The landscape of pet nutrition has evolved dramatically over the years. While kibble continues to dominate the pet food industry, some pet owners are seeking natural alternatives to commercial pet food. These trends include vegetarian alternatives, bug-based products, freeze-dried, raw products; you name it, it’s out there. These alternatives leave pet parents asking questions and feeling uncertain about what their canine companions should truly be eating.
The shift to a raw diet is based on a species-appropriate approach, basically going back to our dogs’ canine roots. (Pigeon, 2022) This perspective provides an understanding of our pet’s genuine biological needs and a return to their ancestral dietary patterns. Raw feeding, therefore, centres around providing our pets with whole, unprocessed, and fresh ingredients, including meats, nutrient-dense organ meats, raw meaty bones, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other whole foods.
The interest in raw diets and raw pet food is starting to garner traction, representing a fundamental shift in our approach to pet nutrition and wellness. This evolution is sparking meaningful discussions among a small number of veterinarians and largely among the pet nutrition experts and pet parent communities looking for alternatives to kibble. Emerging research suggests that well-structured raw diets can offer compelling health benefits. (Misa Sandri, 2016)
The discussions on raw feeding often focus on apprehensions about food safety, nutritional completeness, and the practical challenges of meal preparation and sourcing/availability. As research into raw feeding continues to advance, we are now gaining valuable insights into the benefits and important considerations of feeding raw. In this article, we’ll examine the evidence behind raw diets, explore their impact on pet health, and help you make an informed decision about a species-appropriate diet for your dog.
Understanding Raw Diets
“Dogs are wolves in disguise. The origin of the domesticated dog is from the Grey Wolf. While years and even centuries of selective breeding have changed the “jacket” or exterior of the dog, including their sizes, shapes, and colours, their digestive system never changed. Our domesticated wolves are designed to eat a carnivorous diet, just like their wild ancestors.”
— Lynn Menard, Owner of Everything Raw
In the wild, wolves eat the whole prey. This includes the meat, the bones, the organ meats, the stomach contents, and the fur. Think of a rabbit – no delicious morsel is left behind by the hungry wolf. This is why raw diets are better suited to dogs; they provide species-appropriate nutrition that mimics what they are biologically designed to eat. (Lee, 2024)
A well-balanced and complete raw diet mirrors the ancestral diet of dogs, offering a natural, whole-food approach to canine nutrition. (TriStar Vet, 2025) A typical diet includes:
- Muscle Meat – Premium protein sources are vital for tissue repair and growth. This makes up the majority of the diet, consisting of 70-80% of the diet.
- Organ Meats – Provide rich sources of vitamins and minerals, supporting the immune system and metabolic functions. This makes up only 10% of the diet, more than this, and you risk the dog getting avitaminosis.
- Raw Meaty Bones – Meaty bones are an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals that are vital for strong teeth and bones. They also provide natural glucosamine/chondroitin, which can help support joint health. (Lee, 2024) For daily bone requirements, small dogs require 10%, medium dogs (and growing puppies) require 12-15%, and larger dogs require 15% or more. Chicken feet, chicken necks, turkey necks, and duck necks are excellent choices. Just remember that these choices, on average, contain about 36% bone content, so only once or twice a week would be required.
- Green Tripe/Veggies/Fruits – As dogs are unable to process undigested fruits and veggies, green tripe (the fourth stomach of the cow – lining and predigested contents) is an excellent choice. While veggies and/or fruits have their benefits, dogs are unable to digest them in most cases. Green tripe should account for 10% of your dog’s diet.
- Supplements (if needed) – Consider providing good quality prebiotics/probiotics as well as any missing essential vitamins or minerals. This helps to balance the diet.
While raw feeding may be simple in concept, not all products are created equal. (Lee, 2024) Ingredients in their natural state optimize the nutrition provided to our pets. These unprocessed ingredients retain their complete nutritional profile. Think fresh apple instead of applesauce, allowing your dog’s body to process and utilize the nutrients effectively, a concept known as bioavailability.
Do you ever wonder why kibble-fed dogs have such large smelly poops? The majority of the ingredients in kibble are not bioavailable, with the majority of your dog’s stomach, turning kibble, an ultra-processed food, into large piles that you then have to pick up. Unadulterated whole foods provide your dogs with the nutrients that they need from raw ingredients, providing and often manifesting in visible improvements in the health and vitality of your dog. Many raw feeders report noticeable changes within weeks of transitioning to a raw diet: softer, healthier coats that shed less, increased energy level even in older dogs and enhanced overall well-being. (TriStar Vet, 2025)
Need more information before switching your dog over to a raw diet? Check out our comprehensive manual: Raw Feeding 101.
Health Benefits of Raw Diets
The transition to a raw diet frequently results in noticeable improvements in a dog’s health, which explains its growing popularity among pet owners. Here are some of the key benefits that a raw diet offers to your dog:
Improved Coat and Skin Health
Many pet owners have noticed a marked difference in their dog’s fur. Once switched to raw, a dog will shed its dull and dingy coat and will produce a beautiful, healthy, and shinier coat. Dogs will also shed less or even very little. (TriStar Vet, 2025) For dogs with yeast problems, including that notorious “doggy smell” and excessive licking of the paws, about 80% of dogs switched over to raw will improve significantly.
Better Dental Health
Chewing on raw meaty bones, such as chicken feet or necks, acts as a natural toothbrush, scraping away plaque and preventing tartar buildup. Since a raw diet has very little to no sugar or carbohydrates to stick to a dog’s teeth, this can lead to fresher breath, healthier gums, and a lower risk of oral infections. (Fetch! Pet Care, 2025) Studies have shown that dental health is crucial for overall wellness, as dental issues can lead to systemic infections and other health complications. (Lee, 2024)
Increased Energy Levels and Vitality
Dogs on a complete and balanced raw diet are typically more energetic and vibrant. (TriStar Vet, 2025) Pet owners often report increased vitality, from older dogs who initially had mobility issues to couch potatoes now doing zoomies around the house or yard. It’s never too late or too early to switch your dog to raw.
Enhanced Digestive Health
“Face it, why would owners want to pick up large smelly poops (the bi-product of large amounts of undigestible products found in kibble) when raw fed dogs’ poop is typically ¼ the size, which then disintegrates in 1-4 days on a warm summer day. The majority of the ingredients in raw diets are bioavailable, nourishing the dog’s body and helping the digestive system to work more efficiently. The poop of the raw fed dog contains mostly excess bone with smaller amounts of undigested fruits and veggies.”
– Lynn Menard, Owner Everything Raw
Scientists are now doing research on the microbiome – the colony of bacteria and enzymes in the stomach and digestive tract for both humans and dogs, and delving further into the effects of leaking gut. For dogs, a species-appropriate diet provides their bodies with the nutrients they need to grow and remain healthy. A healthy microbiome is a healthy dog. (Misa Sandri, 2016)
Addressing Common Misconceptions
Despite its growing popularity, raw feeding faces several misconceptions that can create confusion for pet owners. Let’s address some of these concerns with science-backed insights:
Myth 1: Raw Diets Are Unsafe Due to Bacterial Contamination
The FDA, as well as many vets and pet owners think that raw food is dangerous. One of the biggest misconceptions about a raw diet is the fear that it may contain E coli, Listeria and/or salmonella, making it unsafe even for humans to handle or for dogs to eat. Interestingly enough, there are several recalls in cases of kibble contaminants harming pets (excess vitamin D and aflatoxins being two recent examples), but there are no reported cases of bacteria in raw pet foods harming people or animals. (Pigeon, 2022)
The canine digestive system is remarkably well-adapted to handle raw food. Dogs possess a highly acidic stomach environment that naturally neutralizes many harmful bacteria, along with a shorter digestive tract that processes food more efficiently than humans. (Lee, 2024) This robust digestive system, evolved from their wolf ancestors, provides natural protection against many foodborne pathogens.
While these natural defences are effective, the sourcing of products and/or proteins remains paramount as is the responsible handling of raw food. (TriStar Vet, 2025) Safe raw feeding practices include:
- Sourcing meat, organs and bones from reputable suppliers
- Using human-grade foods only
- Maintaining appropriate freezing temperatures
- Following strict hygiene protocols during preparation, as you would when preparing your own meals
Many pet owners choose high-quality, complete and balanced, commercially prepared raw options, for convenience and safety.
Myth 2: Raw Diets Are Nutritionally Imbalanced
The concern about nutritional completeness in raw diets deserves thoughtful consideration. While poorly planned homemade diets can indeed lead to deficiencies, professionally formulated raw diets can provide complete nutrition. However, it can be very difficult for pet parents to find a complete and balanced raw diet for their dog(s). Unfortunately, not all commercial raw diets are created equal. A balanced raw diet should consist of:
- 70-80% proteins from diverse protein sources
- 10% organ meats
- Appropriate calcium-to-phosphorus ratios in accordance with the size and age of the dog
- 10% green tripe or fruits/veggies
- Essential fatty acids from various food sources
- Prebiotics, probiotics, and essential vitamins and minerals
Everything Raw offers complete and balanced raw food solutions, making it easier to provide proper nutrition without the complexity of homemade preparation. These pre-formulated options eliminate the guesswork while maintaining the benefits of raw feeding.
Myth 3: Raw Diets Are Expensive and Inconvenient
Just like any market, you have high-end products, low-end products, and everything in between. Raw diets are no exception, and not all raw products are created equal. To this end, the expanding market has introduced various convenient options that make raw feeding more accessible than ever before.
However, the perception of raw feeding as prohibitively expensive or impractical often comes from comparing only the cost of the food itself. Since research has shown that a high-quality raw pet food often translates to better health, this can potentially reduce long-term pet care costs. Many pet owners report:
- Fewer veterinary visits
- Improved dental health
- Better overall health, reducing the need for medications
Myth 4: Raw Diets are bad for dogs that have health issues.
As research on the long-term effects of raw pet food diets continues to evolve, pet parents are observing an increase in the health and vitality of their dogs, and in some cases, the reduction of chronic health issues and illnesses. (Misa Sandri, 2016) Observational data suggests that raw-fed dogs may experience:
- Fewer food allergies – A raw diet can be tailored to avoid common allergens, such as fillers, grains, and additives.
- Fewer yeast issues – The production of yeast, with the elimination of high carbs from a processed diet, is greatly reduced and in several cases, eliminated.
- Weight maintenance – The high protein and low carbohydrate content of raw diets can help dogs maintain a healthy weight.
Considerations and Precautions
- Budget – While the full benefits of feeding raw can only be experienced with your dog completely on raw, there are several options for your consideration, such as adding raw to kibble to augment it, feeding raw one meal and feeding kibble the next, to name a few.
- When to start – It’s never too late or too early to start your dog on raw.
- How to start – Each dog is different and has his/her own health issues. The “Cold Turkey” method is designed for most dogs in mind, while the “Slow Method” is designed for dogs with health issues or owners who want to take things one step at a time.
Everything Raw understands that every pet and pet parent is unique, and that choosing the right diet or even the right product can be overwhelming. We provide direct support to help assist you with a raw diet for your dog. That’s why we offer FREE personalized consultations to help you determine the best options, the best products, and the best raw diet for your dog.
Consultation: Personalized Nutrition for Your Pet
At Everything Raw, we understand that choosing the right diet for your pet can be overwhelming. That’s why we offer free, one-on-one consultations to help pet parents navigate raw feeding and holistic pet nutrition. Whether you’re new to raw diets or looking to refine your pet’s nutrition plan, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Expert Guidance with a Holistic Approach
Lynn Menard, the owner of Everything Raw Doggie Café, is a leading expert in raw diets for dogs and cats, with years of experience and multiple certificates in pet nutrition. She completed the Advanced Pet Nutrition course offered as an elective to veterinarians during their veterinary training. Beyond raw feeding, Lynn can provide you with advice and assistance on Acute Homeopathy for dogs, as well as herbalism and essential oils, allowing her to provide her clients with a well-rounded, holistic approach to pet health.
Our team at Everything Raw Doggie Café has also completed mandatory and extensive training on raw food diets. We provide pet parents with the most up-to-date, science-backed dietary recommendations to tailor dietary requirements and to support your pet’s overall well-being.
Tailored Recommendations
We specialize in raw diets for both dogs and cats but recognize that every pet and pet parent is unique. Whether you’re looking to fully transition your dog to raw, balance a home-cooked diet, or augment kibble with fresh, species-appropriate ingredients, we’ll work with you to find the best approach for you and your pet’s needs.
Knowledge of Premium Health Product Lines
Everything Raw Doggie Café will only carry products in our store that we feed our own dogs. Our team is trained and certified in the highest-quality pet health brands, including Adored Beast Apothecary and Four Leaf Rover. This ensures that we can recommend the best supplements for your pet, with the training to back it up. We also have a Hemp Products for Dogs specialist on-site for your dog’s health needs.
Book Your Free Consultation Today
Whether you’re completely new to raw feeding or need help adjusting your pet’s diet, we’re here to help—completely free of charge. Our consultations ensure that your pet receives the best possible nutrition while making the transition as seamless as possible.
📞 Contact us today to schedule your personalized consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, happier pet!
Conclusion
Raw diets for pets are gaining popularity as more pet owners discover the potential health benefits and embrace a more natural, ancestral approach to feeding. By focusing on whole, unprocessed ingredients, a raw diet aims to provide pets with nutrition that is closer to what their ancestors would have eaten in the wild. While it may not be the perfect fit for every dog, raw feeding can be an excellent choice for those seeking to support their pet’s overall well-being through a wholesome, science-backed diet. With a solid understanding of the fundamentals, expert guidance, and careful handling practices, your pet won’t just survive but will thrive on a raw diet that meets their specific needs.
If you’re curious about how a raw diet could benefit your pet, Everything Raw Doggie Café is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, where our team can provide personalized guidance and help you decide if raw feeding is the right choice for your furry friend. Your pet’s health and happiness are worth it.
Bibliography
Fetch! Pet Care. (2025, March 1). Three Benefits Dogs Get from Chewing . Retrieved from Fetch! Pet Care: https://fetchpetcare.com/blog/three-benefits-dogs-get-from-chewing/
Lee, E. (2024, January 20). Raw Dog Food: Dietary Concerns, Benefits, and Risks. Retrieved from FETCH by WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/features/raw-dog-food-dietary-concerns-benefits-and-risks
Misa Sandri, S. D. (2016). Raw meat based diet influences faecal microbiome and end products of fermentation in healthy dogs. BMC Veterinary Research, Vol 13, #65.
Pigeon, L. (2022, April 4). Myths about raw food diet for dogs and cats. Retrieved from Animal Wellness Magazine: https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/debunking-myths-raw-food-dogs-cats/
TriStar Vet. (2025, Mar 1). The Pros and Cons of a Raw Food Diet for Dogs. Retrieved from Tristar Vet: https://www.tristarvet.com/vet-advice/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-raw-food-diet-for-dogs/
