Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and reflects our breeding practices based on current scientific research. We are not veterinarians or certified canine nutritionists. The research and practices discussed here represent our commitment to following evidence-based approaches to canine nutrition.

The short version? Your puppy’s health starts with what they eat – and that actually begins before they’re even born. That’s why we feed a prey model raw diet to all our parent dogs and continue that optimal nutrition as we wean every puppy onto the same diet. As natural rearing breeders in Ohio, we believe in giving dogs what nature intended from the very beginning.

What is a Raw Food Diet for Dogs? (Quick Answer)

Definition: A raw food diet for dogs consists of uncooked meat, organs, and bones that replicate what canines would eat in nature. The prey model approach focuses strictly on animal proteins without fruits or vegetables.

The “Raw Feeding is Complicated” Myth – Here’s How Simple It Actually Is

Let’s address the elephant in the room. When most people hear “raw diet,” they picture complicated meal prep, messy kitchens, and stressed-out pet parents trying to balance nutrients like they’re running a laboratory.

Here’s the reality: Raw feeding today is actually simpler than you think. It’s no more complicated than feeding your family, and while you’ll still need to be mindful of proper storage and quality (just like with any pet food), the actual feeding process is straightforward and manageable.

Let’s be honest – human nature drives us to choose the simplest option that gets the job done. Trust me, I get it – I love a good shortcut! Just a few years ago, pet parents wanting to raw feed their dogs faced a real challenge. It was a DIY-only world of sourcing meat from butchers, calculating nutritional ratios, and hoping you got the balance right. Most people took one look at the complexity and said “no thanks.”

But everything has changed! The combination of pet parents becoming more educated about the risks of kibble and the explosion of online raw food suppliers has created a perfect storm – in the best possible way. Now raw feeding is as easy as traditional pet food shopping.

Here’s the simple truth: You don’t need to make anything yourself.

Here’s how to start raw feeding in 4 simple steps:

1. Order online – Choose your dog’s meals like you’d choose your own meal delivery service
2. Receive delivery – Meals arrive frozen at your doorstep
3. Thaw overnight – Take tomorrow’s meal from freezer to fridge
4. Serve – Open container, put in bowl, done

That’s it. No prep work, no calculations, no guesswork. It’s more convenient than going to the store and lugging home heavy bags of kibble!

For Those Who Love to DIY

Some families prefer sourcing their own ingredients from butchers or specialty suppliers. This approach works especially well if you’re an avid hunter or farmer with access to quality meat sources. But there’s absolutely no need to DIY – the ready-to-feed options are nutritionally complete.

Raw Food vs. Kibble: What’s the Difference?

What You’ll Notice in Your Raw-Fed Puppy

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why you’ll love it”:

Immediate Benefits You’ll See:

• Cleaner teeth – Less frequent cleanings, if any
• Smaller, firmer stools – Less mess in your yard, easier cleanup
• Shinier coat – That Instagram-worthy shine comes from proper nutrition
• More energy – Real fuel creates real vitality (think of the difference between eating fast food vs. a home-cooked meal)
• Better digestion – Fewer sensitive stomach issues and reduced food allergies

Long-term Health Benefits:

• Stronger immune system
• Healthier joints and bones
• Reduced risk of bloat
• Better dental health throughout life
• Fewer vet visits for nutrition-related issues

Understanding the Prey Model: It’s Actually Simple

What is prey model raw feeding? Think about what dogs evolved to eat. A wolf doesn’t hunt down a bag of kibble – they catch prey and eat the whole animal. That’s it. No supplements, no guessing, no complicated formulas.

While domesticated dogs aren’t wolves, they share 99.9% of their DNA and are actually the same species (Canis lupus), with dogs classified as the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris. This genetic similarity means our dogs’ nutritional needs closely resemble those of their wild relatives. The difference? Our dogs aren’t out taking down prey, so we have the convenience of ready-to-feed options that provide the same balanced nutrition.

Raw Dog Food Benefits: What Science Shows

Quick Answer: Research shows raw-fed puppies have 61-85% lower risk of IBD and are 182% less likely to develop allergies as adults.

Hippocrates said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” – and this ancient wisdom applies just as much to our dogs as it does to us. I’m not a veterinarian or canine nutritionist – I’m a breeder who follows what the research and experts tell us. Recent groundbreaking research from the University of Helsinki provides compelling evidence that dogs fed raw as puppies have significantly better health outcomes as adults. This isn’t just anecdotal – it’s peer-reviewed science published in major journals, combined with what I’ve witnessed firsthand in our own dogs over the years.

Reduced Chronic Illness Risk:

• Puppies fed raw diets have 61-85% lower risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as adults compared to kibble-fed puppies
• Dogs fed non-processed meat-based diets during puppyhood showed significant protection against chronic enteropathy (long-term digestive issues) later in life
• Raw-fed puppies are 182% less likely to develop environmental allergies and atopic dermatitis as adults

Digestive Health Benefits:
Research consistently shows that raw feeding promotes healthier digestive systems. Dogs on raw diets demonstrate better gut microbiome diversity, improved nutrient absorption, and significantly better stool quality compared to kibble-fed dogs.

The Gut-Health Connection:
Here’s something many people don’t realize: approximately 70% of your dog’s immune system is located in their digestive tract. This means that gut health directly impacts overall immune function, disease resistance, and long-term wellness. A healthy gut microbiome acts as the foundation for everything from nutrient absorption to inflammatory response. When we feed species-appropriate raw diets, we’re supporting the beneficial bacteria that keep the entire immune system functioning optimally. Poor gut health from processed foods can lead to chronic inflammation, food sensitivities, and a weakened ability to fight off illness – issues we see far less frequently in raw-fed dogs.

The Critical Window:
The research reveals that diet during puppyhood (2-6 months) and adolescence (6-18 months) has profound effects on lifelong health. This is exactly why we start every puppy on raw from the beginning – we’re setting them up for a lifetime of better health based on what the science shows us, not just our opinion.

Think of it as building a strong foundation for a house. You can renovate later, but the initial foundation determines everything that follows.

Addressing Your Biggest Concerns

“What about bacteria?”
Dogs have highly acidic stomachs designed to handle raw meat. The same pH that would make you sick actually protects them. Plus, commercial kibble has had more recalls for dangerous bacteria than quality raw food. As for human safety, a comprehensive University of Helsinki study of over 16,000 households across 81 countries found that 99.6% of households feeding raw reported no transmission of pathogens to humans. In fact, only 3 households out of 16,475 (0.02%) had confirmed transmission from raw pet food to humans over years of feeding.

Compare this to kibble recalls: In 2006-2008, contaminated dry dog food caused a Salmonella outbreak that sickened 79 people across 21 states. In 2012, another dry food outbreak infected 49 people in 20 states and Canada, with 10 requiring hospitalization. Meanwhile, as of 2023, seven children under one year old were infected with Salmonella linked to Victor brand dry dog food. The reality is that kibble, which people handle thinking it’s “safe,” has actually caused more documented human illness than raw food.

“Is it expensive?”
“Expensive” is relative – what feels costly to one family might be perfectly reasonable to another. Yes, raw food is usually (though not always) priced higher than kibble, but think about human food: quality, healthy ingredients typically cost more than highly processed foods. You wouldn’t expect organic, grass-fed beef to cost the same as heavily processed hot dogs.

While the initial cost may be higher, you save significantly in the long run through fewer vet bills. Think chronic illness treatments, regular dental cleanings, allergy medications, digestive issues – these add up fast. It’s like investing in proper maintenance for your car: spend money on quality oil and regular tune-ups now, and you avoid expensive engine repairs later. Many families find raw feeding costs the same or less than premium kibble when you factor in:

• Convenient delivery (no gas, no store trips)
• Fewer vet bills from better health
• No expensive dental cleanings
• Better cost per actual nutrition
• No waste from picky eating

“What if I mess up the balance?”
You’re aiming for balance over time, not perfect ratios at every meal. Think of how you feed your family – you don’t calculate nutrients for every meal, but you provide variety over the week.

“What about when we travel?”
For travel situations, freeze-dried raw is an excellent alternative that’s lightweight and convenient while maintaining the nutritional benefits. You can find freeze-dried raw options online or at most pet stores.

Why We Choose Raw for Every Puppy

Your puppy’s journey to optimal health actually begins before they’re even born. The nutrients a mother dog receives during pregnancy directly impact her developing puppies’ health and development. When our mother dogs are fed species-appropriate raw diets, they’re providing the highest quality building blocks for their puppies’ growth. This nutritional advantage continues through nursing, as the mother’s raw diet enhances the quality of her milk.

As mother dogs naturally begin weaning their puppies, we introduce the same high-quality raw foods, creating a seamless transition from mother’s milk to solid nutrition. There’s no jarring diet change, no digestive upset – just a continuation of the optimal nutrition that started in utero.

When you take home one of our puppies, they’re already thriving on the diet that created the healthy, vibrant parents you fell in love with. No transition stress, no guessing what works – just continued optimal nutrition as part of our natural rearing philosophy.

Your Puppy’s Raw Feeding Transition

We make this easy for you:

• Your puppy is already weaned onto raw
• We provide detailed feeding guidelines specific to your puppy
• We offer ongoing support for raw feeding to all our puppy families
• We’ll help with the ordering process – down to walking you through choosing the right products
• Yes, we’ll even hop on a phone call with you while you’re actually placing your first order if that would make you feel more comfortable
• We can recommend suppliers in your area
• We’re available for questions during the transition to your home and beyond

The Bottom Line

Raw feeding isn’t about being “extreme” or “complicated.” It’s about giving your dog what their body was designed to process. The same way you feel better eating real food instead of processed food, your dog thrives on species-appropriate nutrition.

Think of it this way: You wouldn’t feed your child nothing but processed food for their entire life. Why would you do that to your beloved dog?

The vibrant health, energy, and joy you see in our dogs isn’t magic – it’s simply the result of proper nutrition. And now you know it doesn’t have to be complicated.

In Closing

Raw feeding your dog doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or risky. What once required extensive research and DIY preparation is now as simple as ordering groceries online. The science is clear: dogs fed raw from puppyhood enjoy better health, fewer chronic illnesses, and stronger immune systems throughout their lives.

When you choose one of our puppies, you’re not just getting a healthy, well-bred companion – you’re getting a head start on a lifetime of optimal nutrition. Your puppy has already experienced the benefits of raw feeding from their mother’s womb through weaning, and we’re here to support you in continuing that advantage.

The choice is simple: feed your dog what nature intended, backed by modern convenience and scientific research. Your dog’s health, energy, and longevity will thank you for it.

Ready to learn more? We’re here to support you through every step of your puppy’s nutrition journey. Because a healthy puppy becomes a healthy, happy companion for life.

Supporting our puppy families with raw feeding isn’t just something we do – it’s a service we provide to all our clients. Your success with raw feeding is our success, and we’re committed to making sure you feel confident and supported every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Raw Dog Food

Is raw dog food safe for my family?
Yes, when handled properly. A University of Helsinki study of over 16,000 households found that 99.6% of families feeding raw reported no transmission of pathogens to humans. Basic food safety practices (washing hands, proper storage) are all that’s needed.

Is raw feeding difficult or time-consuming?
No. Modern raw feeding involves ordering pre-made meals online that arrive frozen at your door. You simply thaw overnight and serve – no preparation, calculations, or meal planning required.

How much does raw dog food cost? Raw food typically costs $3-6 per day for most dogs, compared to $1-3 for premium kibble. However, many families save money long-term through reduced vet bills.
“Expensive” is relative – what feels costly to one family might be perfectly reasonable to another when factoring in fewer vet bills, no dental cleanings, and better value per pound. Think of it as investing in prevention rather than paying for treatment later.

What is prey model raw feeding?
Prey model raw feeding mimics what dogs would eat in nature – whole prey animals broken down into muscle meat (80-85%), raw bones (10-15%), and organs (5-10%). Commercial versions look like regular ground meat, not whole animals.

Can puppies eat raw food?
Yes, and research shows significant benefits. Studies indicate puppies fed raw have 61-85% lower risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease and are 182% less likely to develop environmental allergies as adults.

Can I feed my dog raw food and kibble together? While some dog owners do mix raw and kibble, we don’t recommend kibble at all. Our philosophy is that dogs thrive best on species-appropriate nutrition, which is why we feed 100% raw diets.

How do I transition my dog to raw food? Start slowly by replacing 25% of their current food with raw, gradually increasing over 7-10 days. Most dogs adapt quickly to the new diet.

What’s the best raw dog food brand? Quality varies by company. Look for those that use human-grade ingredients and have good safety records. Contact us for our recommended suppliers.

Does raw food make dogs more aggressive? No, this is a myth. Diet affects physical health, not temperament. Raw feeding supports better nutrition but doesn’t change personality or behavior.

Key Definitions

Prey Model Raw Diet: A feeding approach that replicates the natural diet of wild canines by providing muscle meat, raw bones, and organs in proportions found in whole prey animals – without fruits, vegetables, or supplements.

Species-Appropriate Nutrition: Food that matches what an animal’s digestive system evolved to process – for dogs, this means raw meat, bones, and organs rather than processed kibble or plant matter.

Natural Rearing: A breeding and puppy-raising philosophy focused on providing dogs with natural nutrition, minimal intervention, and species-appropriate care from birth.