Raw Dog Food: Why I Recommend It as a Natural & Healthier Diet at Hamiestore

At Hamiestore, I’ve spent years helping pet parents choose the right nutrition for their dogs. One question I get asked all the time is: “Is raw dog food really better?” After seeing the changes firsthand—from shinier coats to better digestion—I’ve become a strong advocate for raw feeding.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about raw dog food—from how it works to which brands I trust most. Whether you’re just curious or ready to switch, this is the place to start.

What is Raw Dog Food?

Raw dog food is an uncooked, minimally-processed diet that tries to mimic what canines would eat in the wild. The two main styles are BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)—roughly 70-80 % skeletal muscle, 10 % edible bone, 5 % liver, 5 % other organs plus small amounts of fruit and vegetables—and Prey-Model Raw, which omits produce and keeps the 80 : 10 : 10 meat-bone-organ ratio. To be safe, any recipe still has to meet the vitamin-and-mineral minima in the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth or maintenance.

How raw food fuels a dog
• High biologic value protein supplies all essential amino acids for muscle repair and immune function.
• Natural fat (incl. omega-3s if grass-fed or game meats are used) provides concentrated energy and supports skin and coat health.
• Raw edible bone delivers calcium : phosphorus in near-ideal balance for skeletal integrity.
• Offal is dense in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K) and trace minerals such as copper and selenium.
• Because the ingredients are uncooked, some heat-labile enzymes and antioxidants remain intact, potentially improving digestibility—though firm evidence is still limited.

Raw vs. Kibble at a Glance

Aspect	Complete Raw Diet	Commercial Kibble
Digestibility & Stool	Typically smaller, drier stools; higher apparent protein digestibility.	Larger stool volume; high-fiber formulas can aid satiety.
Microbiome Effects	Recent studies show greater abundance of Lactobacillus and lower Firmicutes : Bacteroidetes ratio—implications still being explored.	More homogeneous microbiota; some formulas add pre- or probiotics.
Nutrient Assurance	Must be expertly formulated or lab-tested to hit AAFCO targets; DIY diets are often deficient in calcium, iodine, vitamin E.	Most brands are lab-checked and bear an “AAFCO Complete & Balanced” statement on the bag.
Pathogen Risk	Higher: raw meats may harbor Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter; safe-handling and freezer-to-bowl discipline required.	Very low once the bag is opened; extrusion cooking kills most pathogens.
Convenience & Cost	Requires freezer space, careful thawing, tends to cost more per kcal.	Shelf-stable for months, easy to portion, typically cheaper.
Veterinary Acceptance	Many vets caution against raw due to safety & imbalance concerns; growing number of board-certified nutritionists formulate balanced raw options.	Widely accepted and researched; therapeutic kibble diets available for specific diseases.

What I tell Hamiestore customers when they ask about raw feeding

“Raw can be fantastic if it is done safely and meets every nutrient a dog needs every single day. We recommend starting with a commercial raw brand that:

1. Posts a complete nutrient analysis (not just an ingredient list) and carries an AAFCO ‘Complete & Balanced’ statement for your dog’s life stage.

2. Undergoes High-Pressure Processing (HPP) or a comparable pathogen-reduction step.

3. Lists the exact bone percentage (no more than 10 % of the recipe by weight) to avoid calcium overload.

See More : Best Organic Grain-Free Dog Food

For first-timers we advise a slow transition—¼ new diet, ¾ current kibble for three days, then 50/50, and so on—to let gut bacteria adapt. Monitor stools and body weight weekly and book a vet check at the four-week mark to run a basic blood panel; that quickly flags any calcium/phosphorus or vitamin D imbalance we might miss visually.

If raw prep feels overwhelming or you need travel-friendly food, a grain-inclusive, minimally processed kibble that meets WSAVA guidelines remains an excellent option. Some clients do well on a hybrid plan: raw meals at home, kibble on busy days.

Finally, food safety is non-negotiable: store portions at –18 °C, thaw in the fridge (<5 °C), sanitize all bowls and countertops, and keep young children away during meal prep.”

Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food: Convenient and Nutrient-Packed

Freeze-dried raw dog food starts exactly like a fresh BARF or prey-model recipe but is flash-frozen and placed in a vacuum chamber. Under very low pressure, ice in the meat sublimates directly into vapor, avoiding the heat that destroys heat-labile vitamins, enzymes, and volatile flavors. The final product is shelf-stable for up to two years yet re-hydrates back to near-raw texture when you add warm water.

How Freeze Drying Works

1. Flash-freezing (≈ −40 °C) prevents large ice crystals that could rupture cell walls.

2. Primary drying (sublimation) pulls ≈ 95 % of the water straight from solid to gas inside a vacuum chamber.

3. Secondary drying (desorption) gently warms the food to remove the final bound moisture, locking a < 5 % water activity that stops microbial growth.
   Because temperatures stay low, studies show higher retention of amino acids, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants compared with both extrusion and air-dehydration.

Benefits We’ve Seen from Hamiestore Customers

• Nutrient-dense meals with smaller portions – great for picky eaters and dogs needing high calories without bloating.

• Improved stool quality – firmer, less odorous stools within one week, mirroring research that found higher apparent digestibility and a healthier gut-microbiome profile in freeze-dried formats.

• Travel-friendly convenience – no freezer, no mess; just add water at the hotel or campsite.

• Palatability boost – many guardians crumble a few nuggets over kibble as a topper to entice seniors or post-surgery dogs to eat.

• Lower pathogen load than fresh raw when the manufacturer adds HPP (High-Pressure Processing), though basic raw-handling hygiene still applies.

• Pro Tip for Shoppers: Look for an AAFCO “Complete & Balanced” statement, a full nutrient analysis, and clear re-hydration instructions (1 part food : 2 parts warm water is typical).

Popular Raw Dog Food Brands: My Honest Take

OC Raw Dog Food – Trusted by Many

Why it stands out. Family-owned in California, OC Raw hand-packs small batches that average 90 % meat, bone and organs with minimal produce. Most recipes are single-protein (great for elimination diets) and carry an AAFCO “Complete & Balanced” statement.

Reality check. The brand earned 4 / 5 stars on recent independent reviews for ingredient quality, but it has also faced FDA-monitored recalls for Salmonella/Listeria

What I hear from Hamiestore customers. Sport and working-breed guardians love the visible muscle meat and firm stools; price sits in the “upper-mid” tier. We recommend strict freezer-to-bowl hygiene because products are not high-pressure-processed.

Primal Raw Dog Food – Premium Ingredients

Why it stands out. Founded in 2001, Primal uses human-grade meats raised without antibiotics or added hormones and certified-organic produce in both frozen and freeze-dried formats. All raw lines undergo High-Pressure Processing (HPP) before packaging, which greatly lowers pathogen risk.

Our on-shelf verdict. Palatability is excellent—even seniors eat the nuggets once re-hydrated—while HPP reassures cautious pet parents and many vets. The downside is cost: per-calorie pricing is ~20 % above OC Raw, and some freeze-dried patties crumble in transit. Still, the vitamin-mineral profile consistently meets AAFCO, so we rarely see imbalance issues during follow-up bloodwork.

See More : Best Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Viva Raw Dog Food – Gaining Popularity

Why it stands out. North-Carolina–based Viva ships 97 % meat, 3 % whole-food supplements (no veggies) in eco-friendly frozen bricks and offers single-protein plans ideal for dogs with food sensitivities.

Points to weigh. Rapid growth has been shadowed by two voluntary recalls in 2024 for Listeria and Salmonella contamination.

Fit for certain dogs. We’ve had the best feedback from medium-to-large active breeds (e.g., Border Collies, Huskies) whose owners value the high meat percentage and transparent sourcing. Toy breeds sometimes struggle with the coarser grind. Because Viva skips HPP, we advise experienced raw feeders who are comfortable with stringent handling and own adequate freezer space.

Raw Dog Food Calculator: How Much Should You Feed?

Feeding the right amount of raw dog food depends on your dog’s weight, age, activity level, and breed size. A balanced raw diet typically includes muscle meat, organs, and edible bone, and portion sizes are based on percentage of body weight per day.

General Feeding Guidelines by Life Stage

Example:
A 20 kg (44 lb) adult dog eating at 2.5% body weight =
20 kg × 0.025 = 0.5 kg (500g) raw food/day

Split into two meals = 250g per meal. Adjust up or down based on weight changes, activity, or body condition score (BCS).

Breed & Activity Considerations

• Small breeds (under 10 kg) often have higher metabolisms and may need closer to 3%–4%

• Large breeds like Labs or Shepherds may start at 2% and be adjusted based on condition

• Working dogs (e.g. sled dogs, herding breeds) may require 4%–5% during peak training

• Puppies grow fast—adjust monthly and switch to adult portions around 12–14 months

Use Our Raw Dog Food Calculator

To simplify the math, we recommend using our free interactive calculator to instantly get custom daily meal amounts based on your dog’s:

• Weight in kg/lb

• Age (puppy/adult/senior)

• Breed size and activity level

Final Tip from Hamiestore

We always advise starting with the calculator’s recommendation, but observe your dog—feel the ribs, check energy, and monitor stool. Each dog is unique, and no calculator is perfect without real-world feedback.

If in doubt, consult a canine nutritionist or ask us at Hamiestore for guidance.

Is Raw Dog Food Safe? Vet Opinions vs. Our Experience

Raw dog food remains one of the most debated diets in the pet nutrition world. Advocates emphasize its biological appropriateness, while critics, especially in the veterinary community, cite microbial risks and nutritional imbalances.

What the Experts Say

Veterinary Concerns:

• Pathogens: Studies show that raw meat can harbor Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli, which may not only affect the dog but also pose risks to humans in the household [FDA, 2018; Joffe & Schlesinger, Can Vet J, 2002].

• Bone Hazards: Raw bones, especially weight-bearing ones, may splinter, leading to choking, intestinal blockage, or dental fractures [AVMA, 2023].

• Nutritional Deficiencies: DIY raw diets are frequently found to be deficient in calcium, zinc, iodine, and vitamin D, especially when not properly formulated [Freeman et al., JAVMA, 2013].

Despite concerns, some board-certified veterinary nutritionists acknowledge raw feeding can be safe—if it’s:

• Complete and balanced per AAFCO standards

• Handled hygienically

• Monitored for outcomes via regular vet checkups

What We’ve Seen at Hamiestore

We’ve worked with hundreds of customers transitioning to raw over the years. Here’s what we’ve consistently observed:

Benefits (when done right):

• Better stool quality: firmer, smaller, less odorous

• Improved coat and skin: shinier fur, fewer hot spots

• Weight management: lean muscle maintained without bloat

• Dental health: reduction in tartar buildup (especially with raw meaty bones)

Risks we warn customers about:

• Improper storage or thawing: Most raw food recalls come from improper home handling. We always recommend freezer-to-fridge defrosting and washing hands, bowls, and surfaces after each use.

• Overfeeding bones: Some customers accidentally give too many bone-in meals. We advise no more than 10% bone content, unless guided by a nutritionist.

• Inconsistent DIY recipes: Customers mixing raw at home often miss micronutrient targets. We recommend starting with commercial raw brands that publish lab-tested nutrient profiles.

Scientific Research & Safety Evidence

• A 2021 study in Animals found that healthy adult dogs fed raw had similar bloodwork and clinical markers as kibble-fed dogs, provided the raw diet was balanced [Anturaniemi et al., Animals, 2021].

• Freeze-dried and high-pressure processed (HPP) raw products greatly reduce bacterial risk while maintaining raw nutrient profiles [König et al., J. Anim. Sci., 2025].

• The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) continues to discourage raw unless properly sterilized and nutritionally validated [AVMA, 2023].

Our Position: Balanced, Not Biased

At Hamiestore, we believe raw feeding is not inherently unsafe—but it’s not plug-and-play either.
When done with the right products, knowledge, and hygiene, raw can offer dogs a highly digestible, minimally processed diet. But it demands:

• Strict food safety discipline

• A balanced formula, not guesswork

• Ongoing health monitoring, especially for puppies and seniors

Bottom Line: We encourage customers to consult with their vet, use our starter guides, and consider freeze-dried or HPP raw options as safer entry points.

Transitioning to Raw: Step-by-Step Guide

Switching your dog from kibble to raw food requires care, patience, and close observation. At Hamiestore, we’ve guided many first-time raw feeders—and the best results come from a gradual transition over 7–10 days. This allows your dog’s digestive enzymes and gut microbiome to adjust, reducing the risk of loose stools or discomfort.

Step-by-Step Transition Plan

Day 1–3

• 75% current food (kibble or cooked)

• 25% raw food

• Feed separately if needed (AM kibble, PM raw)

Day 4–5

• 50% current food

• 50% raw food

Day 6–7

• 25% current food

• 75% raw food

Day 8+

• 100% raw food (if stools are stable and appetite is good)

Tips from Hamiestore:

• Start with a single-protein, low-fat raw meal like turkey or chicken

• Avoid feeding raw and kibble mixed in one bowl—different digestion rates may cause upset

• Watch stools closely: soft means slow down; hard and dry might mean too much bone

• Add a probiotic supplement (or plain goat’s milk) during the first week to support gut flora

• Keep meal times consistent and avoid treats or new proteins during transition

Final Thoughts: Should You Feed Raw Dog Food?

After years of advising hundreds of dog owners at Hamiestore, our take is simple:
Raw dog food can be one of the healthiest diets for your dog—if it’s done responsibly.

Who Benefits Most from Raw Feeding?

• Dogs with food sensitivities (especially to grains, fillers, or additives in kibble)

• Active or working dogs who thrive on high-protein, high-fat diets

• Dogs with chronic stool issues or allergies where clean ingredients can help

• Owners seeking minimal processing and control over ingredients

Who Might Want to Avoid Raw (or Use with Caution)?

• Puppies under 8 weeks or underweight seniors without guidance from a vet

• Households with immunocompromised individuals or toddlers—due to pathogen risk

• Busy pet parents without time for safe handling and cleanup

• Dogs with chronic pancreatitis, kidney disease, or digestive issues—these need tailored diets

Our Position at Hamiestore

We don’t push raw. We guide based on your dog’s needs, your comfort level, and your household.
We believe in starting simple, using lab-tested raw brands, and monitoring results—not hype.

Ready to Try Raw the Right Way?

Contact Hamiestore—we’ll help you choose the best starter products, plan your dog’s transition, and support you every step of the way.