Raw Wild Review 2024: Best Raw Food for Dogs?

Overview

Dogs are natural carnivores and flourish on raw diets. Yet, finding reliable pet food delivery services specializing in raw recipes can be challenging. Raw Wild is a premium pet food delivery service offering some of the highest quality protein I’ve seen.

There are a number of raw pet food delivery services, including those that prioritize health and nutrition in their formulations. To make it easier for pet parents out there, I've dived deep into this company. 

Raw Wild stands out among these brands. Dedicated to providing exceptional care for both dogs and cats, the company features predominantly organic, superior-grade meat in its dishes. Rich in essential vitamins and minerals, Raw Wild’s recipes can provide a balanced diet for your precious furry friends.

While I really like Raw Wild, it does have some flaws. The biggest drawback is probably the hefty price tag. If you can afford it, though, Raw Wild has a lot of interesting benefits. If you’re curious, check out my review until the end!

Raw Wild’s Meals: A Single Recipe Made of Wild Elk & Deer

Plans & Recipes: 1 Recipe & 3 Meal Plans Based on Your Pup’s Size

Raw Wild is perhaps the simplest dog food delivery service on the market. The company features only 1 recipe and 3 meal plans based on the size of your dog. So, there’s not much for you to ponder once you decide to give it a try.

The Raw Wild recipe is made almost entirely out of wild elk and deer meat and ground bone. There are also several minerals and vitamins that your pooch needs for better digestion and more energy.

According to Raw Wild, dogs that eat this recipe will reap a wide range of benefits. They’ll have a shinier coat, live longer and healthier lives, suffer less from allergies, and have fewer problems with weight management. 

The available plans are Small, Medium, or Large and feature 12, 24, and 48 lbs packages. This way, you can choose your subscription depending on your dog’s size and appetite. If you’re not sure how much food your dog needs, Raw Wild offers a raw dog food calculator that’s really easy to use.

The amount of food your dog needs is calculated based on its current weight. For instance, for a dog weighing between 40 and 60 lbs, Raw Wild recommends the 48 lbs subscription for large dogs. The recommended daily portion is between 1 and 1.5 lbs.

Ingredients: Just Wild Elk & Deer Meat & Ground Bone (With a Vitamin & Mineral Premix)

Raw Wild’s recipe contains 99.4% wild elk and deer meat and ground bone. The meat-to-bone ratio is 85% to 15%, and there are no organs. The meat is sourced from truly wild animals that spent their entire lives grazing on wild plants and grasses in high alpine areas.

The meat goes to a game processing facility that also prepares wild elk and deer for human consumption. Therefore, the meat that gets into your dog’s food is prepared according to the same rigorous standards in place for meat destined for human consumption.

To keep the recipe made from 100% wild meat, the company opted not to add organs to the mix. Since hunters source the meat, the original organs are left in the field. To avoid introducing contaminants from food fed to domestically raised animals, Raw Wild decided not to add organs available from slaughterhouses.

As a result, the recipe is completely gluten- and grain-free. It also doesn’t contain any growth hormones, fillers, antibiotics, or preservatives. The final 0.6% of the recipe is Raw Wild’s proprietary premix that includes minerals and vitamins.

In the premix, you’ll find calcium, iron, selenium, Riboflavin, Vitamins A, D, E, B12, and more. Its content and ratios were designed by a Ph.D., industry-leading expert with over 30 years of experience in formulating pet foods.

Nutrition: Extremely High Quality Raw Food for Adult Dogs

The Raw Wild recipe meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles. The food is great for dogs in all life stages, except for early puppyhood, when it’s not recommended to feed them raw food.

There is no cooking involved in the process of preparing this recipe. The meat is minced and mixed with the Raw Wild premix and then frozen for transportation. The overall texture looks like the meat you’d buy for burgers, so even dogs with smaller mouths can feast on it.

All the ingredients in the Raw Wild’s recipe are from and made in the USA. The only exception is for 3 vitamins that are shipped from Switzerland. Overall, you can trust that this is among the highest-quality raw food meals on the market.

What Makes Raw Wild Different

I can confidently say that Raw Wild stands apart from most other raw dog food recipes on the market. Here's why:

It Exclusively Uses Wild Animal Meat

Unlike wild animal meat. Unlike many other brands, Raw Wild sources its meat directly from wild elk and deer. This ensures the meat hasn't been contaminated by a domestic animal's diet, which can be filled with hormones, chemicals, and other undesirables.

All Ingredients Align With AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles 

It’s essential to provide our furry friends with a balanced diet, and Raw Wild ensures this balance with precision. Each ingredient is meticulously chosen to meet the rigorous standards established by the AAFCO.

Raw Wild Contains Zero Fillers, Grains, Antibiotics, or GMOs 

In a market flooded with processed and unnatural dog food, it's a breath of fresh air to find a product that prioritizes pure, organic ingredients. I can't stress enough the importance of knowing what goes into your pet's food. 

Unboxing: Frozen Packages Delivered in an Insulated Cooler

Your box includes the package(s) you ordered wrapped in a plastic sleeve and frozen. The packages available on the Raw Wild website come in 3 sizes: 12 lbs, 24 lbs, and 48 lbs. Each package is thoroughly frozen to -20F and placed into an insulated cooler that’s placed inside the cardboard box that reaches your doorstep.

Your order should arrive frozen or slightly thawed, and you must place it in the freezer ASAP. However, if the entire package has completely thawed, you shouldn’t refreeze it – in this case, the meat is no longer safe for consumption. If this happens, contact Raw Wild customer support and explain the situation.

Raw Wild recommends thawing the sealed package in a plastic or glass container. This way, you avoid making a mess in your fridge. Once the meat is thawed, open the package and portion the meal according to the feeding instructions offered on the Raw Wild website.

According to Raw Wild, the correct amount to feed an adult dog is 2-3% of its body weight daily. However, each dog is different, so it’s best to ask your veterinarian. Also, pay attention to how your pooch reacts to the food. The same rules apply if you’re feeding Raw Wild to your cat (yes, this recipe is just as beneficial for our feline friends as it is for dogs). 

Remember to refrigerate any thawed leftovers in an airtight container. The food should stay fresh for about 2 or 3 days as long as it is properly stored and not left out at room temperature.

Prices: It’s Very Expensive, but You’re Paying for Quality

With Raw Wild, you can submit to a recurring subscription or buy a la carte. Shipping is free for all orders except for a few states (check the Shipping & Delivery section), where you have to pay $60 per order for 12 and 24 lbs packages and $100 per order for 48 lbs packages.

Whether it’s a 1-time purchase or a subscription, the minimum order is a 12 lbs package. There is no limit for the upper order, and you can combine recurring and a la carte in the same order.

The amount you’d spend every month differs depending on your dog’s size and appetite. For instance, a dog that’s around 25 lbs would eat around half a pound of raw dog food per day. This means you’ll need around 15 lbs of dog food per month. So, you’ll be able to manage with the Medium Dogs plan ($307.87 per shipment) with a 6-week frequency.

On the other hand, if your furry friend is large, your expenses will be bigger. A 100 lb dog needs around 2 to 3 pounds of food per day. This means a total of 93 pounds per month. So, you’ll go through a 48-lb package every 2 weeks. This means $1000+ per month.

As you can see, Raw Wild is quite expensive. That’s because the recipe only includes premium ingredients. Also, every package is hand-packed and hand-inspected to ensure 100% satisfaction. Also, if you’re not fully satisfied, you have 7 days to ask for a refund – no questions asked.

Shipping & Delivery: Flexible Delivery Frequency & Free Shipping to Most States

If you opt for a subscription, you can choose the frequency of delivery (every 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 weeks). You can also adjust the frequency and amount of food ordered using your online account.

Raw Wild sends out reminders of upcoming recurring orders 3 days before the order is shipped. So there’s no risk that you will forget to make changes. Also, once the order is shipped, you'll receive the tracking information via email. Raw Wild will do its best to make sure your order arrives during the week, but you can’t choose a preferred day. 

Raw Wild ships all over the continental US, and shipping is free in most states. However, there are several states (the infamous Zone 8) where shipping is only possible by air. In this case, the shipping fee is between $60 and $100 per order, depending on weight.

You can make changes to your order whenever you want, as long as it’s not in delivery. If this is the case, the changes will apply to the following shipment. If you have any special requests, it’s best to get in touch with the customer support team.

How Raw Wild Works (Step by Step Guide)

Just like its recipe and plans, Raw Wild keeps everything extremely simple.

How to Sign Up (Just 3 Easy Steps)

You can create an account when you place your first order, but you can also do it separately:

1. To create your account first, look for the Account Login link in the footer of the website. This will take you to the Login page, where you’ll also find the Create Account link.

1. Once you click on the Create Account link, you’ll see the Create Account page.

2. Fill in the required information, click Create, and that’s it. You have an account! The entire operation should take less than 2 minutes.
   

Managing Your Subscription

Your online account lets you see your order history and make adjustments. You can also add multiple addresses, manage your subscriptions, and make changes to orders that have been sent for shipping.

In your account, you’ll also find useful information, like your tracking code or the day of delivery. You can also use the account to change the frequency of your deliveries or cancel the subscription. 

Customer Service: Responsive Support & Useful FAQs

Raw Wild’s customer support team is available via phone, email, or contact form. The company is also active on social media and has a very informative and well-stocked blog section. Plus, the FAQ section is quite useful.

Overall, the customer service team is very responsive and easy to reach out to. If you want a speedy reply, it’s best to contact the team by phone, but emails and contact forms are processed in 24 hours or less, so there won’t be much of a delay.

Raw Wild Recalls: None at Time of Writing

Up until the date of my writing this review, Raw Wild didn’t have any recalls.

How Raw Wild Compares to Other Pet Food Services

• Raw Wild vs. We Feed Raw: We Feed Raw is a commendable player in the raw pet food arena, with 5 recipes under its belt. However, most of the meat comes from domestic sources like beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey. This means the nutritional profile can differ significantly from wild meats. Also, We Feed Raw uses human-grade meats, while Raw Wild offers 100% wild and organic meats.

• Raw Wild vs. Chewy: Chewy boasts an extensive collection of dog food types, among which you’ll find several freeze-dried raw dog food recipes. But sheer variety doesn’t always spell quality. While Chewy offers multiple choices, Raw Wild’s recipes feature premium, organic, and wild ingredients. However, Chewy is a lot more affordable.

The Bottom Line: Is Raw Wild Worth It?

Yes, Raw Wild is undeniably worth the investment. It champions the use of premium, organic, and wild meats, ensuring your pet gets the very best nature has to offer. Paired with vital vitamins and minerals, the Raw Wild recipe is formulated to foster optimal growth and robust health in dogs. 

However, with superior quality comes a higher price tag. Especially for owners of large dogs, the cost can quickly accumulate. While the nutritional benefits of Raw Wild are unparalleled, its premium pricing means it might not be within reach for every pet parent.

FAQ

Is raw food good for dogs?

Yes, raw food is beneficial for dogs. This is due to a focus on natural and unprocessed ingredients. High-quality raw diets prioritize fresh, whole ingredients, which often results in better overall nutrition for the dog. The key lies in the quality of ingredients used and the balance of nutrients.

How much does Raw Wild cost?

The cost largely depends on the size and dietary needs of your dog. Prices can range from around $300 every 6 weeks to as much as $1,000 per month, making it a premium choice for pet nutrition.

Is Raw Wild better than We Feed Raw?

Both Raw Wild and We Feed Raw offer unique advantages. Raw Wild prides itself on exclusively using organic wild meat, whereas We Feed Raw primarily relies on domesticated animal sources. Each company's offerings cater to different preferences and values in pet nutrition.