Cali Raw Dog Food Reviews of 2020 (Is it THE Best?)

Like most pet owners, you want to give your dog the very best life possible in every way possible; and providing them with a healthy diet, is just another aspect of caring for our furry family members. Cali Raw is dedicated to providing quality raw, human-grade ingredients in every batch they make.

Now more than ever, high-quality, nutritious food is just as important for dogs as it is for people. With a wide variety of choices available for purchase, as well as recipes for homemade dog food, trying to determine what is best can cause overwhelm. While a quick online search can provide an abundance of information at our fingertips, it can also create confusion when trying to make the best choice.

Here we have reviewed the Cali Raw dog food with the recipes, nutritional value, ingredients, and the benefits of feeding raw dog food to your canines. We took the help of our experts and doggo friends to come up with the frank and unbiased review of this fresh dog food.

Cali Raw Fresh Dog Food Reviews

With the Cali Raw Fresh Dog Food, you know exactly what you’re buying for your dog. No longer you will need to read an extensive list of ingredients containing synthetic probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and names barely pronounceable because raw food is all-natural.

Key Features

• Complete & balanced B.A.R.F. formulas made with high-quality, USDA certified meats and fresh vegetables
• Four different adult recipes namely chicken, beef, turkey, and lamb available to choose from
• Locally sourced produce and meat
• The food is freshly delivered to your dog
• Specially formulated recipes available for puppies

Pros

• Optimum balanced and complete diet
• The Cali raw dog food is not only healthy and nutritious but it is also delicious
• Different recipes available to choose from
• Different package sizes and subscription available to choose the one based on your requirement

Cons

• Personalized subscription not available
• Your dog might experience discomfort during the detoxification period because of the change in their food to a raw diet

Ingredients and Nutritional Value

Carly Rat Nutrition formulates, produces, and ships fresh biologically appropriate raw dog food (aka, B.A.R.F. Diet). They provide high-quality human-grade food that is formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition. Moreover, the food is not only nutritious and delicious but also easily digestible.

The ingredients are locally sourced for their quality and holistic benefits. The optimal nutrition is designed to enhance canines’ health and longevity. Moreover, in the Cali Raw diet, you won’t find any fillers, grains, preservatives, corn, dyes, gluten, starches, synthetic vitamins, etc.

Cali Raw Subscription Boxes and Recipes

Cali Raw provides fresh and frozen raw dog food of different recipes for all sizes of dogs. They have formulated a different recipe for puppies and adult dogs. Here are the recipes and subscription boxes provided by Carli Raw:

Adult Subscription Box

In the Adult Subscription Box, you get 10 packets of 1 lb resealable bags each. You also get the option to choose from 4 different adult formulas for your pooch.

• Chicken Box

The chicken recipe is one of the best recipes for the pickiest pooches. This recipe is also the best for canines who want to balance and maintain their weight.

Nutritional Value:

• Crude Protein(min): 13%
• Crude Fat(min): 10%
• Crude Fiber(max): 1%
• Moisture(max): 73%
• Carbohydrate(calculated): 1%
• Calorie Content(ME As-Fed): 39 kcal/ oz

Ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken Neck, Chicken Gizzards, Chicken Heart, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Broccoli, Kale, Apple, Salmon Oil, Magnesium Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Inulin(Extract Of Chicory Root), Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Iodine Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement

• Lamb Box

The lamb recipe from Cali Raw is complete and balanced nutritionally. It is biologically appropriate for dogs aged 12 months and older for optimum nutrition. The recipe is made in California within a USDA inspected facility in micro-batches with human-grade meats.

Nutritional Value:

• Crude Protein(min): 15%
• Crude Fat(min): 6%
• Crude Fiber(max): 1%
• Moisture(max): 76%
• Carbohydrate(calculated): 1%
• Calorie Content(ME, As-Fed): 40 kcal/ oz

Ingredients:

Lamb Heart, Lamb, Carrots, Broccoli, Lamb Spleen, Kale, Apple, Lamb Liver, Sunflower Oil, Bone Meal, Salmon Oil (Source of DHA), Manganese Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Salt, Inulin (Extract Of Chicory Root), Copper Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Thiamine, Mononitrate, Iodine Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement

• Turkey Box

The adult turkey formula is formulated for dogs aged 12 months and older. It provides the optimum proportion of protein(79%), vegetables(20%), and salmon oil, naturally derived vitamins & minerals(1%).

Nutritional Value:

• Crude Protein(min): 15%
• Crude Fat(min): 6%
• Crude Fiber(max): 1%
• Moisture(max): 76%
• Carbohydrate(calculated): 1%
• Calorie Content(ME As-Fed): 31 kcal/ oz

Ingredients:

Turkey Neck, Turkey, Turkey Heart, Turkey Gizzards, Carrots, Turkey Liver, Broccoli, Squash, Apple, Salmon Oil (Source of DHA), Magnesium Proteinate, Sunflower Oil, Zinc, Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Inulin (Extract of Chicory Root), Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Iodine Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement

• Beef Box

The beef adult formula is completely balanced to meet AAFCO guidelines for nutritional adequacy. This means while you are feeding this recipe to your pooch, then you would not need to add any supplement to suffice their nutritional requirements.

Nutritional Value:

• Crude Protein(min): 15%
• Crude Fat(min): 8%
• Crude Fiber(max): 1%
• Moisture(max): 74%
• Carbohydrate(calculated): 1%
• Calorie Content(ME, As-Fed): 36 kcal/ oz

Ingredients:

Beef Heart, Beef, Ground Beef Bones, Beef Spleen, Carrots, Beef Kidney, Broccoli, Kale, Apple, Salmon Oil (Source Of DHA), Magnesium Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Inulin (Extract Of Chicory Root), Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate,Iodine Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement

• Variety Box (All Formulas)

On ordering the variety box, you get all four recipes of the adult subscription box. It is available in 10 lbs to 36 lbs box with 1 pound of pouches each.

Puppy Subscription Box

Puppies have a small stomach and so it is recommended to feed them more frequent meals throughout the day in smaller proportions to ensure they are meeting their energy levels optimally for their growth.

The raw dog food in Puppy Subscription Box is specially formulated for puppies to help them in maintaining their growth. Following recipes are available in the Puppy Subscription Box:

• Chicken & Beef Puppy Blend

The chicken & beef puppy formula is specifically formulated for the needs of your developing young puppy under 12 months of age. The salmon oil in this recipe is a powerhouse of optimum raw nutrition. This delicious blend of two different sources of meats provides the ideal amount of fat and protein for your pup’s growing needs.

Nutritional Value:

• Crude Protein(min): 15%
• Crude Fat(min): 10%
• Crude Fiber(max): 1%
• Moisture(max): 71%
• Carbohydrate(calculated): 1%
• Calorie Content(ME As-Fed): 39 kcal/ oz

Ingredients:

Chicken Neck, Beef, Chicken, Green Beans, Beef Liver, Carrots, Melon, Broccoli, Salmon Oil (Source of DHA), Kelp, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Inulin (Extract Of Chicory Root), Salt, Iron Proteinate, Taurine, Magnesium Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D Supplement

• Turkey & Lamb Puppy Blend

The turkey and lamb puppy blend is specially formulated for puppies under 12 months of age. This balanced species-appropriate diet is the best gift you can give your puppy. Besides this recipe being nutritionally complete and balanced, it will also satisfy your puppy’s desire for taste.

Nutritional Value:

• Crude Protein(min): 14%
• Crude Fat(min): 10%
• Crude Fiber(max): 1%
• Moisture(max): 72%
• Carbohydrate(calculated): 1%
• Calorie Content(ME As-Fed): 40 kcal/ oz

Ingredients:

Turkey Neck, Lamb, Turkey, Green Beans, Lamb Liver, Pumpkin, Melon, Broccoli, Salmon Oil (source of DHA), Kelp, Yeast Culture Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Inulin (Extract Of Chicory Root), Salt, Iron Proteinate, Taurine, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D Supplement

• Combo Puppy Box

The combo puppy box has both, Chicken & Beef Puppy Blend and Turkey & Lamb Puppy Blend Recipes.

Bulk Bags Subscription Box

The Bulk Bags Subscription box is available in two different sizes of 24 pounds and 36 pounds of the box. You get to choose from two different recipes, turkey and chicken. The beef and lamb recipes are not available in this subscription box.

What More Do They Offer

In addition to the raw dog foods for dogs of all age groups and sizes, here are the other products provided by Cali Raw:

• Dog Treats

Beef liver treats, chicken breast treats and venison jerky treats are provided by Cali Raw.

• Recreational Raw Bones For Dogs

The raw dog bones of Cali Raw and healthy & safe and available in all sizes. Beef marrow bones, lamb femur bones, beef knuckle bones are the three different raw bones available at Cali Raw.

• Supplements

The only supplement sold by Cali Raw as of now is Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil. Salmon Oil can benefit canines brain function, eye development and more.

Switching Your Dog To Cali Raw Dog Food

When transitioning to a new food, no one knows your dog better than you. He’ll love the new food and you’ll love watching your dog thrive. With a variety of raw dog food choices, your dog will never get bored of his food flavors.

As you transition your dog to a raw food diet, it is important to consider the following details:

• Vet support is Important

When you switch your dog to a raw diet, It is recommended that you also take advice from the vet. Many vets are supportive of a raw food diet but for those who aren’t, raw food will be the culprit for every
digestive issue or ailment your dog encounters. Bottom line, you and your vet need to be on the same page
in regards to your dog’s health even if it means changing veterinarians in the interest of your dog.

• Vary the recipe and ingredients

Use a variety of raw foods for your dog. Not only does this satisfy his taste buds, but changing different meat and vegetable sources will provide an array of nutrients for your dog.

• Transition Gradually

A sudden change in dog food can cause digestive upset, so plan to transition your dog to a raw food diet
gradually. This can be easily achieved by decreasing gradually the amount of current food that your pooch is having and adding in the raw dog food until the former food is completely replaced.

• Consider Supplements

Like people, some dogs have sensitive digestive systems. Consider using soothing herbs like peppermint,
marshmallow root, or slippery elm. Other options include digestive enzymes or probiotics to promote a
healthy balance of bacteria in the gut.

Benefits of Cali Raw Dog Food

Research indicates that providing dogs with a diet of raw food provides the most benefit. Regardless of a dog’s age, health status, or breed, raw dog food enhances energy levels, promotes healthy teeth, and skin, and a shinier coat. Even for pets fighting disease, when switched to a raw food diet, they enjoy a better life.

• Species appropriate nutrition

Raw dog food supports the natural, primal instincts of dogs while providing the nutrition that nature intended. For many years, dog owners have been convinced that feeding dogs any food that was not mass-produced kibble was dangerous. This misinformation has caused many of us to view any form of ‘people food’ or raw food for dogs to be something new, when in fact it is the most natural source of nutrition for dogs.

Feeding your dog a species-appropriate diet of raw food will increase his health and lifespan. Also, you will feel great knowing you are providing the best possible food for your pet and will likely discover you are no longer spending large amounts of money on vet bills and medications that become unnecessary with the right nutrition.

• Raw fed dogs live longer

Various studies have shown that raw food extends a dog’s lifespan by several years. One such study was done by Dr. Kollath in Stockholm, Sweden. One group of dogs was fed standard processed food and during the early stages of life, the dogs appeared to be healthy. However, they reached maturity faster and began to develop degenerative diseases at a rapid rate, whereas the group of dogs fed a raw diet showed no signs of disease and aged much more gradually.

Raw food naturally provides more energy and increases vitality. Because the energy is derived from protein rather than carbohydrates, the food digests slower, alleviating the experience large fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can cause energy highs and lows for dogs. Dogs that switch to raw food show an increase in energy, typically within a few days, and within a few months, many health issues will improve.

• Better Digestion

A raw food diet requires a dog to work his teeth and jaws much more, which increases the production of gastric juices so food is digested properly. Also, when your dog has to work harder to consume food, he will feel more satisfied mentally and physically.

• Less gas

While a gassy dog may not be pleasant to be around, you can bet your dog is likely experiencing internal discomfort as well. As mentioned previously, a raw food diet improves digestion, which will also reduce gas because they are only digesting foods that are species-appropriate.

• Less to no upset stomach

Have you ever witnessed your dog throwing up immediately after consuming a ‘healthy’ meal consisting of processed food? Raw dog food will rarely be the cause of gas or stomach upset for your pet.

• Smaller stool

A raw food diet for your dog means less clean up from you because stools will be smaller, firmer, and less smelly. The smaller stools are also an indication that your dog is absorbing more nutrients from the foods being consumed. Don’t be alarmed if you notice white powder in the stools, as this is residue from the bones consumed and is completely natural.

• Reduced flea attraction

Fleas are attracted to dogs that consume processed foods. Why? Because processed foods increase blood sugar levels in dogs and increase body odor as well; both of which attract more fleas. So, when you switch your dog to a raw food diet, the high protein, low carbohydrate regimen will help regulate blood sugar and reduce the ‘doggy smell,’ thus becoming less attractive to the sugar and odor loving fleas.

• Reduced allergies

Most allergies in dogs are caused by reactions to the grains, sugars, and preservatives found in processed pet food. Occasionally other factors may cause allergies in dogs, but overall the allergies that dogs encounter result in eye, ear, and skin irritations that are food-related and subside once you transition your dog to a raw food diet.

• Improved oral health

Most processed dog foods contain preservatives and additives that cause tartar and plaque buildup on the dog’s teeth, resulting in decay and bad breath. However, when your dog has the opportunity to chew on a raw bone, the teeth and gums are scraped clean. Your dog will instinctively chew a raw bone into small pieces that are easily swallowed and digested, and the calcium derived from them will naturally strengthen your dog’s teeth and bones, freshening breath and restoring those pearly whites.

• Less inflammation

Inflammation can increase the aging process and bring about the development of various diseases including diabetes, cancer, and arthritis in dogs. The onset of inflammation is painful for dogs, just as it is in people and can quickly lead to reduced activity, which can cause your pet to gain
weight, further increasing health problems.

Most processed foods are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which are known to increase inflammation and decrease the production of healthy cells and optimum blood flow. However, raw dog food has an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reverse these negative effects.

• Weight management

With a raw food diet, the large amounts of protein will help your dog feel satiated, increase energy levels, and help maintain muscle health, keeping him leaner, and lean dogs enjoy longer lives.

• Improved muscle strength

Because raw dog food is biologically appropriate for dogs, it can be easily digested while the beneficial nutrients are absorbed. These essential proteins provide the amino acids necessary for building and strengthening your dog’s muscles.

• Increased Energy

Owners who switch their dogs to a raw food diet report a notable increase in energy levels within a few days. This occurs in dogs regardless of age or health status, and even senior dogs will once again display puppy-like behaviors.

• Lower risk of cancer

Many of the dry dog foods are prone to contamination and depending on the quality of the foods, claims have been made that they contain diseased and euthanized animals, roadkill, or expired foods from grocery stores. All of these scenarios increase the risk of exposure to toxins and carcinogens that have been directly linked to cancer.

Oftentimes, these foods contain green vegetables, which are known to offset the risk of cancer or delay symptoms. However, when you opt to feed your dog high-quality raw food, these risks are eliminated. Further, the raw food diets will, in some cases, improve the health of dogs that have existing cancer.

• Lower risk of kidney disease

Kidney disease in dogs is more prevalent than ever before and often times when a dog is diagnosed with this, veterinarians will recommend a low protein diet consisting of prescription kibble. As with most kibble, a quick read of the ingredients label will reveal items that pose more harm than good for dogs. These include preservatives, artificial colors, and so on.

These processed foods also cause dehydration, which hinders the kidneys from working appropriately. Also, the kidneys depend on fluid movement and ample blood supply in order to and the body of waste. This process of elimination is called perfusion and low-protein diets reduce this process, meaning that prescribed low-protein diets are not the best approach for dealing with kidney issues.

Raw food can provide a variety of proteins as well as healthy fats and natural calcium versus the synthetic calcium present in dry kibble. This along with reducing the levels of phosphorus your dog consumes and increasing water intake will lead to better overall health.

• Lower risk of heart disease

While pet owners become more educated on the risks of low-quality foods and grains, many manufacturers
have jumped on the bandwagon by offering grain-free foods. However, the grain-free products used are not
always quality produced. So while legumes, peas, and lentils may not be dangerous, the use of toxic fertilizers and modes of production vary widely. Recently the FDA has linked these items to the increase in heart disease among dogs, further validating that kibble is not healthy for dogs.

FAQs

How much does Cali Raw fresh dog food cost?

The cost of Cali Raw dog food varies depending upon the package size. The Adult Subscription Box has 10 food packets of 1 packet each and will cost less than $6.5 per packet if your order chicken, turkey, or beef formula. For the lamb recipe, the price is comparatively higher and may cost somewhere around $8.5 per packet.

On subscribing to a larger subscription box, Bulk Bags, the price per packet will be comparatively cheaper.

How to store the Cali Raw dog food?

When the food arrives, keep it in the freezer. When you need to feed the food to your pooch, then thaw it in the refrigerator as needed. It is advised to thaw the Cali Raw bag in the refrigerator 12-24 hours prior to raw feeding. It is also advised to use the thawed food within 7 days as the Cali Raw food recipes are treated with HPP. If there is excess food remaining after you feed your pooch, then store it in a food storage container and keep it in the refrigerator.

Also, make sure to store it separately from food for human consumption.

What should I expect during the transitioning process?

If your dog has been on a processed diet then there are high chances that you might notice a mild detoxification period when you transition their diet to Cali Raw food. For instance, dogs who have skin allergies or any other skin problem, because of the processed food, will detoxify through the skin.

Due to the detoxification process, there is also a chance that you might notice a change in the bowel movement of your canines. Your pooch may also experience shedding, runny eyes, dry skin and mucus coating their stool.

All of these symptoms are bound to happen while transitioning to any raw diet due to the detoxification process in their body. While this might worry you but this actually a positive sign for your pet’s wellness. In this process, your doggo will be removing toxins that have build up in their body due to processed diet. These symptoms normalize, and your dog will come into normal and healthier condition once new cells replace the old unhealthy cells.

How much raw dog food to feed?

There are many ways to calculate the daily feeding for your pet. As a general rule, medium breed dogs require 1 cup to 2 cups of dry food per day to maintain a healthy weight. For large dogs, you need to feed 3 to more than 3 cups per meal.

Cali Raw also provides Feeding Calculator from where you can easily calculate the daily feeding for your pet based on its age, weight, and breed.

When can I start feeding my puppy a raw diet?

Puppies are different from adult dogs and need more calories that too many frequent meals throughout the day. They also need essential nutrients in sufficient amounts to support their growth and this amount will vary according to their life stage.

The Raw Puppy Food is specially formulated for puppies that you can start feeding once they are 8 weeks old and continue up to 12 months of age (and up to 14 months for large breeds). For puppies under 16 weeks of age, it is recommended to lightly cook the food before feeding them.

The Final Note

No longer does select pet food comprise of merely grabbing a bag of kibble from the store shelves. The ingredients in dog food play a role in health, weight, energy levels, and longevity, and there are an array of options to address all these things. The processed foods are not healthy for humans, they do not offer the nutrition dogs require either.

When dogs consume raw meat, they are also consuming nutrients derived from fruits and vegetables eaten by those animals. Many processed foods contain grains, yet the dog’s digestive system is not designed to process grains. A dog will eat grains if offered, and they are often added to foods as an economical filler, but grains are a primary source of allergies for dogs.

Dogs are also the direct descendants of wolves and are naturally carnivores, they have sharp teeth and strong jaws intended for ripping, crushing, and tearing their food apart. They benefit most from eating species-appropriate raw protein and bones, and Carli Raw provides your pet with not only the same.

Hence, it is recommended that you feed your pooches with the fresh and most nutritional raw dog food from brands like Nom Nom, Cali Raw or from any of the top raw dog food brands.