The Raw Advantage Crafting Superior Raw Dog Food for Your Pooch
Raw dog food the big questions
Raw dog food diets have been around as long as dogs and their ancestors have been around. Until the creation of dry dog food and canned dog food, dogs lived off raw meat, scraps and anything they could scavenge.
You may have heard of the old English expression as fit as a butchers dog, which implies that a dog living off meat, bones and offal is likely to be in fine fettle.
However, after the creation and growth of mass-market dog food, domestic dogs diets changed and the feeding of raw dog food became less common. That is until recent years
Raw food for dogs has increased in popularity in recent years; some of it homemade, some produced by cottage industries, but increasingly provided by medium to large companies for a national market.
What are the best raw dog foods?
Some work on the prey model, which is an 80% meat, 10% ground bone, 10% organ meat (offal) blend. Others use the recipes akin to the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) model, which includes a small percentage of vegetables.
Both kinds profess an authenticity based on dogs evolutionary diets.
It being something new (but also very old) it has generated a lot of doubt, cynicism and questions alongside its popularity.
We put some of the questions we most frequently get asked by readers to Amy Zalneraitis, the CBO at 5-star-rated We Feed Raw.
Is raw dog food safe for dogs?
AZ: Raw dog food is not only safe for dogs, its what is most biologically appropriate for them. Dogs have thrived on a raw, meat-based diet since the dawn of their existence. While weve domesticated dogs and bred them for their appearance, behavior, and temperament, in form and function, their digestive system is identical to their ancestors. With highly acidic stomachs, sharp, pointy teeth, and short, simple digestive tracts, a dogs biology tells us what they should be eating.
So any raw food will do?
Not all raw pet foods are created equal. We use only high-quality, USDA, human-grade meats. We produce our recipes in a USDA-certified facility and all ingredients must comply with rigid incoming quality assurance specifications. Most importantly, to ensure safe raw feeding in the home, we use HPP (high-pressure processing) a non-thermal pasteurization technology that uses extreme cold water pressure (up to 87,000 psi) to ensure our food is free of pathogens such as Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella.
While not all raw companies in the U.S. do this, we incur the extra cost because it ensures a safe product. Because the process uses pressure rather than heat, there is no change in product taste, texture, or nutritional value.
Is raw dog food safe for humans?
It depends if you mean to eat or handle. While our food is sourced from USDA, human-grade meats, our recipes are not intended for human consumption. Our formulas contain the correct ratio of muscle meat, organ meat, finely ground bone and a high-quality vitamin and mineral mix for full and proper canine nutrition, not full and proper human nutrition.
As for handling, dogs can cope with bacteria in ways that humans cant, but HPP offers extra peace of mind while feeding raw in the home. HPP is used by many reputable raw pet food companies because its a natural way to reduce harmful bacteria while preserving nutrients.
When youre purchasing raw pet food from a reputable company, its easy to feed raw food safely you use the same basic hygiene practices you use when preparing your own raw meats to cook, like washing hands, surfaces, and bowls.
Its more expensive than kibble why should I spend extra?
Because the quality of the food our dogs eat has a direct impact on how well they live. Eighty percent of immune capability is in the gut and low-carb raw diets help to promote healthy gut microflora. Raw food will always be more expensive because quality costs more. Hands down, raw costs more to source and make and its not packed with cheap fillers. While youll pay more upfront with raw, youll save money down the line because youll have a healthier, happier dog and far fewer vet visits.
Why wouldnt I just make raw food at home?
If youre a DIY raw feeder, amazing! Great job! But weve found that many pet parents dont have the time, energy, interest, or resources to make properly balanced raw food at home. Thats where we come in. We plan, portion, package, and deliver. All you have to do is thaw and feed. No concern that your dog is missing important nutrients, no trips to the pet food store, no guesswork.
Do dogs need vegetables?
Our recipes are based on the Prey Model Raw diet: approximately 80% muscle meat (with connective tissue and fat), 10% organ meat (all of which is secreting organ), 10% finely ground raw meaty bones plus a small amount of a high-quality vitamin and mineral mix.
Some of our customers will choose to add veggies to the meals, and thats great, as long as they dont overdo it. If your dog does well with a bit of extra fiber, our Ph.D. nutritionist suggests around a 5-8% veggie inclusion. With dogs, plant matter usually passes out as part of the stool, undigested because their bodies have to work much harder to break it down.
We usually recommend pureeing veggies: dogs do not have natural cellulase, an enzyme that helps to break down fiber, so pureeing them will help aid in digestion.
Do I need to add supplements?
Not with our food. Our food is complete and balanced as is. No need to add supplements. That said, its totally fine to add a small amount of your preferred probiotic, prebiotic, fish oil or omega-3 oil, etc. We just advise that pet parents dont add a multivitamin, as we already include a high-quality vitamin and mineral mix to our recipes.
When it comes to adding other whole foods, like canned pumpkin, phytoplankton, sardines, green-lipped mussels, etc, these can be wonderful, healthy additions and we totally support those as toppers to our meals.
Are there any proven benefits to a raw diet?
A dogs digestive system is identical to its ancestors. They didnt lose the ability to digest their evolutionary diet just because kibble was invented mere seconds ago in geologic time. Therefore, isnt it prudent to imitate what nature provided as a guideline?
As for specific studies, were excited about the work being done at the University of Helsinki on the benefits of a raw dog food diet. Led by veterinary scientist Dr. Anna-Hielm Bjrkman (DVM and PhD), The Dog Risk Study is a university-led, cruelty-free study using 16,000 dogs of all breeds and ages.
The program has already proven that puppies fed raw (vs kibble) have fewer environmental allergies as adults and a reduced risk of developing IBD later in life. Some of the other specific studies its exploring include hip dysplasia, GI issues, chronic ear infections, cancer and tumors.
How do I transition my dog to raw food?
Our intro plan helps to gradually introduce dogs to raw food over a 10-day period. The detailed directions instruct pet parents on how to mix their pups current food with We Feed Raw and increase the percentage of We Feed Raw over the course of 9 days until theyre feeding 100% raw.
What are the best raw dog foods?
Will there be side effects?
While some dogs transition to raw with no issues, other dogs with sensitive stomachs may require a bit more TLC and time. Its all normal. The long-term effects of a healthy, species-appropriate diet make it all worth it: smaller, less smelly stools, shiny skin and coat, cleaner teeth, improved digestion, stronger immune system, better weight control the list goes on.
Can I mix raw food with cooked food?
Yes, absolutely. We encourage pet parents to feed what works for their budget and lifestyle. Adding even 25% raw food to your dogs diet can have life-changing health benefits. Raw feeding isnt an all-or-nothing approach. Using it as a base, mixer, or topper with cooked food or kibble can still have amazing overall health benefits.
Why are some vets anti-raw food?
Were seeing a real shift with conventional vets becoming more raw-friendly. In fact, we work with many conventional vets who not only recommend raw to their clients but feed it to their own pets.
So while the tide is changing, here are some reasons that conventional vets may not be pro-raw: 1) Theyre not taught about raw diets in vet school; 2) Theyve seen homemade raw diets go wrong (imbalanced, missing important nutrients, incorrect ratios); 3) They think its a danger to the humans feeding it. However, serious and reputable raw brands in the U.S., like our company, use HPP to neutralize pathogens for safe feeding in the home.
Is raw dog food human-grade?
Raw dog food is meant to be fed raw and usually contains bone, and therefore cannot technically be labeled human-grade as a whole. So while our food is sourced from high-quality human-grade meats and produced in a USDA-certified facility, we do not make the human-grade claim on our labels.
Are bones and offal actually good for dogs?
Not only are they good for dogs, theyre essential to a complete and balanced raw diet. Organ meats, particularly liver, are packed with vitamins and minerals. Bones are an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus.
Pooch & Mutt Dog Food Review (My Honest Verdict)
It can be a confusing and difficult process trying to select the right dog food for your precious pooch.
Official website: poochandmutt.co.uk
Theres no shortage of options available to British dog owners who want to make sure their pup is getting a balanced and complete diet.
If youre a pet parent like me, you no longer need to rely on some of the big-name brands that you find on your local supermarket.
Klee Kai next to Pooch and Mutt kibble (Photo: hellobark.com)
Theres now a growing array of dog food brands offering fresh meals, customized kibble, freeze-dried raw kibble and raw food, giving pet parents plenty of choice.
Pooch & Mutt are one of the leading providers of balanced, complete and fresh dry dog food.
In this review, Im going to take a look at Pooch & Mutt, focusing on the recipes that theyve got on offer, what ingredients they use and what customers are saying about their kibble.
Klee Kai next to Pooch and Mutt kibble (Photo: hellobark.com)
And of course Ill also give my verdict and reveal how my two dogs got on with it.
Pros
- Functional dry dog food
- Nutritionally-enhanced kibble
- Wet dog food options also available
- Highly rated on Trustpilot
- Subscription discount available
Cons
- No option to customise to your dog
- My dogs preferred fresh dog food
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. The content of our articles does not constitute veterinary advice. Its always best to speak with your vet or a certified pet nutritionist before making any changes to your pet's diet or feeding routine.
Pooch & Mutt The Basics
The Pooch and Mutt story began in 2007, when founder Guy Blaskey looked to create dog food that included natural supplements to promote healthy and happy lives for British dogs.
On their website, they explain that they worked with some of the top nutritionists in the UK to develop the Pooch & Mutt food range, cutting out the junk you find in mass-produced pet foods and instead include positive nutrition such as supplements and nutraceuticals.
Klee Kai next to Pooch and Mutt kibble (Photo: hellobark.com)
They aim to provide British dog owners with a healthy alternative to some of the big-name dog food brands that you find at your local supermarket. Often, these traditional types of dog food can contain mystery ingredients and fillers in their food.
Pooch & Mutt say that they believe in putting pets first before profits and promise that their dog food is full of healthy, natural ingredients and doesnt contain any hidden nasties or junk.
They also say on their website that they aim to improve the quality of lives of dogs in the UK without damaging the environment. Pooch & Mutt use biodegradable packaging and recyclable plastic pouches.
Although Ill be concentrating on their complete dry food range for the purposes of this review, they also offer complete wet food and mini-bone dog treats.
Klee Kai next to Pooch and Mutt kibble (Photo: hellobark.com)
How Pooch & Mutt Works
When you land on the Pooch & Mutt website, youve got two options. You can head to shop and select the type of food and the ingredients you want.
Alternatively, you may prefer to go for a subscription plan, which can save you around 25%.
If you do opt for a subscription plan, you can change, pause or cancel whenever you want and you can choose when youd like your delivery to arrive.
Klee Kai next to Pooch and Mutt kibble (Photo: hellobark.com)
Once youve selected subscribe and save, youre brought back to the products page where you can make your selection.
Pooch & Mutt offer a range of functional dry food recipes. These include Calm & Relaxed, Health & Digestion, Joint Care and Slim & Slender. Theyve also got life-stage dry superfood for dogs: adult, small, puppy and senior.
You can check out the full ingredients list of each and every recipe on the Pooch & Mutt website, so youll be able to know exactly whats gone into your pups meals.
Once youve selected your dry food of choice, you can select the subscribe and save option to set up your plan.
Klee Kai next to Pooch and Mutt kibble (Photo: hellobark.com)
At no stage do Pooch & Mutt ask for details about your dog, so its up to the dog owner to figure out which kibble option is best for their dog as well as the appropriate-sized bag.
Meal Preparation
Feeding your dogs their Pooch & Mutt meals at dinnertime is a simple process. Pooch & Mutt provide feeding guidelines on their packaging to provide dog owners with guidance on how much to feed their pups.
Klee Kai next to Pooch and Mutt kibble (Photo: hellobark.com)
On their website, they say: Please be aware that these guidelines are only rough, as we know that each dog is different! You know your dog best, so feel free to use our suggestions as a guide but know that you can increase of decrease the level based on how your dog is doing with the amounts.
Once youve worked out the right portion size for your canine companion, you simply scoop the kibble into their dog food before you reseal the bag!
Find out about the best dog food subscription services in the UK in our in-depth guide.
Price And Delivery How Much Is Pooch & Mutt?
Pooch & Mutt offer a range of different sized bags to cater to dogs of all sizes.
For my Alaskan Klee Kai (5kg), I can expect to pay around 15.99 for a 2kg bag of Pooch & Mutt functional, grain-free dry food. If I were to sign up to their subscription service, the price is reduced to 11.99.
Alternatively, a 10kg bag costs 59.99 (reduced to 44.99 on their subscription plan).
Klee Kai next to Pooch and Mutt kibble (Photo: hellobark.com)
Pooch & Mutt offer free delivery on orders over 39.99 so you could stock up on a couple of bags if youve got small dogs like me.
What Are Customers Saying?
At the time of updating this review in March 2024, Pooch & Mutt had an impressive average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on independent review website Trustpilot. Heres what some customers had to say.
A Husky owner gave the company a glowing five-star review.
Pooch & Mutt make my husky a happy boy! My Husky Benji loves Pooch & Mutt treats and dry food, he never turns them down (and hes a fussy boy). Everything from the Fresh Breath mini bone tube treats, to calming crunchies to his Health & Digestion dry food, none of these give him an upset tummy and hes always happy to see the packs!
Klee Kai next to Pooch and Mutt kibble (Photo: hellobark.com)
Picky Maggie is enjoying her Pooch & Mutt dog food.
I have a 7 month old cross breed puppy, Maggie who is very fussy. I wanted her to have a grain free diet and I have tried quite a few different brands, even tailor made dog food but she was leaving most of the meals. I am very happy to say Maggie is jumping up and barking excitedly when I mix her food. She has complete puppy food mixed with the wet food. She loves it.
A Cavachon owner explained how Pooch & Mutt dog food had cleared up her tear stains.
I came across Pooch & Mutt on a trip to a supermarket. They have tried the small breed one and the Salmon one and they finally eat their biscuit mixed with a little cold meat and a tiny tiny slither of cheese. One of my dogs had bad tear staining and weak eyes (a badly bred Cavachon who I rescued from a puppy farm). The vets were so impressed with the difference in a few weeks and asked me what had changed. I told them about the change in diet and said they were really impressed with how she is coming on.
My dogs generally enjoyed gobbling down their Pooch & Mutt kibble (Photos: hellobark.com)
My Honest Verdict Is Pooch & Mutt Worth It?
I really like that Pooch & Mutt offer a range of functional dry food options for dogs of all shapes, sizes and personalities.
One of my Alaskan Klee Kai is very anxious so it was great to be able to go with Calm & Relaxed for him. My female mini husky has struggled with a sensitive stomach in the past so I liked that I could feed her Pooch & Mutts Health & Digestion offering.
The packaging is easy-on-the-eye and the feeding guidelines are easy to follow. If youre happy to go with balanced and complete kibble, you wont go wrong with Pooch & Mutt.
Pooch and Mutt kibble (Photo: hellobark.com)
However, I personally do prefer when dog food companies provide the option to customise their food to meet your dogs specific needs.
Having struggled with my picky eaters in the past, I do prefer fresh dog food meals over kibble because I find my Alaskan Klee Kai enjoyed the enhanced taste and smells.
Although my Klee Kai can be fussy, if your dog likes kibble but you want to adopt a healthier approach to their nutrition, Pooch & Mutt could be a good option for you.
Any Negatives?
As I mentioned above, it would be great if Pooch & Mutt offered the option to tailor their dry food to meet your dogs specific needs.
This is an element that they dont currently offer but they do provide a free nutrition consultation to help pet parents.
Pooch and Mutt kibble (Photo: hellobark.com)
Is This The Best Dry Food For Dogs?
Pooch & Mutt do a really great job at providing British dog owners with a healthy option where dry dog food is concerned.
They offer the option to sign up to a subscription plan so you can get their food delivered direct to your door too.
Although I think Pooch & Mutt are good option for dog owners in the UK, I do feel that pet parents with picky eaters like me may benefit from fresh dog food meals that are frozen and shipped to your home.
You can check out our updated dog food delivery guide by clicking on the link below.
Anything Else To Consider?
If youre thinking about making the switch to a different dog food brand, you should speak to your vet to learn how you can do this without risking any issues.
Pooch & Mutt do provide guidance on their website on how to transition your dog from their old food to their new food, so its a good idea to follow their suggestions.
Find out about the best dog food subscription services in the UK in our in-depth guide.
Pooch & Mutt Review Conclusion My Final Thoughts
So, do I recommend Pooch & Mutt? I feel that theyre a good choice for pet parents who want to feed their dog nutritionally-enhanced kibble rather than store-bought dry dog food that can often contain additives and fillers.
Pooch & Mutt offer a great range of different recipes to meet the needs of dogs.
However, they dont customise their meals to meet your dogs specific needs unlike some other dog food delivery companies but they do provide a free consultation with their pet nutritionist.
Overall, you wont go wrong with Pooch & Mutt if you decide to give their functional dry food a go.
