best raw dog food uk

The Best Raw Dog Food UK

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Raw feeding has gained popularity in recent years. A raw food diet mimics that of a dog’s ancestors when hunting and devouring the entire capture was how these four-legged animals survived. With the convenience of dry dog foods bought from pet shops, the natural diet of domesticated dogs has been viewed as a hassle. However, if the vet has encouraged the raw food diet or you think your dog would benefit from a change, it’s essential to know the best raw dog food in the UK.

There are many options when it comes to raw dog food. Pet owners can buy complete meals which meet all of the dietary requirements a dog has or complementary diets which require additional ingredients to be added for all the essential nutrients. The choice between complete and complementary raw food often comes down to the dog owner’s individual preference.

If the raw diet suits you and your dog, then this article will outline the 16 best raw dog food products available to buy online, as well as the benefits of raw feeding.

Household Pets’ Top Picks for Best Raw Dog Food UK

Household Pets has compiled a list of the best raw dog food available on the UK dog food market. These products have been placed into categories so each type of raw dog food is easy to understand; the categories are best complete raw dog food, best complementary raw dog food, best raw dog food for variety, best freeze-dried raw dog food, and best raw dog food topper.

Each product has been listed so you can make an informed decision regarding your dog’s food.

Best Overall Raw Dog Food Diet

Nutriment Enhanced Working Adult Dog Food
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One of the best raw dog foods on the market is made by Nutriment. This dog food is a biologically appropriate raw foods (BARF) diet that is formulated by canine nutritionists and ethically sourced with British raw meats, fish, vegetables, and nutritional superfoods. There are no grains or gluten. Each complete meal can be defrosted and served to the pet dog; no preparation is required.

As it is consumed raw, the nutrients in the dog food are digested easily to improve the dog’s well-being, including its coat, immune system, oral health, skin, and vitality. The enhanced raw diet formula uses human-grade quality meat to provide dogs with essential fatty acids, minerals, proteins, and vitamins, as well as amino acids.

This raw dog food diet is a mixed flavour pack, including ten individual meals that are either beef, chicken, turkey, or salmon, which is good for dogs who like a bit of variety in their meals.

Pros
  • Dog owners saw an improvement in their pets’ health
  • High-quality raw meat ingredients ensure appetising dog food
  • Formulated specifically for working dogs
  • Improves dogs’ appetites
  • Good value for money
Cons
  • A few customers said the product was delivered defrosted
  • No recycling instructions for packaging
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Best Complete Raw Dog Food

Complete raw dog food meals should include all nutrients that are essential for dogs. No extras need to be added to ensure the dog consumes all it should; a lot of the time, complete meals can be placed down and eaten as they are.

The following products will offer your dog a complete diet.

Top Pick

Cotswold RAW Active 80/20 Adult Raw Dog Food
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As a family-run company, Cotswold RAW has been creating raw dog foods since 2014 after noticing how this type of diet improved their own dogs’ health and lives. All ingredients are fresh and seasonal, avoiding the use of artificial additives and high-temperature processing. The meals are not only more palatable to pet dogs, but they are also grain-free. This helps to avoid any digestion issues.

This particular product includes 16kg of Cotswold RAW dog food, consisting of beef and lamb meals. Both flavours include fresh vegetables and parts of raw meaty bones, which will help the oral health of dogs by reducing tartar. The complete meals are made of 80% meat, bone, and organ meat and 20% raw fruit and vegetables, herbs, and raw eggs.

Pros
  • Owners found even their fussy dogs loved this food
  • Keeps dogs in excellent condition
  • Fast delivery
Cons
  • One review said the product was delivered partially defrosted
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Premium Option

Wild Antler Venison Raw Dog Food
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With soft ground bone and British pasture-reared venison, Wild Antler has created a balanced diet of raw food for dogs. These meals do not include gluten, grain, sugar, or wheat; instead, antler powder is added to the food to ensure calcium maintenance and good mineral levels, which boosts the health of the dog. It is low-fat and can be given to dogs over 24 weeks old; in fact, it is ideal for senior dogs or those with diet restrictions.

The food can be stored in the freezer before defrosting in the fridge. Once defrosted, remove the lid, and the tub of raw food can be served to the dog. Wild Antler raw dog food is approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and vets.

Pros
  • Good value for money
  • Settles a dog’s upset stomach quickly
Cons
  • Not appetising to all dogs
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Budget Option

The Rawgeous Pet Food Company Premium Raw Dog Food
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The beef, chicken, and vegetable mix created by the Rawgeous Pet Food Company provides pets with a mix of proteins to ensure healthy skin, toned muscle, shinier coats, and strong immune systems. Included in each meal are 48% minced beef shoulder and heart, 24% minced chicken with bone, and 15% minced beef liver and kidney. Vegetables and herbs are also included to ensure this is a complete raw dog food.

Again, this is a good option for working dog breeds. The raw meals boost the health of any dog that consumes them, and Rawgeous guarantees that every batch of dog food is 100% safe.

Pros
  • Dogs enjoy this food
  • Improves overall health of dogs
  • Great customer service
Cons
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Best Complementary Raw Dog Food

Complementary raw dog food must be fed alongside other items to ensure the dog receives all of its nutrients. Many dog owners will add fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, and even raw eggs to meet their pets’ nutritional needs.

If the complementary raw diet appeals best to you, then the three products in this section should be considered.

Top Pick

4PAWSRAW Mixed Meat Raw Dog Food
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4PAWSRAW is a convenient raw diet option for dog owners who struggle to prepare nutritious meals for their dogs and puppies. The mixed meat variety box includes meals that contain various raw meats, including bone and offal, so pets are given a varied and natural diet. There are no added preservatives, additives, or extra water, and the meals are safe to refreeze within reason.

There are 20 packets in this product, including flavours such as beef, chicken, duck, and more, and each packet of raw pet food includes four cubes to make preparation easier. They will be delivered in an insulated box to ensure freshness; the insulated box will keep the raw food safe for up to 48 hours.

Pros
  • Cubes of food are very convenient
  • Lots of variety
  • Minimal packaging
  • Value for money
Cons
  • Food has a strange texture
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Premium Option

4PAWSRAW Beef Tripe Raw Dog Food
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The second 4PAWSRAW product on the list is the beef tripe variation. As beef is very high in protein and tripe is also a good source of that, this raw dog food is a staple when creating a raw diet for dogs. By adding vegetables and additional sources of nutrients, the minced green tripe will become a staple in the dog’s diet.

There are a host of health benefits attributed to beef tripe, such as aiding digestion, boosting metabolism, and providing dogs with probiotics. This will not only create a healthier canine companion but a happier one, too.

Pros
  • Quick service
  • Well packaged delivery
  • Well packaged delivery
Cons
  • Dog owners find the smell very strong
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Budget Option

Petrapets Premium Raw Dog Food
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Also DEFRA-approved, Petrapets uses the best quality British chicken carcasses and chicken breast trimmings to make its complementary raw dog food. There are no additives, preservatives, or water added, just 100% chicken.

This food product is sent out in a polystyrene container using a 24-hour courier to ensure customers receive fresh food; it will stay fresh for up to 48 hours. The raw meat has been packed in 500g bags so it freezes in blocks and does not use too much freezer space.

Pros
  • Very good quality for a raw food diet
  • Nicely packed when delivered
  • Good customer service from sellers
Cons
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Best Raw Dog Food for Variety

As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. This is no different for dogs. Although some dogs will happily eat the same meals every day, most need variety to keep them interested in the food being offered. Raw dog food can be varied easily; a different meat will change the taste and scent of a meal, making it more appealing to the dog.

Three of the best raw dog food variety packs have been listed below.

Top Pick

ProDog Raw Food for Adult Dogs
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The ProDog core bundle includes 25 tubs weighing 1kg each of either chicken, chicken with green tripe, beef with chicken, or beef with offal formulas. This allows dogs to be given a more natural diet that mimics the variety they would hunt in the wild. Each formula offers a complete meal, incorporating meat, bone, offal, and vegetables. All meat is sourced from British Farm Assurance-certified and DEPRA-approved farms.

This raw dog food can be given to all dog breeds as long as the dog is 24 weeks old and over. Dogs will benefit from the nutritional value that this food offers, which can include easier weight management, improved digestion, and silkier coats.

Pros
  • Good value for money
  • Looks like quality dog food
Cons
  • Some dogs don’t like this raw food product
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Premium Option

Wilsons Premium Frozen Raw Food
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The Wilsons frozen raw dog food is made of 80% human-grade meat, 10% bones, and 10% offal, all of which are locally sourced in the UK. It has added vitamins and minerals to produce a complete raw dog food diet that will boost the health and happiness of dogs. This variety pack includes raw beef, raw chicken, raw lamb, and raw turkey.

Not only does the company focus on the quality of the food, it also works to ensure the packaging is eco-friendly as it can be recycled.

Pros
  • Dogs will clean their bowls when served this food
  • Several health benefits to this diet
  • Efficient delivery
Cons
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Budget Option

Vale Pet Food Raw Meat Variety Packs
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Vale Pet Food has created a variety pack of frozen raw food that includes beef tripe and chicken, beef tripe and turkey, chicken, and turkey. All variations include 80% meat, 10% bone, and 10% offal. This raw dog food is great for dogs that struggle to digest carbohydrates and grains as it is gluten and grain-free and high in protein. As it is hypoallergenic, it will help to reduce allergens and food sensitivities.

It follows the BARF prey model to mimic the diet of wild dogs, making this dog food safe for all life stages to eat, including puppies. All of the ingredients are from Red Tractor-approved farms, meaning dog owners can rest easy knowing their dogs are fed high-quality meals.

Pros
  • Chunky mince meals
  • Fast delivery
  • Arrived still frozen
Cons
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Best Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

Raw feeding can be difficult for some people, especially if they want to avoid handling raw meat. Thankfully, there is freeze-dried raw food. This has all of the nutritional benefits of raw dog food, but the food has been frozen slowly, and the water content has been drawn out, making it freeze-dried.

Freeze-dried raw dog food can be stored in cupboards, which avoids taking up freezer space, and can be used on the go. Due to its convenience, it is a popular type of dog food. If you think this is the best option for you and your dog, look below for the products.

Top Pick

COYA Beef Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
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COYA is one of the best raw food brands available online, specifically for freeze-dried dog foods. This COYA product includes premium cuts of beef to ensure dogs are provided with the best source of vitamins and minerals. The human-grade beef is freeze-dried, further reducing the risk of losing any nutritional value. It also contains apples, carrots, peas, strawberries, and sweet potatoes, which are all selected during peak season.

As this dog food follows the 80/20 formulation, it includes 80% freeze-dried beef and 20% fresh fruit and vegetables. The water has been removed to avoid lengthy defrosting times, mess during preparation, or taking up too much room in the freezer. It can easily be stored in the cupboard and used during on-the-go feeds.

Pros
  • Very high-quality dog food
  • Made from all-natural ingredients
  • Replicates the diet some dogs require
Cons
  • More expensive than other dog foods
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Premium Option

COYA Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Puppy Food
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Raw feeding is best started during puppyhood, which is why COYA created food specifically for puppies. This freeze-dried puppy food follows the same formula as the previous COYA product, with 80% meat and 20% fruit and vegetables, although it is chicken flavour instead. The nutritious raw puppy food will ensure young dogs have balanced energy levels as well as the best dietary start in life. This type of food can also be used as a treat during training, which is great for food-orientated pups, or as a meal topper over dry or wet food to give the dog more variety.

Pros
  • Quality of the ingredients is impressive
  • Very easy to feed
  • Hypoallergenic and grain-free
Cons
  • Expensive
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Budget Option

Nature’s Variety Beef Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
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Nature’s Variety, which used to be called Natures Menu True Instinct, meals are freeze-dried raw and have been made with 100% natural ingredients. The ingredients are formed into nuggets and frozen before being placed in a vacuum, which draws the moisture out of the food. This supplies all the benefits of raw food without the hassle of preparing a dog’s meals.

The raw nuggets are 80% beef and 20% fruit, minerals, vegetables, and vitamins. It has no cereals, gluten, or grains, and it is free from artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives.

Pros
  • The product has been helpful for dogs with skin issues
  • Pleases fussy dogs
Cons
  • A bit costly
  • Not all dogs ate this food
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Best Raw Dog Food Topper

Although dogs rarely need to be encouraged to finish their raw meals, using a food topper can add a little variation and additional nutrients to their food. This can make meals more appealing, especially if the dog is fed the same meals day in and day out.

Three of the best raw dog food toppers have been outlined in this section of the article.

Top Pick

COYA Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper
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The COYA food topper contains 97.5% raw chicken and has been freeze-dried to lock in as much flavour and nutrition as possible, which is beneficial to the dog. It is described as being so flavourful that even the fussiest of dogs cannot turn their noses up at meals when this has been added on top. COYA prides itself on making natural products that don’t contain fillers, fake flavours, or preservatives.

This food topper can be used on dry, raw, and wet food. There are roughly 12 servings in each 50g tube, and the contents should be used within ten days of opening.

Pros
  • High-quality ingredients
  • Can be used on all dog food types
  • Provides dogs with essential nutrients
Cons
  • Bit expensive on top of actual dog food
  • Less contents than the size of the tube alludes to
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Premium Option

Benyfit Natural Raw Dog Food Topper
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As a 100% natural supplement, the Benyfit Natura raw food topper is formulated to support the dog’s health on a daily basis. It contains a unique blend of vitamin and nutrient-rich ingredients, such as coconut, turmeric, and hemp, to boost their immune system and keep them happy. These ingredients, as well as the others included, ensure dogs look well with healthy skin and shiny coats.

This raw dog food topper should be sprinkled on top of the food daily. It can be used on all food types. For dogs under 10kg, the recommended daily usage is one teaspoon, while one tablespoon is recommended for dogs weighing more than 10kg.

Pros
  • Most dogs will eat this product
  • Supports good digestion and gut health
  • Comes in a resealable pouch
  • Only a small amount is required
Cons
  • Some customers found the product quite expensive
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Budget Option

Barker and Barker Liver Tasty Topper
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Liver is a favourite for most dogs, so this Barker and Barker product is a good option to encourage pets to finish their meals in one sitting. This Tasty Topper is made of powdered pork liver, which is 100% natural and high in protein; this is critical for dogs to ensure healthy growth and strong immune systems.

Tasty Toppers can be used on all food types and added to warm water to make gravy for dogs, too. With only a small amount needed, a 500g pot of this product will last a long time and keep your dog eating full meals.

Pros
  • Encourages dogs to eat meals, including dry food
  • Long-lasting product
Cons
  • Not all dogs approve of this product
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The Health Benefits of Raw Feeding

Many dog owners have switched their dogs over to raw food recently. This can be attributed to the number of ways raw feeding can improve the health of dogs, which have been explained below.

Good Dental Health

Raw, meaty bones are natural toothbrushes for dogs. They help to scrape away plaque and tartar, managing to reach all corners of the dog’s mouth. This is much better than some dry kibbles, which can cause poor oral hygiene.

Healthier Coat and Skin

Many nutrients in the raw food diet maintain the dog’s skin and coat; one of the most important ingredients in the raw diet is essential fatty acids, like omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids can be provided by salmon. This ingredient helps create a soft coat and healthy skin, and it even has anti-inflammatory properties.

best raw dog food uk - two huskies with a bowl of raw meat

Improves Bone and Joint Health

A great source of calcium is bones, which a complete raw diet will include. The bones included in this type of dog food supplies dogs with calcium as well as collagen, glucosamine, marrow, and phosphorus. These are essential for dogs, especially puppies who are still growing and forming their own bones.

Reduces Stool Volume and Odour

Commercial dog foods, like dry food and wet food, contain carbohydrates, like potatoes and rice. These ingredients require longer to digest and are not fully absorbed during digestion, which can cause larger and smellier stools. With raw food, this is not the case.

Raw food carries a lot of beneficial nutrients a dog’s digestive system will absorb as it passes through, meaning there is less coming out at the other end. This is why dogs that eat raw food often have fewer and firmer stools.

Strengthens the Immune System

Just like humans, dogs also need their diet to support their immune system. The immune system protects against infection, so it needs to be strong to fight off illness and disease. Raw dog food diets supply the necessary vitamins and minerals through meat, fruit, vegetables, and superfoods; these can all boost the immune system.

To Sum Up

As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of your pet is maintained. By providing a nutritional diet, you can support your dog’s health, and one of the best diets to do so is the raw food diet. As it sounds, this diet consists of raw meat and other ingredients that mimic the feeding habits of the domesticated dog’s canine ancestors.

Knowing the best raw dog food UK takes a lot of research, which is why Household Pets provided this article with 16 of the best options. There are different ways of feeding raw food, such as meals that are complete or complementary. Dog owners can also supplement their dogs’ food with raw food toppers, which can be added to all food types – dry, wet, and raw.

With this information, you should be able to make an informed decision on what the best raw dog food is for your furry friend.

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