Raw Dog Food and Kibble: Understanding Two Different Feeding Approaches
Choosing what to feed your dog is one of the decisions many dog owners spend time researching. Two feeding approaches that often come up in conversation are raw dog food and kibble.
Each feeding style is structured differently and may appeal to owners for different reasons. Understanding how they are made and how they are typically used can help owners decide what works best for their household and routine.
In this blog, we’ll look at some of the key differences between raw dog food and kibble from a general feeding perspective.
How Raw Dog Food Is Structured
Raw feeding typically focuses on animal-based ingredients. One common framework used by many raw feeders is prey model raw, which centers around three core components:
- Muscle meat
- Edible bone
- Organ meat
This structure is often referred to as an 80/10/10 ratio, meaning:
- 80% muscle meat
- 10% edible bone
- 10% organ meat
- At RawFedK9, our prey model raw options follow this structure and are offered in portioned formats such as 8oz patties and 3oz medallions.
Many raw feeders also incorporate protein rotation, often including several different proteins over the course of a month.
How Kibble Is Produced
Kibble is a dry dog food that is produced through a cooking and extrusion process. Ingredients are combined, cooked at high temperatures, and formed into dry pieces that can be stored at room temperature.
Because kibble is shelf-stable, it is often packaged for long storage periods and does not require refrigeration or freezing.
Kibble formulas can vary widely depending on the manufacturer, ingredients used, and formulation approach.
Ingredient Structure
Another difference between these feeding approaches is how ingredients are presented.
Raw feeding typically uses identifiable animal components such as muscle meat, bone, and organ meat. Many raw diets focus on short ingredient lists and whole animal components.
Kibble recipes often contain a combination of ingredients that may include meat meals, grains or starches, fats, vitamins, and minerals that are mixed during production.
Both approaches follow their own formulation methods depending on the company producing the food.
Storage and Handling
Storage is another area where raw food and kibble differ.
Raw dog food is typically stored frozen and thawed before feeding. Handling practices are similar to handling raw meat in the kitchen.
Kibble, on the other hand, is designed to be stored at room temperature and has a longer shelf life once opened.
Each feeding style requires its own storage routine.
Convenience and Feeding Routine
Kibble is often chosen for its shelf stability and ease of storage.
Raw feeding has also become more convenient over time as companies offer pre-portioned meals and delivery options. For example, RawFedK9 meals arrive frozen and can be stored in the freezer until needed.
Many owners establish a routine of thawing portions ahead of time so meals are ready when feeding time arrives.
Finding the Feeding Routine That Works for You
Every dog owner approaches feeding differently. Some prefer dry foods like kibble, while others choose raw feeding styles that focus on animal-based ingredients.
At RawFedK9, our goal is to provide raw food options that follow a prey model raw structure while keeping ingredients straightforward and easy to understand.
As with any feeding approach, the best routine is the one that works well for both the dog and the household.
Learning More About Raw Feeding
If you’re exploring raw feeding and want to understand how it works, our Raw Feeding Guide and Calculator can help walk through feeding amounts, protein rotation, and what to expect when getting started.
Understanding the structure of raw feeding can make the process feel much more approachable.
