Compare Dog Foods: Types of Raw

Dog owners, veterinarians, and breeders often discuss, debate, and research on what they should be feeding their dogs. Most of the time, it's commercial dog food versus raw dog food or home cooked dog food. The benefits and downsides of the three different types are discussed, mainly focusing on long term health issues and the current quality of life for the pets. No one yet, it seems, has decided to compare dog foods and focus on one type of feeding system.

This article will compare dog foods, but focus only on types of raw food available to pet owners and dogs. The fact that you have already chosen raw feeding for your dog is a great step. Now, you can explore your options when it comes to the raw feeding method, as well as understand the different types of raw food out there. Believe it or not, raw food has types to choose from, and you can choose the one that your dog enjoys the best!

Organic Raw Dog Food

When you hear the words “organic raw dog food” you instantly know it is something good for your dog. This type of raw dog food focuses on how the food source was raised or grown. Any livestock or produce used for raw feeding must have been raised or grown organically, meaning no growth enhancements, pesticides, or chemical aids were used for the animals and for the vegetables and fruit.

Organic raw dog food is also the healthiest and best type of human grade food available on the market. It can also be called fresh raw dog food. This follows the system of giving your dog raw food from the butcher or grocery in its freshest possible form: just bought or one day old (kept in the chiller) which can be troublesome to the pet owner but wonderful for the dog.

Usually, the other types of raw dog food are made from organic raw dog food.

Frozen Raw Dog Food

The answer to dog owners who aren't sure about how to store fresh raw dog food. Frozen raw dog food goes through the freezing process soon after it is slaughtered and killed. This aims to maintain the food's freshness for longer. Usually, frozen raw dog food can last up to a year after freezing. Plus, freezing tends to kill bacteria the natural way so your dog's food is properly preserved without having to use preservatives.

Frozen raw dog food is more convenient to store that fresh raw dog food, and this makes it easier on pet owners. They simply have to defrost the food then feed to their dog. Some companies have even sought to make this easier by having packages that are already complete meals so that multiple packages (ex. meat and vegetables) are not defrosted at the same time with some food being left un-eaten. When you compare dog foods, this still isn't as good as fresh, but it is the next best thing. It is in fact, even better than the next option on the list, though the next option is still much better than most commercial dog foods!

Raw Dehydrated Dog Food

Sci-fi television has popularized dehydrated food as the food of the future. Well for dogs, the future is now! Through a special process of dehydration, one in which the food's enzymes and natural vitamins and minerals (what you're after when it comes to the raw feeding method) are maintained inside the food, raw dehydrated dog food is made! This type of dog food comes in pellet form, and has to be re-hydrated in warm water before serving your dog.

When you compare dog foods, it is really convenient in terms of preparation and clean up, making it great for times that you need to travel with your dog. However, it doesn't provide the raw meaty bones dogs on raw feeding diets need. So following a raw dehydrated dog food diet would mean making sure your dog gets some raw meaty bones a couple of times a week as well, just to keep their diet balanced.

Hypoallergenic Dog Food

This type of raw feeding diet focuses on bringing together food combinations that will help combat dog allergies or certain dog ailments, usually the ones they acquire from eating commercial dog foods. There are several combinations to choose from, and many times different types of hypoallergenic dog foods target different allergies or ailments.

All hypoallergenic dog food is made from organic raw dog food, and is really great for your dog. It comes in pre-packaged food form, and it can also be prepared by the owner (raw) as long as they follow the recipe or combination of foods. If you compare dog foods, hypoallergenic dog food cannot really be compared because it has a specific purpose for your dog, though it can definitely be a long term diet option since it still follows the raw feeding method.

The four different types of raw dog food each target a specific need of either pet or owner. Since all types follow the raw feeding system, they are all very good diets for your dog, so it is really up to you and your dog to find a type and system that works well with both of you. However, there are still some downsides to some of the foods, but these can easily be balanced by feeding them fresh raw dog food a couple of times a week.