FREE Raw Feeding Guides

What is a Raw Food Diet for Dogs?

We’re talking real, raw, unprocessed food — the kind their bodies were designed for.

Consider it the canine version of clean eating.

Raw diets are never processed and emphasize fresh, whole ingredients that align with a dog’s biological needs. They typically include:

Raw meat (muscle cuts and connective tissue)
Raw meaty bones (only safe, edible cuts)
Organs (like heart, liver, kidney, and spleen)
Fiber (fur and/or plant matter like fruits, veggies, and herbs)
Supplements (to help balance nutrients)

The goal? A natural, species-appropriate diet that supports your dog’s health from the inside out — just as nature intended.

It’s a feeding approach that mimics what a dog’s ancestors — like wolves and other wild canines — would’ve eaten in the wild.

Why Feed Raw Dog Food?

Dogs have been eating raw for thousands of years. Every wild canine on the planet — from wolves to foxes — still does. It’s only in the last 150 years that we started feeding processed convenience foods. And since then, our dogs’ health and life expectancy have steadily declined.

Today, dogs face the same “diseases of civilization” as humans:

Obesity
Cancer
Diabetes
Allergies
Digestive disorders
Kidney disease
Liver disease
...and the list goes on

REAL food is the answer to the modern canine health crisis — and the key to a healthier, happier, and potentially longer life for your dog.

If you want to understand the full picture of why raw food matters,
our book dives deeper into:

The Evolution of the Domestic Dog - Discover how today’s dogs evolved from wolves and how domestication shaped their dietary needs.

Canine Anatomy & Physiology - Understand how a dog’s internal systems are designed to process raw, species-appropriate food — not heat-extruded pellets.

The History of Dog Food - See what dogs ate before kibble existed and how marketing, not nutrition, became the driving force behind modern pet food.

What’s Wrong With Dog Food Today - Learn how most commercial pet foods are made, what ingredients are used, and why so many dogs are getting sick from the inside out.

Why Conventional Dog Food is Failing Your Dog

Discover the origins of processed pet food, the rise of modern health issues, and why raw feeding is the nutritional upgrade your dog deserves.

LEARN MORE

The benefits of raw dog food go beyond clean ingredients — they can transform your dog’s health.

Raw feeders report a long list of improvements after switching their dogs to a raw diet — and they’re not alone. Breeders, working dog handlers, and dedicated dog owners have been feeding their dogs raw food since long before commercial pet food existed. For decades, the benefits were largely anecdotal, passed from one dog lover to another. But that’s changing.

Today, research is beginning to support what raw feeders have claimed for years — and the diet’s popularity is growing fast. You can now find raw dog food in the freezer section of most pet stores.

Its benefits are being acknowledged not only by holistic and integrative vets but also by a growing number of conventional veterinarians, nutritionists, and canine health experts.

Is Raw Dog Food Good for Dogs?

Some of the most commonly reported benefits of raw feeding include:

Smaller, less smelly stools – Raw diets are more digestible, leading to less waste.
Shinier coat & healthier skin – Thanks to fresh fats, amino acids, and fewer synthetic additives.
Cleaner teeth – Raw bones help reduce plaque and tartar buildup naturally.
Increased energy and vitality – Many dogs become more alert, active, and balanced.
Lean muscle and healthy weight – Especially in dogs that were under- or overweight on kibble.
Reduced allergy symptoms – Many food-related skin and digestive issues clear up on raw.

While every dog is different, and raw feeding isn’t a magic fix for every health issue, it’s clear that real food can have real impact — when done right.

Like anything that challenges the status quo, raw feeding comes with its share of concerns — especially from conventional sources.

Safety is the first question most people ask when they hear the word “raw.” And fair enough. You’re not alone if your brain immediately goes to bacteria, bones, or that one vet who told you your dog would die if you fed raw chicken.

Here’s the truth: raw dog food is safe when you use common sense.

Like anything new or different, raw feeding comes with a few considerations. But most of the so-called “risks” are based on fear, a misunderstanding of how dogs function, and a general lack of experience or education about fresh food diets.

Still, it’s important to understand any concerns — and what the reality looks like when you feed raw diets responsibly. Here are the most common raw dog food risks (and a little reality check for each):

Is Raw Dog Food Safe?

Bacterial ContaMINation

Yes, raw meat can carry bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli — just like the meat you buy for your meals. The difference? Your dog is built to handle it.

Dogs have short, acidic digestive tracts designed to process raw meat and eliminate pathogens before they can cause problems, making them less susceptible to foodborne illness. That’s literally why they can eat poop, lick their butts, and gnaw on dead animals in the yard without flinching.

For healthy dogs and responsible owners, this concern is more about human hygiene than dog health, which is why basic food safety (and common sense) matters. Wash your hands, clean surfaces that come into contact with raw meat, and avoid leaving raw food out.

Done right, the risk is extremely low — and often blown out of proportion.

Bone Hazards

Bones are one of the biggest fear points — but they don’t have to be scary.

It’s about feeding the right bones. Raw edible bones are soft and appropriately sized (like chicken necks, wings, or non-weight-bearing bones) and can be incredibly beneficial — they clean teeth, promote good dental health, supply nutrients, and provide physical and mental benefits.

They can be dangerous if you feed the wrong kind of bone. The problems come from feeding cooked bones (which can splinter) or weight-bearing bones from large animals (which are too dense to eat and can crack teeth).

Want to avoid the risk altogether? Easy. Just feed a ground raw diet with finely ground bone mixed in — or opt for a balanced, boneless recipe. Same nutritional benefits, zero stress.

NUTRITIONAL IMBALANCES

This one’s valid — if you’re not doing your homework. Feeding raw meat alone isn’t balanced, and it’s where well-meaning owners can unintentionally go wrong.

If you’re feeding a complete and balanced commercial raw diet, you’re covered — it’s formulated to meet all your dog’s nutritional needs.

The risk comes with DIY raw feeding. You can’t just toss your dog a chicken quarter and call it a day. You need to follow proper ratios, balance ingredients, and supplement when necessary.

But with the wealth of resources, calculators, books, and pre-formulated recipes available today, it’s easier than ever to feed a properly balanced raw diet if you choose to DIY.

Veterinary hesitation

Many conventional veterinarians are hesitant to recommend raw diets — not necessarily because they’re against them, but because they often lack education or firsthand experience.

Most vets receive little to no formal training in nutrition during vet school, and what they do learn is typically influenced by major pet food companies. Instead of being taught how to formulate homemade diets using fresh food, they’re taught to recommend commercial pet foods.

And that makes sense — vets are trained in medicine, not nutrition. Their job is to diagnose and treat illness, not coach you through building a balanced diet from scratch. Most don’t have the time, resources, or nutritional background to guide clients through raw feeding. Plus, they’ve likely seen raw diets done wrong, so they’re understandably cautious about making blanket recommendations.

That said, you’ll find that many educated, modern, forward-thinking vets are supportive of balanced raw diets — especially when they’re commercial formulations or balanced recipes.

More modern, educated vets are on board with fresh food — because they’re seeing the benefits in dogs who are thriving on higher-quality diets.

bottom line?

Like any feeding approach, raw must be done responsibly. But when it is, the “risks” often boil down to fear, misinformation, and poor execution. With the right knowledge and approach, raw feeding is a safe, effective option for nourishing your dog naturally.

Don’t let fear-based headlines or outdated myths keep you from exploring what real food can do for your dog.

Raw feeding can look a little different depending on how you choose to do it. To keep things simple, let’s break it down into three parts:

There are two main ways to feed a raw diet:

Commercial (Premade) – Pre-packaged, raw meals you buy from a trusted brand. These take the guesswork out and are great for convenience.

Homemade (DIY) – Raw meals you prepare yourself at home using whole ingredients. This gives you full control but requires more knowledge and planning.

Understanding The Raw Diet Landscape

#1

Feeding Method: How You Feed Raw

Once you choose how you’ll feed raw, you’ll want to consider what style you’ll follow. The main raw feeding models include:

BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) – Includes raw meat, bones, organs, and small amounts of plant matter like fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, and seeds.
Prey Model Raw (PMR) – Mimics a whole prey animal, focusing solely on meat, bones, and organs — with no plant matter.
Frankenprey – A variation of PMR where you build a “whole prey” using parts from different animals.
Note: Most raw diets — regardless of model — will require supplementation to ensure they’re nutritionally complete.

These are common frameworks you’ll see mentioned often — but they’re not rigid rules. In fact, these labels can be more confusing than helpful (and honestly, a little outdated). You don’t have to follow one model 100% of the time. They’re simply reference points, each with its own perspective on what a raw diet should include. Many raw feeders take a blended approach, combining elements from different styles.

What matters most is that your dog gets a balanced, species-appropriate diet that works for both of you.

#2

Feeding Model: The Style or Philosophy

Raw food can also come in a few different formats, depending on your preferences, lifestyle, or storage space:

Frozen Raw – The most common and what we're typically referring to when we talk about raw dog food. It's fresh, frozen raw food that comes in patties, chubs, or whole pieces (can be ground, boneless, or include whole bone).

That said, newer shelf-stable raw formats have entered the market as more convenient alternatives:

Freeze-Dried – Lightweight and shelf-stable. Great for travel, emergencies, or convenience without sacrificing quality.
Air-Dried – Another shelf-stable option that retains more moisture than freeze-dried and is minimally processed.

These formats can be used in rotation or as part of a raw feeding strategy, but frozen raw remains the gold standard for fresh, species-appropriate nutrition.

Ultimately, choose the format that works best for your dog, your storage space, and your lifestyle — even a partial switch can make a meaningful difference.

#3

Format: The Physical Form of the Diet

If you’re seriously considering switching to raw, it helps to look at both sides. Here’s a practical breakdown of the pros and cons — not of any one raw feeding style, but of raw diets in general.

Raw Dog Food Pros & Cons

Pros:

Cons:

Ancestral, Species-Appropriate Nutrition

Raw diets mimic what canines are biologically designed to eat — animal-based nutrition from fresh meat, bones, organs, and some plant material, unlike most pet foods, which are primarily made from carbohydrates and starchy fillers.

Clean, Whole-Food Ingredients

Just fresh, real food — no highly processed ingredients, synthetic additives, preservatives, or chemicals and toxins.

Transparency and Control

You know exactly what your dog is eating — no mystery ingredients, vague labels, or unpronounceable words that are probably chemicals. Especially with homemade raw, every ingredient is real and intentional.

Customization for Individual Needs

Great for dogs with food sensitivities, allergies, or specific health concerns. You control what goes in the bowl — especially when you're preparing meals yourself.

Reported Health Benefits

Raw-fed dogs often have shinier coats, healthier skin, better digestion, firmer stools, balanced energy, better weight and muscle tone, fewer allergy symptoms, and stronger immune function.

Oral & Mealtime Enrichment

Raw diets engage dogs in natural behaviors like ripping, tearing, and crushing — especially when feeding meaty bones or whole prey parts. Raw diets, in general, offer a greater variety in texture, flavor, and chewing experience, which isn’t just more rewarding — it’s deeply satisfying and mentally enriching for your dog.

Potential Long-Term Savings

A healthier dog can mean fewer vet visits, less medication, and lower healthcare costs over time. With smart sourcing or a partial DIY approach, raw feeding can also be more affordable than you’d think.

More Expensive Upfront

Especially for large dogs, households with multiple dogs, or when purchasing high-quality proteins or premade commercial options.

Less Convenient than Kibble

Raw diets require freezer space, ample time to defrost, and can’t be left out in the bowl all day like dry food.

Food Safety and Handling

Raw meat must be handled properly to avoid contamination. You’ll need to wash hands, clean surfaces, and store and defrost food carefully.

More Time-Consuming

Raw feeding takes more time than scooping kibble. With premade raw, you’ll need to source a quality brand, defrost meals in advance, and stay on top of daily cleanup. DIY raw requires even more effort — sourcing individual ingredients, planning balanced meals, prepping and portioning, and managing extra cleanup. It’s absolutely doable, but it does take commitment.

Storage Space Needed

Especially if feeding frozen raw in bulk. A dedicated freezer is often a must-have for raw feeders.

Can Be Overwhelming at First

Raw feeding comes with a learning curve — figuring out how much to feed, how to transition, and troubleshooting takes practice. It’s more straightforward with premade raw, but if you’re doing DIY, you’ll also need to learn how to balance meals, and develop a prep routine that works for you.

Limited Vet Support

Many conventional vets aren’t trained in fresh food nutrition and may not offer much guidance — or may even try to talk you out of it, especially if you’re formulating meals yourself. Raw feeding often requires confidence and a willingness to take your dog’s nutrition into your own hands. But you already do that for yourself and your family — you’ve got this.

Raw Food Diet for Dogs:
Everything You Need to Know

Raw Food Diet for Dogs: Everything You Need to Know

What is a Raw Food Diet for Dogs?

It’s a feeding approach that mimics what a dog’s ancestors — like wolves and other wild canines — would’ve eaten in the wild.

Why Feed Raw Dog Food?

REAL food is the answer to the modern canine health crisis — and the key to a healthier, happier, and potentially longer life for your dog.

If you want to understand the full picture of why raw food matters,
our book dives deeper into: