The 10 Best Raw Dog Food Suppliers of USA (List of 2020)

After doing a lot of research, we reviewed the 10 best raw dog food suppliers of the USA which locally source the ingredients from trusted farms to ensure freshness and quality.

Raw Dog Food diet is currently being accepted by many dog owners around the globe. This diet is made of whole ingredients, organ meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables that are safe for dogs. Since dog food and kibbles are more prevalently found and preferred by many pet parents, raw dog food can be considered as a nutritive alternative to canned food and kibble.

Many vets consider it safe to feed your canines with raw food but what are the potential benefits and disadvantages of the same? After carefully considering each factor about raw foods, we review for you, the 10 Best Raw Dog Food Suppliers of USA and why should you consider them for your four-legged friend.

The 10 Best Raw Dog Food Suppliers of USA

Raw dog diet is also called the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet. While many dog owners may think, these foods are low on nutrients and additional supplements, the ingredients in raw dog foods maintain their optimum nutrient content as they are uncooked and unprocessed. (Do check The Best Fresh Dog Food Subscription Boxes available now)

Raw pet meals are usually available in frozen and dehydrated varieties. We have reviewed the best raw dog food suppliers of USA for you to choose the best crude recipe for your pet.

1. Instinct Raw Frozen Bites Real Beef Recipe

Instinct Real Beef Recipe is never cooked and never processed. It comprises of real ingredients providing nourishment. The raw food recipe is frozen at its peak to preserve its nutrition and cold-pressed for providing your dog safe and nutritionally enriched food.

The nutritional levels in the raw dog diet are established and formulated to meet the AAFCO Dog Nutrient Profiles. The Instinct Raw Frozen Bites give visible results in your dog. They keep their recipes grain-free, as well as free of artificial flavors and preservatives. It helps in their growth and development phases and is ideal for dogs belonging to all life stages.

Features

• Quantity: 8oz, 3lb and 6lb bags available
• Key Ingredients: 85% meat and organs and 15% non-GMO fruits, vegetables; vitamins & minerals
• Calories: 1,654 kcal/kg
• Flavors: Real Beef Recipe, Cage-Free Chicken Recipe, Grass-Fed Lamb Recipe
• Nutrients: 13% Crude Protein, 8% Crude Fat, 2% Crude Fiber, 70% Moisture

This raw food is sure to show visible results in your pet; lean muscles, strong bones, shinier coat, better digestive, and immune health, clear vision and overall enhanced energy levels.

The food brand uses 100 % raw ingredients that undergo zero processing and contains no artificial flavors or ingredients, making it very safe for pet consumption. They use the finest quality ingredients and the food is manufactured from USA which is known to be one of the most reliable sources for pet food manufacturing and delivery.

The only disadvantage is the handling of raw dog food. The food always has to be kept frozen and it’s defrosting takes a good amount of time. There are no freeze-dried options available.

2. Darwins

Darwins Dog Food promises you a transformed and healthier, happier dog in 30 days. They provide two types of raw dog foods, Natural Selections, and Biologics. While the Biologics type provides conventionally raised meats and veggies in their food, the Natural Selections type is much more specific in terms of their meat and vegetable selection. The meat is pasture-raised, cage-free and antibiotic-free and the veggies are organic.

The raw food formula by Darwins is nutritionally balanced and grain-free. The recipes are formulated keeping in mind your dog’s high protein, low-fat requirements. You can set up recurring orders and also choose the type of meat your dog prefers. Darwins provides recommended portion sizes and is quite a renowned and well managed raw dog food supplier.

Features 

• Quantity: Recommended as per your dog’s size and weight
• Key Ingredients: 70-75% Meat, 25% Veggies, 0.8% Special Nutrient Mix (Differs for each recipe)
• Calories: 1091 kcal/kg (Differs for each recipe)
• Flavors: Chicken, Turkey, and Beef
• Nutrients: 14% Crude Protein, 6% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber, 2% Carbohydrate and 75% Moisture (approx values), Vitamin B, Amino Acids, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Selenium, Potassium

The dog food by Darwins is completely balanced and made of 75% real meat and 25% fresh vegetables. They offer grain-free and gluten-free formulas, making it easier for dogs to digest and minimizes the chances of allergies. The moderate fat to carbohydrate ratio provides a careful balance of Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids as well as essential minerals from natural and organic compounds.

Although Darwins does not provide freeze-dried options and the food requires time to defrost, the brand name and quality are very reliable for your pet’s food supply right at your doorstep. It is also one of The Best Dog Food Delivery Brands.

3. BARF

BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food for Dogs) caters to dogs of various breeds and types and is a brand that understands your dog’s nutritional essentials correctly. They provide a detailed overview of how raw food is beneficial for dogs. The food quality is great and you are bound to see your dog growing healthy and happy with visible health results.

BARF is a more suitable and preferable option than feeding your dog with commercially available dog food and kibbles. The packaging is such, it offers the convenience of storing. They also provide a range of meat and protein sources, each with a targeted benefit to boost your pet’s health.

The raw BARF food is available in freeze-dried and frozen options both in a variety of shapes and textures, either like nuggets, chubs or patties.

Features

• Quantity: 14oz for each bag
• Key Ingredients: Meat, Spinach, Carrot, Egg, Broccoli, Flax Seeds, Cod Liver Oil, Pear, etc.(Varies based on the type)
• Calories: 981 per 8oz.
• Flavors: Frozen or Freeze Dried Chicken Nuggets, Beef Nuggets, Beef Dried Chubs and Patties
• Nutrients: 44% Crude Protein, 31% Crude Fat, 10% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture, 5% Calcium, 1.42% Phosphorus

The scientifically formulated BARF raw dog food formula is free of preservatives or additives. Moreover, it is best for dogs with allergies because it is grain-free. There are frozen and freeze-dried options available so you can choose as per your handling convenience. The food also comprises of organ and bone meat which is very nutritious in terms of lean proteins.

The only disadvantage is the frozen variety takes time to defrost, especially the patties and chubs. Else the raw food supplier caters to most canine essentials and formulates raw dog meals accordingly.

4. Primal Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Primal Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Food uses the highest quality ingredients which are 100% USDA inspected. It comprises of fresh, certified organic fruits, vegetables, and non-synthetic vitamins and minerals. The ingredients are carefully sourced and the raw dog food recipe is free of antibiotics, steroids, preservatives, and artificially added hormones.

The raw dog food is grain and gluten-free and is a complete and balanced diet for your canine. It comprises of 78% chicken, organ meat and bone along with 22% other additional supplements.

Primal Raw Dog Food Suppliers believe that raw food is better absorbed and digested and enhances natural and wild eating habits in your pet. Each raw food is species-specific and curated keeping your pet’s unique biochemistry and metabolism in mind.

Features

• Quantity: 6lbs
• Key Ingredients: Muscle Meat, Organ Meat, Organic Apples, Organic Carrots, Squash, Cod Liver Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, etc.
• Calories: 56% Calories from Fat, 34% Calories from Protein
• Flavors: Frozen Chicken Formula, Raw Pronto Beef Formula, Freeze Dried Duck Formula
• Nutrients: Overall Average content – 50% of Protein, 29% of Fat, 13% of Carbohydrate, 6.3% of Fiber. 57% of Fat to Protein Ratio

Primal offers both frozen and freeze-dried options. The raw dog food is manufactured in the USA and is free of potential allergens like gluten, corn, wheat, and soy. Moreover, it also contains a high amount of bone and organ meat.

The frozen foods take time to defrost and the nuggets are usually crumbly and broken on delivery. But overall, the range of raw dog meals offered and the overall nutrient content beats it all and makes it a remarkable raw dog diet for your pooch.

5. Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers

If you want to nutritionally enhance your dog’s regular meals and plan on a slow transition from dog foods to raw meal varieties, then Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers are the best bet. It is easy to use and a convenient way of taking your dog’s meal a step ahead.

The meal mix comprises nutrient-rich meat, wholesome fruits, and veggies, probiotics, and antioxidants all in powdered form. Simply add scoops as per your dog’s requirements, and your pooch is good to go. There are a variety of flavors available.

The raw meal mixer is made of cage-free turkey and is devoid of preservatives, artificial hormones, antibiotics, and allergy-causing grains or fillers. The meal has added probiotics and antioxidants, which are an added advantage in any dog meal.

Features

• Quantity: 3.5oz
• Key Ingredients: Ground Turkey with bone and organ meat, Organic Fruits and Veggies, Probiotic Bacteria, Essential Vitamins like Vitamin D and Vitamin B, Minerals, Pumpkin Seeds
• Calories: 4420 kcal/kg
• Flavors: Turkey, Beef, Chicken, Dandy Lamb, Pork, Salmon
• Nutrients: 48% Protein, 28% Fat, 5% Fiber and 5% Moisture along with Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids

The raw dog meal mixer by Stella and Chewy’s uses protein from a single source. It is absolutely grain and gluten-free meaning free of allergies and fillers. It does not contain any artificial additives too.

The raw meal mixer is suitable for dogs of all life stages. The product is freeze-dried, meaning it is easy to carry and handle.

In terms of pricing, it is heavier on the pocket as the quantity is very less. But it offers a very convenient way of enhancing your dog’s overall nutritional levels.

6. Nature’s Logic Raw Frozen Patties

Nature’s Logic is one raw dog food supplier that offers a range of raw meals to choose from, right from Beef to Chicken to Venison. These raw meals are in the form of mini patties and made of 100% all-natural ingredients. It is free of common allergens and contains no synthetic ingredients. With regards to the overall nutrient content, it has a range of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. The raw dog meal is made of 95% animal ingredients and is suitable for dogs belonging to all life stages. This frozen food is rich in muscle meat and organ meat in a combination with highly digestible natural concentrate fruits and vegetables.

Features

• Quantity: 6lbs
• Key Ingredients: Muscle Meat and Organ Meat, Dried Fruits and Veggies (Apple, Cranberry, Blueberry, Apricot, Broccoli, Spinach, etc.
• Calories: 108Kcals per 3.2oz patty (varies as per flavor)
• Flavors: Beef, Chicken, Pork, Rabbit, Venison
• Nutrients: 12% Crude Protein, 7% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 72% Moisture (approx)

The raw food by Nature’s Logic is rich in protein as it uses high quality and varieties of meat. It is also enriched with vitamins and minerals and is grain-free containing 90% poultry meat.

The only disadvantage is they do not have freeze-dried varieties, only frozen meals which makes it difficult to store and handle. But the range of flavors offered and the high-quality animal ingredients present makes it a balanced raw meal for your pet.

7. Raw Paws

Raw Paws is a popular dog food supplier that offers a varied range of frozen and freeze-dried raw meals at a suitable price. They not only have raw food but also raw treats and chews for your dog to savor their meals. Their meals fulfill AAFCO Nutritional Standards. Their foods also comprise of raw meat, bone and organ meat in high densities.

Raw Paws offers the ease of ordering from a single platform and gives a range of raw foods to choose from. The products are free of grains and allergens as well as plant-based materials.

Features

• Quantity: Available in different sizes
• Key Ingredients: Single Ingredient based on the flavor
• Calories: 5471 KCal/kg (approx)
• Flavors: Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Turkey in Kibble and Nugget Form
• Nutrients: 39% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 8% Moisture

All their food type and varieties are free of hormones and are also grain-free, making them safe for your pet. Also, they offer a range of frozen and freeze-dried options with different varieties of meat. You can choose as per your dog’s preferences and nutritional requirements. Raw Paws believes in providing quality products at a great deal.

The only problem is with their range of frozen raw dog food which takes time to thaw. Else, in terms of a variety of flavors and nutrients, the dog food suppliers are a great choice for any dog parent.

8. Raw Bistro Pet Fare

Raw Bistro Pet Fare is every dog owner’s delight. Each recipe is species-appropriate and is crafted from single source protein, 100% Grass-Fed Beef and Beef Range poultry along with fresh and organic veggies, berries, and other real ingredients. There are four flavor variants available and each of them has a different nutrient content to offer to your pooch.The dog food is known to be crafted in Minnesota and is available in shelf-stable freeze-dried form. You can use it as a complete meal, a mixer as well as a doggy treat. It contains 80% free-range chicken, that includes organ and ground bone. 20% of the raw food contains organic fruits and veggies, along with other nutrients.

The raw meal is grain and gluten-free. The packet has instructions given based on how you want to use the dog food, either as a supplement, a mixer or a complete balanced meal. This ‘all-in-formula’ is sure to be loved by your pet.

Features

• Quantity: 1lb
• Key Ingredients: Ground Meat (Beef or Chicken), Organic Veggies like Kale, Carrots, Cucumber, Strawberries, Flaxseeds, Apple Cider Vinegar
• Calories: 4693 kcal/kg
• Flavors: Chicken and Beef Formulas
• Nutrients: 43% Crude Protein, 26% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture (approx)

The raw food is free of additives, preservatives contain no grain or gluten. You can choose to feed it as a complete meal or a mixer, depending on your dog’s nutritional needs. This is convenient to handle as it is freeze-dried and can be used during travel or outdoor trips. The ingredients are sourced from the finest kitchens and are rich in quality and nourishment.

9. Caliraw

Caliraw formulates natural raw dog food that provides optimally balanced nutrition for enhanced health and longevity. They produce fresh food with B.A.R.F. formulas which are made with high-quality USDA Certified meats and veggies. Caliraw sources the best quality ingredients and prepares delicious raw recipes that are delivered right to your doorstep.

There are various subscription plans to choose from based on your dog’s age and needs. There are specific formulas available for adult dogs and puppies. These recipes are rich in Vitamin D and amino acids. The food meets the AAFCO nutrition profiles too and comes with feeding guidelines and proper instructions to feed your pet.

Features

• Quantity: 160z (depends on the meal plan you choose)
• Key Ingredients: Muscle Meat and Organ Meat, Apple, Squash, Broccoli, Salmon Oil, etc.
• Calories: 1099 kcal/kg
• Flavors: Chicken, Turkey, Beef, Lamb, Puppy Formulas (Chicken/Beef and Turkey/Lamb)
• Nutrients: 15% Crude Protein, 6% Crude Fat, 1% Carbohydrate, 1% Crude Fiber, 70% Moisture

Caliraw is made with 100% USDA certified ingredients sourced from the finest places in USA. They have frozen options available and include bone as well as organ meat making it rich in lean proteins. Moreover, it is free of preservatives or additives and contains no allergens like grain, gluten, corn, wheat, and soy.

The only disadvantage is Caliraw does not offer freeze-dried options. The frozen raw foods take time to thaw. Else in terms of quality and nutrition along with the great number of deals they offer with their subscription boxes makes it quite worth for every dog owner.

10. The Honest Kitchen

The Honest Kitchen makes an ‘honest promise’ of formulating the best pet foods from the best ingredients. They source their contents and prepare raw recipes in the highest quality kitchens, the safety standards of which are 7 times more than any feed grade kitchen. They deliver food, that’s not only safe and healthy but also tasty to your pet.

The Honest Kitchen supplies 100% Human Grade Food that is dehydrated to maintain the nutritive content. The ingredients are finely diced to make them easy to chew and digest. It is free of preservatives or GMOs.

Features

• Quantity: 1lbs, 5lbs and 20lbs bags available
• Key Ingredients: Muscle Meat, Carrots, Lentils, Apples, Coconut Oil, Kale, Chia Seeds, Salmon Oil.
• Calories: 422 calories per dry cup
• Flavors: Grain-free and dehydrated Chicken, Beef, Turkey and Fish recipes
• Nutrients: 26% Protein, 14.50% Fat, 5% Fiber and 12% Moisture per dry cup

The best thing about the Honest Kitchen is that they use zero by-products, no artificial flavors, preservatives, and GMO ingredients. It is also corn and soy-free, with no fillers and has the finest quality ingredients sourced from USA.

They have grain-free recipes that are freeze-dried and dehydrated to maintain their nutrient quality. This makes it easy to handle and also travel with.

The amount of nutrients seems to be a bit compromised in terms of the presence of bone and organ meat. They do not offer frozen raw meal options as well. Although the range of flavors and the convenience of handling along with quality seems worthwhile for this product.

Why Choose Raw Food for Dogs?

Before considering feeding your dog raw dog food, it is important to understand what is raw dog food all about and why is it taking the storm in recent times. As mentioned earlier, raw dog food comprises of whole ingredients that undergo zero processing. They comprise of muscle meat, organ meat, whole or ground bone, raw eggs and fruits and vegetables which are safe for dogs.

Raw dog foods are not new in the market but have become more prevalent due to the modern raw diet movement sparked by Dr. Ian Billinghurst. He curated and created the first biologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diet for dogs.

The whole idea behind introducing raw foods for dogs is due to commercially available pet foods not fulfilling the essential nutritive requirements for pooches. These canned foods are chemically processed and not always reliable in terms of quality and value for money. Their cooking and processing take most of their nutrients away making it non-beneficial and just another ‘filler food’ for your pooch.

Note: It is advised to transition to raw dog diet slowly if your dog is habituated to eating commercially available wet or dry dog food. Start by feeding a little bit to see how your dog reacts and switch accordingly. 

Raw dog foods are costlier as compared to commercially available dog foods and kibbles. Moreover, their storage and handling also requires special care. But there is a whole range of benefits raw dog foods offer. They include:

• Healthy skin and shiny coat
• Improved dental health
• Increased energy and activity levels
• Smaller, firmer stools
• Enhanced immunity
• Lower risk of allergies
• Better muscle and brain development

What’s Better? Frozen or Freeze-Dried

If you have decided to feed your dog with raw dog food, it is also important to consider which type of raw food is better. Ideally, there are two varieties available, Frozen and Freeze-Dried Dog Foods.

While frozen type requires handling the food and keeping in it in a freezer, freeze-dried raw food is moderately processed to make it shelf-stable and easy to store for a long time. Frozen raw food has to be thawed after removing from the freezer while freeze-dried are easier to handle and also cheaper in comparison to their frozen counterparts.

Frozen Dog Food is minimally processed and much safer for your dog to consume but maybe heavier on the pocket and a hassle to store. There are dehydrated dog food types also available which contains zero moisture but needs to be rehydrated before use. These varieties have improved shelf life and keep the food free from bacteria.

How to Find the Best Commercial Raw Dog Food?

With raw dog foods being the latest trend amongst doggy owners and a range of commercial raw dog foods available in the market, it can get confusing to choose the best for your pet. We help you lookout for a list of features before you choose the best raw dog food supplier for your dog’s meals.

• Meat quality

While most dog foods should have a high protein content, it also depends on the source of meat they choose. The meat should be sourced from healthy uncontaminated animals. Avoid getting fat sheddings and stick to lean meats instead of high protein and low-fat content

While vets also recommended providing your dog with organ meat, it should be present not more than 5-10% of your canine’s meal. Meat only from certain organs is safe, e.g. the liver, kidney, and heart. Prefer choosing a brand that mentions the source of organs and the percentage of meat used.

• Nutritional Content

Raw dog food should have an appropriate balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Carbohydrates provide your dog with energy but make sure to source the carbs from natural ingredients like fruits, vegetables, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.

The fat content should not exceed more than 15% of your canine’s diet and stick to lean meats. However, fat obtained from fish and vegetable sources is highly recommended.

• Bones

Bones are certainly a dog’s best friend. It makes the meal more appealing to any pooch. Although, hard bones can cause choking. Therefore, the bone content should be as low as 1.5% in raw foods for dogs. The bone should not be very hard and easily chewable. They also act as good sources of calcium and improve oral and dental health.

• Supplements

As much as the major elements like carbs, protein, and fats matter, what’s also important is the uptake of essential and trace vitamins and minerals. Oils with fatty acids, apple cider vinegar, etc. help maintain the intake and balance of these supplements.

FAQs

1. Can you make raw dog food at home?

It is possible to make raw dog food at home by sourcing good quality meat and pet safe vegetables and supplements. They are easy to make and free of chemicals and processing, making it safe for your pet. However, raw dog food made at home is not always balanced in terms of nutrients.

Commercially available raw dog foods are mostly vet formulated and consist of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and supplements in appropriate proportions, making them more reliable.

2. How to handle and store raw dog food?

Raw dog food can be generally frozen or preserved through dehydration or freeze-drying. However, raw food is susceptible to germs and bacteria like E.Coli and Salmonella Typhi. These bacteria are known to cause gastrointestinal disorders in humans and animals.

Carnivores have a short and highly acidic digestive tract, which makes their chances of contracting foodborne illnesses fairly low. If handled and stored in suitable conditions, the range of benefits that raw dog foods offer beats the potential risks caused by them.

3. Is raw food safe for dogs with allergies?

Irrespective of the food being cooked or raw, it is the ingredient that causes the allergy. Although raw dog foods are much healthier and safer for dogs, an ingredient or two can trigger an allergic response in your pet. Identifying the ingredient makes it easier to feed your pet any kind of food.

4. How much does a raw dog food cost?

The cost of raw dog food depends on multiple factors like the quality, brand, ingredients used, quantity and as per your dog’s size and breed. For a 25kg dog (50 pounds) or more, raw dog food would cost up to 3$-$10 per day. This is priced more than normal dog food or kibble which costs up to $1 per day.

It can get expensive to feed raw dog food but many dog owners and vets believe that raw meals provide more nutrition than their cooked counterparts. The ingredients retain their freshness and natural flavors.

Raw foods are also known to maintain your canine’s wild and natural feeding instincts alive. Raw food may be costlier but dog lovers don’t mind paying the price to provide their pets with better and quality nutrition.

Some budget raw food options would be Primal Pronto Raw Frozen Foods, Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Food, Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, etc.

5. Which is the best raw dog food supplier in the USA?

In terms of quality and nutrition, the best and the most reliable US raw dog food supplier would be the BARF World. It is biologically appropriate and understands your dog’s raw nutritional needs just right. Other prevalently known raw food suppliers who offer a range of flavors and varieties of raw diets to choose from would be  Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Meal Mixers, Nature’s Logic Raw Frozen Patties, Instinct Raw Frozen Bites, etc.

 

The Final Note

Raw dog food is taking every dog owner and veterinary doctor by the storm. It has always been a controversial subject on whether to feed your dog with raw food or not. Raw dog food comprises of muscle and organ meat, bones, organic and dog-friendly fruits and vegetables along with additional supplements. These are free of corn, soy, grains, and other potential allergens. They are free of artificial ingredients, fillers or preservatives.

Look out for brands that offer frozen as well as freeze-dried options, freeze-dried being easier to carry and handle. Freeze-dried foods are much cheaper and storage-friendly too but they may contain artificial preservatives to increase their shelf life. Moreover, raw food is susceptible to bacterial contamination and hence requires careful preservation of ingredients and contents.

All in all, raw food is known to maintain the ingredient quality and freshness, something that may be lost when the food is processed and cooked. Raw dog meals should comprise of a proper blend of muscle and organ meat. Make sure your dog slowly transitions to raw food type for their gut and body to acclimatize well to the food.

Nom Nom prepared a list of best-reviewed raw dog food suppliers to help you choose the best raw diet for your pooch to eat healthy and raw.