On this page15 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Viva Raw vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Viva Raw legitimacy and licensing
- Viva Raw recalls and the 2026 FDA warning letter
- Viva Raw cost
- How Viva Raw Works
- Recipes and nutrition
- Complaints and what customers report
- Cancellation and refunds
- Raw food safety and who should skip it
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Viva Raw's safety record is the problem. It is a real company: Viva Raw LLC of Charlotte, North Carolina, sells frozen raw dog and cat food online and through some pet stores, with more proteins than most raw brands and a 10 lb sampler you can test first. It recalled lots in January 2024, July 2024 and August 2025 for Salmonella or Listeria, and the FDA sent it a warning letter on August 5, 2026 over the 2025 contamination. Viva now says every package with a Best Buy date of March 15, 2027 or later is high pressure processed (HPP), which should lower the risk, so if you buy, check that date on every package and handle the food like raw meat.
- Company
- Viva Raw LLC, Charlotte, NC; co-founders Zach Ao and Jennifer Wu; made by a contract manufacturer, per the FDA4
- Price
- 2 lb packs from $13.50 (Pure Chicken) to $25.50 (Rabbit for Cats); dog chicken $14, turkey $15, beef $16.50, as listed October 20263
- Daily cost estimate
- About $6 to $7 a day for a 30 lb dog and $2.50 a day for a 10 lb cat, per Viva2
- Shipping
- Free over $200 (not Alaska or Hawaii); $15 to $20 flat fee below that; ships Monday to Thursday to all 50 states2
- Minimum order
- 6 lb for one-time orders; 10 lb for subscriptions2
- Pathogen kill step
- HPP at 600 MPa (87,000 PSI) on packages with a Best Buy date of March 15, 2027 or later; older packages used a probiotic blend1
- Recalls
- January 2024 (duck, lot 22853), July 2024 (turkey, lot 21244), August 2025 (beef and chicken, lots 21495 and 21975)5
- FDA warning letter
- Issued August 5, 2026 over Salmonella and Listeria found in three products in August 20254
Pros
- Seven proteins, including rabbit, lamb and pork, for dogs and cats
- Cat recipes formulated for all life stages and a separate puppy recipe
- Every lot tested for Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli O157:H7 and held until results return
- HPP on packages with a Best Buy date of March 15, 2027 or later
- Subscription optional, with a first-order Clean Bowl Guarantee
Cons
- Three recalls between January 2024 and August 2025
- FDA warning letter in August 2026
- Shipping costs $15 to $20 on orders under $200
- Regular dog recipes are for adult maintenance only
- Needs freezer space and careful raw meat handling
Best for: Experienced raw feeders with dogs or cats who want many proteins, including novel ones, and who will check the Best Buy date on every package.
Skip it if: You have a baby, a pregnant person, an older adult or anyone immunocompromised at home, or you want a raw brand without a recall history.
Viva Raw vs. competitors
| Company | Food type | Starting price shown | Pathogen kill step | FDA recalls found |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viva Raw | Frozen raw, dogs and cats | $13.50 per 2 lb pack | HPP on Best Buy dates of March 15, 2027 or later | 3 (2024 to 2025) plus a 2026 warning letter |
| We Feed Raw | Frozen raw (HPP) and freeze-dried, dogs only | $8.89 a pound | HPP on all frozen meals | None found |
| The Farmer's Dog | Gently cooked fresh | About $2 a day | Cooked |
Viva Raw pricing at a glance
Viva Raw prices per 2 lb pack, as listed October 20263
| Protein | Dog recipe | Cat recipe | Pure (base mix) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | $14.00 | $15.50 | $13.50 |
| Turkey | $15.00 | $16.50 | $15.00 |
| Pork | $15.50 | $16.50 | $15.50 |
| Beef | $16.50 | $18.00 | $17.00 |
| Duck | $20.00 | $21.50 | $20.00 |
| Lamb | $22.50 | $24.00 | $22.50 |
| Rabbit | $24.00 | $25.50 | $24.00 |
| Beef and Turkey for Puppies | $17.00 |
Each 2 lb pack is two 1 lb bricks. Shipping is free over $200 and $15 to $20 below that. New customers were offered 50% off a first 10 lb sampler in October 2026.
Viva Raw, step by step
Build a meal plan
Enter your pet's weight, age and activity level and Viva suggests daily portions and an order size.
Order a sampler or a box
New customers usually start with a 10 lb sampler. One-time orders need at least 6 lb and subscriptions at least 10 lb, shipped every 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks.
Edit before the charge
Viva emails 3 days before a subscription box is charged. Boxes are charged at 9 a.m. Eastern on the Wednesday before the ship week and can't be changed after that.
Receive it frozen
Boxes ship Monday to Thursday with dry ice and usually arrive 1 to 3 days later. Freeze right away; food below 40 degrees Fahrenheit is fine to refreeze, per Viva.
Thaw and serve
Thaw in the fridge and use within 2 to 3 days. Check the Best Buy date to confirm the package was HPP treated.
Viva Raw legitimacy and licensing
Yes, Viva Raw is a real business. Viva Raw LLC is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was started by Zach Ao and Jennifer Wu. It sells frozen raw food for dogs and cats on its website and through some independent pet stores. FDA records describe Viva as the own label distributor: a contract manufacturer makes the food, and Viva handles ingredients, recipes and distribution.
Being legitimate is different from being low risk. Viva has recalled food three times since January 2024, and in August 2026 the FDA sent it a formal warning letter. Separately, Consumer Reports said in February 2025 that its testing found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Viva ground beef dog food. Read the safety section below before you order.
Viva Raw recalls and the 2026 FDA warning letter
Here is the record we could verify:
- January 27, 2024: one lot (22853) of duck recipes for dogs and cats was recalled after FDA testing, prompted by a consumer complaint, found Salmonella and Listeria. The lot shipped from October 24 to December 6, 2023.
- July 1, 2024: lot 21244 of five turkey recipes was recalled for Listeria after an FDA and North Carolina Department of Agriculture inspection. The food had shipped to all 50 states and Washington, DC.
- August 25, 2025: lots 21495 (beef for dogs, beef and turkey for puppies) and 21975 (chicken recipes for dogs and cats) were recalled after North Carolina routine testing found Salmonella and Listeria. These went to consumers nationwide and to retailers in seven states. No illnesses were reported in any of the three notices.
FDA warning letter, August 5, 2026. The FDA said three Viva products sampled in August 2025 contained Salmonella Enteritidis or Listeria, that the Salmonella matched a genetic cluster that included isolates from sick people, and that the food was adulterated. It noted Viva’s plan to add HPP but said it could not fully evaluate the fix because Viva had not sent documentation that it was in place. The letter is a warning, not a ban, and Viva can still sell food.
Viva says it began shipping HPP treated food the week of January 26, and that every package with a Best Buy date of March 15, 2027 or later has been processed at 600 MPa (87,000 PSI). Its validation work with the Illinois Institute of Technology’s food safety institute showed more than a 99.999% reduction in major pathogens, according to the company. That lowers the risk; it does not remove it.
Viva Raw cost
Viva sells food in 2 lb packs (two 1 lb bricks). Dog recipes list at $14 for chicken, $15 for turkey, $15.50 for pork, $16.50 for beef, $20 for duck, $22.50 for lamb and $24 for rabbit, or about $7 to $12 a pound. Cat recipes cost $1 to $1.50 more per pack, and the Pure base mixes are similar to the dog prices.
Viva estimates $6 to $7 a day for a 30 lb dog and $2.50 a day for a 10 lb cat on a mix of proteins. Large dogs cost much more. Shipping is free on orders over $200 (except Alaska and Hawaii) and $15 to $20 below that, so ordering in bigger batches saves money if you have the freezer room. In October 2026, new customers were offered 50% off a first 10 lb sampler.
How Viva Raw Works
Getting started with Viva Raw is a straightforward process designed for convenience. The entire system is built around a subscription model, ensuring you receive a steady supply of fresh, frozen food for your pet.
Create Your Pet’s Profile
The first step is to provide information about your pet on the Viva Raw website. You will enter details like their age, weight, breed, and activity level. This information is used to calculate their daily caloric needs and recommend an appropriate meal plan and portion size.
Choose Your Recipes
Next, you can select from a variety of protein sources for your dog or cat. Viva Raw offers single-protein recipes including beef, turkey, chicken, and duck, as well as blended formulas. You can customize your order to rotate proteins, which can be beneficial for preventing food sensitivities and keeping your pet interested in their meals. Note that they offer “Complete” recipes (fully balanced) and “Pure” recipes (meat and bone only, requiring your own supplementation).
Receive Your Delivery
Your pet’s food is flash-frozen to preserve nutrients and then shipped in an insulated box with dry ice to ensure it arrives at a safe temperature. The meals come in pre-portioned patties or chubs, which you then thaw in the refrigerator before serving. The subscription is flexible, allowing you to adjust, pause, or cancel your orders as needed.
What customers say about Viva Raw
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Pets eat it readily, including picky cats
- Wide choice of proteins, including rabbit, lamb and pork
- Finely ground bone and visible whole ingredients
- Easy online subscription changes
Common complaints
- Repeated recalls and worry about contamination
- Bone fragments or food that smelled spoiled on arrival
- Refunds refused after quality problems
- Billing disputes, including a reported double charge
Recipes and nutrition
Viva’s complete dog and cat recipes are 90% meat, organ and bone, 8% organic fruits and vegetables and 2% supplements such as cod liver oil, kelp and green mussel. Its dog recipes are formulated for adult maintenance under AAFCO nutrient profiles, so puppies should eat the separate Beef and Turkey for Puppies recipe until about a year old. Viva says its cat recipes suit all life stages.
The Pure line is an 80% muscle, 10% organ, 10% bone base mix with no added vitamins or vegetables. It is not complete on its own, so plan the rest of the diet with your vet or a board certified veterinary nutritionist. Viva says its meat is USDA inspected, raised without hormones or growth promoting antibiotics and certified humane by third party programs; it does not claim the food is organic.
Complaints and what customers report
Public reviews are thin. Viva’s Trustpilot profile is unclaimed and has only five reviews, all one star, describing sharp bone fragments, food that smelled spoiled, refused refunds and a double charge. We found no BBB profile for the company. Viva’s own site shows more than 3,000 reviews, mostly positive, but those are collected by the company.
To avoid problems: open the box as soon as it arrives and photograph anything thawed or damaged, contact Viva quickly, and check every package’s lot number against the FDA recall notices if you have older stock in your freezer.
Cancellation and refunds
Subscriptions can be edited, rescheduled or cancelled in your account, but changes have to happen before the Wednesday 9 a.m. Eastern charge for that week’s box. Viva says it will try to honor changes after an order is charged but can’t promise to.
The Clean Bowl Guarantee applies only to your first 10 lb sampler. If your pet won’t eat it, contact Viva within 30 days of delivery; Viva may give a refund, store credit or partial credit at its discretion and may ask for photos or a return. For recalled lots, Viva offered refunds on remaining product.
Raw food safety and who should skip it
The FDA advises against feeding raw pet food because it can carry Salmonella and Listeria that make pets and people sick, sometimes without the pet showing symptoms. If you feed raw food, thaw it in the fridge, keep it away from human food, wash bowls, counters and hands after every meal, and pick up after your pet promptly.
Skip raw feeding, or talk to your vet first, if anyone in your home is pregnant, very young, older or has a weakened immune system, or if your pet has a health condition. Report a suspected problem with any pet food through the FDA’s Safety Reporting Portal or your state’s FDA complaint coordinator.
Alternatives to Viva Raw
- We Feed Raw Better if you want raw food that is HPP treated on every frozen meal, free shipping and no recall history we could find. Read review
- The Farmer's Dog Worth it if you want fresh food without raw meat handling risks, since its recipes are cooked. Read review
- Complete commercial kibble or canned food The lowest cost and lowest pathogen risk option; look for an AAFCO complete and balanced statement for your pet's life stage.
Viva Raw reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is Viva Raw safe?
Viva has had three recalls since January 2024 and an FDA warning letter in August 2026. It now uses HPP on packages with a Best Buy date of March 15, 2027 or later, which lowers but does not remove the risk. Any raw food carries some pathogen risk for pets and people.
Has Viva Raw been recalled?
Yes. Viva recalled a duck lot in January 2024, a turkey lot in July 2024 and two beef and chicken lots in August 2025, all for Salmonella or Listeria. No illnesses were reported in the recall notices.
Did the FDA send Viva Raw a warning letter?
Yes, on August 5, 2026. It cited Salmonella and Listeria found in three products in August 2025 and said the FDA could not yet confirm the HPP fix because Viva had not sent documentation.
Is Viva Raw HPP now?
Yes, for packages with a Best Buy date of March 15, 2027 or later. Packages dated March 14, 2027 or earlier were made before the switch and used a probiotic blend instead. Viva will check a label photo if you are unsure.
How much does Viva Raw cost?
Dog recipes run $14 to $24 per 2 lb pack depending on protein, and cat recipes $15.50 to $25.50. Viva estimates $6 to $7 a day for a 30 lb dog. Shipping is free over $200.
Who owns Viva Raw?
Viva Raw LLC is run by co-founders Zach Ao and Jennifer Wu and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. A contract manufacturer makes the food.
Is Viva Raw complete and balanced?
Its complete dog recipes meet AAFCO profiles for adult maintenance, its cat recipes are for all life stages, and it has a separate puppy recipe. The Pure recipes are base mixes and are not complete on their own.
Can I buy Viva Raw in stores?
Some. Viva has a store locator and FDA records show it sells to a small number of retailers, but most orders ship direct from its website.
Does Viva Raw ship to all states?
Yes, to all 50 states, but not outside the U.S. Free shipping over $200 does not apply to Alaska or Hawaii, and some areas need paid express shipping.
Can I cancel a Viva Raw subscription?
Yes, in your account. Make changes before the box is charged at 9 a.m. Eastern on the Wednesday before it ships, since charged orders may not be changeable.
Sources (13)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Viva Raw: HPP FAQs (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Viva Raw: FAQ (cost, shipping, subscriptions, guarantee) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Viva Raw: product catalog and prices (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Warning letter to Viva Raw LLC, CMS 727259, August 5, 2026 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Viva Raw recall of two lots for Salmonella and Listeria, August 25, 2025 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Viva Raw recall of lot 21244 for Listeria, July 1, 2024 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Dog Food Advisor: Viva recalls duck recipes (lot 22853), January 27, 2024 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- KSTP: Consumer Reports dog food testing, February 17, 2025 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Viva Raw: Refund policy (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Viva Raw: Chicken for Dogs product page (ingredients and AAFCO statement) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Viva Raw reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Viva Raw: Customer reviews page (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Get the facts, raw pet food diets can be dangerous to you and your pet (accessed October 12, 2026)
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