nuggets. Each 14-oz bag makes three pounds of dog food. Just add water.
- Duck: $47.98 ($54.83 / lb)
- Lamb: $39.48 ($45.12 / lb)
- Chicken: $37.98 ($43.41 / lb)
- Beef: $37.98 ($43.41 / lb)
- Turkey & Sardine: $37.98 ($2.71 / Ounce)
- Venison: $50.98 ($3.64 / Ounce)
- Rabbit: $50.98 ($58.26 / lb)
- Pork: $37.98 ($43.41 / lb)
- Quail: Check Amazon for availability
Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend Review
Dr. Marty’s is a well-established brand of freeze-dried raw food. Recipes are formulated by D. Martin Goldstein, a veterinary doctor with over 45 years of experience. This brand is backed by celebrities like Oprah and has been seen on major television shows like Martha Stewart and Good Morning America. Recipes are formulated following a macrobiotic diet, avoiding dietary toxins. Multiple recipes are available for small breeds, puppies, sensitive stomachs, and vitality.
Dr. Marty’s makes all food in-house in their own manufacturing facility. Recipes use all-natural ingredients, including natural meat proteins like beef, turkey, salmon, duck, organ meats, and eggs. All recipes are freeze-dried raw. Fresh fruits and veggies, along with top-quality proteins, offer dogs top flavor and nutrition. There are no fillers or additives, just all-natural ingredients.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All natural, no artificial ingredients | Expensive |
| Made in the USA | Not all dogs like the texture |
| Limited ingredient recipes | It may not work for larger dogs. They may need to eat a lot |
| Low processing | |
| Includes organ meat | |
| Premium superfood ingredients |
Pricing
Customers can purchase one bag alone or set up a subscription delivery for 3 or 6 bags. Bag prices vary by recipe.
- 1 bag – $34.95 to $59.95
- 3 bags – $101.85 to $170.85
- 6 bags – $199.20 to $323.20
- View all options
Our Personal Experience With Dr. Marty’s Dog Food
I tried Dr. Marty’s with my larger dog and my smaller dog. Both really enjoy it. In particular, they seem to like the meaty taste. I mix it in with dry food to give them a crunch, and they always get excited for the meaty nuggets. The smell is strong, but they do not seem to mind and gobble up every bit, every time.
– Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Dog Parent, Canine Journal Research & Writing
In-Depth Dr. Marty’s Review
You can learn more about this freeze-dried raw dog food option in our detailed Dr. Marty’s review with more personal experience.
Open Farm Freeze-Dried Dog Food Review
Open Farm makes high-quality, premium dog food, including a raw, freeze-dried line. They offer six different protein choices, and recipes contain 85% meat, with 15% produce, vitamins, minerals, and natural supplements. While pricey, these can make for a great addition to your dog’s regular food as a topper. Open Farm is a top option for your dog’s needs and offers several different options, including raw-coated kibble.
Pricing
- Starts at $9.99 (3.5-oz bag)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 85% meat | Expensive |
| Superfood ingredients like salmon oil | Not all dogs like the texture |
| Limited ingredient recipes | Not a lot of food in bags |
| Multiple proteins | |
| Includes organ meat |
Full Open Farm Review
We cover Open Farm in more detail, including a breakdown of recipes and prices in our detailed Open Farm Review.
What Meat Is Best For My Dog? (Infographic)
Below are some guidelines on how different proteins can affect your dog’s health. Depending on how raw dog food is made, the meat may have levels of nutrients different from what we’ve listed below.
Use the table below to help you decide which protein source is best for your dog. For example, if your dog suffers from high cholesterol, you may want to avoid beef. Or, if your dog has food allergies, you may want to consider lamb or venison. Pork is high in fat and not well-tolerated digestion-wise by many pets. You should also avoid giving your dog pork as it can cause pancreatitis.
| Beef | Chicken | Lamb | Turkey | Goat | Venison | Fish | Rabbit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good For Heart Health |  | |||||||
| Managing Food Allergies | | | ||||||
| Amino Acids | | | ||||||
| High-Fat Content | | | ||||||
| Low-Fat Content | | | | | | |||
| Phosphorus | | | | | ||||
| Selenium | | | | |||||
| Retinol, Alpha and Beta-Carotene and Lycopene | | |||||||
| Essential Fatty Acids | | | ||||||
| Iron & Zinc | | | | Iron | ||||
| Potassium | | | | |||||
| Fewer Calories | | | | |||||
| Low-Sodium | | | ||||||
| Niacin | | | | | | |||
| Vitamin B4 | | |||||||
| Vitamin B6 | | | | | ||||
| Vitamin B12 | | | | |||||
| Riboflavin | | |||||||
| Thiamine | | |||||||
| Higher Cholesterol | | | |
Video: How To Thaw Frozen Dog Food
There are a few ways to thaw your dog’s food before mealtime. We recommend thawing the food for your dog because ingesting frozen food can be uncomfortable and difficult to digest. Below are some ways to thaw your dog’s food.
How To Change Your Dog’s Diet To Raw Food
Like any change in doggy diet, you need to transition them slowly for a smooth switch. Otherwise, you risk stomach upset and putting your dog off raw food for life. Here is a suggested transitional plan:
- Day 1: Feed 75% of the old food and mix 25% of the new food in each serving.
- Day 2: Adjust the old food to 60% and mix 40% of the new food.
- Day 3: Feed 50% of the old food and 50% of the new food.
- Day 4: Feed 40% of the old food and 60% of the new food.
- Day 5: Feed 25% of the old food, mixed with 75% of the new food.
- Day 6: Feed 90-100% of the new food.
Before changing your dog’s diet, speak to your vet or try out this online vet service to see what’s best for your dog. If you do opt to change your dog’s diet, be sure to do so slowly. Here are some tips on slowly changing your dog’s food.
Our Methodology
We analyze hundreds of dog food brands and individual formulas to provide our recommendations for the best nutrition. Each of the following elements helps us determine the best dog food for any dietary need. Our in-depth research includes:
- Scrutinizing all ingredients included in every formula
- Having firsthand experience with our dogs for many of the foods we recommend
- Assessing the guaranteed analysis for every formula, including protein, fat, fiber, and caloric content
- Investigating the latest scientific studies on dogs’ nutritional needs and benefits of ingredients
- Researching the specific dietary needs for breed sizes and health conditions
- Reading hundreds of customer reviews
- Staying informed on every dog food recall
- Diving into every pet food brand’s history and reputation
- Keeping on top of pet food trends
Unlike many other review sites, we give unbiased reviews based on countless hours of research. Our goal is to provide our readers with the healthiest options for their pups.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Kimberly has written about various dog-related topics, such as pet insurance, health conditions, treats, training, nutrition, and more. She researched raw dog foods with the highest quality ingredients, the best delivery service, and the highest customer reviews. Kimberly spoke with members of the Canine Journal team to glean their personal experiences with raw dog food. She spent over 10 hours researching and writing this article.
