20 Best Raw Foods for Dogs
Raw feeding isn’t just about tossing your dog a steak and hoping for the best—it’s a science-backed system of precision, balance, and biological synergy. Below, we answer the most critical and often neglected questions pet owners ask after they’ve read the standard raw food lists.
✅ Key Takeaways: What You’ll Learn
| 🔍 Question | 🧠 Quick Answer |
|---|---|
| Which raw food is most overlooked but essential? | Green tripe – for enzymes and gut health. |
| Are eggs really safe raw? | Yes, with shells—but not daily. |
| What’s the best joint-supporting meat? | Chicken feet or beef gullet (for collagen + glucosamine). |
| Is beef always best? | Not always—lamb and fish fill unique gaps. |
| Do plant-based items belong in raw diets? | Only in BARF model, and must be mechanically pre-digested. |
| What’s the #1 mistake with organ meat? | Overfeeding liver, leading to vitamin A toxicity. |
🧠 “Green Tripe Isn’t a Bonus—It’s a Biological Necessity”
Unbleached green tripe isn’t just smelly—it’s the only raw food containing naturally active digestive enzymes, beneficial bacteria, and a near-ideal calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (1:1). It’s especially critical for:
- Dogs transitioning to raw – stabilizes gut flora.
- Senior dogs – boosts digestion naturally.
- Dogs recovering from antibiotics – rebuilds microbiome.
🟩 Tripe Feeding Table
| Dog Size 🐶 | Recommended Portion 🥄 | Frequency 📆 |
|---|---|---|
| Small (<15 lbs) | 1–2 tbsp | 3x/week |
| Medium (15–50 lbs) | ¼–½ cup | 3–4x/week |
| Large (>50 lbs) | ½–¾ cup | 4–5x/week |
💡 Tripe from the supermarket is bleached and worthless. Look for “green tripe” from raw food suppliers.
🥚 “Raw Eggs Are Safe—but Timing, Frequency & Shells Matter”
Eggs offer bioavailable protein, fat-soluble vitamins, biotin, and choline—but misuse can backfire.
- With shells: Add calcium + membrane-based collagen.
- Without shells: Boost fats, but may skew Ca:P ratio.
- Too often? Raw egg whites can bind biotin, creating a deficiency if fed daily without yolks.
🥚 Egg Feeding Matrix
| Type of Egg | Safe Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole egg w/ shell | 1–2/week | Best for balance |
| Egg yolk only | 2–3/week | Great for hair coat |
| Egg white only | Avoid alone | Causes biotin binding |
✅ Rotate eggs like a supplement, not a staple.
🐟 “Your Dog Needs Fish—Not Just for Omega-3s, But for Vitamin D”
Vitamin D is virtually nonexistent in land meat, and dogs don’t synthesize it from the sun like humans. Without fish, most raw diets will become D-deficient over time.
🐠 Best Fish Choices for Dogs
| Fish 🐟 | Key Nutrients 🧬 | Notes 📝 |
|---|---|---|
| Sardines (frozen or canned in water) | EPA, DHA, D, calcium (bones) | Low mercury, high absorption |
| Mackerel | Omega-3s, selenium | Use Atlantic mackerel, not king |
| Salmon (frozen) | EPA/DHA, protein | Freeze for 3+ weeks to kill parasites |
🧠 Add 2–3 small oily fish meals per week to avoid supplementation.
🧬 “Feeding Liver Daily Is a Fast Track to Vitamin A Toxicity”
While liver is crucial for providing vitamin A, copper, and B12, more is not better. Chronic overfeeding (even by just 2–3%) can lead to:
- Bone pain or spontaneous fractures
- Hair loss or dry skin
- Neurological signs in severe toxicity
🧪 Safe Liver Feeding Guidelines
| Liver Source | Weekly Limit (% of diet) | Rotation Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Beef/Lamb | Max 5% | Alternate w/ kidney or spleen |
| Chicken/Turkey | Slightly less nutrient-dense | Good for beginners |
| Duck/Goose | Higher fat | Use in moderation only |
❌ Avoid combining multiple high-vitamin A organs in the same week (e.g., liver + cod liver oil).
🐾 “Mussels Are Your Joint Multivitamin in a Shell”
Green-lipped mussels aren’t just a niche treat—they’re a critical natural source of manganese, which supports:
- Cartilage integrity
- Collagen synthesis
- Enzymatic reactions in bones
They also contain glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) like chondroitin, essential for aging dogs or large breeds.
🦪 Mussel Feeding Snapshot
| Dog Size | Mussels per Week | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 2–3 whole | Fresh/frozen |
| Medium | 5–6 whole | Powder or whole |
| Large | 6–8 whole | Powder ideal for big dogs |
💡 Avoid mussels packed in oil or brine—choose plain frozen or air-dried.
🥬 “Vegetables Only Belong If Mechanically Broken Down”
Dogs cannot digest plant cell walls without help. To make veggies usable in a BARF model:
- Puree raw, or
- Lightly steam, or
- Ferment (best for gut health)
🫐 Best BARF-Friendly Plants
| Vegetable/Fruit | Prep Method | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Spinach (small amount) | Lightly steamed | Iron, Vitamin K |
| Broccoli | Pureed | Sulforaphane (anticancer) |
| Blueberries | Raw | Antioxidants, low sugar |
| Pumpkin | Cooked | Fiber for gut regularity |
⚠️ Spinach contains oxalates—rotate and use sparingly.
📌 Bonus: Advanced Food Pairings for Maximum Synergy
| Food Combo 🍽️ | Why It Works 🔬 | Example Meal 💡 |
|---|---|---|
| Beef + Oysters | Iron + zinc combo for blood and skin health | Ground beef + 2 canned oysters |
| Turkey + Eggshell | Lean protein + calcium source | Turkey breast + ½ tsp powdered shell |
| Green Tripe + Pumpkin | Probiotics + gut-regulating fiber | Tripe + 1 tbsp cooked pumpkin |
| Mussels + Fish | Joint health + omega-3s | Sardines + 2 mussels |
🧷 Final Notes: 5 Foods That Are Commonly Misused in Raw Diets
| Misused Food 🚫 | The Risk | The Fix ✅ |
|---|---|---|
| Too much liver | Vitamin A overdose | Cap at 5% weekly |
| Only one protein source | Amino acid gaps | Rotate 3+ proteins weekly |
| Eggs daily | Biotin deficiency risk | Feed 1–2x weekly w/ shell |
| Cooked bones | Splintering hazard | Raw meaty bones only |
| No fish or EFA source | Omega-3 and D deficiency | Use sardines or mackerel weekly |
FAQs 🐕🥩📋
❓“Is it safe to feed wild game like deer or rabbit in a raw diet?”
Wild game is nutrient-dense and biologically appropriate, but it comes with unique risks not found in farm-raised meats. Parasites, bacterial load, and shot contamination (in hunted meat) must be addressed first.
🦌 Wild Game Feeding Protocol
| Game Type 🐾 | Key Benefits 🎯 | Risks & Mitigations 🛑 |
|---|---|---|
| Deer/Venison | Lean protein, high iron | Freeze for 3+ weeks to kill Sarcocystis and Toxoplasma |
| Rabbit (wild) | Low fat, digestible | Wild rabbit may carry Tularemia – cook lightly or use farm-raised |
| Elk/Moose | Rich in selenium, B12 | May carry liver flukes – never feed wild elk liver raw |
| Squirrel | Whole prey potential | Small bones pose choking hazard if not fed whole or ground |
💡 Farmed game is preferred unless you’re trained in wild game inspection.
❓“How do I know if my dog is getting enough taurine on a raw diet?”
Dogs synthesize taurine from methionine and cysteine—but large-breed dogs, seniors, and some genetics (like Golden Retrievers) may not convert enough. A deficiency can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), even on a meat-rich diet.
🧬 Taurine Support Matrix
| Source 🥩 | Taurine Content (mg/100g) 📊 | Role in Diet 🧠 |
|---|---|---|
| Beef heart | ~70–80 | Best whole-food source for raw feeders |
| Turkey heart | ~80–90 | Leaner option with slightly higher taurine |
| Green tripe | Moderate | Supports taurine synthesis via gut health |
| Supplement (optional) | 250–500 mg/day | For at-risk breeds or low-heart diets |
✅ Feed hearts 2–4x/week or supplement in breeds with known DCM predisposition.
❓“Can I feed raw during pregnancy or to growing puppies?”
Yes—but it requires clinical-level precision. Both stages demand increased bioavailable calcium, phosphorus, DHA, folate, and energy density. Errors during these stages can cause irreversible developmental or reproductive harm.
🍼 Life Stage Critical Feeding Chart
| Life Stage 🐕🍼 | Must-Have Additions 💡 | Don’t Skip 🚫 |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy (week 4+) | Oily fish (DHA), whole egg, liver, green tripe | Avoid overfeeding bone – stick to ~8% |
| Lactation | 2x normal calories, increase red meat | Ensure hydration; offer soft RMBs |
| Puppy (8+ weeks) | Balance Ca:P at ~1.2–1.4:1, rotate proteins | Avoid fatty cuts; limit liver to 5% max |
| Giant breeds | Moderate growth rate, low-fat raw meaty bones | Excess calcium or energy = joint issues |
🧠 Consult a raw-savvy veterinary nutritionist for growth charts and calorie tracking.
❓“My dog won’t eat organ meats—what can I do?”
Organ refusal is common due to the strong taste and texture. You can overcome it by strategically disguising or transforming organ meats without cooking them.
🎭 Organ Acceptance Tactics
| Method 🎨 | Why It Works ✅ | Example 🐕 |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze & micro-grate | Dulls strong smell | Grate frozen liver into ground meat |
| Blend with high-fat meat | Masks taste with palatable texture | Blend 5% liver into 95% ground turkey |
| Ferment lightly | Enhances palatability for some | 24-hr fridge fermentation with kefir |
| Dehydrated organs | Texture change can help | Feed as crunchy treats or rehydrate |
⚠️ Avoid cooking—heat denatures key vitamins like A and B12.
❓“Do dogs need carbs or grains on a raw diet?”
No—not physiologically. Dogs have amylase in their pancreas (not saliva), meaning carbohydrates are not essential, but can be tolerated. However, resistant starches or select carbs may benefit:
- Dogs with IBD
- Raw-fed dogs transitioning from kibble
- Overweight dogs needing satiety
🥔 Optional Carbohydrate Add-ins (for BARF)
| Carb Source 🍠 | Digestibility 🔬 | Benefit 🧠 |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked sweet potato | High | Soluble fiber, slow-burning |
| Butternut squash | High | Stool normalization |
| Quinoa (cooked) | Moderate | Added manganese, magnesium |
| Soaked chia seeds | Moderate | Omega-3 + satiety without bloat |
🍚 Grains like rice are optional in BARF, never required in PMR.
❓“How can I tell if my dog’s raw diet is unbalanced without blood tests?”
Nutritional imbalances manifest physically over time. The most common signs include:
🔎 Early Signs of Raw Diet Deficiency
| Symptom 🚩 | Possible Deficiency ❌ | Suggested Fix 💊 |
|---|---|---|
| Dry coat, dandruff | Vitamin E or zinc | Add oysters, rotate in fatty fish |
| Brittle nails | Biotin, zinc | Feed eggs, beef kidney |
| Stinky ears or poor digestion | Gut flora imbalance | Add green tripe, probiotics |
| Limping or joint stiffness | Manganese or GAGs | Feed mussels, poultry feet |
| Chronic loose stools | Excess fat, too little bone | Adjust ratios; add pumpkin temporarily |
🧠 Observe every stool change, energy drop, or skin issue as a nutritional clue.
❓“What’s the difference between feeding ‘whole prey’ vs. ‘Franken prey’?”
Both aim for PMR ratios—but differ in philosophy and realism:
🐇 Whole Prey means feeding entire, intact animals (fur, organs, bones, blood, and all), replicating wild feeding.
🧟 Franken Prey uses parts from different animals to mimic the whole (e.g., chicken wings + beef liver + pork kidney).
🦴 Whole vs. Franken Prey Table
| Model 🧬 | Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Prey | Balanced by nature; includes trace elements (fur, blood) | Hard to source; less portion control |
| Franken Prey | Flexible, easy to tailor | Requires ratio tracking; more prep |
🔍 Whole prey is ideal for small prey animals (quail, rabbit). For large breeds, Franken prey is more practical.
❓“Can I use supermarket meats for raw feeding, or do I need to source everything from specialty suppliers?”
Yes, supermarket meats can be used—if you’re selective and strategic. While boutique raw feeders often tout farm-direct or exotic sourcing, the key lies in handling, variety, and quality—not novelty.
🛒 Supermarket Sourcing Blueprint
| Meat Type 🧃 | Safe Use in Raw Diet? ✅ | Watchouts ⚠️ |
|---|---|---|
| Ground beef (80/20) | Yes – use as muscle meat | Avoid feeding too frequently due to high fat |
| Chicken drumsticks | Yes – remove skin if fatty, feed as RMB | Monitor for bone splintering in gulpers |
| Turkey thighs | Excellent lean option | Avoid enhanced (brined) products with added sodium |
| Pork shoulder | Great muscle meat rotation | Freeze for 3+ weeks before feeding raw to kill Trichinella spiralis |
| Organ packs (liver/kidney) | Yes – economical organ sources | Rotate types to avoid micronutrient overload |
💡 Avoid pre-seasoned, marinated, or injected meats entirely. “Natural” doesn’t mean unprocessed.
❓“What if my dog gets soft stools or diarrhea from raw food?”
Loose stools aren’t uncommon when transitioning or when ratios are off. Rather than abandoning raw, fine-tune based on the texture, color, and frequency of your dog’s elimination.
💩 Stool Troubleshooting Grid
| Symptom 💩 | Likely Cause 🔍 | Adjustments ⚙️ |
|---|---|---|
| Soft, shapeless stool | Too little bone or too much fat | Increase RMBs like poultry necks or feet |
| Pale, chalky stool | Too much bone | Add more muscle meat or organs |
| Yellow, greasy stool | Excessive fat intake | Remove skin, trim fatty cuts |
| Mucous-covered stool | Gut flora imbalance | Add green tripe or soil-based probiotics |
| Blood-flecked stool | Hard stool causing irritation | Reduce bone content slightly, add soluble fiber like pumpkin |
🧠 Stool is your diagnostic dashboard—track changes like a food journal.
❓“Is it okay to mix kibble and raw food in the same meal?”
It’s not toxic—but it may reduce digestive efficiency. Raw and kibble digest at different pH levels and rates, which can create bloating or gas in sensitive dogs.
🥣 Raw + Kibble Feeding Strategy
| Option 🍽️ | Effectiveness 💬 | Suggested Use 📆 |
|---|---|---|
| Same meal | May cause inconsistent digestion in some dogs | Use sparingly or when transitioning |
| Separate meals (AM/PM) | Optimal for mixed feeders | AM kibble, PM raw or vice versa |
| Rotation by day | Maintains digestive consistency | Ex: M-W-F raw, T-Th-Sat kibble |
✅ If mixing is necessary, add digestive enzymes to support the stomach in handling varied pH needs.
❓“Should I feed raw during extreme temperatures or seasonal shifts?”
Yes, but adjust energy density and hydration based on weather. Dogs expend more calories staying warm in winter and require more hydration in heat.
🌡️ Seasonal Feeding Adaptation Table
| Season ❄️☀️ | Adjustments 🧩 | Additions 🔄 |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Increase caloric density via fattier cuts like lamb, duck, or beef | Warm bone broth, fish oil for coat insulation |
| Summer | Prioritize hydration via higher-moisture meats and low-fat proteins | Water-rich additions like raw goat milk, watermelon (seedless) |
| Transition (Spring/Fall) | Maintain balance and rotate proteins | Add seasonal vegetables (steamed dandelion greens, fermented beets) |
☀️ Frozen raw meat pops (tripe + blueberries) can be a summer enrichment treat.
❓“How do I include ‘novel proteins’ safely for dogs with allergies or sensitivities?”
Introduce one novel protein at a time, keeping the rest of the diet constant for at least two weeks. Watch for signs of intolerance: itching, vomiting, soft stool, or gas.
🦘 Novel Protein Introduction Flow
| Protein 🧪 | Why It’s Useful 🎯 | Notes 🔍 |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | Low-fat, highly digestible | Excellent for elimination diets |
| Kangaroo | Exotic, hypoallergenic | Source from Australia or New Zealand for quality control |
| Quail | Whole prey alternative | Great for small-breed dogs with poultry allergies |
| Venison | Lean and rich in iron | Freeze 3+ weeks; rotate with milder proteins |
🧩 Do not rotate proteins too quickly—wait for a clear response window before introducing the next.
❓“What’s the most cost-effective way to feed raw without compromising on quality?”
Use a mix of staple proteins and strategic whole-animal buying. Prioritize nutrients per dollar, not just volume.
💸 Budget Raw Feeding Optimization
| Cost-Saver 💰 | Benefit 🎯 | How to Use Efficiently ✅ |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken leg quarters | RMB + muscle meat combo | Trim excess fat; separate for ratio control |
| Frozen sardines (bulk) | Omega-3 + calcium | Serve 2x/week to avoid needing bottled supplements |
| Beef heart (bulk buy) | Affordable muscle meat w/ taurine | Dice and freeze in weekly portions |
| Liver/kidney packs | Nutrient-dense + cheap | Pre-portion and freeze for 2-week organ cycles |
| Green tripe (5 lb rolls) | Probiotic + digestive enzyme boost | Thaw only what’s needed per meal to minimize waste |
🛍️ Build a local butcher relationship—they often offer free or discounted scraps and bones.
❓“Can raw-fed dogs get dental disease just like kibble-fed dogs?”
Yes—raw feeding does not automatically guarantee perfect dental health. While raw meaty bones mechanically reduce plaque and tartar, biofilm still forms without enzymatic or abrasive disruption. Factors such as age, salivary pH, and immune status all influence oral outcomes.
🦷 Raw Feeding & Dental Health Matrix
| Factor 🧪 | Raw Diet Impact ⚙️ | Preventive Add-ons 🧼 |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Meaty Bones (RMBs) | Provide abrasion to remove soft tartar | Use 2–3x weekly (e.g., chicken necks, turkey wings) |
| Muscle-Only Diet | Lacks dental cleansing action | Add RMBs or dental chews |
| Green tripe | Supports oral microbiome via probiotics | Feed 2x/week to promote balance |
| Dog genetics/bite alignment | Raw won’t correct malocclusion | Use dental wipes or brush if needed |
| Age (senior dogs) | Lower chewing intensity → tartar retention | Consider professional cleaning + softer RMBs like duck feet |
🧼 Dental health is a product of both mechanical and microbial hygiene—not just what’s on the plate.
❓“Can I safely feed a raw diet to a dog with pancreatitis history?”
Yes, but only under rigorous fat control and with guidance. Pancreatitis-prone dogs require a low-fat, anti-inflammatory diet, free of rich organ overload or fatty cuts.
🔥 Pancreatitis-Friendly Raw Feeding Framework
| Food Type 🍗 | Suitability ✅ | Notes & Cautions 🚫 |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey breast | Excellent – very low in fat | Feed with soft RMBs like turkey necks |
| White fish (tilapia, cod) | Ideal – lean protein with mild taste | May require oil supplementation (e.g., krill oil) |
| Green tripe | Supportive – low fat + enzyme-rich | Aids in digestion; use raw, unbleached only |
| Beef liver/kidney | Moderate – feed sparingly | Keep under 5% to avoid overloading fat-soluble vitamins |
| Egg yolks | Use cautiously | High in fat; use whites separately for protein boost |
⚠️ Avoid fatty cuts, skin-on poultry, and lamb altogether during flare-ups. Always reintroduce foods one at a time.
❓“Is fasting beneficial or harmful for raw-fed dogs?”
Intermittent fasting can be beneficial, but should be done strategically, not randomly. Fasting mimics ancestral feeding patterns, allows for digestive rest, and may promote cellular autophagy—especially in adult, healthy dogs.
⏳ Raw Feeding + Fasting Strategy
| Fasting Style 🕒 | Benefit ✅ | When to Use 🧠 |
|---|---|---|
| 12–24 hour fast | Improves insulin sensitivity, digestive reset | 1x per week for healthy adults |
| Bone broth fast | Gut rest + electrolyte support | Post-diarrhea or during mild illness |
| Partial fast (reduced portion) | Lowers inflammation while still providing nutrients | Older dogs, detox days |
| No fasting | Needed for puppies, underweight, or immune-compromised | Consistency > cyclic feeding |
⛔ Never fast growing puppies, senior dogs with muscle loss, or diabetic animals without supervision.
❓“What’s the difference between muscle meat and organ meat—and why does it matter?”
Many confuse meat types, leading to nutritional imbalances. In raw feeding, classifying meats correctly is critical, as each category plays a distinct metabolic role.
🥩 Meat Category Demystified Table
| Type 💡 | Classification 📚 | Function in the Body 🔬 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast, beef chuck, turkey thigh | Muscle meat | Structural protein, energy, amino acid base |
| Heart, gizzard, tongue | Muscular organ → still counted as muscle | Taurine source, B vitamins, endurance function |
| Liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas | Secreting organ | High in fat-soluble vitamins, trace minerals |
| Green tripe | Fermentative stomach lining | Enzyme and probiotic support (not counted as organ) |
🧬 Feeding heart as your “organ” can leave your dog dangerously deficient in Vitamin A or copper. True secreting organs are non-negotiable.
❓“Should I worry about parasites in raw fish?”
Absolutely—especially if feeding Pacific salmon or wild-caught freshwater species. Certain fish harbor parasites such as Neorickettsia helminthoeca (salmon poisoning disease) or Anisakis worms, which can cause severe illness.
🐟 Safe Fish Feeding Protocol for Raw Diets
| Fish 🐠 | Feed Raw? ✅ | Precaution 🚨 |
|---|---|---|
| Sardines (wild-caught) | Yes | Freeze for 3+ weeks below −4°F (−20°C) |
| Mackerel (Atlantic) | Yes | Ideal for omega-3s; choose smaller species |
| Salmon (wild Pacific) | No | Cook or avoid entirely due to parasite risk |
| Tilapia (farmed) | Yes | Lean and generally low-risk |
| Anchovies | Yes | Flash freeze to kill larval stages |
❄️ Freezing is the gold standard for raw fish safety—don’t skip it.
❓“Do senior dogs benefit from raw feeding, or is cooked better?”
Raw diets can rejuvenate senior dogs, but digestibility, fat tolerance, and nutrient absorption must be adjusted. Muscle wasting and joint degradation must be addressed proactively with targeted nutrition.
👴 Raw Diet Customization for Senior Dogs
| Senior Concern 👵 | Raw Diet Fix 🧬 | Key Additions ➕ |
|---|---|---|
| Joint stiffness | Add GAG-rich foods (feet, tripe, mussels) | Green-lipped mussels, duck feet |
| Muscle loss | Increase lean muscle meat + digestible protein | Turkey breast, beef heart, eggs |
| Weakened digestion | Lightly sear or ferment tough meats | Bone broth, kefir, soft-cooked pumpkin |
| Oxidative stress | Boost antioxidants | Blueberries, vitamin E, turmeric paste |
🧓 Some seniors do better with lightly cooked or ground raw meals—tailor per dog.
