Raw Diet Revelation: Food for Dogs Natural Benefits Uncovered

When it comes to the best food for dogs, natural options are the best and healthiest choice, and raw is the most natural food of all. What is raw dog food? Why is raw the best natural food for dogs? What are the benefits of raw dog food? Can raw dog food impact a dog’s cognitive and emotional health?

Let’s learn all about why raw is the best natural food for dogs and why We Feed Raw is the best (and easiest) raw dog food you can choose for your pup.

Raw Food for Dogs: A Natural Choice

If you’re looking for the most natural food for dogs, you can’t find a more natural diet than raw dog food. After all, the digestive system of a dog is remarkably similar to that of a wolf, and wolves eat all their food raw. Feral dogs also eat their food raw, and they aren’t any different (biologically speaking) from the dogs that people keep as pets.

What Is Raw Dog Food?

Raw dog food includes the ideal ratios of uncooked muscle meat, organ meat, and bone to mimic the prey that dogs would eat in the wild. Raw dog food may or may not contain fruits or vegetables. A raw diet can be complete and balanced without any fruits or vegetables, but some dogs benefit from having a little extra fiber in their diet.

Why Is Raw Dog Food the Best Natural Food for Dogs?

Dogs have hinged jaws (that only move up and down with no side-to-side motion like the jaws of herbivores), pointy teeth, and short digestive tracts, which makes them ideally suited for getting all their nutrition from raw meat, organs, and bones. They don’t have flat teeth for grinding plant matter, amylase in their saliva for digesting carbohydrates, or the long digestive tracts necessary for extracting nutrition from vegetation. 

Additionally, cooking meat degrades many of the nutrients, making it harder for dogs to digest. In fact, a recent study showed that raw meat is more digestible than freeze-dried raw, fresh, or extruded (kibble) dog foods.

It’s clear that dogs are designed to eat and thrive on a raw diet.

Why Choose We Feed Raw?

Just because raw food for dogs is natural doesn’t mean that it’s easy to feed your pup a nutritionally complete and balanced diet with items purchased from your local grocery store. You must weigh each ingredient and feed the perfect proportion of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone, and you may need to add supplements to ensure your dog gets all the nutrients they need.

We Feed Raw does the hard work for you. Our recipes all contain approximately 80% muscle meat (with associated connective tissue and fat), 10% organ meat, and 10% finely ground bone in one easy-to-feed patty. We also add a small amount of a vitamin and mineral premix to our food to ensure that dogs of all life stages get the optimal nutrition they require to thrive.

We deliver these patties to you, tell you how much to feed, and even give you a transition guide to help minimize the chance of digestive upset while switching to raw. All you have to do is thaw and feed, making We Feed Raw nearly as convenient as kibble!

The Philosophy Behind Raw Food for Dogs as a Natural Diet

Throughout most of history, dogs ate either prey they had killed or scavenged or scraps of whatever food their owners had on hand. Kibble was created for the convenience of people feeding dogs, NOT for the health and longevity of the dogs eating the food.

Just as highly processed carb-filled food has contributed to the current obesity epidemic among humans, highly processed carb-filled kibble has contributed to the obesity epidemic among pets. These days, people are starting to look for more natural foods for both themselves and their pets, and that’s where raw dog food comes in.

While raw dog food may seem like a fad, it’s actually returning to the way that people historically fed dogs prior to the advent of kibble, canned food, and other highly processed diets.

Picky pets tend to LOVE a raw diet because they instinctively crave raw meat rather than unnatural, carb-filled kibble.

Why Dogs Benefit from Raw Food

Let’s dive a little deeper into why raw dog food is the best natural diet and what benefits dogs may get from a raw diet.

Dogs Are Facultative Carnivores

Since dogs are designed to get the bulk of their nutrition from meats but can also eat plant matter when required, they are considered facultative carnivores. While they can digest some plant matter, they are still designed to get the bulk of their nutrients from meat, organs, and bone rather than fruits, vegetables, or grains.

Raw Food Is Easier to Digest

Since dogs are purpose-built for digesting protein from animal sources, raw-fed dogs tend to have fewer digestive problems; less gas; and smaller, firmer, and less frequent stool. Adding carbohydrates to a dog’s diet, which they aren’t well-equipped to digest, leads to stinky dogs with giant poops.

Detailed Health Benefits of Raw Dog Food

Above, we discussed just a few ways that dogs benefit from a raw diet. Now, let’s take a more detailed look at some of the many specific benefits of a raw food for dogs natural diet.

Healthy Toilet Habits

Since raw dog food is easier to digest than other types of food, and since kibble and most other kinds of commercial dog food are usually packed with undigestible filler ingredients, dogs fed a raw diet have less gas plus firmer, smaller, and less frequent poops. Who doesn’t want to pick up fewer doggy landmines?

Skin & Coat Health

Chock-full of healthy fatty acids, raw dog food is amazing for skin and coat health. Raw-fed dogs typically have shinier fur and less itchy skin than dogs on low-quality kibble.

Keeping Teeth Healthy

Did you know that carbohydrates contribute to dental decay? While major pet food companies would like you to believe that crunchy kibble is the best thing for dogs’ teeth, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Dogs on a raw diet generally have healthier teeth and fresher breath than kibble-fed dogs, even if they don’t get the additional flossing action that gnawing on recreational raw bones provides.

Reduced Allergies

There are two main reasons that a natural raw diet for dogs helps reduce allergy symptoms:

• •Raw dog food has significantly fewer ingredients than just about any other type of dog food, making it much easier to avoid food allergens like wheat, soy, dairy, eggs, lamb, chicken, or beef.

• •The high level of fatty acids in raw dog food promotes excellent skin health and may help reduce itchiness triggered by environmental allergens.

Support for Digestion

With their short digestive tracts, highly acidic stomachs, and lack of salivary amylase, dogs are purpose-built to digest raw meat and bones rather than plant matter. As a result, dogs fed raw food tend to have improved digestion compared to pups fed a carb-heavy kibble diet.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

High-protein, low-carb diets have been shown to help dogs lose more weight than high-carb diets with the same amount of calories. Therefore, naturally carb-free raw food for dogs should help them reach and maintain a healthy weight significantly better than kibble, which averages 60% carbohydrates.

Joint and Bone Health

Whether young or old, raw dog food is excellent for joint and bone health:

• •Puppies must grow at an appropriate rate for their joints to develop properly. Carb-rich kibble can make puppies grow too quickly, putting them at increased risk for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, arthritis, and other joint problems.

• •Dogs, like humans, lose cartilage as they age. Raw dog food is a natural source of fatty acids, protein, and collagen to support healthy cartilage and strong joints.

Immune System Support

Approximately 70-90% of your dog’s immune system resides in their gut, so a healthy gut naturally means a stronger immune system. Since raw dog food is so great for gut health, it follows that it supports a healthy immune system, as well.

Overall Vitality and Natural Energy

When your dog doesn’t have to spend as much time trying to digest unnecessary carbohydrates, they feel better and have more energy. Many dogs find a renewed sense of vitality after switching to a raw diet for dogs.

Behavioral Benefits of Raw Dog Food

Believe it or not, raw dog food is good for more than just your dog’s physical health; it may even improve their behavior, as well.

Healthy Energy Levels

Without the spiking and crashing blood sugar levels caused by a high-carb diet, and without the extra energy required to digest carbs and other filler ingredients, dogs have healthier energy levels throughout the day.

According to Tara on Trustpilot:

“It’s been 4 days since starting WFR. My 13-year-old French Bulldog would get up to take a nap. He looked swollen in the belly and wouldn’t really do much throughout the day. Just sleeping all day unless needing to go out to potty.

“The very first morning after eating WFR, he was awake most of the day, happily chewing his bone and even greeting the other dogs when they woke up. He now trots along on walks with even a little pep in his step! He no longer looks swollen and will even play with the other dogs.”

Cognitive & Emotional Health

You probably get a little cranky when you’re having digestive problems, and the same may be true for your dog. Raw-fed dogs feel better physically so they also feel better mentally.

Safety Considerations and Misconceptions

Some vets worry that a raw diet for dogs may be either full of pathogens or nutritionally unbalanced. If you try to make your own raw dog food, both of those things may be possible.

However, We Feed Raw eliminates both of those concerns. Our recipes are nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies (breeds who grow to 70 pounds or larger as adults).

Additionally, we use a cold-pressure process to inactivate any potential pathogens, making our food safe for dogs to eat and for humans to handle.

Raw vs. Cooked Dog Food

Now that we’ve explained the benefits of a raw diet, let’s compare raw dog food to “lightly cooked” dog food to see which comes out on top in the battle for the best natural food for dogs.

Nutrient Retention

While fresh, “lightly cooked” food is more digestible than kibble, it’s less digestible (and retains fewer nutrients) than frozen raw dog food, as shown in this study.

Filler Ingredients

“Lightly cooked” foods often contain either grains or high-carb vegetables such as potatoes, lentils, or legumes to help bring down the cost. Dogs have no nutritional requirements for carbohydrates, meaning these cooked foods contain unnecessary filler ingredients that you won’t find in We Feed Raw.

Health Risks Associated With Excessive Carbohydrate Consumption

Excessive carbohydrate consumption has been linked to obesity in dogs, which is associated with a variety of health conditions, including:

• •Diabetes

• •Cancer

• •High blood pressure

• •Heart disease

• •Bladder stones

• •Arthritis and other joint problems

• •Anesthetic complications

In fact, one study showed that being overweight shortened a dog’s lifespan by up to 2 ½ years.

Raw Food for Dogs: Natural Implications for Better Nutrition Absorption

As you can see, a low-carb raw diet for dogs is the most digestible, healthiest, and most natural diet you can feed your pup. Find out how much it would cost to start your dog on We Feed Raw now.

Best Dog Food Practices: Incorporating Raw Food into Your Dog's Diet

If you can’t afford to feed your dog a fully raw diet, the good news is that adding even some raw to your dog’s bowl can have many benefits and naturally reduces the percentage of carbohydrates your dog consumes.

Best Dog Food Selection for Your Canine

Not all raw dog food is created equal. Choose one that’s nutritionally complete and balanced and uses high-pressure processing (HPP) to eliminate pathogens, like We Feed Raw. Adding ingredients from questionable sources could potentially cause your dog more harm than good.

Transitioning to a Raw Food Diet

As with any diet change, dogs may experience some digestive upset if you transition them too quickly to a new diet. We recommend transitioning your dog to a raw diet over the course of 10 days, gradually increasing how much raw you feed and decreasing the amount of their old diet.

Adding some canned pumpkin to your dog’s meals can also help decrease any digestive upset they may experience during the transition.

Raw Is the Best Dog Food for Natural Canine Health

Now that you can see why raw is the best natural dog food, you can learn more about We Feed Raw by reading reviews, checking out our FAQ page, looking at our bulk options, or getting started on a meal plan. You can also email hello@wefeedraw.com with any questions you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is considered the best dog food for maintaining a healthy weight in dogs?

The best dog food for maintaining a healthy weight is We Feed Raw. Since carbs are the biggest contributor to pet obesity, our naturally carb-free food is an excellent way to help dogs lose and maintain their weight. In a survey, 90% of our customers said their dogs maintained a healthy weight on our food.

How does the best dog food support my dog's digestion?

The best dog food supports dog digestion by being free of carbohydrates and difficult-to-digest filler ingredients. We Feed Raw is based on dogs’ ancestral diets, so it’s easy to digest, resulting in firmer stool and less waste.

Can the best dog food help keep my dog's teeth clean and healthy?

Yes! We Feed Raw is free of dental disease-causing carbohydrates and includes enzymes that help keep your pup’s teeth healthy and clean.

What type of food is best for my dog's skin and coat health?

Since it’s rich in healthy fatty acids, raw dog food is the best choice for skin and coat health. Fatty acids add a nice shine to your dog’s fur and can help reduce itchiness caused by dry skin.

How does the best dog food bolster my dog's immune system?

A dog’s immune system is closely linked to their gut health, so a raw diet, which is the best diet for a dog’s digestive tract, is also the best dog food for your dog’s immune system. We Feed Raw makes raw food easy by sending you complete and balanced patties.

Is the best dog food also good for my dog's behavioral and emotional health?

Yes! We Feed Raw is excellent for your dog’s physical AND emotional health and well-being. Dogs that struggle to digest carb-heavy diets may be cranky, while dogs on an easy-to-digest raw diet tend to be friendlier and have more energy.