As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m not sure that one dog food is the absolute best for every dog (especially when you factor in the lifestyles of their humans.) However, many people are passionate that the best diet for dogs is a raw food diet. Our dogs have tried many types of dog food, and they seem to thrive on raw food and freshly cooked food.
This post is sponsored by TruDog and contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I’ll earn a small fee. However, there is no additional cost to you. As always, we only review products that we’ve tried and can recommend wholeheartedly. #TruDogPartner
Benefits of a Raw Diet
Improved digestion
Healthier skin and coat
Stronger immune system
Increased longevity
Healthy gums and teeth
Fewer visits to the vet
Smaller stools
Potential Drawbacks of a Raw Diet
A raw diet is not perfect for every dog.
Currently, some therapy dog programs do not let their dogs eat a natural diet. This restriction is due to an increased risk of bacterial contamination to humans, especially young children, people with compromised immune systems, and the elderly associated with a raw diet. However, with proper handling (wash hands after feeding your dog, wash their bowls after they eat, the risk decreases.)
It may not be appropriate for dogs with certain health conditions
Raw diets are generally more expensive than kibble
Malnourishment due to an unbalanced diet that does not meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards
A homemade raw diet can be time-consuming and require a lot of equipment
DIY Raw Food Diet
Many websites and books offer recipes to include in your dog’s raw food diet. Unfortunately, some people make up their dog’s diet as they go along, which may not be nutritionally balanced. If you choose to make your dog food, you may need to spend a lot of time researching the recipes and preparing the food. Whenever you are handling raw meat, be sure to wash your hands and equipment thoroughly before and after preparing the food!
Commercially Prepared Raw Food
If you’re like me, the thought of preparing all of your dog’s meals (including possibly grinding the meat) can be overwhelming. I’m also particularly squeamish when it comes to handling (or looking at) raw meat. When I see bowls of raw meat with chicken feet, pig snouts, etc., I feel a little queasy. You may need to store the food in your freezer or refrigerator, and it can be challenging to travel with commercially prepared raw food.
Luckily, there are shelf-stable raw foods readily available in several different forms from TruDog.
Toppers
If you’ve decided to see if raw food might be suitable for your dog, TruDog’s toppers are a great way to start. The “Boost Me” toppers are great for beginning to transition to raw feeding or simply giving an extra nutritional boost to the food you’re currently feeding your dog. My dogs love the whitefish topper, consisting of Whitefish, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), and Vitamin E Supplement.
Dehydrated Raw Food
We found TruDog Rawgo to be very convenient, especially for traveling, since it is dehydrated. It takes up less space than kibble and is doesn’t need refrigeration. We have some in our emergency evacuation bag too. 
(You will need to add water to it, so be sure to bring some water if you won’t have access to clean drinking water.) My dogs LOVE the taste and don’t seem to mind the reconstituted texture.
Freeze-Dried Food
Freeze-Dried raw dog food is easy to digest and made for dogs of all ages. While kibble is processed at high heat, destroying many nutrients, TruDog “Feed Me” is freeze-dried to lock in all the nutrients.
All of the freeze-dried food and topper varieties are processed in the United States, the dehydrated Rawgo by TruDog is processed in New Zealand, and all are shelf-stable, which sure beats having an extra freezer for dog food!
I have heard feeding raw is healthy for dogs, but never heard of freeze dried foods. Interesting and will have to learn more about this.
I can see the benefits to this! I only have cats and they just want their dry food and treats.
So many amazing benefits, I have to look into some of these brands.
It probably depends on the dog, but if a dog does well on a raw food diet, then I don’t see why not 🙂 its about giving them the best.
I don’t have dogs but this is so interesting, I think my cousin haven’t tried this for her dog. I’l sharw this to her.
We don’t have any pets, but the raw food diet for dogs sounds reasonable. The dehydrated or freeze-dried option would be good for people who can’t or don’t have time to prepare raw food for their dogs.
I always wonder if we’re giving our pet the best food options. There are so many things to research.
TruDog sounds like a great middle ground for people who want to feed their dogs raw dog food, but don’t necessarily want to make it themselves. I like the idea of starting with the meal toppers. That’s a great way to get a dog used to a new food without overwhelming them with it. For kitties, it’s always a good idea to change foods slowly. Sounds like a great food! I love the honest review.
I don’t have any dog. But these raw diet seems to be made of good ingredients. It will helpful for them.
I’m a fan of TruDog. Currently, my dog is on a prescription diet. But if his vet changes his diet, I will definitely look into Tru Dog. I love their TruDog Dental Spray. Thanks for sharing!
While I only have cats, and they are obligate carnivores, they really benefit from a raw diet, it probably is the same for dogs….great info!
One of my dogs ate raw for many years before he stopped tolerating it well in his older age. Now he eats home cooked, but I still offer the occasional raw meaty bone to help keep his teeth clean. My younger dog still eats raw. He’s a super picky eater, and raw is the only thing I can get him to eat on a consistent basis. He hasn’t liked the couple of commercially prepared raw foods that I’ve tried, but we never tried TruDog. I’ll have to check it out at some point. Having a commercially prepared raw food that your dog likes as backup is so convenient if you need to give a quick meal, and for traveling!
I’ve heard of raw being beneficial for pets. However, I have never seen the powdered form (combine with water) for pets. I think this is great for the reasons you pointed out. No need for refrigeration and easy to store in an evacuation bag. I like that this could be used to help transition your dog to a raw diet easily.
I’m one of those people who can’t feed raw because Icy is a therapy dog and we work mostly with children, and seniors who are very immuno compromised. I have on occasion, and during times when we are not visiting I have given my dogs freeze dried raw treats. If I were to feed raw, it would have to be the dehydrated or freeze dried kind – I really don’t like handling raw meat very much!
One of our cats is a huge raw fan but the otehr? I could coat it is premium catnip and get nowhere * sigh *
I do nkow that our cat now has fewer digestive issues than she used to have since we moved her to raw. It works and, for the right pet, it can make a world of difference.
Layla got really sick from raw food but I home cook for her and she does not get kibbles or anything with preservatives. What I do raw is she gets raw freeze dried kibbles as treats which she loves and they only have one ingredient so perfectly healthy. I have never heard of this company you mention but will check them out.
I’ve heard some positive comments from some fellow cat bloggers and they sing its praises. I’ve tried some prepared and frozen raw food, but both of my cats turned up their noses to it. I have fed them some freeze-dried food and toppers and they like it. I rarely cook for myself, so I know I don’t have the desire to cook for my cats at this time. I try to find appropriate protein-rich cat food for my girls. They also eat kibble.
Two of our cats prefer to have a raw diet (with a bit of ordinary cat food from time to time) and I can totally see why people want to feed their dogs a correct and healthy diet.
If is important to read articles like this so you can decide if your lifestyle and budget allows for a good raw food diet.