We Feed Raw Review 2026: Pricing, Formats & Best For

Introduction

If you're considering a raw diet for your dog, We Feed Raw is a name you've likely encountered. Founded in 2009 by Alissa Zalneraitis, who began making raw dog food for her own ten rescue dogs, the company has grown into a trusted provider of raw meals. Today, We Feed Raw has served more than 20 million meals and was named the 2026 Frozen/Raw Product of the Year by the Pet Innovation Awards. The company offers two main formats: Fresh Patties and Freeze-Dried Nuggets, both formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist. Meals are portioned for each individual dog based on weight, age, activity level, health needs, and current diet. In this comprehensive review, we'll explore the company's history, how the meal plan works, what's in the food, the differences between formats, pricing by dog size, and how safety is ensured. Whether you're a raw feeding veteran or curious newcomer, this guide will help you decide if We Feed Raw is right for your dog.

The Story Behind We Feed Raw

We Feed Raw was born out of personal necessity. In 2009, Alissa Zalneraitis started making raw dog food for her own ten rescue dogs (iHeartDogs). What began as a home kitchen operation soon grew into a mission to provide healthy, species-appropriate nutrition to dogs everywhere. Tragically, Alissa passed away in 2014, but her sister Amy Zalneraitis and family carried the company forward, ensuring her legacy continued (iHeartDogs).

Today, We Feed Raw has served more than 20 million meals, a testament to the trust pet parents place in the brand. In 2026, the company's commitment to quality was recognized when the Pet Innovation Awards named We Feed Raw the Frozen/Raw Product of the Year (iHeartDogs). This accolade highlights the brand's dedication to innovation and excellence in the raw pet food space. The family-owned company remains true to its roots, with recipes formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist to meet the highest nutritional standards (iHeartDogs). From its humble beginnings to national recognition, We Feed Raw's story is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep love for dogs.

How the We Feed Raw Meal Plan Works

We Feed Raw takes the guesswork out of raw feeding by customizing meals for your dog. When you sign up, you provide details about your dog's weight, age, activity level, health needs, and current diet, and the company portions meals accordingly (iHeartDogs). The process starts with a Starter Box, which covers 10 days of transition to raw, followed by full feeding sized to your dog (iHeartDogs). The Starter Box includes a free silicone storage container and a starter guide to help you through the switch (iHeartDogs).

For those not ready to go 100% raw, partial plans are available: a half plan (50% raw), and after the Starter Box, 25% or 75% raw options depending on dog size (iHeartDogs). Large dogs can go as low as 25% raw after the Starter Box (iHeartDogs).

Delivery frequency scales with dog size: a 10-lb dog receives deliveries every 8 weeks, a 25-lb dog every 5 weeks, a 50-lb dog every 4 weeks, and both 80-lb and 120-lb dogs every 2 weeks (iHeartDogs). New customers get 50% off their first meal plan box plus free shipping (iHeartDogs). Starter Boxes are backed by a 30-day Happiness Guarantee, so you can try raw feeding risk-free (iHeartDogs). This flexible, tailored approach makes it easy to transition your dog to a raw diet at your own pace. If you're weighing raw against kibble, our guide to raw dog food vs. dry kibble can help you compare digestion and gut health.

What Is Actually in the Food

We Feed Raw prides itself on using high-quality ingredients. The food is sourced from USDA meats and produced in an SQF-certified facility (iHeartDogs). Recipes contain no grain, corn, soy, or wheat; no fillers; and no artificial colors or preservatives (iHeartDogs).

Fresh Patties come in five recipes: beef, chicken, duck, lamb, and turkey (iHeartDogs). Duck and lamb are considered premium and cost more (iHeartDogs). Freeze-Dried Nuggets come in grass-fed, grass-finished beef and cage-free chicken (iHeartDogs). Lamb is pasture-raised in New Zealand, while other meats are sourced from suppliers in the United States (iHeartDogs).

All recipes are formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist to ensure complete and balanced nutrition (iHeartDogs). Fresh Patties are formulated for all life stages, including puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs (iHeartDogs). Freeze-Dried Nuggets are formulated for adult maintenance only (iHeartDogs). This distinction is important when choosing the right format for your dog's life stage.

The company's commitment to quality ingredients and transparent sourcing sets it apart in the raw pet food market. Whether you choose Fresh Patties or Freeze-Dried Nuggets, you can feel confident that your dog is getting wholesome, minimally processed nutrition. For more on why sourcing matters, see human-grade dog food with clear ingredient sourcing.

Fresh Patties vs. Freeze-Dried Nuggets: Which Fits Your Routine

We Feed Raw offers two formats to accommodate different lifestyles. Fresh Patties are frozen and require thawing in the refrigerator; after thawing, they are good for 4 days (iHeartDogs). They come with a free silicone storage container and a starter guide (iHeartDogs). Fresh Patties are ideal for dog owners who are home regularly and can manage thawing and refrigeration. They are formulated for all life stages, including puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs (iHeartDogs).

Freeze-Dried Nuggets, on the other hand, are shelf-stable and stay fresh up to 30 days after opening, with no refrigeration required (iHeartDogs). They include a free portioning scoop and a starter guide (iHeartDogs). Freeze-Dried Nuggets are formulated for adult maintenance only (iHeartDogs). They are perfect for travel, busy schedules, or as a convenient backup.

Despite the differences in preparation, the cost is identical for Fresh Patties and Freeze-Dried Nuggets at the same dog size (iHeartDogs). So your choice comes down to convenience and your dog's life stage. If you have a puppy or a pregnant/nursing dog, Fresh Patties are the way to go. For adult dogs, either format works, but Freeze-Dried Nuggets offer unmatched convenience. Many pet parents opt for a combination of both to suit their varying needs. To understand the freeze-dried advantage, read freeze-dried dog food and why freeze-dried raw dog food is the ultimate diet upgrade.

What We Feed Raw Costs, by Dog Size

We Feed Raw offers transparent pricing that scales with your dog's size. Plans run from about $3 per day for a 10-pound dog to $15 per day for a 120-pound dog (iHeartDogs). Ongoing daily costs are approximately: 10 lbs ~$2.92; 25 lbs ~$5.00; 50 lbs ~$8.00; 80 lbs ~$11.24; 120 lbs ~$15.12 (iHeartDogs).

Weekly costs are: 10 lbs $20.44; 25 lbs $35.00; 50 lbs $56.00; 80 lbs $78.68; 120 lbs $105.84 (iHeartDogs). Every 4 weeks, you'll pay: 10 lbs $81.76; 25 lbs $140.00; 50 lbs $224.00; 80 lbs $314.72; 120 lbs $423.36 (iHeartDogs).

New customers get 50% off their first meal plan box plus free shipping (iHeartDogs). Starter Box daily costs (with 50% off) are: 10 lbs ~$1.37; 25 lbs ~$2.28; 50 lbs ~$3.14; 80 lbs ~$4.28; 120 lbs ~$5.67 (iHeartDogs). For those opting for a partial plan, an 80-pound dog on a half plan costs about $5.60/day or $39/week (iHeartDogs). Large dogs can go as low as 25% raw after the Starter Box, further reducing costs (iHeartDogs).

These prices include the convenience of home delivery and the assurance of a complete and balanced raw diet. While raw feeding can be more expensive than kibble, the tailored portions and health benefits may justify the investment for many pet parents. If you're comparing subscription models, our analysis of dog food subscription services is a useful next step.

Is Raw Dog Food Safe? How We Feed Raw Handles It

Safety is a top concern for any raw feeder, and We Feed Raw takes it seriously. Every meal undergoes high-pressure processing (HPP), an FDA-approved cold pasteurization method that inactivates pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria without cooking (iHeartDogs). This step ensures that the raw food is safe to handle and feed while preserving the nutritional integrity of the ingredients. The food is produced in an SQF-certified facility, which adheres to strict food safety standards (iHeartDogs).

Meats are sourced from USDA suppliers, and lamb is pasture-raised in New Zealand (iHeartDogs). The company also avoids grains, corn, soy, wheat, fillers, artificial colors, and preservatives (iHeartDogs). For added peace of mind, Starter Boxes are backed by a 30-day Happiness Guarantee (iHeartDogs).

Proper handling at home is still important: Fresh Patties should be thawed in the refrigerator and used within 4 days (iHeartDogs). Freeze-Dried Nuggets are shelf-stable and should be kept sealed and used within 30 days of opening (iHeartDogs). With these measures, We Feed Raw provides a safe and convenient way to feed a raw diet. As always, consult your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet, especially if your dog has underlying health conditions. For a balanced look at raw feeding, see the bloody truth about a raw diet for dogs.

Who Is We Feed Raw Best For?

We Feed Raw is best for dog owners who want a convenient, pre-portioned raw diet without the hassle of DIY meal prep. It's especially suited for:

• Puppy owners who need an all-life-stages formula (Fresh Patties).
• Owners of pregnant or nursing dogs who require complete nutrition (Fresh Patties).
• Busy professionals who want the convenience of Freeze-Dried Nuggets.
• Travelers who need shelf-stable raw food.
• Owners of dogs with sensitive stomachs who may benefit from a simpler, grain-free diet. For more, see our guide to the best dog food for sensitive stomachs.
• Senior dog owners looking for a gentle, highly digestible diet. Our article on best senior dog food covers aging nutrition.
• Owners of hyperactive dogs who want to explore whether raw feeding can help. See raw dog food makes hyperactive dogs calmer.

It may not be the best fit for owners on a tight budget or those uncomfortable handling raw meat. If you're caring for a pregnant dog, our guide on how to take care of a pregnant dog offers additional feeding tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is We Feed Raw worth the cost? It depends on your budget and priorities. The convenience, pre-portioned meals, and safety measures may justify the price for many owners.

Can I mix Fresh Patties and Freeze-Dried Nuggets? Yes, many pet parents combine both formats to suit their routine.

Do I need to cook the food? No. We Feed Raw is designed to be fed raw. Fresh Patties just need thawing; Freeze-Dried Nuggets can be fed as-is.

Is We Feed Raw suitable for puppies? Fresh Patties are formulated for all life stages, including puppies. Freeze-Dried Nuggets are for adult maintenance only.

How long does the food last? Thawed Fresh Patties last 4 days in the refrigerator. Freeze-Dried Nuggets stay fresh up to 30 days after opening.

Final Verdict

We Feed Raw offers a well-structured, safe, and convenient way to feed a raw diet. With two formats, transparent pricing, and a strong safety record, it's a strong contender for owners ready to invest in their dog's nutrition. Whether you choose Fresh Patties for all life stages or Freeze-Dried Nuggets for adult convenience, you're getting meals formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist and backed by a 30-day Happiness Guarantee. If you're still deciding, start with the Starter Box and see how your dog responds.

Source: iHeartDogs