Looking for an authentic We Feed Raw review? I’ve got you covered! Below, I’ll go into everything you need to know about this amazing raw dog food brand, covering its ingredients and how it can improve your dog’s health. We have a lot to discuss, so let’s jump right in!
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FYI, this post includes affiliate links. If you buy anything through these links, TechnBark earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Also, We Feed Raw sent me a Big Box to try out, but all of my thoughts are, as always, my own.
We Feed Raw Dog Food Review: Everything You Need to Know
Before we get into the review, I just want to quickly introduce my dog (aka my tester). Freya (that’s her below, modeling her Halo Collar 3) is a 7-year-old Pharaoh Hound, which is a very active breed in the sighthound group.
I’m very picky about what we feed her, (I’m picky about her in general, honestly). I wouldn’t give her just any food, and I wouldn’t recommend anything to that I wouldn’t give my own dog. So, keep that in mind as we continue on with the review. 🙂
We Feed Raw Dog Food Benefits & Pros
Let’s begin with a quick overview of the top features. Then we’ll dig deeper into the benefits.
- Human-grade ingredients from USDA-approved sources
- Custom meal plans created specifically for your dog
- Easy delivery (subscriptions or one-off bulk options available)
- Complete and balanced nutrition
- Outstanding customer service
- Commitment to safety for both your pet and you
- Easy transition (with included guide)
High-Quality Ingredients
We Feed Raw uses high-quality, human-grade ingredients. To clarify (since someone once mentioned that this can be confusing), this means the ingredients are of the same quality as those found in human food. However, that doesn’t mean you should eat your dog’s food. 🙂
Their products are made up of 80% muscle meat, 10% organ meat, and 10% edible bone, closely mimicking a natural prey diet. Most of the protein sources are sourced from trusted US farms. The chickens are free-range, and the cows are pasture-raised, with no added antibiotics or hormones.
The lamb and venison are sourced from New Zealand. However, this doesn’t concern me because New Zealand has stricter regulations on how farm animals are raised compared to the US. As a side note, this is also true for much of Europe.
Customized Meal Plans and Balanced Nutrition
We briefly mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth highlighting again. One standout feature of We Feed Raw is their personalized meal plans. They consider your dog’s breed, age, weight, activity level, and health status to create a customized feeding regimen.
I went with the one-off Big Box this time, but I also went through the process to set up a meal plan just to test it out. It’s VERY simple and straightforward. I love that you can choose the benefits that you most want to see.
One important tip: when filling out the form for a puppy, be sure to input the adult weight, meaning the weight you expect your dog to reach when fully grown. If you forget, or if you have any other concerns, someone from We Feed Raw will contact you to ask for more information. Their customer service is exceptionally proactive.
All We Feed Raw recipes adhere to the nutritional standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This ensures that the meals offer complete and balanced nutrition for dogs at every life stage.
We Feed Raw’s ingredients list is very transparent. Here’s a breakdown:
- Muscle Meat: Includes cuts like beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb, providing essential proteins and amino acids.
- Organ Meat: Such as liver, heart, and kidneys, supplying vital vitamins and minerals.
- Edible Bone: Ground bone for calcium and phosphorus, crucial for bone health.
- Vegetables and Supplements: While the core diet is meat-based, they also include vegetables and essential supplements to ensure a balanced nutrient profile.
FYI, if you’re worried about the bone and your dogs choking on it, don’t be. It’s ground up to the point that you wouldn’t even know it’s there if you didn’t read the ingredients.
Easy Transition
Freya has never tried raw food before, primarily because I didn’t feel confident in my ability to create a well-balanced raw diet for her. Despite spending hours researching, I was concerned I might overlook essential nutrients.
We Feed Raw eliminates the guesswork, as all their meals are crafted by veterinary nutritionists. This gave me much more confidence in the idea of feeding raw, but I still had concerns about the transition.
Inside the box, there’s a straightforward yet incredibly useful chart guiding you through the transition from kibble to raw. It’s a 10-day process where you gradually increase the ratio of raw food to kibble every few days. Initially, you start with a quarter raw food. Then, over the next few days, you progress to half and half, and so on. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you can extend the time between each stage.
Convenient Delivery (Recurring Subscriptions or “One-Off” Bulk Boxes)
We Feed Raw provides a subscription service with convenient home delivery. The meals are shipped frozen in insulated packaging, ensuring they arrive fresh and ready to store. This is a major benefit for busy pet owners who want to give their dogs high-quality food without the hassle of frequent shopping trips.
Along with a recurring subscription, We Feed Raw also offers several bulk box options. As I said, I have the Big Box. It came with 27 16-oz patties, with 9 each of Lamb, Beef, and Turkey.
If the Big Box is a little too big for you, they also have a Classic Box with 18 lbs of food and a Small Box with 9 lbs. Each one comes with the same variety. Plus, they have bulk boxes of single recipes as well. In other words, you have A LOT of options.
Whichever option you choose, the food is packaged EXTREMELY well, too. Mine arrived in the middle of a heat wave, with a heat index of over 100. Everything in the box was still frozen solid. It was such a pleasure to put away into my freezer because it was just SO cold.
One note about packaging: due to the extra measures taken to ensure the food arrives frozen, if you’re purchasing individual patties from their bulk options, you need to buy in 30lb increments. This is because of their shipping process. However, if you don’t want 30 lbs of food all at once, you can opt for one of their variety boxes instead.
Drawbacks and Considerations
As with even the best things in life, there are always a few drawbacks and things to consider.
1. Cost
Raw feeding is generally more expensive than traditional kibble or canned food, and We Feed Raw is no exception. While the high-quality ingredients justify the cost, it might not be affordable for all pet owners. However, they do offer discounts on your first box, bulk discounts, and other ways to save money.
Overall, I find that We Feed Raw is cheaper than buying meat from a butcher shop and definitely more economical than purchasing everything needed to create a balanced raw diet from a grocery store, where beef prices are currently sky-high. Although I don’t eat beef myself, my son does, and it’s cheaper to buy him a burger from a restaurant than from the grocery store! So, all things considered, I don’t think the cost of We Feed Raw is unreasonable.
Another way to save money is to use raw in place of one meal instead of as their only food. Ryan Reed, co-owner of TechnoBark, tried out We Feed Raw’s subscription-based option. He said that he’s been doing that with his dog, giving him part raw, part kibble, and it’s been working out great.
2. Storage and Handling Requirements
Raw food requires careful storage and handling to prevent contamination. Meals must be kept frozen until ready to serve and then thawed in the fridge overnight, which can be inconvenient for some. Additionally, handling raw meat demands more attention to hygiene compared to dry or canned food.
However, We Feed Raw addresses this concern by using high-pressure processing (also known as cold processing). According to them, “High-pressure processing is a 100% natural, non-thermal technology that employs ultra-high water pressure to neutralize food-borne pathogens such as Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella.”
Of course, you still need to use common sense when you’re handling it, but We Feed Raw goes above and beyond to make safety a top priority.
3. Possible Digestive Upset (at first)
Some dogs may experience upset stomachs at first during the transition to a raw diet. This can include symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting. Just be sure to monitor your dog closely and talk to your vet if symptoms continue.
Freya has a sensitive tummy, so this was my biggest worry. She did have some regurgitation the first day, but that was my fault. I gave her the lamb first, and she’s never had lamb meat outside of kibble. Plus, she’s always been sensitive to cold food. So, I made a mistake by giving her a whole new type of protein AND cold food.
I switched to beef the next day and she didn’t have any issues. She was also thrilled because since she rarely has fresh beef. She LOVES when my son has leftover steak or hamburgers, which doesn’t happen often. So, she was happy to have all of that beef all to herself.
When we come back to the lamb, I’ll sear it a little first and give her a tiny amount to see if it still upsets her stomach. If it does, then I’ll know she can’t eat lamb. Not all dogs can tolerate all proteins. That’s why We Feed Raw has so many different options.
FAQs About We Feed Raw
Let’s finish things off with a few frequently asked questions and answers about We Feed Raw.
How does We Feed Raw customize meal plans for my dog?
We Feed Raw designs personalized meal plans based on your dog’s age, breed, weight, activity level, and health concerns. This ensures that your dog receives the right balance of nutrients tailored to their specific needs.
Are We Feed Raw meals complete and balanced?
Yes, We Feed Raw’s recipes are formulated to meet the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This ensures that their meals provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs at all life stages.
How do I transition my dog to We Feed Raw?
To transition your dog to We Feed Raw, start by mixing a small portion of raw food with their current food. Gradually increase the amount of raw food while decreasing their current food over a period of 7-10 days. This helps minimize digestive upset during the transition.
What are the benefits of feeding my dog a raw diet?
Feeding your dog a raw diet can lead to several health benefits, including improved coat condition, increased energy levels, better digestion, healthier teeth and gums, and overall enhanced vitality.
How much does We Feed Raw cost?
The cost of We Feed Raw varies based on your dog’s specific needs and the meal plan selected. While it is generally more expensive than traditional kibble, many pet owners find the health benefits justify the higher price.
Can puppies eat We Feed Raw?
Yes, We Feed Raw meals are formulated to be suitable for dogs at all life stages, including puppies. However, when you fill out the form, use your puppy’s expected adult weight. You can also talk to customer service to help you better develop the right plan for your pup.
Is We Feed Raw suitable for senior dogs?
Yes, We Feed Raw is suitable for senior dogs. Their meal plans can be customized to meet the specific nutritional requirements of older dogs, helping to maintain their health and vitality.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a natural, nutritious diet for your dog and are willing to invest in their health, We Feed Raw is a brand worth considering. With their transparent practices and commitment to quality, they provide a trustworthy solution for raw feeding enthusiasts.
