The Best Raw Dog Foods

Our dogs are some of the best companions that we are ever going to have. As kids, they are our first friends, and as adults, they become our solace after a long day of work, we can talk to them about anything, without judgment! Finally, they can always sense when something is off or we are upset. Those moments when they come and lay their head down on your lap and give cuddles are some of the best moments in dog ownership.

As such, we always want to do what is best for our dog. There are so many varieties of dog food on the market today. As dog owners, it is up to us to choose which one is best for our dogs. Perhaps you like to feed your pup canned dog food, or you choose dry dog food. There are so many choices, including raw dog food. Feeding your dog raw dog food has a few benefits for your dog, including healthier skin, a shinier coat, and cleaner teeth, amongst other benefits. We reviewed dozens of raw dog foods to identify the best of the best. Some of the features we considered were the type of raw dog food, cost, and more.

Best Raw Dog Food Overall
Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers
A tasty raw food topper for your dog’s food.

The clear winner for best raw food overall was definitely Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers. You simply scoop this raw mixer into your dog’s normal kibble to kickstart a raw food regimen for your dog.

The 5 Top-Rated Raw Dog Foods

Editor's PicksBrandRating
Best OverallStella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers4.5
Best Dehydrated Raw Dog FoodDr. Harvey's Canine Health Miracle Dog Food4.6
Best Budget BuyInstinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers4.7
Best Freeze Dried Raw Dog FoodTruDog: Feed Me: Freeze Dried Raw Superfood4.2
Best Raw Puppy FoodWellness Core Rawrev Puppy Food4.0

*Ratings are from Amazon and might change over time.

Best Raw Dog Food Overall: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers

If you are looking to introduce raw dog food into your dog’s diet, putting Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers into their kibble is a great place to start. This raw meal mixer comes in a variety of flavors, such as chicken, beef, turkey, duck, lamb, pork, and seafood, so if your pup has a preference, you can grab the flavor that they like the most and simply mix it in with their regular kibble. There is absolutely no rehydration needed with this raw freeze-dried food. All you need to do is scoop and serve. Each batch starts with meat, organs, and bone, and it is made in small batches in the United States.

All of their animals are either grass-fed, cage-free or wild-caught to give your dog the best possible food experience. The fruits and vegetables that are used are always 100% organic. This food will help aid your dog’s digestion, and help give them a boost of health and vigor so that they can play all day long. This mixer is packed with protein and it is also fortified with probiotics, vitamins, and minerals to keep your dog as healthy as possible. Plus, the natural enzymes in the food help give your dog healthy teeth and gums.

Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers Key Features:

  • No antibiotics, ever
  • Full of vitamins and minerals
  • Aids in digestion
  • No rehydration needed

Best Dehydrated Raw Dog Food: Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food

Best Dehydrated Raw Dog Food
Dr. Harvey's Canine Health Miracle Dog Food
Dehydrated yet delicious dog food.

Family-owned, Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food is a delicious mixer to put in your dog’s food. This is a human-grade dog food that is created with a plethora of real food. They include nine dehydrated vegetables, six organic grains, and crushed eggshells. It contains no preservatives, dyes or fillers, so you are getting a totally all-natural raw dog food for your pet. This nutrient-dense food has been shown to significantly improve their skin, making it less itchy, giving them a lustrous coat, as well as improve their digestion, making their stool smell less.

To create a delicious meal for your dog, all you have to do is simply rehydrate the food with hot water, and add in your own fresh meat if you want. It can be made in a matter of minutes, so there is no hassle in making dinner for your dog. This product is proudly made in the United States, and the company is family-owned and has been since 1986.  This food has even shown to improve a dog’s overall kidney function. Plus, it is recommended by holistic veterinarians. It is GMO-free.

Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food Key Features:

  • Nutrient and vitamin-packed
  • GMO-free
  • Easy to make
  • Veterinarian recommended

Best Budget Raw Dog Food: Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers

Best Budget Raw Dog Food

If you want to begin your dog on a raw food diet, you might want to start small. This is where Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers comes in. They offer various formulas which include those for immune health, gut health, coat, and skin health and mobility support. Cage-free chicken is the number one ingredient in all of their formulas. It also features a variety of different fruits and vegetables in each formula. These freeze-dried raw toppers can actually be also used as a treat if you wish.

These mixers are a great way to add raw food to any of your dog’s meals. The ingredients are completely wholesome, nourishing your dog from tips to toes. It is boosted with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to keep your dog in their greatest health. This raw food is made in the United States, handcrafted in factory kitchens to ensure the highest quality for your dog. This food does not contain any fillers or preservative ingredients. This is a quick and easy way to add raw food into Fido’s diet, and as on occasional treat.

Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers Key Features:

  • Made with cage-free chicken
  • No fillers
  • Can be used as a treat
  • Different formulas

Best Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food: TruDog: Feed Me: Freeze-Dried Raw Superfood

Best Freeze-Dried Dog Food
TruDog: Feed Me: Freeze Dried Raw Superfood
All-natural freeze-dried raw food.

With two delicious different flavors, TruDog Feed Me: Freeze-Dried Raw Superfood will have your dog wanting more even after dinner is over! Their “Beef Bonanza” variety is jam-packed with true beef flavor, made from grass-fed beef, meaty bones, and organ meat. The “Turkey Gourmet Gobbler” is created with free-range turkeys. There are never any fillers or preservatives in these formulas. This freeze-dried food is even hypoallergenic and appropriate for dogs of all breeds and sizes. It features a large number of different vitamins to nourish your dog.

Your dog gets high-quality protein when you feed them this tasty freeze-dried raw food. The ingredients that are within this food are typically lacking in normal kibble that you find at the grocery store. However, this is also a great booster for kibble, as well. You can feed this to your dog straight, or as an add-in with the kibble. The food is easy to serve. All that is needed is to add water and your pup will have a delicious dinner ready for them. The small pieces can also be used as a treat if you wish to give your dog a little nibble throughout the day. It is veterinarian approved and hand packaged.

TruDog: Feed Me: Freeze-Dried Raw Superfood Key Features:

  • A large variety of vitamins
  • Can be given as-is or with kibble
  • Simply add water to rehydrate and serve
  • Veterinarian approved

Best Raw Puppy Food: Wellness Core Rawrev Puppy Food

Best Raw Puppy Food
Wellness Core Rawrev Puppy Food
Delicous raw puppy food.

Packed with high-quality kibble packed to the brim with protein, Wellness Core Rawrev Puppy Food is the perfect way to start your pup on a raw food diet. It is created with 100% raw meat and provides your puppy with the proper amount of nutrients that they need to grow up big and strong. It features delicious turkey that will have them waiting patiently for dinner time at their food dish. There are no by-products or meat fillers in this food, no artificial ingredients or preservatives. just pure and wholesome ingredients.

This formula is even great for your puppy’s heart health, as well as their digestion and skin and coat. There is even DHA in their formula, which helps in brain development for your pup. You can get this food in two different formulas, one with grains, and one that is grain-free, just in case your pup might have sensitive stomach issues. This puppy formula also provides the proper amount of calories that your little puppy will need each day. There are also prebiotics and probiotics to help with digestion. This raw puppy food is designed for overall total health in your new furry friend.

Wellness Core Rawrev Puppy Food Key Features:

  • Made with 100% meat
  • No by-products or fillers
  • Great for heart health
  • Packed with vitamins

Who Should Buy Raw Dog Food

There is a multitude of reasons why someone should buy raw dog food. While kibble isn’t all bad, it can be filled with by-products and preservatives. Those may make your dog feel off, or not have as much energy as they used to. If you have a dog that is perhaps getting picky with the kibble that they have been eating day in and day out, switching their diet up to a raw one, or even raw mixed with kibble can give them variety.

By switching your dog to a raw food diet, in a matter of weeks you may begin to see a marked improvement in various areas of your dog’s life. For example, they may have more energy and “pep” in their step, you might notice them having a shinier coat, and if they had been experiencing digestive issues, they may improve with a raw food diet. However, before starting a raw dog food diet, be sure to consult with your dog’s veterinarian to make sure that it is appropriate for your dog.

Best Raw Dog Food Overall
Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers
A tasty raw food topper for your dog’s food.

Important Features To Consider

Raw dog food should be nutritious, have minimal preservatives (if any), be made with real meat, and of course have a good flavor so that your dog will take to it when you introduce them to it. Here’s what to consider when selecting good raw dog food for your pet.

  • Nutrients. If you are making the switch over to raw dog food, you are going to want to make sure that the food that you purchase has the proper nutrients in them, in order to nourish your dog from the inside out. Look for raw food that has things like probiotics and prebiotics in them. Those ingredients will help to regulate digestion in your dog. Another is vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy and full of vigor. Some may even have fish oil in it, which has been shown to aid in keeping hearts healthy.
  • Preservatives. Raw dog food should have very minimal if any preservatives in them. The formulas are typically made in small batches and are then freeze-dried or dehydrated, so there are no need for any preservatives. Dog’s stomachs have the ability to breakdown raw food. This is because long before dogs were domesticated, they would eat raw meat. Dog’s stomachs can handle raw food, while we humans may have a tough time doing so.
  • Real ingredients. If you are switching your dog over to a raw food diet, make sure the food that you give them has real meat as one of the first ingredients. Whether it be grass-fed beef or free-range chicken, meat should be one of the top ingredients. You want as minimal by-products as possible. Preferably, you really want one with no by-products or fillers, because they just take away from the nutrition that the raw meat is giving to your dog.
  • Flavor. When getting ready to make the jump from regular to raw dog food, you may want to sit down and figure out what your pooch’s favorite flavor of food is. Perhaps they favor poultry over beef. Once you know what flavor they may like better, you have a better idea of what to get them. If they first turn away from this new food at the beginning of starting their diet, don’t be alarmed. Introducing new food to your dog may take some time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a raw diet good for dogs? 

Before starting any kind of new diet with your dog, you should speak with their veterinarian first. A raw food diet does provide many benefits for dogs, which has been discussed throughout this article. But it does depend on what kind of dog you have, meaning, if your dog is a service dog, a show dog, or a farm or working dog, they may have varying caloric requirements, depending on what they do throughout the day. Raw diets can be very beneficial, but you want to make sure that your dog is getting the correct intake of their daily calorie allotments.

How much does it cost to feed a dog raw food? 

There are varying factors when it comes to the price of feeding your dog raw dog food. Again, it comes down to what kind of dog you have, this time including size and breed, and how many times a day that they eat. Smaller dogs will take smaller scoops of food, whereas larger breeds will need larger scoops of food. However, it can range anywhere from $75 and $200, again, this depends on what your dog’s specific needs are.

Is freeze-dried raw dog food as good as raw?

Yes, when it comes to freeze-dried raw dog food, it actually has a bit of an advantage over purely raw dog food. Freeze-dried dog food has a greater shelf-life than regular raw dog food. You will be able to store it much longer than regular raw food. It also makes life a little more convenient when you are going on vacation with your dog, as it is much more portable, and rehydrates easily to give them a nutritious meal while you are on the road.

Can you mix dry dog food with raw? 

This is something that you want to approach slowly. If your dog has not had raw food before, you will want to introduce it slowly into their food. You can do this by adding little bits of raw food at a time in with their regular kibble. But you want to make sure not to overload them because kibble takes longer to digest than raw food does. To avoid stomach upset, the best thing to do is to start them off with a 75 to 25 percent ratio. This means 75% of their food is their regular kibble, and the other 25% is the raw food.

Other Raw Dog Foods We Reviewed

Best Raw Dog Food Overall
Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers
A tasty raw food topper for your dog’s food.

We looked at 20 other raw dog foods. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best raw dog foods list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your dog. The information you’ll need to compare each is included with the listing.

Raw Dog Food Mixers

Buckley Liberty Dog Food Topper & Mixer

Buckley Liberty Dog Food Topper & Mixer

This mixer rehydrates easily with water. All ingredients in this formula are made in the United States.

Key Features:

  • High in Omega-3s
  • Made with high-quality proteins
  • Comes in beef, chicken or lamb flavor

Cost: $36

Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers Blends

Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers Blends

Made with both wet and dry ingredients, this mixer will have your dog wanting more. Ingredients are freeze-dried gently for the best quality.

Key Features:

  • Packed with nutrition
  • Includes real fruit and vegetables
  • Can be used as a treat

Cost: $12

Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Dried Raw Meal Mixer

Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Dried Raw Meal Mixer

While this can be served as a meal on its own, it is a great mixer to use. This food was formulated in the United States.

Key Features:

  • Beef or chicken flavor
  • The number one ingredient is real deboned meat
  • Grain-free

Cost: $25

Stella & Chewy’s Dried Meal Mixer Lil’ Super Blends

Stella & Chewy's Dried Meal Mixer Lil' Super Blends

Made specifically for smaller breeds, this mixer features freeze-dried chicken. It is crafted in small batches for the best quality.

Key Features:

  • No added hormones or antibiotics
  • Jam-packed with delicious fruit
  • Has probiotics plus antioxidants

Cost: $20

Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Turkey Topper

Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Turkey Topper

Created with real turkey meat, organs, and bones, this mixes easily in with your dog’s existing food. It is made with 100% natural ingredients.

Key Features:

  • Nothing artificial
  • All ingredients sourced in the United States
  • Adds protein to existing food

Cost: $15

Red Meat Raw Dog Food

Castor & Pollux Pristine Raw Bites Dry Dog Food

Castor & Pollux Pristine Raw Bites Dry Dog Food

With the number one ingredient being grass-fed beef, your dog will love this. This is a mixture of kibble and freeze-dried raw dog food.

Key Features:

  • Features organic produce
  • No artificial flavors, preservatives or colors
  • Produce is grown responsibly, without any fertilizers

Cost: $74

Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food

Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food

This beef formula is made with humanely raised meat. The beef comes from family-owned farms.

Key Features:

  • Hormone and antibiotic-free
  • Topped with coconut oil and turmeric
  • Grain-free

Cost: $30

Merrick Lil’ Plates Freeze Dry Dog Food

Merrick Lil' Plates Freeze Dry Dog Food

This is another great formula made with beef for small breeds. It is mixed into their kibble for a delicious nutrition boost.

Key Features:

  • The first ingredient is deboned beef
  • Also has blueberries, sweet potatoes and more
  • Has prebiotics and probiotics

Cost: $33

Stewart Raw Naturals Freeze Dried Dog Food Grain

Stewart Raw Naturals Freeze Dried Dog Food Grain

This beef recipe food is gentle on your dog’s stomach. It is made with human-grade ingredients.

Key Features:

  • No preservatives, artificial colors or flavors
  • Processed gently to preserve ingredients
  • Nutrient-dense

Cost: $33

Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Raw Beef Patties

Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Raw Beef Patties

This raw beef comes in the form of patties to serve to your dog. There are no fillers, grains, or preservatives.

Key Features:

  • Made with pasture-fed and farm-raised beef
  • No artificial flavorings
  • Provides natural nutrition for your dog

Cost: $58

Poultry Raw Dog Food

Nulo Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food

Nulo Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food

Made with freeze-dried turkey, this dog food will make your poultry loving pooch happy. This formula is low in carbohydrates.

Key Features:

  • Features probiotics
  • Can be a full meal, or mixed with kibble
  • Grain-free

Cost: $32

Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Dry Dog Food with Freeze Dried Raw Bites

Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Dry Dog Food with Freeze Dried Raw Bites

This food is a  high-protein kibble with chicken-flavored raw bites. It has both chicken and duck in it.

Key Features:

  • Meat is the first ingredient
  • Rich in Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids
  • 32% high-quality protein

Cost: $19

Sojos Complete Natural Freeze-Dried Natural Raw Dog Food

Sojos Complete Natural Freeze-Dried Natural Raw Dog Food

This is “raw made easy.” All you have to do is add water to rehydrate it and your dog has a meal.

Key Features:

  • Nothing artificial
  • Has vitamins and minerals
  • Delicious nutrition without refrigeration

Cost: $25

Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Stella’s Meal Mixers Dog Food Topper

Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Stella's Meal Mixers Dog Food Topper

This duck flavored mixer will make your pup’s kibble taste yummy. They will get a raw boost of great nutrition.

Key Features:

  • Complete and balanced for all life stages
  • Simply scoop and serve
  • Nothing artificial

Cost: $40

CANIDAE Small Breed Raw Coated Dry Dog Food

CANIDAE Small Breed Raw Coated Dry Dog Food

With only eight ingredients, this poultry flavored raw food is great for small breed dogs. It supports a healthy immune system.

Key Features:

  • Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
  • Has probiotics
  • Packed with antioxidants

Cost: $20

Lamb Raw Dog Food

Northwest Naturals Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food Nuggets

Northwest Naturals Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food Nuggets

These tasty lamb-flavored nuggets are great for when you are on the go with your dog. They are easy to break apart into smaller pieces.

Key Features:

  • No antibiotics or hormones
  • Balanced and wholesome nutrition
  • Made with meat, bones, organs, fruits and vegetables

Cost: $25

Tucker’s Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food

Tucker's Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food

This food is easy to prep and rehydrates in just 2-3 minutes. It comes in a delicious pumpkin-lamb flavor for a tasty treat.

Key Features:

  • Can be used as a full diet, crumbled or as a treat
  • Appropriate for all life stages
  • Features probiotic blend

Cost: $33

Wellness Core Rawrev Dog Food – Wild Game

Wellness Core Rawrev Dog Food - Wild Game

With a tasty lamb flavor, your dog will enjoy this delicious food with 100% freeze-dried bites of raw lamb. This formula supports heart health in your dog.

Key Features:

  • No by-products
  • Balanced nutrition
  • Non-GMO sourced ingredients

Cost: $17

DIAMOND NATURALS Adult Dry Dog Food

DIAMOND NATURALS Adult Dry Dog Food

Help your pup build strong muscles with this raw lamb and rice formula. It is filled with antioxidants.

Key Features:

  • Family-owned
  • Nothing artificial
  • Highly digestible and nutrient-rich

Cost: $37

Pet Center Lamb Crunchys Raw Dehydrated Lamb Lungs Dog Treats

Pet Center Lamb Crunchys Raw Dehydrated Lamb Lungs Dog Treats

These dehydrated raw lamb lungs make great treats for your dog. This treat is free of any fillers.

Key Features:

  • Made in the United States
  • 100% all-natural
  • Great for all types of dogs

 

Many of us want to spoil our dogs as much as possible, especially with their favorite treats. You can check our list of best natural dog bones and dogs chicken jerky.