How Raw Feeding Supports Gut Health: A Veterinarian’s Approach

By Dr. Katie Woodley, Integrative Veterinarian and Founder of The Natural Pet Doctor

As a veterinarian who focuses on gut health, integrative medicine, and the connection between nutrition and chronic disease, I see the same pattern again and again in my patients. Digestive issues, allergies, inflammation, anxiety, and immune dysfunction often trace back to the same place. The gut.

The gut is not just a digestive organ. It plays a major role in immune function, metabolic health, hormone balance, and even behavior. Once you understand this, it becomes clear why nutrition matters so much. What we feed directly shapes the microbiome, and the microbiome influences almost every system in the body.

This is why vet-recommended raw dog food like the frozen raw recipes offered by We Feed Raw is one of the most powerful tools I use to support gut healing when it is done in a balanced and safe way.

The Gut Does Not Thrive on Highly Processed Diets

Many of the chronic issues I see in dogs are driven by long-term exposure to highly processed, carbohydrate-heavy diets. These diets can alter the microbiome, contribute to inflammation, and place stress on the digestive system.

Fresh raw diets provide nutrients in their natural forms, along with enzymes, moisture, and healthy fats that support the gastrointestinal tract. Because the food is minimally processed, the body can break it down and use it more efficiently.

This often leads to:

• • Better stool quality

• • Improved skin and coat health

• • More stable digestion

• • Reduced inflammation

• • Better overall resilience

These changes stem from microbiome support. Raw diets tend to increase microbial diversity, which is a critical marker of gut health.

Why I Recommend We Feed Raw for Gut Health

When I recommend raw diets, safety and formulation are always the top priorities. Not all raw diets are the same, and it is important to choose a company that meets high standards.

I work with We Feed Raw because their approach aligns with what I value for gut healing. Their food is made with USDA-sourced meats, simple and intentional ingredient lists, and strong quality control. Their use of high-pressure processing (HPP) reduces pathogens while keeping the food raw, something that helps address common concerns in a responsible way.

This combination of safety, transparency, and minimal processing supports gut health in a meaningful way for many pets.

How Fresh Raw Food Supports the Microbiome

There are several reasons why vet-recommended fresh raw dog food can be particularly beneficial for the gut:

Moisture-Rich Nutrition

Dogs are built to get hydration through food, and moisture supports digestion and stool quality.

Natural Enzymes

These help the stomach and small intestine break down food more effectively.

Healthy Fats and Amino Acids

These nourish the cells that make up the gut lining and help maintain the gut barrier.

Minimal Processing

Lower processing reduces the risk of ingredients being altered into forms that may contribute to inflammation.

When the digestive system gets the support it needs, the microbiome often shifts in a healthier direction.

A Growing Shift in Veterinary Medicine

More veterinarians are recognizing the connection between diet, gut health, and chronic disease. As we learn more about the microbiome, many of us are rethinking traditional dietary recommendations and embracing fresh, minimally processed nutrition as an important tool in long-term health.

Fresh feeding is not a trend. It is part of a deeper shift toward supporting the whole pet and addressing root causes rather than symptoms.

Companies that focus on safety, quality, and education are helping make this shift possible. We Feed Raw is one of them, and I am grateful for the work they are doing.

About Dr. Katie Woodley

Dr. Katie Woodley is an integrative veterinarian and the founder of The Natural Pet Doctor. She is certified in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. She specializes in gut health, chronic disease, and nutrition-based healing, with a mission to help pets thrive through holistic care and science-based, minimally processed nutrition. 

Try Vet-Recommended Dog Food We Feed Raw Today

If you're ready to try vet-recommended fresh dog food, check out our frozen raw recipes, which are AAFCO-approved for dogs of all life stages.

We also offer freeze-dried recipes for adult dogs only, if you're looking for a shelf-stable option.

Improve your dog's gut health by starting their new meal plan today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is a carefully chosen vet-recommended raw dog food a powerful tool for immune support?

A vet-recommended raw dog food provides nutrients, moisture, and enzymes in their natural form. This supports increased microbial diversity in the gut, which plays a major role in immune function and overall resilience against chronic disease.

Is kibble still the standard dog food recommended by a vet?

While conventional medicine often relies on processed diets, many integrative veterinarians are shifting their approach. They recognize that minimally processed, fresh food directly supports metabolic health and the microbiome better than high-carb, highly processed options.

How does fresh, minimally processed nutrition qualify as vet-recommended fresh dog food?

We Feed Raw qualifies as vet-recommended fresh dog food in integrative practice because it avoids ingredients that contribute to long-term inflammation. The minimal processing preserves nutrients and healthy fats that directly nourish the gut lining and support the critical gut barrier.

How does a raw diet become vet-recommended dog food for digestive health despite pathogen concerns?

Our food becomes vet-recommended dog food for digestive health by combining raw benefits with guaranteed safety. We use high-pressure processing to neutralize pathogens while maintaining the raw integrity, which ensures the food is safe while providing the natural enzymes and moisture the digestive tract needs.

Why do integrative practitioners view raw food as a superior vet-recommended dog food compared to traditional prescriptions?

Integrative practitioners prioritize addressing root causes. They view raw food as a superior vet-recommended dog food because it is a foundational tool that positively shapes the microbiome and reduces chronic inflammation, leading to long-term healing rather than just managing symptoms.