Is Fresh Food Good for Dogs? The Truth About Raw & Fresh Diets

Most dogs eat the same thing every day. And for most dogs, that thing is a dry, shelf-stable brown pellet that could probably survive the apocalypse.

It’s called kibble. It’s convenient, yes. But is it ideal?

That’s the question more pet parents are asking as they explore raw and fresh diet, those mysterious refrigerated meals, raw patties, and human-grade containers now sharing fridge space with your oat milk.

If you’re wondering whether it’s time to rethink your dog’s dinner, this guide breaks down the facts, no judgment, no woo, just research (and maybe a little sarcasm).

What Do “Fresh” and “Raw” Actually Mean?

Fresh food for dogs typically means meals made from whole, recognizable, minimally processed ingredients: real meat, veggies, organ meats, and sometimes grains or legumes. These meals are usually gently cooked and stored refrigerated.

Raw food goes further, uncooked blends of muscle meat, bones, and organs. It’s designed to mimic what dogs might eat in the wild (minus the scavenging and the possum guts).

👉 There’s no official regulation defining “fresh” or “raw” in pet food labelling. So, pet owners need to read closely, ask questions, and ignore marketing fluff like “crafted with love” or wolf images on the package.

What the Science Says: Nutritional Benefits of Fresh Food for Dogs

✅ Better Nutrient Absorption

Fresh diets, especially lightly cooked ones, preserve more nutrients compared to kibble, which is processed at high temperatures. Laflamme et al. (2008) found that properly formulated home-prepared diets offered nutrients that were significantly more bioavailable.

✅ Improved Digestibility

Fresh food for dogs is easier to break down. Oba et al. (2020) found dogs fed fresh diets absorbed more protein and fat, and had smaller, firmer stools—a delightful but important indicator that the food is actually being used, not passed as waste.

✅ Microbiome Health

The gut is home to trillions of microbes, which do more than digest—they regulate immunity, inflammation, even behaviour. Schauf et al. (2022) showed that dogs fed gently cooked diets had a more diverse and stable gut microbiome than kibble-fed dogs. Diversity here = resilience.

📌 Caveat: These are promising but small-scale studies. Larger, long-term trials are still needed.

Where It Goes Wrong: The Risk of Nutritional Imbalance

Fresh food isn’t a magic cure-all. If it’s unbalanced, it can cause real harm.

Dillitzer et al. (2011) found that 90% + of home-prepared raw diets were missing essential nutrients like calcium, iodine, or vitamin D. That can lead over time to skeletal deformities, immune problems, or worse.

Freeman et al. (2013) echoed these concerns, warning especially about feeding growing puppies or dogs with medical conditions an unbalanced diet.

💡 Bottom line: Fresh food is great. But unless you’re a trained pet nutritionist, don’t DIY it without professional guidance. The internet is not a veterinary degree.

The Raw Food Debate: Pros and Pathogens

Supporters say raw diets are biologically appropriate, dogs are carnivores, right? Sort of. Dogs are facultative carnivores, meaning they prefer meat but can digest other stuff too.

So yes, they can eat raw. But should they?

Davies & Lawes (2019) found 35% of tested raw food samples contained Salmonella or Listeria. Your dog might handle it, but humans, especially children or immunocompromised people, can get sick from contact.

That’s why AVMA, WSAVA, and FDA all recommend against raw feeding in high-risk households.

Some raw brands now use HPP (high-pressure processing) to neutralize pathogens without cooking the food. It’s not raw-purist friendly, but it might be a safer middle ground.

Handle raw pet food the same way you’d handle raw chicken for your family. Clean obsessively. Sanitize everything. Keep the tartare off the carpet.

Choosing a Good Fresh or Raw Brand

Not all raw or fresh food is created equal. Here’s what to look for:

• AAFCO-compliant, ideally aligned with NRC nutritional standards.

• Formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, not a crystal-loving blogger.

• Manufactured in USDA-inspected human-grade facilities.

• Transparent about ingredients, sourcing, and formulation process.

• Bonus: Brands conducting feeding trials? That’s the gold standard.

  
  

TL;DR: Thoughtful, Not Trendy

Fresh and raw diets can be amazing if done right.

They offer:

✅ Better digestibility

✅ Higher nutrient absorption

✅ Support for immune and gut health

But they also carry risks:

❌ Nutrient imbalance if DIY’d

❌ Pathogen risk if sourced carelessly

❌ Marketing hype without evidence

You don’t need to go fully raw. Even small upgrades matter. Add real food. Rotate proteins. Think balance, not extremes.

And if someone tells you, “Just feed them like a wolf,” without a single citation? Thank them politely and sprint in the opposite direction.

Have thoughts or feedback?

Found a mistake? Disagree with something? Want to share your dog’s gut story?

📩 Reach out: tailssolutions@outlook.com We’re here for learning, not dogma.

References

1. Laflamme, D.P., et al. (2008). Myths and misperceptions about ingredients used in pet foods. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 38(6), 1231–1245.

2. Oba, P.M., et al. (2020). Nutrient digestibility of fresh, lightly cooked diets versus extruded dry diets in dogs. Journal of Animal Science, 98(6), skaa161.

3. Schauf, S., et al. (2022). Effects of a gently cooked diet on fecal microbiota and metabolome in healthy dogs. Journal of Animal Science, 100(1), skac003.

4. Dillitzer, N., et al. (2011). Nutritional evaluation of raw meat-based diets in dogs. Berl Münch Tierärztl Wochenschr, 124(11/12), 410–416.

5. Freeman, L.M., et al. (2013). Risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 243(11), 1549–1558.

6. Davies, R.H., & Lawes, J.R. (2019). Survey of raw pet foods in the UK: microbiological quality and antibiotic resistance. Veterinary Record, 184(17), 523.