Let’s Have a Raw Conversation
- Kim Brown
- Jan 23
- 8 min read
A Dog Owner’s Food Journey
Note: I am not an internet influencer. I don't receive any money from any of the companies whose products I list in this post, nor do I wish to receive any money from them. Anything I recommend is because I use it or have used it myself with my crew and like it.
When Raw Feeding Sounded Absolutely Insane
When we brought Beezy home more than twelve years ago, the breeder recommended we feed her a raw diet.
I kind of wish someone had taken a photo of my facial expression when she said that, because I’m sure it was something to behold — a mixture of horror and humor, for sure. Raw meat??? Was she out of her ever-living mind???
Mind you, this was right on the cusp of the raw feeding craze, before the movement had gone mainstream.
I remember sitting in the chair at my hair stylist’s and sharing the suggestion with her. “Raw meat! Can you even believe it???” We laughed at the absurdity.
Fast forward a few months into dog ownership and, exhausted by the scratching, messy poop, and regurgitation, I found myself on the computer searching for ways to feed a raw diet to this little creature of mine. I was desperate for the magic bullet — whatever form it took — that would make dog ownership easier. Several people on the French Bulldog message board I visited regularly were extolling the virtues of feeding raw, so I decided to take the journey with them.
What is Raw Feeding?
Raw feeding is exactly what it sounds like: feeding your pet uncooked meat, organs, and bones to mimic a diet the animal would consume if they were living in the wild.
There are two camps of raw feeders:
Prey Model Raw (PMR): a strictly carnivorous diet that focuses solely on a meat-bone-organ formula.
BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food): a more balanced approach that typically includes vegetables, fruits, and seeds in addition to animal proteins.
Some people are firmly entrenched in one camp or the other, but I prefer to toe the line between the two.
Over the years, I have fed raw on and off and, while I certainly haven’t tried every raw product on the market, I’ve tried a lot. So, let’s talk about what works, what doesn’t, what to think about, and whether raw feeding is really worth it.
Where I Started (aka What NOT To Do)
After watching several YouTube videos and reading post after post on the aforementioned message board, I decided to go to the grocery store, grab some chicken drumsticks, chicken feet, chicken livers, and give it a go.
Now, before you read any further, please know this is NOT the way to approach raw feeding. Not only is it not a balanced approach, it can also be dangerous. If you are considering feeding your dog a raw diet, please check out some reliable resources or talk to your vet. I’m not a medically trained person but I can tell you that “throwing a couple of chicken backs into the bowl and letting your dog have at it” — that’s an example of actual advice floating around out there in some forums — is not a sustainable approach and will wind up leading to nutrient deficiencies. So, again, please read and talk to people who know what they’re doing.
Back to the story ... I put a drumstick in Beezy’s bowl and stood there, watching to see what would happen. She promptly picked it up and swallowed it whole — much to my horror. In hindsight, I should have broken the drumstick into smaller pieces, but nothing I read suggested that was necessary. And with my very literal on-the-spectrum brain, it never occurred to me that choking could be an issue.
While we came out of that experiment unscathed, it left me shaken and convinced that the DIY approach was not for me. The drumsticks, feet, and livers promptly went into the trash.
Turning to Commercial Raw
Since successful raw feeding hinges on proper nutrient balance — regardless of whether you follow PMR or BARF — I searched for a commercial product that handled the formulation for me.
My search led me to Vital Essentials, which at the time was a small company with only a limited product line. They now offer nine protein options, including novel ones like rabbit and quail.
I was fortunate enough to find a dog groomer whose shop I would pass on my daily commute that happened to carry their frozen products. She was delighted to place weekly orders for me and I was delighted to give her my business.
Out of the frozen commercial brands I tried, the patties from Vital Essentials were my favorite. I could thaw one or two at a time and portion out what I needed every meal without wasting anything. But they did require me to be on the ball and remember to pull them out of the freezer in time.
Pros
• Conveniently pre-mixed
• Beezy liked the food
Cons
• Expensive
• Orders were sometimes unavailable
• Required thawing
Unfortunately, the groomer left her job and I was unable to find another local supplier to order from. This was before retailers like Chewy shipped frozen raw foods, so I had to pivot — again.
Full Raw, Full Commitment
Back to the internet I went, eventually landing on Hare Today, a small, family-run business in northwestern Pennsylvania — just a few miles from where I grew up.
If you’re interested in raw feeding, this is an excellent source. They offer proteins ranging from alpaca to rabbit, with options for DIY feeders as well as pre-mixed blends (with or without bone, and with or without tripe).
The downside is that in order to get the best price on shipping, you need to fill a 55-lb. container. That ends up being a lot of meat. We bought the refrigerator we have in the garage specifically so that I could order from them and store the food someplace. That quantity of meat takes up way more space than you think it will, let me tell you. While the quality and service were stellar, the issue I had was with convenience — I’d have to thaw the food, portion it, package it, and then re-freeze what I wasn’t going to use in the next few days. I’m terrible about remembering to get things out of the freezer to thaw, so this became an issue.
Also, 55-lbs. of meat is expensive. If I remember correctly, orders would run me between $300–$400 and would last around 6 weeks. I was feeding two small dogs at the time, so the cost worked out to around $33 per dog, per week. I didn’t have a problem with that, but what I did have a problem with was irrational (or rational, depending on your perspective) fear. With climate change causing more power outages, what would happen if we lost power for any length of time after just receiving an order? I couldn’t stomach the thought of losing that money to something I had no control over. And, before you suggest it, no, a generator is not anything we’re interested in. We can barely operate our cars. Asking us to set up and properly operate something that could easily kill us is just not practical or sensible.
Pros
• Conveniently pre-mixed
• Incredible protein variety
• Small, family-owned business
Cons
• Shipping is expensive
• Requires significant freezer space
Freeze-Dried Raw: A Practical Middle Ground
I have tried several freeze-dried products and have liked many of them. Some brands get a bad rap because they use a process called High-Pressure Pasteurization (HPP), which some critics say kills the nutrients, basically destroying the benefits of feeding a raw diet. I am of the mindset that we should not let perfect be the enemy of the good. Freeze-dried products are typically the most expensive option because of the process they have to go through but, if you can afford them, the convenience factor alone makes them a really great option.
Brands we liked very much:
• Stella & Chewy’s (several protein options)
• Instinct (limited protein options)
• Primal (several protein options, pricey)
• Orijen (insanely pricey)
• Sojos (several protein options)
• K9 Naturals (limited protein options, very pricey)
• Canisource Grand Cru (limited protein options, most contain peas)
Brands we tried but would likely avoid:
• Simply Raw (limited protein options, inexpensive, contains potatoes)
• ZiwiPeak (air-dried, limited protein options, very pricey)
• Honest Kitchen Wholemade (technically dehydrated)
Where we are now
We’re currently testing The Simple Food Project, a relatively new freeze-dried option developed by a holistic veterinarian with affordability and quality nutrition in mind.
What I like it about it:
• no synthetic vitamins or minerals
• no corn, soy, or wheat
• no carrageenan or gums
• no plasma
• no GMO ingredients.
To the best of my ability, I pay attention to the nutritional analysis of what I’m feeding, particularly the carbohydrates. Some of their formulas come in as low as 9%, which is great for anyone looking to keep them to a minimum. Excess or unused carbs turn into fat and can increase your pet’s risk of obesity, diabetes, and pancreatitis. I think the kibble we’ve been feeding registers at around 40% (gasp!). I don’t think it's my imagination that Pike looks chonky, even though he’s pretty active. I think he's getting too many carbs that he doesn't need.
While it’s pricier than the kibble I’ve been feeding, The Simple Food Project ends up being more affordable than many other similar products. The feeding guidelines on their site tell you how much product you’ll need, and you can tailor it to your specific needs — feeding it as the main meal or just using it as a topper. Based on my crew, the cost to feed this as their main food is going to run me around $300 a month.
Not cheap, for sure. But now that I’m not spending money on diapers, laser therapy, and acupuncture, I can swing it. I’m also having to add some pricey supplements to the kibble I'm feeing Gus, and if I no longer have to use those, it might end up being around the same price.
I’m rotating Beef & Salmon, Duck & Trout, and Bison recipes. If things continue to go well, I’ll add their Duck to the mix as well. All of these formulas are considered to have either “neutral” or “cooling” properties according to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).
A Quick Note on Food Energetics
TCVM uses energetics to classify foods. The belief is that disease in the body is caused by energetic imbalances, so they break out proteins into three categories: cooling, warming, and neutral.
Warming proteins build internal heat and are good for pets who are lethargic, feel cold easily, and need extra energy support. For pets with allergies, these foods can increase body heat and worsen inflammatory conditions. Examples of warming proteins are lamb, venison, chicken (although this one can also fall into the neutral category), and beef.
Cooling proteins are like nature’s internal air conditioning. These foods are great for pets with allergies because they help to bring down inflammation in the body. Examples of cooling proteins are duck, whitefish, mackerel, cod, sardines, pork, and rabbit.
Neutral proteins are a balanced choice and provide nourishment to the body without being excessively cooling or warming. Turkey and bison are generally considered to be neutral. Duck, pork, whitefish, chicken, and salmon are also borderline neutral.
Food energetics shouldn’t replace modern nutritional science, but complement it. Combining the two can help create a well-rounded diet for your pet, and energetic principles can optimize how a pet feels and functions.
Final thoughts
Each pet is an individual and there is no single diet that fits all. It’s important to remember to feed the pet in front of you. Two dogs in the same family may need to eat two separate proteins, and that’s okay!
And remember to feed what works for you and your crew, from both a cost and nutritional perspective. A raw diet may be all the rage, but if you can't afford to feed one, it doesn't mean you're a bad pet parent. Feed the best food you can afford and don't listen to anyone else.
Medical and Nutritional Disclaimer
This post is based on personal experience and is not intended to replace professional veterinary or nutritional advice. Always consult your veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist before making significant changes to your pet’s diet.
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