USA - Choosing the Right Diet for Your Dog: Our Recommendations Beyond Raw

We understand that a raw food diet isn’t suitable for every dog or household. Just as with human nutrition, transitioning a dog’s diet is a lifestyle change that must work for both the dog and the owner. With this in mind, we’ve carefully curated a list of alternative diets we’d recommend for dogs if raw feeding isn’t an option.

This list has been refined over the years, and while you can find it in our group files, this is the most up-to-date version.

What to Prioritise When Choosing a Dog Food:

1. Protein Content: High-quality protein is essential for maintaining your dog’s health.

2. Moisture: Dogs thrive on moisture-rich diets, so dry dog food (kibble) should ideally be paired with fresh, hydrating additions.

Because of the way kibble is manufactured, we always recommend selecting a brand with the highest protein content possible. Additionally, kibble-only diets are not ideal, so incorporating healthy, fresh foods into the bowl is essential. For inspiration, check out our Superfood Library, which includes a variety of foods and herbs you can add to boost your dog’s nutrition.

How Our List Works

• Diet types are ranked from most recommended to least recommended, with freeze-dried or air-dried diets being at the top of our list and kibble at the bottom.

• Within each diet type, we’ve highlighted trusted brands to make it easier for you to choose the best option for your dog.

By taking this tailored approach, we ensure there’s an option to suit every dog and every lifestyle, while still prioritising your dog’s health and wellbeing. Check out the full list to explore the best feeding options beyond raw!

This is our USA list. For UK alternatives click here and if you’re looking for USA raw recommendations click here

Freeze-dried foods

1. Steves real food 

Proteins; Beef, chicken, turkey, pork & turkey & duck

Positives;

• Grass fed, grass finished and antibiotic free meats.
  Synthetic free and single protein recipes (Apart from turducken).

• USDA status farms.

• Open about ingredient sourcing. 
  

Negatives;

• Uses some dried ingredients (kelp)

Ingredients; Ground Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Broccoli, Beef Bone, Carrots, Apples, Romaine Lettuce, Goat’s Milk, Coconut Oil, Sesame Seeds, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Green Lipped Mussel, Inulin, Ground Eggshell

2.Small batch

Proteins; Beef, turkey, duck, lamb, pork and chicken 

Positives;

• Organic produce

• Farm raised, hormone and antibiotic free meat.

• Limited synthetics

• No mechanically separated meat

• 100% USA sourced proteins and single protein recipes.
  Very transparent about ingredient sourcing.

Negatives;

• Uses a vitamin E supplement

• Mixed Tocopherols - some versions of this preservative can be synthetic.

Ingredients; beef hearts, beef livers, beef kidneys, beef bones, organic yams, organic carrots, organic squash, organic broccoli,  salmon oil, organic apple cider vinegar, organic kale, organic collards, mixed tocopherols, organic kelp*, organic parsley, organic bee pollen, organic wheat grass, organic bilberry, organic garlic, organic rosemary, organic basil, vitamin e supplement

3.The simple food project freeze dried 

Proteins; Beef & Salmon, chicken & turkey, duck & trout

Positives;

• No added artificial flavors, dyes, preservatives.

• No synthetic vitamins and minerals

• Made in small batches

• No rendered meals of any kind
  

Negatives;

• Use legumes in some recipes.
  No information on sourcing and quality of ingredients used.

• Not single protein

• Mixed Tocopherols - some versions of this preservative can be synthetic.

Ingredients; Chicken, turkey, chicken hearts, flaxseed, sweet potato, chicken liver, organic carrots, wild-caught whole ground krill, ground pumpkin seeds, organic blueberries, organic spinach, organic cinnamon, sea salt, dried kelp, dried yeast, mixed tocopherols (natural preservative)

4.Dr marty's freeze dried 

Proteins; One multi protein mix; turkey, beeg, Salmon and duck 

Positives;

• Claim to use premium cuts of meat

• Contains zero artificial preservatives additives, fillers, or synthetic ingredients.

• Formulated by dr.Marty Goldstein.

Negatives;

• Not single protein

• Contains legume byproducts (pea flour)

• No information on sourcing and quality of ingredients used

• Mixed Tocopherols - some versions of this preservative can be synthetic.

Ingredients; Turkey, Beef, Salmon, Duck, Beef Liver, Turkey Liver, Turkey Heart, Flaxseed, Sweet Potato, Egg, Pea Flour, Apple, Blueberry, Carrot, Cranberry, Pumpkin Seed, Spinach, Dried Kelp, Ginger, Salt, Sunflower Seed, Broccoli, Kale, Mixed Tocopherols (natural preservative)

5.Visionary freeze dried 

Proteins; Beef, chicken.

Positives;

• Human grade single protein

• Very low carb - great for cancer patients.

  Negatives;

• Uses synthetics to balance

• No information on sourcing or quality of ingredients 

Ingredients; Beef, Beef Heart, Broccoli, Green Beans, Coconut Oil, Chia Seeds, Dried Red Cabbage, Sunflower Seeds, Beef Liver, Calcium Carbonate, Kelp Powder, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement

6.Raw Bistro dehydrated 

Proteins;Lamb, beef, chicken & turkey

Positives;

• Organic, grass fed & free range farmed animals

• single protein recipes

• AAFCO formulated for all life stages.

Negatives;

• Use synthetics to reach AAFCO required values 

Ingredients; Beef, Beef Heart, Ground Beef Bone, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Organic Green Beans, Organic Spinach, Organic Beets, Organic Blueberries, Safflower Oil, Organic Kelp, Inulin (extract of chicory), Sea Salt, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin D3 Supplement

7.Vital essentials freeze dried

Proteins;beef, chicken, duck, rabbit, salmon, turkey.

Positives;

• Single protein, USDA inspected animal protein.

• No artificial ingredients

• No added hormones or antibiotics

• USA sourced ingredients.

• Multiple formats to choose from I.e patties, mini patties, nibbles and mini niblets. 
  

Negatives;

• No information given on quality of ingredients used.

• Uses synthetics to balance recipes.

• Using Mixed Tocopherols - some versions of this preservative can be synthetic.

Ingredients; Beef, beef heart, beef liver, beef lung, beef fat, beef stomach, beef kidney, herring oil, mixed tocopherols (preservative), vitamin E supplement, zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, manganese amino acid complex

8.Instinct pet food - longevity

Proteins; Chicken, beef, Lamb, rabbit, beef & cod and lamb 

Positives;

• 88% protein

• Non GMO

• Formulated by Dr Susan Winn

  Negatives;

• Uses synthetics to balance to AAFCO.

• No indication on quality of meat or sourcing

• Mixed Tocopherols - some versions of this preservative can be synthetic.

Ingredients; Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Beef Spleen, Beef Heart, Ground Beef Bone, Yellow Squash, Apples, Carrots, Ground Miscanthus Grass, Ground Flaxseed, Montmorillonite Clay, Fish Oil, Spinach, Broccoli, Blueberries, Cranberries, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Potassium Chloride, Salt, Yeast Culture, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (for freshness), Tricalcium Phosphate, Rosemary Extract, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product.

9.Open Farm freeze dried 

Proteins; lamb, turkey, pork, chicken, beef  salmon & beef. 

Positives;

• Higher welfare farms - humanely raised animals

• antibiotic and growth hormone free

• organic fruits and veg non Gmo

• Single protein recipes. 
  

Negatives;

• Uses synthetics to balance to AAFCO.

• Not all herb/grass fed meat used. 

Ingredients;Chicken with Ground Bone,Chicken Livers,Chicken Necks,Chicken Hearts,Organic Carrots, Organic Blueberries, Organic Squash, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Cranberries, Non-GMO Salmon Oil, Organic Spinach, Organic Kale, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Chicory Root, Organic Dried Kelp,Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid,Choline, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate

11.Primal pet foods  

Proteins;chicken, beef, venison, turkey & sardine, rabbit, pork,lamb, duck,

Positives;

• Antibiotic and steroid-free whole muscle meat, organ meat and meaty bones.

• No added hormones.
  Grass fed and ethically raised

• Organic produce

• Synthetics free

• Single protein recipes (apart from turkey & sardine)

Negatives;

• Uses some dried ingredients (kelp)

• Includes quinoa in some recipes.

Ingredients; Beef Hearts, Beef Livers, Ground Beef Bones, Organic Carrots, Organic Squash, Organic Kale, Organic Apples, Organic Broccoli, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Blueberries, Organic Cranberries, Organic Parsley, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Montmorillonite Clay, Fish Oil, Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Quinoa, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Ground Alfalfa, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Dried Organic Kelp

12.Honest kitchen freeze dried GRAIN FREE ONLY

Proteins; Chicken, turkey, beef, fish 

Positives;

• Human grade ingredients

• No artificial preservatives

• Feed grade by-products

• Single protein recipes 

Negatives;

• Uses dried ingredients

• Uses synthetics to balance

• Contains potatoes. 

Ingredients; Dehydrated chicken, organic flaxseed, dehydrated potatoes, dehydrated sweet potatoes, dried apples, dehydrated celery, dehydrated honey, dehydrated pumpkin, dehydrated cabbage, dried bananas, dried papayas, dehydrated green beans, dried basil, dried organic kelp, dried garlic, minerals [tricalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, potassium iodide, copper amino acid chelate, sodium selenite], taurine, vitamins [vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D3 supplement]

13.Sojos freeze dried dog food

Proteins; Beef, turkey, lamb, goat, chicken, pork, 

Positives;

• Single protein recipes

• Readily available - sold on Amazon and chewy.com, 

Negatives;

• Uses synthetics to balance to AAFCO.

• No information on ingredient sourcing or quality

• They do not declare all vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients; beef, sweet potatoes, carrots, whole egg, cabbage, flax seeds, cranberries, celery, beef liver, tricalcium phosphate, papaya, pumpkin, rosemary, parsley, ginger root, dried kelp, vitamins & minerals

Cooked Foods

1.Raised right - cooked foods

Proteins; Beef, chicken, pork and turkey 

Positives;

• no synthetic vitamin and minerals

• human grade ingredients

• ingredient traceability

• No legumes or potatoes. 
  

Negatives;

• No information about quality of ingredients used. 

Ingredients; Beef, Beef Heart, Carrots, Beef Liver, Cranberries, Organic Spearmint, Flaxseed Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Cod Liver Oil, Organic Kelp Powder

2.Allprovide lightly cooked

Proteins; Beef, Chicken, Pork, & Turkey.

Positives;

• Human grade ingredients

• Formulated by Dr Judy Morgan

• Balanced to AAFCO for all life stages

• Single protein recipes

• All USA sourced ingredients

• Synthetic and artificial free.

Negatives;

• Some dried ingredients used (kelp)

• Contains Mixed Tocopherols - some versions of this preservative can be synthetic - it is unclear which form they are using. 

Ingredients; Beef with Bone, Beef Heart, Beef Liver, Carrot, Broccoli, Butternut Squash, Parsnip, Kale, Milled Flaxseed, Coconut Oil, Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil, Dried Sea Kelp, Oregano Leaf, Turmeric Powder, Mixed Tocopherols (natural vitamin E)

3.Open farm gently cooked 

Proteins; lamb, turkey, pork, chicken, beef  salmon & beef. 

Positives;

• Higher welfare farms -humanely raised animals, antibiotic and growth hormone free meat.

• Organic fruits and veg - Non Gmo

• 
  Single protein recipes. 
  

Negatives;

• Uses some synthetic vitamins and minerals to reach AAFCO requirements.

• Not all herb/grass fed meat used.

  Ingredients;Beef,Carrots,Kale,Beef Liver,Zucchini,Butternut Squash,Pumpkin,Water,Flaxseed,Salt,Salmon Oil,Potassium Chloride,Tricalcium Phosphate,Sunflower Oil,Coconut Oil,Chia Seeds,Chicory Root,Choline Chloride,Vitamin A Supplement,Vitamin D3 Supplement,Vitamin E Supplement,D-Calcium Pantothenate,Thiamine Mononitrate,Riboflavin,Folic Acid,Vitamin B12 Supplement,Zinc Amino Acid Chelate,Iron Amino Acid Chelate,Copper Amino Acid Chelate
  

4.Natures logic - frozen cooked food 

Proteins; Beef, chicken and lamb 

Positives;

• 95% Animal protein

• Single protein recipes.

• Free range, grass fed meat

• no synthetics, hormone and gmo free.

• No legumes or potatoes.

• For cats and dogs of all life stages

• AAFCO compliant.

Negatives;

• They use tapioca starch

• food only available from local stockists.

• Other ranges of food not recommended.
  

Ingredients; Beef, Egg, Beef Lung, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Tapioca Root, Ovine Plasma, Fish Oil, Brewer’s Yeast, Montmorillonite Clay, Egg Shell Meal, Dried Kale, Apple, Apricot, Artichoke, Blueberry, Broccoli, Carrot, Dried Chicory Root, Cranberry, Dried Kelp, Dried Parsley, Pumpkin, Spinach, Tomato

5. Small Batch Gently Cooked Food

Proteins; Beef, turkey, chicken 

Positives;

• Organic produce

• Gently cooked at lower temperatures (105F)

• No rice, legumes or potatoes.

• Farm raised, hormone and antibiotic free meat.

• Limited synthetics

• No mechanically separated meat

• 100% USA sourced proteins and single protein recipes.

• Very transparent about ingredient sourcing.

Negatives;

• Use 2% synthetic vitamins and minerals to reach AAFCO requirements.

• Only 3 proteins available.

Ingredients; chicken (with ground bone), chicken, chicken gizzards, chicken hearts, chicken livers, organic carrots, organic sweet potatoes, organic broccoli, organic zucchini, organic coconut oil, organic apple cider vinegar, organic kelp, organic kale, organic collards, organic parsley, organic blueberry, organic wheatgrass, organic basil, vitamin e, zinc glycinate, copper glycinate, manganese glycinate.

Canned Foods 

1.Natures logic canned food 

Proteins; Beef, beef tripe, chicken, turkey, lamb, pork, rabbit, venison, sardine, duck & salmon.
Positives;

• No synthetic vitamins or minerals

• Some recipes are single protein

• Ingredients do not contain chemical preservatives, herbicides, or insecticides and are from reputable sources - ingredient  Tracibility. 

Negatives;

• Not all recipes are single protein

• Some dried ingredients used (kelp)

• Mixed Tocopherols - some versions of this preservative can be synthetic - it is unclear which form they are using. 

Ingredients; Beef, Beef Broth, Beef Liver, Sardines, Porcine Plasma, Montmorillonite Clay, Herring Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Egg Shell Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Apple, Dried Apricot, Alfalfa Meal, Dried Artichoke, Dried Blueberry, Dried Broccoli, Dried Carrot, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Cranberry, Dried Kelp, Dried Parsley, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Rosemary, Dried Spinach, Dried Tomato, Rosemary Extract.

2.First mate - kasiks canned dog food

Proteins;Chicken, turkey, salmon.

Positives;

• No gums or artificial thickeners (carrageenan and guar gum free)

• Cage free

• No added hormones, single protein, suitable for all life stages.

Negatives;

• Balanced with synthetics to AAFCO

• Some recipes have legume by products (pea starch) and potatoes. 

Ingredients; Boneless chicken Water sufficient for processing Pea Starch Minerals (Salt Calcium Carbonate Monodicalcium phosphate Choline chloride Potassium chloride Zinc Proteinate Iron Proteinate Copper Proteinate Manganese Proteinate Calcium Iodate) Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement Niacin Vitamin A Supplement Thiamine Mononitrate Riboflavin Biotin Vitamin B12 Supplement Folic Acid Vitamin D3 Supplement D-calcium pantothenate) Taurine Kale Blueberries Raspberries Cranberries Coconut

3. Rawz Canned Dog Food

Proteins; Beef, Chicken ,Poultry, Duck, Turkey,Fish, Quail ,Lamb, Salmon,Tuna and Pork

Positives;

• Meat is the first ingredient

• Antibiotic free meat

• No carrageenan

• No potato starches

• No Gums used in recipes

• BPA free packaging

Negatives;

• Balanced with synthetics to AAFCO

Ingredients;

Chicken,Chicken Liver,Chicken Broth,Fenugreek Seed,Potassium Chloride,Calcium Carbonate, Phosphate,Choline Chloride,Salt,Taurine,Vegetable Broth,Minerals (Iron Proteinate,Zinc Proteinate,Manganese Proteinate,Copper Proteinate),Magnesium Proteinate,Sodium Selenite,Calcium Iodate,Vitamin E Supplement,Thiamine Mononitrate,Niacin Supplement,Calcium Pantothenate,Biotin,Vitamin A Supplement,Riboflavin Supplement,Vitamin D3 Supplement,Vitamin B12 Supplement,Pyridoxine Hydrochloride,Folic Acid.

3.The Rockster canned dog food

Proteins:

Beef, Salmon, chicken, venison, duck, Lamb

Positives;

• Single protein (with exception of fish oil)

• grain free 

• No legumes

• Organic ingredients

• USDA ingredients

• Grass fed meat

• Cooked at lower temperatures

• Prebiotic ingredients

Negatives;

• High price point - $8 per can

• 87.5% meat *claim 87.5% but any brand declaring over 70% meat content is claiming the water content as meat!

• Doesn’t state it’s balanced to AAFCO

• High Vegetable Content: The inclusion of quinoa, pumpkin, and carrots is notable.

• The list includes several synthetic vitamins and minerals (e.g., Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, etc.). While these are not inherently bad, it's generally better to source these nutrients from whole foods.

• While quinoa is a nutrient-dense seed, it is not a natural part of a dog's diet and can be hard to digest for some dogs.

• Algae can be a good source of iodine, but it's important to ensure the type and amount are appropriate for dogs.

• This is a good addition for omega-3 fatty acids, but the overall balance of the diet should be considered. There are more stable and cleaner sources of omega 3 such as GLM.

Ingredients (Beef):

82% Organic Beef (55% Organic Beef Muscle, 30% Organic Beef Lung, 15% Organic Beef Liver), 6% Organic Quinoa, 5% Organic Pumpkin, 4.5% Organic Carrots, 1% Organic Algae, 1% Salmon Oil, 0.5% Organic Inulin, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, Choline Chloride, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Zinc Sulfate, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin B6 Supplement, Manganese Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Selenium Yeast, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin D3 Supplement

Kibble

1.CARNA4

2.SUNDAYS FOR DOGS

3.FARMINA N&D (Currently on the potentially contaminated list updated JULY 14/24)

4.Nature’s Logic Distinction

5.Open Farm

6.FROMM (Currently on the potentially contaminated list updated JULY 14/24)

7.Rawz Dry Dog food

Base Mixes

these base meal mixes feeding a balnced diet so easy! Just add your choice of protein & oil - just beware to always choose one that is preferably made from whole foods and not synthetics. Dr Harvey’s would be our number one choice.

1.Dr Harvey’s.

2.Four Leaf Rover Meat mixer

3.MERCOLA

4.HONEST KITCHEN (Rather high carb.)

USA Treat Recommendations

When feeding treats and chews to your dog, it’s important to exercise caution to ensure their safety and health. Many commercial treats contain harmful additives, artificial preservatives, or low-quality ingredients that can negatively impact your dog’s wellbeing.

Even natural chews, such as bones or bully sticks, pose potential risks like choking, splintering, or digestive blockages if not chosen carefully. Always select treats and chews that are appropriate for your dog’s size, chewing habits, and dietary needs, and supervise them while they enjoy them. Utilise chew holders if your dog is a particularly aggressive chewer such as the Everchew chew holder

Additionally, consider how treats fit into your dog’s daily calorie allowance to prevent weight gain or nutritional imbalances. We have taken every effort to ensure all foods, treats, and chews on our recommended list are free of harmful excipients at the time of researching. However, always double-check and then check again before purchasing—and make it a habit to review the label itself to ensure the product remains natural and free from harmful ingredients.

Vibrant K9 for freeze dried treats

Tuesday's Natural Dog Company for dehydrated chews

Carnivorous Craving - dehydrated treats, food toppers and bone broth.

Ugly Chews for chews

Rawfedk9 - freeze dried & dehydrated

Farm Hounds Treats dehydrated treats

King Lou pets - dehydrated and freeze dried 100% meat treats

Green JuJu - great freeze dried treats in novel proteins: goat, duck, bison, salmon, rabbit.

Riley’s Pets - single ingredient treats, jerky and organic non GMO biscuits

Winnie Lou - Organic high protein biscuits

Amazon Treats USA

gourmate pet treats - New Zealand proteins

Dr. Harvey's “bites”

Dr. Becker's Bites

Pure bites (single ingredient)

Pupford freeze dried training treats

icelandic+ for fish treats and chews

purebites for single ingredient freeze dried

Vital essentials freeze dried training treats

Amazon Best Chews USA

Pawstruck.com Braided Bully 16 weeks+ (Collagen chews are tougher and better for slightly older puppies with stronger teeth.)

Paw-struck collagen chews 16 weeks+

(Collagen chews are tougher and better for slightly older puppies with stronger teeth.)

Nature Gnaws for 100% usda chews and bully’s 12 weeks+ (Air-dried meat chews are generally softer and easier for younger puppies.)

@devildogpetco for Yaks & split antlers. 16 weeks+ (Yak chews are hard, so they’re best suited for older puppies with fully developed teeth, provided they don’t have MCADD.)

This is our USA raw food alternative list. For raw food recommendations click here and For UK raw food alternatives click here