Best Raw Dog Food for Puppies
Complete and balanced raw puppy foods, including options for large breed puppies.
You just brought home a new puppy and decided you want to feed raw. So where do you start? While some adult dogs may do well on DIY or PMR-style raw diets that are balanced over time, puppies are different. Because they are growing rapidly and have very specific nutritional needs, it’s especially important that every meal is complete and balanced. Feeding an improperly balanced diet during growth can cause serious problems, so this is not the stage to guess or wing it. You can work with a certified pet nutritionist to formulate balanced raw meals, but for most puppy owners, the easiest and most practical option is to feed a complete and balanced raw diet that meets AAFCO standards for growth.
I recently wrote a blog post comparing some of the top frozen raw brands available, so you can view that post for more information about each brand mentioned.
Click here for a section on discounts offered by each brand.
Best Raw Dog Food for Puppies: Quick List
These are raw dog food brands that offer formulas with an AAFCO statement showing they are suitable for puppies. If you have a large breed puppy, jump to this section.
Darwin’s Raw - Chicken, Chicken & Beef, Beef, Duck, Turkey
We Feed Raw - Chicken, Beef, Turkey, Lamb, Duck
Midwest Legacy - Legacy Plus Formula (Beef)
Bones & Co - Beef, Chicken, Duck, Lamb, Turkey
Smallbatch Pets - Beef, Turkey, Rabbit, Pork, Lamb, Duck, Chicken
Oma’s Pride - Chicken, Beef, Turkey, Lamb
Northwest Naturals - Beef, Beef & Trout, Bison & Beef, Chicken, Chicken & Salmon, Lamb, Trout, Turkey, Whitefish & Salmon
Tucker’s Raw - Beef, Chicken, Pork & Beef, Pork & Bison, Pork & Duck, Pork & Lamb, Salmon, Turf & Surf, Turkey
Answers Raw - Beef, Chicken, Pork, Turkey
Steve’s Real Food - Beef, Chicken, Pork, Turducken, White Fish, Turkey
Viva Raw - Turkey & Beef
Best Raw Dog Food for Large Breed Puppies
If your puppy is expected to be over 70 pounds as an adult, it is worth paying close attention to whether a food is formulated for the growth of large size dogs. Large breed puppies are more prone to developmental orthopedic issues, and the wrong nutrient balance can contribute to growing too quickly. Large breed puppy formulas are designed to promote steadier growth and provide more appropriate calcium and phosphorus levels to support healthier bone and joint development. That is why this label matters so much during puppyhood.
The following frozen raw brands have formulas for all life stages, including the growth of large size dogs (70 lbs or more as an adult):
Bones & Co - Beef, Chicken, Duck, Lamb, Turkey
Smallbatch Pets - Beef, Turkey, Rabbit, Pork, Lamb, Duck, Chicken
Northwest Naturals - Beef & Trout, Chicken, Trout, Turkey
Tucker’s Raw - Beef, Chicken, Pork & Beef, Pork & Bison, Pork & Duck, Pork & Lamb, Salmon, Turf & Surf, Turkey
Viva Raw - Turkey & Beef
Best Raw Puppy Food for Price
Let’s face it, raw feeding is expensive, and price matters for most of us. If budget is a big factor, these are three of the more affordable raw brands I found that offer formulas suitable for puppies. Just note that these lower per-pound prices may require buying larger quantities or bulk options.
Midwest Legacy Beef - $4.55/lb
Tucker’s Raw - $5.40/lb
Northwest Naturals - $6.33/lb
Best Whole-Food Focused Raw Puppy Foods
Another thing that matters to me personally is whether a brand is more whole food focused. I tend to be drawn to raw foods that use real, recognizable ingredients to provide nutrition rather than relying heavily on a long list of added synthetic vitamins and minerals. That does not mean those ingredients are inherently bad or that a food cannot still be complete and balanced, but when I am choosing for my own dogs, I like foods that stay as close to a real food approach as possible. That is a big part of why raw feeding appeals to me in the first place.
The following brands are very whole-food focused:
Smallbatch Pets
Steve’s Real Food
Answers Raw
Bones & Co
Viva Raw
Northwest Naturals
Discounts Available
Here are available discounts for brands mentioned in this blog (offers can change over time, so if something doesn’t apply at checkout, check the brand’s site for the most current promo):
Midwest Legacy Beef: 10% off with code JAKOBA (midwestlegacybeef.com/JAKOBA)
Viva Raw: 60% off your first order + free shipping on their Sampler Box with code VONJAKOBA (vivarawpets.com)
Final Thoughts
Not all raw dog foods are suitable for puppies, and that matters even more during such an important stage of growth and development. If you are feeding a large breed puppy, it is especially important to choose a formula that is appropriate for the growth of large size dogs. And if budget matters, there are still a few brands that can make raw feeding a little more accessible.
