Thankfully these days, our beloved pups are spoiled for choice when it comes to healthy, delicious dog food. There’s fresh dog food, raw dog food, air and freeze-dried food, premium canned foods and kibble, toppers, treats, the works!
With so many options, you almost need a dog-food dictionary to know exactly what’s what. And that, pup-parents, is what we’re about to give you. Here’s a lot of what you need to know about fresh-and-raw dog food and kibble.
The Difference Between Fresh & Raw Dog Food
At the top of the dog-food pyramid are two popular, equally tasty options. While the names “fresh” and “raw” dog food might imply they’re similar, they’re actually quite different. Is fresh food better for dogs? What is a raw diet for dogs? Let’s find out.
Fresh Dog Food
Fresh dog food is basically the dog version of a well-balanced home-cooked meal.
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High-quality ingredients: fresh meats (chicken, beef, turkey, eggs, salmon), veggies (peas, spinach), and grains.
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Gently cooked (often steamed) into nutritious, dog-friendly dishes.
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Carefully prepared so it’s easier on your pup’s tummy.
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Meals can be delivered fresh or frozen to your door.
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Fresh dog food needs to be refrigerated (just like fresh human food!)
The Benefits of Fresh Dog Food
Full of Flavor – Fresh dog food is a fantastic option for picky-eaters. Because it’s made of quality ingredients and gently prepared, it helps seal in all its yummy flavors.
Balanced Nutrition — Fresh dog food is typically formulated to meet all your dog’s nutritional needs (in the right proportions!)
Digestive Bliss — Many experts say fresh dog food is helpful for dogs with sensitive tummies or digestive issues.
Increased Energy — Think of how you feel after a nourishing, well-balanced meal. That’s how your pup will feel eating fresh!
No Mystery Ingredients! – You know exactly what’s going in your dog’s bowl. No weird fillers or chemicals, just real food.
How to Choose the Best Fresh Dog Food
Your vet can help guide you towards the best fresh dog food options for your pet. Once you start exploring, look for well-reviewed brands who use quality-grade proteins like chicken, beef, or fish, as well as wholesome (unprocessed!) veggies and grains. Be sure the company is transparent about where their ingredients come from.
Some brands let you customize meals, which is perfect for finicky eaters. Of course freshness matters so choose small-batch options that ship fast.
Before you load up on a new kind of fresh dog food, start with a trial pack. If you’re switching from canned foods and kibble, best to sloooowly transition to fresh dog food over a few weeks to avoid tummy upset.
Raw Dog Food
The name pretty much says it all: Raw. Essentially, it’s a combination of uncooked meats, bones, organs, and sometimes vegetables. While it might sound icky to us — unless you’re a fan of steak tartare! — lots of dogs adore it.
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A raw dog-food diet mimics what your dog’s ancestors would have eaten.
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Some raw dog food recipes include veggies or fruits, but the main appeal is the raw meat
The Benefits of Raw Dog Food
More Energy & Vitality — Many raw-fed dogs have more pep in their step. The high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients can help increase their energy levels. Get ready for play time!
Weight Management — Because it’s high in protein and lower in carbs (compared to kibble), it can help your dog maintain lean muscle mass and reduce the risk of obesity. It’s the fuel your pup needs, minus the extra calories.
Nature’s Multivitamin — Organs like liver provide all kinds of vitamins and minerals, while added fruits or veg are packed with fiber and antioxidants. All essential nutrients for a healthy pup!
Shiny Coat, Healthy Skin — Raw dog food is rich in natural fats and oils which can lead to a shinier, soft coat and healthier skin.
Dental Hygiene — Raw, meaty bones can help scrape off plaque and tartar, just like a natural toothbrush. It can also give them a boost of calcium!
Downsides of Raw Dog Food
Raw meat needs to be handled very carefully to avoid messy — and potentially dangerous — situations like Salmonella bacteria.
Be sure to clean your dog’s bowl (and your hands!) often with soap and warm water. Raw bones can also be a choking hazard so keep a watchful eye on your pup while he’s chomping away.
While there are a lot of raw-dog food fans (and that’s a-okay!) Jinx’ nutrition philosophy for dogs differs slightly, based on our research. We’ve found that modern-day dogs should not mimic their wolf-like ancestors, as your pup can get a better balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbs from sources like Jinx Homemades.
Sure raw meat is packed with protein, which is great for some dogs, but most dogs really thrive and reap the benefits of eating well-balanced meals.
How to Choose the Best Raw Dog Food
Amongst dog-nutrition experts, the raw dog-food diet is known by the rather unappetizing acronym: “BARF”, which stands for “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food,” not your dog’s reaction to bad food!
As we’ve learned above, raw food is uncooked, natural, and pretty darn close to what your dog might eat out in the wild (if they had any hunting skills!)
If you're thinking about going BARF, consult with your vet to see what protein, brand, and portions they recommend for your unique pup.
We’ll expand on this later but any time you change your dog’s diet, be sure to do it gradually, over a few weeks. A sudden menu change (especially to a raw food diet!) can wreak havoc on your pup’s tum-tum.
What’s the Cost of Fresh vs Raw Dog Food?
When it comes to price, raw dog food is usually a more budget-friendly option. That’s because it’s made with bulk raw meats, bones, organs, and vegetables which tend to cost less than the human-grade, cooked ingredients in fresh dog food.
If you decide to DIY your dog’s raw food diet, definitely do some research beforehand. You’ll want to make sure you’re buying quality meats, not old scraps that might contain harmful bacteria.
Not only is fresh dog a bit pricier because of its prepared, top-quality ingredients (which are excellent for pups!) — getting it delivered to your door can add a lil’ extra.
All said, if you’re looking to save money, raw might be a better option, unless your dog’s not enjoying it. It can be hard on a lot of pup’s stomachs, and if that’s the case, don’t force it! Try fresh dog food, Jinx “Homemades”, or Kibble.
And speaking of Kibble! Let’s find out all there is to know about it.
What is Kibble Dog Food?
Healthy dog kibble — and we’re clearly biased about Jinx Adult Dog Kibble and Puppy Kibble — is basically a bowl of goodness for your pup.
The Benefits of Kibble
Think of Kibble as a balanced meal that covers all your dog’s nutritional needs. It’s made with wholesome, real proteins like chicken, beef, or fish — plus veggies (and sometimes grains!) for added vitamins and nutrients.
Let’s break down exactly why kibble is awesome:
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Protein for building and maintaining muscle mass
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Fiber for smoother digestion
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Grains for sustained energy
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Vitamins and minerals for overall health
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Kibble’s texture helps remove plaque on teeth and gums
Some new dog parents ask us, “Is kibble bad for dogs?” Our answer: It depends on the quality of the kibble. Unfortunately there are loads of cheap, unhealthy options on the market full of fillers, artificial flavors, icky stuff you don’t want your dog ingesting.
For the record, we’re only dissing bad kibble. Jinx’ healthy kibble is awesome for your dog! It’s made of only quality, nutritious ingredients like: cage-free chicken, grass-fed beef, or sustainably-caught salmon, plus superfoods with essential vitamins and minerals. Aka, all the good stuff!
How is Kibble Different from Fresh and Raw Dog Food?
The other big plus about kibble — aside from it being a crunchy-delicious-nutritious staple in most dog’s diets — is that it’s a convenient type of dog food as it’s crafted for shelf stability. That means it doesn’t need refrigeration and it can last for months in a pantry or storage.
What’s the Best Kibble for Dogs?
Like we said, we’re (understandably) huge fans of Jinx kibble — and so are our dogs!
Because every pup has different flavor preferences and dietary needs, Jinx kibble comes in 3 delicious flavors: Grass-fed Beef, Cage-free Chicken, and Atlantic Salmon. Even better? We have grain-free kibble options as well:
Dog Kibble with Grain vs No Grain
While protein is the main ingredient in most dog kibble, there are often grains included (or not!) to add nutrients into the mix.
For dogs with sensitive stomachs, Grain-Free Kibble is popular because it's often easier on tummies. It can also help reduce allergies and support better digestion.
But just because all those good-grain-nutrients aren’t in there doesn’t mean it’s missing essential vitamins and minerals! Grain-free kibble is made with high-quality protein and veggies, giving your pup a delicious, nutritious meal, minus the grains that may cause issues.
Jinx Expert Tip! How to Switch to New Dog Food
Now that we’ve thoroughly explored the best food for dogs, or shall we say, the healthiest food for dogs — it’s time for Jinx’ expert tip on how to transition your dog to a new kind of food.
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Mix small amounts of your dog’s new food with their old food for 7-10 days.
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Slowly increase the ratio of new food while decreasing the old.
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Always watch out for allergic reactions like itching, ear infections, and digestion trouble — and contact your vet if symptoms continue or get worse.
FAQs
Is kibble bad for my dog?
Quality kibble is great for dogs! Ultra-processed kibble made with fillers and artificial additives is not great for dogs.
Jinx kibble nourishes your dog from the inside out! It’s packed with high-quality, responsibly sourced ingredients like real meat and plant-based superfoods, giving your pup a deeelish, nutrient-rich meal. Jinx kibble is also designed for easy digestion, boosting your dog’s overall health and happiness.
Should I mix kibble with fresh food?
Mixing kibble with fresh food is a great way to enhance your dog’s diet and mealtime experience. It combines the convenience of kibble with the many added benefits of fresh ingredients.
What is the healthiest food for my dog?
Well, that can depend on various factors: Your dog’s breed, age, health, and activity level. That said, all dogs benefit from a balanced diet filled with quality protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins & minerals.
When transitioning your dog to new food, always be on the lookout to allergy or food-sensitivity symptoms like: itching, ear infections, or tummy issues. Consult with your vet to choose the best meal plan for your pup’s unique needs.
Why do different food types suit different dogs?
Every pup is unique. Some thrive on fresh food while others do better with kibble or raw diets. As mentioned, factors like age, activity level, health conditions, and allergies all play a role in finding the right fit.