Discover the Benefits: Is Raw Dog Food Good for Dogs?

Is raw dog food good for dogs? Yes! The raw diet is the best food you can give your dog.

Today, let’s learn about raw dog food, why a raw diet is better than kibble, why raw is the best dog food for gut health, how you can mix raw dog food with kibble for the benefits of raw with less of the cost, and so much more.

Survey Shows Raw-Fed Dogs Have Better Gut Health

A survey of more than 7,000 dog owners in Finland given multiple times between 2009 and 2019 showed that puppies who were fed mostly dry dog food were 29% more likely to develop digestive problems compared to puppies who ate mostly raw foods and that puppies fed a non-processed meat-based diet were 22% less likely to develop gastrointestinal issues compared to puppies that ate mostly kibble.

While this survey data can’t prove that kibble causes digestive problems, the results do seem to indicate that a raw diet is better for a dog’s gut health in the long term.

Is Raw Dog Food Good for Dogs?

Yes, raw dog food is good for dogs. Studies have shown that puppies fed a raw diet are less likely to develop certain conditions as adults compared to kibble-fed puppies, including chronic enteropathy (inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders), atopic dermatitis (skin allergies), and chronic otitis (recurring ear infections).

Additionally, owners of raw-fed dogs report that after switching to raw from another type of food, their pups:

• •Reached and maintained a healthy weight

• •Had smaller, firmer, less smelly poops

• •Saw a decrease in allergy symptoms

• •Had more mealtime excitement

• •Experienced improved digestion

• •Had a healthier skin and coat

Raw Diet vs Kibble Debate

Kibble was created for the convenience of pet parents, and while it must meet certain minimum nutritional requirements, it’s not designed to help dogs thrive. The emerging research listed above shows that raw food is much healthier for dogs than kibble, and anecdotal evidence shows that raw-fed dogs live longer, healthier lives than kibble-fed dogs.

"Dogs fed raw, protein-rich diets like those from We Feed Raw often have fewer chronic health issues and a higher overall quality of life," notes Dr. Katie Woodley, DVM.

Perceived Problems With Raw Diet for Dogs

Many misinformed veterinarians are against raw dog food due to 2 primary misconceptions. They often believe that raw dog food is unbalanced or that raw dog food makes dogs sick.

However, when you choose a company like We Feed Raw for your pup’s food, you don’t need to worry about either of those problems because our recipes are nutritionally complete and balanced. They were formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist with 40 years of experience to meet AAFCO nutritional requirements for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies.

Additionally, we use a cold-pressure process to inactivate potential pathogens. By submitting every package of food to extremely high pressure at cold temperatures, we make our food totally safe without cooking it, and we’ve never been involved in a recall.

Dog Food for Gut Health

Studies have shown that fresh frozen raw dog food is easier to digest than kibble, which is evident in the smaller, firmer poop of our customers’ dogs. 70% of your dog’s immune system is in their digestive tract, so it’s easy to see that raw dog food that’s better for gut health also helps support a healthy immune system for a longer, healthier life than kibble-fed dogs.

As PhD animal nutritionist Dr. Richard Patton explains: "Being low in starch and sugar, raw diets promote beneficial gut bacteria not seen if kibble is fed."

Why Raw Food Diet for Dogs?

Raw dog food has a variety of benefits compared to kibble, including:

• •More mealtime excitement

• •Cleaner teeth

• •Stronger immune system

• •Better weight control

• •Improved digestion

• •Smaller, firmer stools

• •Softer, healthier skin and coat

• •Reduction in allergies

Kibble with Raw Dog Food Blends

If you can’t afford to feed your dog a fully raw diet, your dog can see many of the benefits just by adding some raw to their kibble diet. Despite myths to the contrary, it is totally safe to feed kibble and raw in the same meal. Alternatively, you might choose to feed kibble one meal each day and raw in a different meal.

Regardless, adding some fresh, raw food to your dog’s diet can help combat some of the many problems associated with an all-kibble diet.

What Is the Best Raw Food Diet for Dogs?

The best raw food diet for dogs is We Feed Raw because our recipes were formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist with 40 years of experience; are nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs of all life stages; go through a cold-pressure process to inactivate potential pathogens; don’t require any weighing or measuring; are perfectly pre-portioned with approximately 80% muscle meat, 10% organ meat, and 10% finely ground bone plus a small amount of a vitamin and mineral premix to ensure your dog gets all the nutrients they need; and are easy to feed.

Is Raw Feeding Good for Dogs?

Yes, raw feeding is great for dogs! Dogs on a raw diet tend to have better digestion, stronger immune systems, healthier teeth, shinier coats, and smaller poop than dogs that eat only kibble.

Raw Food Diet for Dogs vs Kibble: Digestive Health Focus

Studies have shown that frozen raw food is significantly easier to digest than kibble, which is backed up by the fact that raw-fed dogs have smaller, firmer, less frequent, and less stinky poop than kibble-fed dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Food?

Yes! Not only CAN dogs eat raw food, but they SHOULD! Raw food is easier to digest than kibble, tastes better, adds more moisture to the diet, uses higher-quality ingredients, and can help dogs live longer, healthier lives.

Are Raw Diets Good for Dogs with Specific Health Conditions?

Generally, yes, raw diets are good for dogs with many different health conditions. Having said that, you should always discuss diet changes with your veterinarian if your dog has a health condition that may be affected by their diet.

Dog Eating Raw Food: Transition and Monitoring

Any time you change your dog’s diet, you should transition them to the new food slowly, and the same goes for transitioning a dog to a raw diet. We recommend taking 10 days to transition your pup from kibble to raw, gradually giving them less kibble and more raw food each day until they’re on a totally raw diet (or the final percentage you plan to feed).

Conclusion: Feed Raw for Gut Health

As you can see, feeding your dog a raw diet is the best thing you can do for their gut health. To get your dog started on the life-changing nutrition of We Feed Raw, take our quiz now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does a raw food diet directly benefit a dog's gut health?

A raw food diet supports optimal gut health because fresh, uncooked meats are exceptionally easy for a canine's short digestive tract to process. Unlike highly processed kibble, which is packed with starches that can inflame the digestive tract and disrupt the gut microbiome, a raw diet promotes beneficial intestinal bacteria, leading to superior nutrient absorption and smaller, firmer stools.

Can you safely mix raw dog food with traditional kibble?

Yes, you can safely mix raw dog food and traditional kibble together in the same bowl, or feed them as completely separate meals throughout the day. Combining raw food with dry kibble is a highly effective, budget-friendly strategy that introduces vital live enzymes and high-quality proteins to your dog’s diet while managing monthly feeding costs.

What physical health improvements do owners see after switching to raw?

After making the switch to a fresh raw diet, dog owners frequently report a rapid increase in mealtime excitement, drastically cleaner teeth, and improved digestion. Over the course of a few weeks, dogs also show a significant reduction in chronic allergy symptoms, a softer and shinier coat, and much easier weight management.

Why are some veterinarians hesitant to recommend a raw diet for dogs?

Many traditional veterinarians express concern over raw feeding due to the dual risks of pathogen contamination and severe nutritional deficiencies commonly found in unbalanced, home-prepared "DIY" recipes. We Feed Raw completely eliminates both of these issues by treating all meals with a validated cold-pressure safety step to eliminate bacteria and relying on a PhD nutritionist to guarantee complete and balanced daily nutrition.

What makes We Feed Raw the best raw food option for dogs?

We Feed Raw stands out as the best option because our pre-portioned frozen raw meals are formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist with 40 years of experience to meet strict AAFCO standards for all life stages. All of our recipes also undergo universal high-pressure processing to ensure absolute safety for your household.

Make the Switch to Raw Now

Ready to enhance your furry friend's vitality and support their gut health with a diet that reflects their natural needs? At We Feed Raw, we understand the crucial role nutrition plays in your pet's overall well-being. Our meticulously crafted raw meals are not just a trend—they are rooted in science and the ancestral diet of your four-legged companion.

Experience the transformative effects of raw food that owners like you have witnessed—thriving energy, vibrant coats, and optimal digestion. Take the leap and integrate We Feed Raw's species-appropriate meals into your dog's diet. Whether you're ready for a full transition to raw feeding or looking to complement your dog's current kibble regimen with the unparalleled advantages of raw nutrition, we've got you covered.

Join the multitude of pet parents who have made the change and haven't looked back. Visit wefeedraw.com to discover the perfect meal plan tailored for your pup's unique needs and start the journey towards a happier, healthier dog today. Your faithful companion deserves the best—give them the vitality of raw with We Feed Raw.

Start your dog's raw food revolution now—explore our options and feed your dog the way nature intended.