We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 9 Best Raw Dog Foods for Balanced Nutrition Only the best for your pup By Lorraine Wilde Lorraine Wilde Lorraine Wilde, M.S. is a writer for The Spruce Pets. She has over 25 years of experience, almost as long as her 30 years of being a dog and cat mom. Her work has included Run Those Dogs, Parents Magazine, Leaders in Heels, Sheownsit.com, and Miss Millennia Magazine, among other publications and, most recently, a Sniffspot host. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 03/24/25 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews What to Look For in Raw Dog Food FAQ Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Makers of raw dog food have crafted formulas designed to meet nutritional standards set for other types of dog foods. Many manufacturers are also working to secure customer trust through transparent ingredient sourcing and frozen or freeze-dried options meant to minimize the risk of contamination. But even with careful research, dog owners should only switch to a raw food diet after consultation with their veterinarian. “The most important factor is whether or not the food is complete and balanced,” Scott Marshall of Raw Feeding 101 told The Spruce Pets. “On its packaging, it will state that it is complete and balanced, meets or exceeds The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards, and is suitable for all life stages (ALS). If it includes the first two items but not the third, then it is not suitable for puppies and should only be fed to adults.” Many owners who have moved their dogs to raw food diets report shinier coats, increased muscle mass, and cleaner teeth, but currently, scientific evidence of the diet's benefits is thin, while the risks are substantial. The American Veterinary Medical Association advises against raw food diets entirely: "The AVMA discourages the feeding to cats and dogs of any animal-source protein that has not first been subjected to a process to eliminate pathogens because of the risk of illness to cats and dogs as well as humans." The American College of Veterinary Nutrition agrees, writing that "no published peer-reviewed studies exist to support claims made by raw diet advocates" and warning against the risks of nutritional deficits and contamination by bacteria or parasites. Our favorite raw food is Stella & Chewy’s Frozen Raw Dinner Morsels, which is manufactured in the United States by a woman-owned business and is made from responsibly raised, high-protein meats, organic fruits and veggies, and probiotics. You can see our other recommendations below. Top Picks Best Overall: Stella & Chewy’s Frozen Raw Dinner Morsels at Stellaandchewys.com Jump to Review Best Budget: Instinct Frozen Raw Bites Grain-Free Recipe Dog Food at Amazon $30 Jump to Review Best for Weight Control: Bones & Co. Bones & Co. Raw Frozen Dog Food at Pawnaturals.com Jump to Review Best Freeze-Dried: Bixbi Rawbble Freeze-dried Dog Food at Amazon $28 Jump to Review Best for Puppies: BJ's Raw Pet Food Premium Puppy Blend at Bjsrawpetfood.com Jump to Review Best Liver: Vibrant K9 Grass Fed & Finished Freeze-Dried Dog and Cat Treats at Vibrantk9.com Jump to Review Best Treat: Vital Essentials Raw Dog Treats at Amazon $19 Jump to Review Best Meal Topper: Open Farm Freeze Dried Dog Food at Amazon $37 Jump to Review Popular on Reddit: Viva Raw Dog Food at Vivarawpets.com Jump to Review Best Overall Stella & Chewy’s Frozen Raw Dinner Morsels Credit: Stella & Chewy's View on Stellaandchewys.com View on Thehungrypuppy.com View on Chowhoundpetsupplies.com What We Like Protein sources are cage-free or pasture-raised 100 percent certified organic fruits and vegetables Includes probiotics for healthy digestive tract For puppies and adult dogs Grain-free What We Don't Like Frozen is harder to find than freeze-dried To earn the best overall spot on our list, a raw dog food must be nutritionally balanced, reasonably affordable, and use ethically sourced, high-quality ingredients. Stella & Chewy's Frozen Raw Dinner Morsels meets all those criteria and more. Because the food is frozen, its ingredients can be delivered as fresh as possible. Each of the five frozen flavors is more than 95 percent meat, organs, and bones. The remaining 5 percent is certified organic fruits and vegetables like pumpkin seeds, organic cranberries, spinach, broccoli, carrots, squash, and blueberries. The formula also includes a full complement of vitamins and minerals, plus probiotics. Stella & Chewy’s is a woman-owned business that has been offering quality raw foods since 2003. Manufactured in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Stella & Chewy's uses grass-fed, cage-free, and other certified and transparently sourced protein containing no added hormones or antibiotics. Rather than heating food to eliminate contaminants, Stella & Chewy's uses "high-pressure processing," which subjects ingredients to a high enough water pressure to achieve a sterilizing effect similar to pasteurization. They also offer Freeze-Dried Meal Mixers, kibble, treats, and toppers with the same healthy flavors. Many stores carry only the non-frozen products, so call ahead or use the store locator when shopping for the frozen food line. Both puppies and adults can enjoy munching on these morsels. Flavors: Tantalizing Turkey, Duck Duck Goose, Chewy’s Chicken, Dandy Lamb, Stella’s Super Beef | Crude Protein Minimum: 12-15% depending on flavor | Crude Fat Minimum: 9-13.5% depending on flavor | Crude Fiber Max: 2% | Moisture Max: 72% | Sizes: 4 pounds for all flavors, 8.5 ounces for lamb and duck Best Budget Instinct Frozen Raw Bites Grain-Free Recipe Dog Food Credit: Amazon $30 at Amazon $45 at Chewy View on Petco What We Like Made in the US with globally sourced ingredients Even the pickiest eaters often like it Free of grains and artificial ingredients and colors What We Don't Like Some pets prefer the patties to the bites This high-protein food is made with 85 percent meat and organs (and bone for beef flavor), plus 15 percent non-GMO vitamins, minerals, fruits, and vegetables. Ingredients in Instinct Frozen Raw Bites include apples, carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash and exclude grains, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives. Cold pressure processing helps prevent contamination while retaining raw meat status. Instinct has been offering raw recipes for over 15 years made in their own kitchens in Lincoln, Nebraska, following Safe Quality Food quality standards and using globally sourced ingredients. While some pets prefer the patties to the bites, even the pickiest eaters tend to chow down this food. Flavors: Beef, cage-free chicken, grass-fed lamb | Crude Protein Minimum: 12% depending on flavor | Crude Fat Minimum: 8% depending on flavor | Crude Fiber Max: 3% | Moisture Max: 70% | Sizes: 3 and 6 pounds Best for Weight Control Bones & Co. Bones & Co. Raw Frozen Dog Food Credit: Paw Naturals View on Pawnaturals.com View on Petempiresupplies.com What We Like Keto-approved for healthy weight control Contains no antibiotics, added hormones, or preservatives Exceeds AAFCO’s nutritional standards Family-owned and operated What We Don't Like Limited in-person purchase opportunities Another great brand recommended by Marshall, Bones & Co. offers its Raw Frozen Dog Food in both patties and miniature forms for smaller breeds. Both are made of 95 percent meat, bone, and organs, plus 5 percent organic vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. This formula is designed to adhere to a keto diet, which eliminates as many carbs as possible so that energy is burned from fat instead. Their ingredients are sourced from small family farms in the United States using grass-fed and cage-free protein sources. Their team hand-packs its dog food formula in a human-grade kitchen located in Austin, Texas. Bones & Co. patties and minis are sold in small, independent pet stores across the United States and are backed by a "keto guarantee," offering free food if your dog doesn't show improved metabolic markers, including blood sugar levels, after six weeks of use. Flavors: Beef, chicken, duck, lamb, turkey | Crude Protein Minimum: 12-14.5% depending on flavor | Crude Fat Minimum: 12-15% depending on flavor | Crude Fiber Max: 2% | Moisture Max: 68-69% depending on flavor | Sizes: 3-pound minis, 6- and 18-pound patties Best Freeze-Dried Bixbi Rawbble Freeze-dried Dog Food Credit: Amazon $28 at Amazon $59 at Chewy View on Bixbipet.com What We Like USDA-certified animal proteins No corn, wheat, or soy Good for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies What We Don't Like Bottom of the bag is pretty dusty These freeze-dried foods are made in small batches with USDA-certified animal proteins consisting of about 98 percent muscle meat, organs, and bone. The remaining 2 percent contains oils, pumpkins, vitamins, and minerals, including herring oil, which is rich in fatty acids. With no added corn, wheat, or soy, each flavor is considered a limited-ingredient diet, which makes the food ideal for dogs with stomach troubles due to food allergies or sensitivities. Bixbi Rawbble Freeze-Dried Dog Food is available in a wide variety of flavors, including beef, chicken, chicken and salmon, duck, lamb, pork, and turkey. When you reach the bottom of the bag, you'll probably discover it's pretty dusty down there. Flavors: Beef, chicken, chicken & salmon, duck, lamb, pork, turkey | Crude Protein Minimum: 46-58% | Crude Fat Minimum: 25-38% | Crude Fiber Max: 4% | Moisture Max: 7% | Sizes: 4.5, 12, and 26 ounces, 1.6 pounds The 11 Best Dog Bowls of 2026 Best for Puppies BJ's Raw Pet Food Premium Puppy Blend Credit: BJ's Raw Pet Food View on Bjsrawpetfood.com What We Like Made in Lancaster, Pennsylvania Spill-proof containers Bulk discounts available What We Don't Like Only available online Puppies can start on a raw food diet around 8 to 12 weeks of age and can generally eat the same raw foods as adults, except that the ratios of certain foods are different to ensure their diet is nutritionally complete and balanced. Feeding puppies a DIY diet can feel overwhelming since their needs constantly change as they grow into adulthood. Marshall likes this brand, including its Premium Puppy Mix made in Lancaster, Pennslyvania, and packaged into spill-proof containers. It includes chicken, chicken bone and organs, beef, tripe, spleen, liver, kidney, fine ground pork, and goat milk. Animals are grass-fed at local farms and are processed at BJ’s Raw Pet Food to ensure humane treatment. Cuts are frozen quickly to preserve nutrients. It’s a great food to encourage puppies to wean as well. Customers remark on how much their puppy loves the flavor of this blend. While this is only available online, they offer bulk discounts and 5 percent off when you subscribe to regular shipments. Flavors: Chicken, beef and pork blend | Crude Protein Minimum: 17% | Crude Fat Minimum: 12% | Crude Fiber Max: 1% | Moisture Max: 69% | Sizes: 2 and 10 pounds Best Liver Vibrant K9 Grass Fed & Finished Freeze-Dried Dog and Cat Treats Credit: Vintage K9 View on Vibrantk9.com What We Like Single-ingredient product Organ meats and offal available Family-owned business What We Don't Like Nutrition (protein, fat, etc.) information not available Unlike some humans, dogs love the taste of liver, and the Vibrant K9 brand knows how to please them by providing tasty freeze-dried beef liver as a special treat. These bites are made from pasture-raised beef and the brand recommends giving these 3-5 times per week. Also recommended by Marshall, this brand’s flavors vary over time, but each is freeze-dried unadulterated meat from ethically raised sources and made in California. These single-ingredient treats are a great way to add the vitamins and nutrients in offal and organ meats, which are essential in your companion’s diet, to DIY raw food diets prepared at home. Unfortunately, no nutrition information is provided on the site for this product. Flavors: Beef liver | Crude Protein Minimum: Not listed | Crude Fat Minimum: Not listed | Crude Fiber Max: Not listed | Moisture Max: Not listed | Sizes: 4 ounces The 10 Best Dog Food Brands, According to More Than 400 Dogs Best Treat Vital Essentials Raw Dog Treats Credit: Chewy $19 at Amazon $12 at Chewy View on Walmart What We Like Multiple flavors to choose from No added flavoring or by-products One ingredient Made in the United States What We Don't Like Only good for 30 days once opened Some dogs only enjoy certain flavors Vital Essentials dog treats are the perfect way to introduce raw foods into your dog’s diet. These treats contain one single ingredient, and unlike other raw food treats, you can select from 11 flavors, including beef liver, chicken hearts, minnows, rabbit bites, turkey giblets, and wild Alaskan salmon. The low-calorie treats are available in a variety of package sizes, so you can try out a few 1-ounce bags to learn which flavors appeal most to your dog. These raw dog treats are freeze-dried and don't have to be refrigerated. They are made in the United States and are gluten- and grain-free. Even though they come in a resealable pouch, the brand recommends using them within 30 days of opening. Flavors: Beef liver, beef nibs, beef tripe, chicken breast, chicken hearts, duck nibs, rabbit bites, turkey giblets, minnows, wild Alaskan salmon | Crude Protein Minimum: 65% (chicken heart flavor) | Crude Fat Minimum: 5.0% | Crude Fiber Max: 3.0% | Moisture Max: 8.0% | Sizes: 1, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 3.75, 5, 5.5, and 6.2 ounces (depending on flavor) Best Meal Topper Open Farm Freeze Dried Dog Food Credit: Amazon $37 at Amazon View on Openfarmpet.com What We Like Six flavors all made with humanely raised animal proteins Highly traceable ingredients No hormones, antibiotics, or steroids Non-GMO fruits and vegetables What We Don't Like Not likely to be carried in stores A topper or mixer is an excellent way to introduce raw foods into your dog’s diet, adding vitamins and nutrients in a flavor your dog is likely to enjoy. Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Dog Foods are easy to mix with a dog's regular food, and if your dog seems to like the mixer in their food, you can slowly transition into feeding Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food as their primary diet. There are six flavors to choose from—Harvest Chicken, Farmer's Table Pork, Grass Fed Beef, Homestead Turkey, Pasture Raised Lamb, and Surf & Turf—and all are made with certified humanely raised animal proteins. Other ingredients include non-GMO produce, like butternut squash, cranberries, and coconut oil. Flavors: Chicken, pork, beef, turkey, lamb, and beef and wild-caught salmon︱Crude Protein Minimum: 41% | Crude Fat Minimum: 33%︱Crude Fiber Max: 3.5%︱Moisture Max: 5.0%︱Sizes: 3.5 and 13.5 ounces, 1.38 and 1.97 pounds Popular on Reddit Viva Raw Dog Food Credit: Viva View on Vivarawpets.com What We Like HIgh-quality lean meats Whole food supplements Organic fruits and vegetables No starchy fillers What We Don't Like Not economical for feeding large breeds Another brand popular among Reddit users, particularly those on the rawpetfood forum, is Viva Raw Dog Food. Fans of Viva praise its balanced blend of high-quality, human-grade ingredients, such as humanely raised meats sourced from USDA-inspected small farms and organic fruits and vegetables. One commenter says it is the "only premade I use," adding "I regularly buy their complete line and don’t need to add anything to ensure they get all of their nutrients. Doesn’t get much easier than that." Single-protein options for dogs include chicken, turkey, beef, duck, and rabbit (there's also a beef and turkey formula for puppies) sold in two 1-pound units ranging from $6 per pound for the chicken to $9.75 per pound for the rabbit, which can be kept frozen for up to six months. You can order each flavor individually or try the starter pack that includes one package of each flavor (excluding the puppy formula). While Reddit users are fans of Viva's overall quality, it can get very costly to feed a large breed dog, since the recommended daily feeding is 12 ounces on the higher end of the spectrum, which is around $8 per day for chicken and over $14 for rabbit. Viva also offers Pure Recipe options—prey model-based base mixes (80% muscle, 10% secreting organ, 10% bone) with no added veggies or supplements—designed for dogs with allergies or sensitivities or picky pets who require limited-ingredient diets. They also allow pet parents to customize meals to their preferences. Flavors: Chicken, turkey, beef, duck, rabbit, beef and turkey (puppies)︱Crude Protein Minimum: 14.4% (chicken) | Crude Fat Minimum: 6.5% (chicken)︱Crude Fiber Max: 0.4% (chicken)︱Moisture Max: 77% (chicken)︱Sizes: 2 pounds (two 1-pound units) Final Verdict We like Stella & Chewy’s Frozen Raw Dinner Morsels that come in five grain-free flavors. Each is made with 95 percent ethically raised meats with organic fruits and veggies, plus probiotics, all from a woman-owned business. When you need a treat, topper, or mixer, try Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food, available in a wide range of flavors. What to Look For in Raw Dog Food Be thoughtful when transitioning your dog to a new food. Don’t buy a lot until you’re sure your dog will eat it. Take your time deciding if it’s the right fit. Because all foods differ in caloric content, follow the manufacturer’s directions on what quantity to feed your dog. Your furry friend may have issues with a new food’s palatability, mouthfeel, or protein source. Some early upsets go away after a day or two into the transition. If your first choice doesn’t fit, transition slowly to another. Safety Because the food is raw, it has not been cooked to kill germs that can cause intestinal upset and other diseases and infections. When stored in a cool, dry place, freeze-dried food can last well because the moisture has been removed before packaging. Similarly, frozen food can last up to a year when freezing temperatures are properly maintained. But once the freeze-dried food is hydrated or the frozen food has thawed, like human food, it can sit out for only a short period of time before disease-causing bacteria and viruses can start to grow and thrive. Raw foods should not sit out for more than an hour at room temperature (or whatever period is recommended by the manufacturer on the packaging). All manufacturers of these raw foods indicate on their websites and packaging their safe handling recommendations. Those usually include washing your hands thoroughly in hot, soapy water before and after handling raw pet food to prevent contamination and exposure to harmful microorganisms. They recommend you use stainless steel or glass containers and wash all utensils, counters, and feeding dishes with hot, soapy water after each use or contact with raw meat and poultry products. Consider avoiding any raw food brands that don't mention their factory safety standards and note safe handling instructions on their packaging. Form and Nutrition Always check the package to ensure the food you’re buying is appropriate for your dog’s size, life stage, and health condition. Most are appropriate for all life stages, but some are formulated specifically for puppies or seniors, and a few are specifically for dogs with digestive problems or skin conditions. Raw foods are commercially available as treats, toppers, nuggets, or patties and in either freeze-dried or frozen form. Freeze drying extracts moisture from the food, so it comes in a lightweight, very dry form that is best to rehydrate before serving (although it can be served dry). Most recommend rehydrating for at least a few minutes before serving. Patties are often meant to be used as meals but can be broken into smaller pieces to be used as treats or for smaller or younger dogs. Nuggets are easy to use as meals, toppers/mixers, or treats. Be sure to carefully read the packaging for toppers and treats, as most are not nutritionally balanced to be used as a sole food source but rather to be used as a supplement to a core meal food. Be sure that you’re feeding daily meals that offer complete balanced nutrition (confirmed on the packaging) with essential levels of vitamins and nutrients. It’s also important to feed your dog the correct volume of food each day to achieve those optimal nutritional levels. Always check the packaging or consult the manufacturer to choose a food volume that fits your dog’s size, age, and activity level. Also, keep in mind that you’ll feed different volumes of food depending on whether it's freeze-dried or frozen, which will affect cost calculations. Freezing and freeze-drying don’t alter and break down the proteins the way cooking does, so the nutrients our pets receive from these foods are closer to what they’d get in a fresh raw diet. Additionally, frozen food is moisture-rich—saving you effort compared to rehydrating freeze-dried foods—and can help your dog avoid chronic dehydration that can lead to kidney and urinary problems later in life. However, raw foods also have drawbacks. They tend to be more expensive than dry kibble and some wet canned foods, which often have added grains as filler as well as preservatives for long-term storage. Pet stores carry far more processed food than raw, and many do not have the freezer space to carry much frozen food which costs more to ship, handle, and store. As consumers and pet parents, we must find a balance between the risks and natural benefits of raw food in your dog’s diet. FAQ What is raw dog food? “You will see debates on premade foods, DIY, Prey Model Raw (PMR), and high-pressure pasteurization (HPP) versus non-," Marshall told The Spruce Pets. "Regardless of which option you choose or what camp you fall in, everyone can agree on one thing: Raw dog food is unaltered, has not been cooked, and in one approach or another, attempts to mimic, to a certain degree, the type of diet a wild canine would consume in everyday life. Meat, bones, organs, fur, feathers, and scales are all raw.” Can you warm raw dog food? “When it comes to raw food diets, no, they should not be warmed or cooked in any way, especially not the bones,” asserts Marshall. “Some people do slightly warm ingredients like organs which have a potent taste and smell to get picky eaters to consume them, but outside of this special circumstance, cooking or warming raw dog food should be avoided.”However, it is important to fully thaw frozen dog foods before feeding. “Canine digestive systems have a very hard time digesting, utilizing, and absorbing the nutrients from food if it is frozen,” adds Marshall. “Raw food should be completely thawed and cold to the touch.” Why Trust The Spruce Pets The Spruce Pets exhaustively researches and recommends a broad range of products. We also tap a network of experts and testers to help you make smarter purchases. This piece was written by Lorraine Wilde, who has had at least two dog companions in her home for the past 35 years. When researching these brands, Wilde evaluated the type and quality of the ingredients, the company’s research and development of the food, and their business ethics. She has only the highest standards for what she feeds her pets. She holds a master’s degree in environmental science, with an emphasis on toxicology. Scott Marshall has been feeding a raw dog food diet for over 11 years. He lives in Utah with his wife Arianne, his 11.5-year-old German shepherd, Wolken, and his 2.5-year-old labradoodle, Montu. Marshall has been teaching others about raw feeding since 2013 and started his company, Raw Feeding 101, in 2017. He has been solely focused on simplifying the process of pet parents meeting their dogs’ daily nutrient requirements since 2018 via his YouTube channel, Raw Feeding 101, which has just over 10,000 subscribers. He also manages a Facebook group, Raw Feeding 101—Learn to Feed Raw, that has over 69,000 members. His book, Raw Feeding 101: Beginner's Raw Feeding Guide, was published in 2018. The 21 Best Dog Foods of 2026 Explore more: What to Buy Dog Products Dog Food Advertisement