We Feed Raw vs Viva Raw: The Ultimate Raw Dog Food Showdown

The search for the best raw food for a beloved dog often leads pet parents to compare a handful of reputable brands. One of the most common comparisons found in online forums, reviews, and social media posts is We Feed Raw vs Viva Raw.

While both companies offer raw diets, our philosophies, safety protocols, and approach to nutrition have key differences that can have a profound impact on your dog’s health and your peace of mind. While raw food is good for dogs no matter which company you choose, we at We Feed Raw believe a diet that is both safe and nutritionally complete is non-negotiable.

This guide provides a comprehensive, fact-based comparison, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting the unique value propositions that make We Feed Raw a superior choice.

Safety First: The Core Difference That Matters

When selecting a raw food brand, safety should be the first and most critical consideration. This is where We Feed Raw and Viva Raw have a fundamental divergence in philosophy.

Viva Raw's Pathogen Risk and Recent Recalls

Viva Raw chooses not to use a validated pathogen inactivation step like the high-pressure processing (HPP) we use at We Feed Raw. Their philosophy, often described as "prey-model purity," relies on the absence of this processing.

However, this approach carries a significant risk. In a recent example, the FDA reported that Viva Raw had issued a voluntary recall for two lots of their dog and cat food due to potential contamination with Salmonella and Listeria. This serves as a real-world consequence of not using a validated safety step.

This is the third recall Viva Raw has issued since January 2024. Meanwhile, We Feed Raw has never needed to issue a recall.

The We Feed Raw Safety Advantage

At We Feed Raw, we believe a raw diet can and should be safe. Our commitment to safety is a key differentiator. We use high-pressure processing (HPP) on all our raw recipes—both frozen and freeze-dried.

This non-thermal, cold-water process applies intense pressure to the food to effectively inactivate potential pathogens without cooking the food or compromising its raw integrity. Thanks to this scientifically-backed process, We Feed Raw has maintained a perfect, recall-free safety record.

Recipe Philosophy: Science-Backed Completeness vs. Prey-Model Purity

The way a brand formulates its food reveals its core philosophy. We Feed Raw and Viva Raw take two very different approaches to ensuring nutritional completeness.

We Feed Raw: Scientifically Formulated Nutrition

Some reviews of We Feed Raw mention our use of added vitamins and minerals as a negative, calling them "synthetic." However, this is a key component of our science-backed philosophy. 

Our recipes, formulated by a PhD animal nutrition expert, contain a small amount of added vitamins and minerals to ensure every meal is complete and balanced to AAFCO standards. 

This approach removes the guesswork for pet parents and guarantees their dogs receive all the necessary nutrients, even in a limited-ingredient diet that is ideal for dogs with food allergies.

Viva Raw: The "Whole Food" Prey-Model Approach

Viva Raw's philosophy adheres to a whole-food, prey-model approach. While their recipes feature high-quality ingredients, their "Pure" recipes contain only meat and bone without added vitamins or minerals.

These recipes are not complete and balanced, which means a pet parent must take on the responsibility of supplementing and balancing the diet themselves. This carries a significant risk of nutritional deficiencies if not done correctly.

Sourcing, Ingredients, and Recipe Variety

The online conversation often includes a misconception that We Feed Raw simply mixes multiple animal proteins together. We are happy to clarify our approach to ingredients and the variety we offer.

We Feed Raw's Transparent Sourcing and Product Variety

Our single-protein recipes—beef, chicken, and turkey—are excellent for dogs with food sensitivities or for use in an elimination diet. Our lamb recipe contains beef, and our duck recipe contains turkey.

This is to ensure the proper nutritional ratios of protein and fat for a complete and balanced meal. We are committed to transparency and use only USDA human-grade meats from reputable sources.

We also offer two distinct product lines: five frozen raw recipes for dogs of all ages (beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, and duck) and two freeze-dried raw recipes for adult dogs (beef and chicken).

Viva Raw's Sourcing and Menu

Viva Raw's sourcing focuses on ethically raised ingredients from small farms. They offer a variety of proteins and have two main recipe lines: "Pure" and "Complete."

Their commitment to ethical sourcing is commendable, and it reflects a shared dedication to ingredient quality in the raw food space.

Convenience, Texture, and the User Experience

For pet parents, convenience is a major factor in choosing a raw food brand. The user experience, from packaging to texture, plays a significant role in making a raw diet sustainable.

Portioning and Preparation

We Feed Raw's 6-ounce and 16-ounce patties are pre-portioned, individual meals. While some dogs may require further portioning depending on their needs, this offers a significant advantage over Viva Raw’s 1-pound bricks, especially for small dogs or for those using raw as a topper. 

Our patties make mealtime simple and less messy. We even send a complimentary container to hold any leftovers, a small but thoughtful detail that demonstrates our commitment to convenience.

Ground vs. Chunked Texture

The texture of raw food is another point of comparison. Viva Raw offers both ground and chunked meat options, which some pet parents appreciate for mimicking a whole prey diet.

We Feed Raw's recipes are exclusively ground. This texture is highly digestible and consistent, making it a great choice for puppies, seniors, and dogs with sensitive teeth.

The Ultimate Convenience of We Feed Raw

Beyond the frozen patties, our freeze-dried beef and chicken recipes for adult dogs offer the ultimate convenience. They are shelf-stable, require no refrigeration, and are perfect for travel, hiking, or as a carb-free kibble topper.

Final Verdict: We Feed Raw Is the Right Choice for Your Dog

The choice between We Feed Raw vs Viva Raw comes down to what you prioritize most: safety, nutritional completeness, and convenience.

We Feed Raw offers a scientifically backed diet with an unparalleled safety record thanks to our use of high-pressure processing (HPP). Our recipes are meticulously formulated to be complete and balanced, removing the guesswork for you. Our convenient patties and shelf-stable options make a raw diet sustainable for any lifestyle.

Ultimately, we believe your dog deserves the best of both worlds: the profound health benefits of a raw diet with the peace of mind that comes from a safe, scientifically-backed, and convenient product. Start your dog’s meal plan now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which brand is safer, We Feed Raw vs Viva Raw, given past recalls?

When comparing We Feed Raw vs Viva Raw on safety, We Feed Raw has a clear advantage. Viva Raw has had recalls due to pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria.

We Feed Raw has a perfect, recall-free safety record thanks to our use of high-pressure processing (HPP) on all our recipes. This cold-water process effectively inactivates pathogens without using heat, providing peace of mind.

How do the recipes of We Feed Raw vs Viva Raw differ in their nutritional philosophy?

The recipes of We Feed Raw vs Viva Raw differ in their approach to completeness.

We Feed Raw uses a scientific approach, adding a small amount of vitamins and minerals to ensure every recipe is complete and balanced to AAFCO standards.

Viva Raw adheres to a "prey-model" philosophy, and while their "Complete" recipes contain supplements, their "Pure" recipes require owners to add their own supplements to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Do We Feed Raw or Viva Raw offer better convenience for pet owners?

We Feed Raw offers better convenience due to our pre-portioned patties, which are easier to serve than Viva Raw's 1-pound bricks. We also provide a complimentary container for leftovers. 

Additionally, We Feed Raw offers shelf-stable, freeze-dried recipes that are perfect for travel or as a kibble topper, an advantage Viva Raw does not offer.