If you’re invested in your dog’s health, raw feeding might already be on your radar. While traditional kibble is convenient, more pet owners are turning to raw dog food for its high-quality ingredients and lack of fillers. But with so many raw food brands out there—and plenty of debate around raw feeding itself—it can be hard to know which options you can trust. After testing some of the best raw dog food on the market, we confidently recommend Viva Raw as a solid choice for most dogs. The company is transparent about its sourcing and safety practices, offers a variety of proteins (plus a puppy-specific formula) and has some of the best customer service we’ve encountered. But there are other great options available too.
Raw feeding has come a long way in recent years, with today’s most popular raw dog food delivery services making it easier than ever to make the switch. And, according to the experts we spoke with, it’s worth it. “Many commercial raw food options are made from human-quality ingredients [and] supplements and in plants that are under USDA inspection,” says Laurie S. Coger, DVM, and owner of Healthy Dog Workshop. “Dogs eating that quality of food, rather than ultra-processed kibble from lesser-quality ingredients, are far more likely to be healthier.”
Whether you’re looking for a freeze-dried raw food like Open Farm Raw Morsels or a prescription raw diet like Darwin’s Intelligent Design, there’s a high-quality raw food option for just about every dog. After months (and in some cases, years) of feeding our own dogs raw, we’ve found that ingredient quality, convenience and overall value can vary widely among brands. The best raw dog foods on this list are the ones that truly deliver, both in terms of nutrition and how easy they are to feed.
A convenient “paw here” symbol shows which corner of the package to peel back and open.
The food itself is visibly fresh: It includes high-quality meat with little to no smell and bright bits of vegetables. Unlike some raw brands that appear overly processed or gray, this looks like real food. Once defrosted, the meat is soft and easy to mix into a bowl or spread in a slow feeder. If your dog prefers texture variety, Viva offers both chunked and ground options, so you can choose what works best for your pup. It’s hard to tell which my dog prefers, but I like the chunked option because it’s nice to see exactly what’s in her food and it gives her a little more to chew.
Sunny starts drooling the moment I take her Viva Raw out of the fridge.
Viva also has some of the best customer service I’ve dealt with. Managing your subscription is easy online, and you’ll get reminders before your order ships, so you’re never caught off guard. Deliveries are flexible, with options every two, four, six or eight weeks, and you can pause or change your order anytime just by logging into your account.
This could be a coincidence, but since switching to Viva, my dog hasn’t needed a vet visit for over a year (aside from regular checkups). Her stool is very small, firm and practically odorless, which is a huge change from her kibble days. Most importantly, she loves it: She starts drooling the second I grab a package from the fridge. If you want high-quality raw dog food that’s easy to order, store and serve, Viva is the one I recommend most.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home team has tested and researched its way through dozens of pet-related stories over the years, from the best automatic litter boxes to the best wireless dog fences.
- This story was written by home and kitchen editor Kelly O’Sullivan, a lifelong dog owner and proud parent to a yellow Labrador retriever, Sunny. Kelly has interviewed dozens of veterinarians throughout her career and, after switching her dog to raw food three years ago, became deeply invested in canine nutrition. She has read The Forever Dog (twice!) and stays up to date on the latest research and expert advice in the field.
- This piece was overseen by Forbes Vetted managing editor and resident pet expert Emmy Favilla, whose own dogs have tested and vetted several of the raw dog foods featured. She regularly covers pet content at Forbes Vetted (including pet column Pet Peeves), maintains a wide network of veterinary experts and am active in the dog rescue community.
- Every pick on this list is canine-approved, but we also consulted humans for professional advice. We spoke with two experts: Laurie S. Coger, DVM, an integrative medicine veterinarian, dog owner, trainer and owner of Healthy Dog Workshop; and James Pendergast, an animal nutrition specialist and recognized leader in the raw pet food world who was also a product manager/formulator for Darwin’s Natural Pet Products and nutrition consultant for Viva Raw. Their guidance helped shape our recommendations, ensuring they meet the highest standards for ingredient quality, sourcing transparency and nutritional balance.
How We Chose The Best Raw Dog Food
To find the best raw dog food, we combined firsthand testing, expert advice and thorough research to make sure each pick is truly worth feeding your dog.
- We tested these foods with our own dogs. My dog has been eating Viva Raw for nearly two years and previously ate Darwin’s Natural Selections (a non-prescription line from the brand). She also eats Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Morsels while traveling. Forbes Vetted managing editor Emmy Favilla’s dogs also regularly eat two of the brands on this list: Maev and We Feed Raw.
- We consulted two veterinarians and nutrition experts, who shared what to look for in a high-quality raw diet.
- We extensively researched the quality, convenience and safety of each raw dog food brand on this list. We evaluated ingredient sourcing, company transparency, feeding convenience and AAFCO compliance to ensure every pick meets high standards.
- We carefully considered customer reviews, looking at feedback on shipping reliability, brand policies and how these diets have impacted the health of real pets.
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