We Feed Raw vs. Raised Right: Which Raw Dog Food Is Better?

If you have narrowed your raw dog food search to We Feed Raw and Raised Right, the honest first thing to know is that they are not the same category of food. We Feed Raw is a genuine raw diet. Raised Right is gently cooked. Both are minimally processed, human-quality, and built to meet recognized nutrient standards, but the processing difference shapes everything else: safety profile, texture, storage, price, and which dog each one is right for.

This comparison walks through what each brand actually delivers, where they diverge on the details that matter, and a clear recommendation by dog and owner profile. The goal is to help you match the food to your dog, not to crown a single winner that fits everyone.

We Feed Raw vs. Raised Right: side-by-side comparison

The table below summarizes the core differences. The most consequential row is the first one. We Feed Raw is raw; Raised Right is lightly cooked. Read every other row through that lens.

If you are still deciding whether raw is right for your dog at all, our guide to the best raw dog food brands reviewed and compared sets the wider context, and freeze-dried raw options are worth a look if frozen storage is a dealbreaker.

Raw 80/10/10 meat (left) sits beside a gently cooked, single-protein recipe with carrots and cranberries (right), the core difference between the two brands.

We Feed Raw, examined: authentic raw built on 80/10/10

We Feed Raw is a true raw diet. Its recipes follow an 80/10/10 model, which means 80% muscle meat, 10% organ meat, and 10% edible bone, with a vitamin and mineral blend added to close nutritional gaps. That structure is what lets the brand claim its recipes are complete and balanced to AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, which matters because many raw diets built on ratio alone do not meet those standards.

The protein density is high. The chicken recipe, for example, runs at roughly 44.8% protein and 34.4% fat on a dry-matter basis. Some recipes are limited-ingredient, with as few as six components, and novel proteins like venison make the lineup workable for dogs with poultry allergies.

On safety, We Feed Raw uses High-Pressure Processing, a cold-water pressure technique that neutralizes pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria without heat, so the food stays raw. This is the single most important reason to choose a commercial raw brand over grinding your own. The same pathogen risks that make raw feeding controversial are the ones HPP is designed to address. Our analysis of whether raw dog food is safe covers what the research and the FDA actually say on this.

Logistics are the main friction point. The food is frozen and ordered in 30-pound increments, so the next step up from 30 pounds is 60, then 90, which means freezer space is a real planning factor. Expect roughly $65 per week to feed a 50-pound, moderately active dog the chicken, turkey, and beef recipes, though your cost will shift with your dog’s weight and activity. A two-week trial lets you test fit before committing.

Best for: owners who specifically want raw, have freezer capacity, and value a ratio-based diet that still hits AAFCO all-life-stages standards. For the full breakdown of pricing tiers and recipes, our We Feed Raw review goes deeper.

Raised Right, examined: gently cooked, low-carb, limited-ingredient

Raised Right is not raw, and that is the point. The food is gently cooked at low temperatures in a USDA-inspected human-grade facility, which kills pathogens through heat while preserving moisture and nutrient quality. For owners drawn to minimally processed feeding but wary of raw handling, this is the practical middle ground.

The recipes are built around a single animal protein and a short ingredient list, no more than 10 items in the Original line, with three of the top five ingredients being quality animal proteins. There are no high-carb fillers like potato, rice, oats, or pasta, so most Original recipes come in under 2% carbohydrates. That low-carb, single-protein profile is what makes Raised Right a strong fit for dogs with food sensitivities or owners managing weight and metabolic concerns.

A distinctive formulation choice: many recipes meet AAFCO complete-and-balanced requirements using only whole foods, without added synthetic vitamins and minerals. The recipes were developed with veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker and a pet nutritionist, and the brand earns its credibility through that oversight rather than through marketing claims alone.

Safety is handled by a hold-and-release program. Every batch is lab-tested for pathogens including E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, and food is not shipped until it clears testing. One scope note worth flagging: adult Original recipes meet AAFCO maintenance and puppy recipes meet growth, but the Veterinary Support recipes are formulated for specific health needs and may not be AAFCO complete, so those are not drop-in replacements for a daily diet.

Best for: dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs, dogs that need a low-carb diet, and owners who want minimally processed food without the handling demands of raw. The full pricing and recipe detail lives in our Raised Right review.

Who should choose We Feed Raw, and who should choose Raised Right

The decision comes down to one question first: do you want raw, or do you want minimally processed but cooked? Everything else follows from that.

Choose We Feed Raw if any of these describe you:

• You are committed to a genuine raw diet and want the 80/10/10 ratio done correctly and balanced to AAFCO all-life-stages standards.
• You have freezer space and are comfortable ordering in 30-pound increments.
• You want high protein and fat density, and a novel protein like venison for an allergy-prone dog.

Choose Raised Right if any of these describe you:

• Your dog has food sensitivities or a sensitive stomach and benefits from a single protein with a short ingredient list.
• You want a low-carb diet, with most Original recipes under 2% carbohydrates.
• You prefer minimally processed food but are not comfortable with raw handling, and you value batch-level lab testing before shipping.

There is no universal winner here because the two foods answer different questions. We Feed Raw wins for authentic raw nutrition with proper balancing. Raised Right wins for low-carb, allergy-friendly meals with cooked-food safety margins. If your dog has a diagnosed condition or you are switching from kibble, introduce the new food gradually over about 10 days, and talk to your veterinarian before any major dietary change, especially for puppies, seniors, or dogs with existing health issues.

Frequently asked questions

Is We Feed Raw actually raw and Raised Right is not?

Yes. We Feed Raw is a true raw diet, treated with High-Pressure Processing to neutralize pathogens without heat, so the food stays raw. Raised Right is gently cooked at low temperatures in a USDA-inspected human-grade facility, which kills pathogens through heat. Both are minimally processed, but only We Feed Raw is raw.

Are both We Feed Raw and Raised Right AAFCO compliant?

Both meet AAFCO nutrient profiles, with one scope difference. We Feed Raw recipes are complete and balanced for all life stages. Raised Right adult recipes meet AAFCO maintenance and its puppy recipes meet growth, but its Veterinary Support recipes are made for specific health needs and may not be AAFCO complete.

Which is better for a dog with allergies or a sensitive stomach?

Raised Right is the more natural fit for many sensitive dogs because of its single-protein, limited-ingredient recipes with no more than 10 ingredients and very low carbohydrates. We Feed Raw also offers limited-ingredient and novel-protein options like venison, which can work for dogs with poultry allergies. For persistent digestive issues, consult your veterinarian before switching.

How much does each brand cost?

We Feed Raw runs about $65 per week to feed a 50-pound, moderately active dog its chicken, turkey, and beef recipes, with cost varying by your dog’s weight and activity. Raised Right pricing depends on recipe and how much of the diet you feed, since it can be served as a full diet or a portion of one. Both offer ways to try the food before fully committing.

The right pick depends on your dog and your routine, not on which brand markets harder. Match the food type to your dog’s needs first, then compare price and logistics, and bring your veterinarian into any significant diet change.