We Feed Raw Review 2024: Worth the Hype?

A raw food diet closely mirrors a dog’s ancestral diet. Many owners report that their dogs have more energy and better digestion when they switch to raw food. But a raw diet must also be formulated to include all necessary nutrients. Pet owners need to get their raw food from a reputable dog food company that provides balanced meals.

I’ve carried out a detailed study on We Feed Raw, a popular raw food delivery service. I’ve examined prices, studied the recipes, analyzed products, and consulted with our reviewer who ordered We Feed Raw for themselves. And after all my research, I feel confident in giving We Feed Raw a big thumbs-up. 

We Feed Raw is definitely a solid choice for raw dog food. It offers customized meal plans tailored to your dog’s needs and uses human-grade meat in all its meals. We Feed Raw is an excellent choice if you’re considering putting your dog on a raw diet.

We Feed Raw’s Meals: High-Quality Raw Food

Plans & Recipes: There Are 6 Proteins to Choose From

We Feed Raw offers 6 recipes: chicken, duck, beef, venison, lamb, and turkey. The pasture-raised, grass-fed lamb and venison come from New Zealand. All other meats are sourced in the United States.

You can take a quiz to determine what meals best suit your dog, or you can order bulk packs in 30, 60, 90, or 120-pound sizes. There’s also the option to order 3 different sized boxes. 

If you subscribe to repeat deliveries, you can save 25% on your first order. We Feed Raw allows 1-time orders as well as subscriptions. This makes it convenient for ordering some recipes to try them out with your pup.

When you place an order for a meal plan, you can also opt for some extras. You can purchase the Start’r Mix-in or single ingredient treats. You can choose from bison or pork.

Ingredients: Single-Ingredient Recipes Help Reduce Allergies

We Feed Raw meals are made with meat, organ meat, and bones that are finely ground and mixed to provide extra calcium and roughage. There are no fillers, preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors. All meats are human-grade.

Each recipe also contains a nutrient-boosting premix of vitamins and minerals. Premix ingredients include flaxseed (great for its content of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids), calcium carbonate (for bone growth and healthy teeth), vitamin E supplement (for healthy cells), riboflavin supplement, and folic acid.

You can also add prebiotics, probiotics, fish oil, or omega-3 oil, but this is optional and depends on the needs of your pet. We Feed Raw states that adding whole foods like pureed greens, canned pumpkin, or phytoplankton can also be beneficial. Check out the serving tips section for more ideas. 

Nutrition: It’s Easy to Find Each Recipe’s Nutritional Information

The Guaranteed Analysis is different for each of the 6 recipes to reflect the qualities of each protein. For instance, with the Chicken recipe, Crude Protein content is min. 13%, Crude Fat content is min 10%, and Crude Fiber content is min 1%. 

The Crude Protein (min.) content for the other recipes is as follows: Beef (12.2%), Duck (12.6%), Lamb (13.9%) and Turkey (12.8%). The Turkey recipe also has the lowest Crude Fat content (min. 6.6%). The caloric content for each recipe is pretty similar at between 47 and 51 kcal/oz.

All the recipes are prepared in a USDA-certified facility with strict compliance requirements of BRC-safe quality food manufacturing. All meats are cold-pressed to reduce the presence of pathogenic bacteria. This way, the producer doesn’t have to use other methods (such as heat, chemicals, preservatives, or additives) to keep the food safe to eat.

What Makes We Feed Raw Different

Raw Food Is Processed Safely 

We Feed Raw uses high-pressure processing to remove bacteria. Most dog food delivery services cook their food before packaging. The HPP method used by We Feed Raw kills pathogens while preserving nutrients that may be broken down by heat. You get all the benefits of raw food without the risk of exposing you or your pet to harmful bacteria.

A Nutritionally Balanced Diet

A raw diet can have many benefits for your dog, including better dental health, a shinier coat, healthier skin, and increased energy levels. Moreover, many dog owners have observed improvements in their dogs' digestive systems after switching to a raw food diet.

We Feed Raw also adds vitamins and minerals to its dog food. Some people think you can do a raw diet by buying ground beef from the grocery store. But while that meat is human-grade like We Feed Raw, it may not have everything your dog needs for good canine health.

Subscriptions Are Optional

Many dog food delivery services require a subscription, but We Feed Raw welcomes 1-time bulk orders. You can subscribe if you want to make sure your dog has a regular supply of raw food tailored to their nutritional needs. But you can also order whenever you want with no obligations.

My Colleague’s Unboxing Experience with We Feed Raw

My colleague’s delivery box arrived in mint condition, placed upright and untouched after being outside for over an hour. Inside, the packaging was well-organized, featuring a surprise rubber storage container and a 3 oz package of WFR Start’r Digestive Support Mix-in, not originally expected with the order.

We Feed Raw’s packaging lacks the personal touches seen with competitors like The Farmer's Dog and Ollie, which personalize items with pets’ names and include personalized notes. However, it does contain a detailed poster on the company’s eco-friendly practices and a guide on how to serve the food.

The eco-conscious approach is evident, with most of the packaging being biodegradable or recyclable, except for the plastic wrapping of the patties. Instructions for recycling the materials are clearly stated, making it easy for customers to dispose of packaging responsibly.

Inside the box, each frozen patty was neatly wrapped and clearly labeled, avoiding any confusion over the different recipes ordered. Labels provided essential information, such as best-before dates and storage instructions – freezer for long-term and fridge for immediate use – ensuring the food stays fresh.

Serving We Feed Raw: Top Tips & Hints

If you’re new to feeding raw food, it’s good to know a few tips and hints. This can make the transition a lot easier for you and your pup. We Feed Raw provides a comprehensive guide with every plan order. This explains how to gradually increase the amount of raw food in each meal. 

You can also check out We Feed Raw’s YouTube videos that include storage and prep tips. For example, if you place a bulk order, you can slice the patty into meal-sized portions and then freeze. 

We Feed Raw recommends feeding some plain canned organic pumpkin and a pre/probiotic alongside the Start'r Mix-in. This can help support your dog’s digestive system as they adapt to raw food. 

WFR regularly publishes recipe ideas incorporating raw food on its blog. 

Some nutritious additions include:

• Raw egg

• Sardines

• Blueberries

• Strawberries 

• Broccoli

• Frozen carrot

• Hemp seed hearts

• Omega-3 oil

It’s worth getting creative and testing out different ingredients to see what works for your pup. You can also feed WFR as a topper alongside your dog’s regular food.

Prices: We Feed Raw Can Be Pricey for Large Dogs

When my colleague ordered from We Feed Raw, the initial trial box cost $75.69, which served as a topper for 14 days, costing about $2.67 per meal. The price included an automatic first-time buyer discount. For future orders, the price jumps to $220, or $55 per week, resulting in $3.92 per meal, which no longer includes the introductory discount. 

Apart from the trial, bulk options like 5-pound patties are available. Plus you can save 25% on your first box order by subscribing to repeat deliveries. Shipping is consistently free, with taxes being the only extra charge. Additional treats like bison or pork can be purchased separately through the account page after ordering. No refunds are allowed unless an order is canceled before its deadline. 

High-quality raw food isn’t cheap. And if you have a big dog, you’ll need both a big budget and a big freezer. But given the benefits to your pet’s health and quality of life, it’s a good investment in your canine companion’s well-being. We Feed Raw also offers 50% and 75% plans that let you mix raw food with your dog’s current diet, which can save you some money. However, the 50% plan isn’t available for dogs weighing less than 35 lb.

Shipping & Delivery: No Immediate Delivery Details Are Provided

When my colleague ordered from We Feed Raw, the initial delivery details were unclear. Unlike competitors like The Farmer’s Dog, Ollie, and Chewy, which provide estimated delivery dates, WFR only confirmed a future email would contain tracking information. 

The lack of immediate details was inconvenient, especially since my colleague lives in a city where timing for package retrieval is crucial. The order was placed on a Tuesday, but it wasn't until Sunday that an update stated it was ready to ship. 

Concerned about an upcoming trip starting Wednesday, my colleague used live chat to ask if the delivery would arrive before they left. Although the agent was friendly, they couldn’t confirm the delivery date, only estimating 1-2 more days. Fortunately, the package arrived the next Monday, totaling 6 days from order to delivery.

Once shipped, tracking the package was straightforward through a provided link to UPS's tracking system. The service indicated a specific delivery day once it reached the local UPS facility, but no precise time slot was given beforehand.

How We Feed Raw Works (Simple Guide)

We Feed Raw accepts both subscription-based orders and bulk orders. For bulk orders, you can order boxes (big, classic, and small) or individually wrapped 5 lb patties (as long as the weight of your cart is over 30 lb and increases in 30 lb increments).

The 5 lb bulk patties are ideal for cats and small dogs of all life stages. The recipes are the same as the ones included in the meal plans, but you won’t get the feeding instructions. However, it shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out how much to feed your tiny furry friend.

You don’t need an account or a subscription to order in bulk. However, you can easily turn a one-time purchase order into a subscription during checkout.

How to Sign Up (Just 5 Easy Steps)

1. Click the Create your Meal Plan Button. The big red button is on We Feed Raw’s homepage and is easy to find.

2. Take the Introductory Quiz. This short quiz asks you questions about your pet’s health condition, weight, age, level of activity, and allergies.

3. Provide Your Email Address. When you provide your email address, We Feed Raw opens your account. It will use that address for all further communications unless you change it.

4. Choose Your Trial Meals. We Feed Raw provides you with suggested meals based on your quiz results.

5. Provide Billing, Shipping, and Payment Information. Once you place the first order, you’ll also have an account where you can track orders and manage subscriptions.

Managing Your Subscription

My colleague found navigating the We Feed Raw account page straightforward, with easy access to meal plans, orders, and delivery schedules. However, canceling a subscription proved tricky as it was hidden under "Edit Your Meal Plan."

Adjusting orders or delivery dates is simple, requiring just a few clicks and a reason for the change. Address updates are similarly hassle-free. You can easily change meal plans or skip deliveries directly from your account. Email reminders about upcoming orders and modification deadlines help you manage your subscriptions without missing important dates.

Keep in mind that the company doesn’t accept returns due to the perishable nature of the product, but you can get a refund if the product gets lost or damaged before entering your possession. For this, you’ll have to get in contact with the customer service team.

Customer Service: Great FAQs & Available Support Agents

Finding customer support on We Feed Raw is straightforward. The FAQ section is prominently featured as 1 of the tabs at the top of the website, leading directly to a comprehensive page. 

At the bottom of the FAQ page, additional contact options are available, including email, live chat, and phone. The customer service team is available via phone, email, and live chat from Monday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm ET. You can also find answers to your questions by checking the extensive FAQ section or We Feed Raw’s social media accounts on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.

Canceling a subscription involves a few steps but is overall easy. After initiating cancellation, the website attempts to retain customers by offering different order types or addressing concerns through pop-ups, like transition tips if a pet has dietary issues. The final step requires typing “CANCEL” to confirm the action, and confirmation of the cancellation is received via email within seconds.

Throughout the cancellation process and general inquiries, the support staff is friendly and responsive. They offer deals to encourage staying with the service, but they respect the customer’s decision once cancellation is confirmed.

We Feed Raw Recalls: No Recalls Have Occured

There are no recalls to date for We Feed Raw food.

How We Feed Raw Compares to Other Pet Food Services

• We Feed Raw vs The Farmer’s Dog: We Feed Raw offers nutritionally formulated raw meals, while The Farmer's Dog offers fresh personalized meals cooked at low temperatures and tailored to your dog's specific dietary needs and preferences.

• We Feed Raw vs Nom Nom: We Feed Raw focuses on raw, uncooked meals made from meat, bones, and organs, while Nom Nom offers a variety of gently cooked meals made with high-quality proteins and vegetables designed to improve your dog’s gut microbiome.

• We Feed Raw vs Spot & Tango: We Feed Raw specializes in raw diets, while Spot & Tango offers dog owners a choice between gently-cooked fresh meals and Unkibble, a unique gently-dehydrated kibble substitute.

The Bottom Line: Is We Feed Raw Worth It?

Yes! While it’s a bit on the pricey side, you receive a lot of value for your money. The meals are nutritionally balanced and arrive at your door ready for your pooch to enjoy (once thawed, of course). As a bonus, all We Feed Raw recipes contain human-grade quality protein and are prepared in facilities that follow current rules and regulations. 

However, if the price is a bit too steep for your budget or you have a rambunctious, huge dog to feed and want to try something else, we tested other top pet delivery services and shortlisted the best dog food delivery services in this post.

FAQ

Is feeding dogs raw food safe?

Yes, but only if the food preparation process follows strict safety rules. We Feed Raw makes sure that all ingredients are high-quality and safe to consume, plus the food is cold-pressed to avoid any bacterial contamination.

How does We Feed Raw work?

We Feed Raw delivers frozen raw meals to your doorstep. Everything is packed and tailored to meet your pet’s needs, and you can store the meals in the freezer for convenience. And We Feed Raw meals are designed by a PhD nutritionist to meet all your dog’s nutrient needs.

Is a raw diet better than kibble?