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If you’re reading this, you’re probably concerned about the over-processing of mass-produced pet food and the cheap ingredients used to make it. While traditional dog kibble probably isn’t going to poison your pup, these low-quality ingredients could bankrupt your dog’s nutrition over time and leave them poorly equipped to deal with health issues or disease.
You want better health for your pet and you know you can do something to improve it.
Changing your pet’s diet to a nutritionally dense pet food like Raised Right dog food can produce dramatic results in your pet’s health, and many of these improvements can be seen within a month! Keep reading to learn more.
- Fresh, human-grade dog food delivered to your door
- Fewer carbs and double the protein of other fresh food brands
- Get 20% off with code PETS20
In this review:
- Raised Right pet Food: at a glance
- Our Raised Right dog food review
- What is in Raised Right pet food?
- Does Raised Right make puppy food?
- Other Raised Right products
- How much does Raised Right cost?
- Has Raised Right ever been recalled?
- Other Raised Right reviews
Raised Right pet food: at a glance
- Real food: Premium, whole foods lightly cooked to the standards of human consumption for an optimal diet.
- Complete nutrition: Meals are formulated with guidance from a veterinarian and expert pet food formulator to meet AAFCO nutrition requirements, so every meal is complete and balanced for your pet’s needs.
- Convenient: Meals are prepared and shipped to your door on a regular basis, so you always have just enough. Simply thaw & serve—easy peasy. Choice of meals and shipping schedule can be changed to your liking and your subscription can be canceled at any time with no hassle. Love it or receive a full refund within 14 days of your purchase.
- Variety of meals: Choose from 8 adult dog meals and multiple treat options. Choose all of one kind or mix them all for well-rounded diet! Puppy and cat food are available as well.
- Environmentally friendly: Food is shipped in recycled, insulated packaging that is entirely curbside recyclable or compostable.
Raised Right dog food review
About the company
Raised Right is a family-owned company that makes “Home Cooked Style” food for pets. Founded by Braeden Ruud, the company works with pet food formulation expert Steve Brown and veterinarian Karen Becker to create cat and dog food that is made of real, whole, human-grade ingredients that are nutritionally balanced and complete. This means you don’t have to worry about your furball missing essential nutrients like amino acids or vitamin Bs.
From the farm to the final product, high standards are maintained as though the food is for human consumption. Almost all of the ingredients are sourced within the US, inspected, lightly cooked, and then tested for pathogens, so you know your pet is getting safe, quality food.
The food is then packaged, frozen, and delivered to you on a just-in-time basis so you neither run out of food nor have too much stockpiled in the freezer.
Raised Right offers a variety of products including cat food, dog food, puppy food, and treats with multiple recipe options for each category. You have the option to mix and match recipes in one order or to change your meal selections over time. Currently, Raised Right does not offer any prescription or therapeutic diets. However, each meal is based on a single source of animal protein and a limited ingredient recipe, which may benefit some pets’ needs.
- An abundance of meat: The percentage of protein in Raised Right’s fresh dog food recipes is roughly double that of several other fresh pet food brands. This protein content comes from meat, not plant boosters. A Pup Above is the only other brand with a similarly high protein content. We Feed Raw Dog Food also sources most of its protein content from meat rather than plants, but its overall protein content is lower than Raised Right.
- Premium nutrition: Only real, nutritious, human-grade ingredients and nothing else. Not even synthetic supplements.
- Quick & Easy: The initial questionnaire is short and easy, so you’ll have your pet’s price quote in a few minutes. The food is also easy to feed—just thaw and serve. No remembering to restock food or making last-minute trips to the pet store.
- Flexibility: I love that I can mix and match meals to vary my dog’s nutrition all in one order. Some other brands require you to pay extra to mix recipes. Shipping frequency can be changed and you can opt for partial portions to extend the food.
- Partial plans: You can opt for full orders or 50% or 25% portions to mix with your pet’s current kibble. Using Raised Right as a fresh topper can help you improve your dog’s nutrition without spending as much.
- Safety lab testing: All food passes the same safety standards required of food for humans. Each batch of food passes pathogen testing before being shipped. These safety practices are why there have been no recalls to date.
- Cat & puppy food: Not only is there food for adult dogs, but there are also meals formulated specifically to nourish cats and growing puppies.
- The cost: The cost of premium, human-grade food can be a bit surprising at first. I like to think of the food as an investment toward my pet’s health and, most likely, fewer vet bills down the road and less time dealing with preventable health issues. I love that Raised Right makes healthy food attainable for more pets by offering 50% and 25% portions as well, that way you can mix it with cheaper food. However, other fresh brands, such as The Farmer’s Dog Food, may be cheaper.
- No custom portions: Food comes in standard 16 oz packages. You’ll need to measure the correct amount for your pet. Small dogs may get 2+ days’ worth of food out of one pack. Some brands, such as Nom Nom Dog Food, offer custom meal portions for certain dogs.
- Not ideal for unpredictable lifestyles: Shipments are delivered on a regular schedule you decide. Shipments go out on Sundays and arrive as early as Monday, but the delivery day can’t be guaranteed. Although food should stay frozen for the entire day it’s delivered, this service may be difficult for those who have unpredictable travel obligations.
My observations
My dog has been eating Raised Right for a couple of weeks. So far, this picky eater has been a big fan of the pork recipe. He’s got a clean bowl after each feeding.
I also noticed two things about his poop. (Lovely topic, I know.) His daily poop is smaller and it doesn’t smell as bad as it used to. I believe the smaller amount of poop is due to the food’s more bioavailable ingredients, which means there’s more nutrients for the body to absorb and less waste out the other end. As for the smell, I think that has to do with better ingredients and a healthy digestion. But beyond that, I am not sure. I am just very grateful when it comes to bagging up the poop!
How does Raised Right work?
Getting set up with Raised Right is super easy, and it only takes a couple of minutes. To get started, take their onboarding quiz. We’ll explain how it works below.
Create a custom meal plan
Raised Right uses a calculator that determines how many calories your dog needs each day and how often you’ll need new shipments, so you never run out.
You’ll need to enter your dog’s age, weight, activity level, and health goals (if any) into the Custom Meal Planner. And within just a few clicks—Voilà!—you’ll have your portion options, shipping frequency, and price.
Pick your portion & recipes
Once you’ve decided on the portion amount (100%, 50%, or 25%) and appropriate shipping frequency, you’ll pick your recipes. You can choose 16 bags—mix and match recipes or get all the same. I chose 4 bags of 4 recipes.
Add coupon code & payment information
Add treats, if desired, before you checkout. And don’t forget to add the Raised Right coupon code PETS20 before you checkout to save 20%. Shipping is free when you order a full box of food (16 bags). If you choose the sample box (4 bags), you’ll be charged a $9.99 shipping fee.
Food delivered to your door
Shipping is free to all 48 continental states with full box orders. Orders can be shipped to Alaska and Hawaii for an additional fee.
You will be notified by email when your order has arrived, but it’s OK if you aren’t home. Your prepared fresh food arrives frozen at your door in an insulated cardboard box with dry ice. Our food was frozen solid with no signs of thawing, even after sitting outside in the heat for a little while.
>> Read more: Nom Nom vs Ollie: Which Dog Food Delivery Service Is Best?
How to store the food
Place food you’ll use immediately in the refrigerator. The food will stay fresh in the fridge for 6 days after defrosting, which should allow small eaters plenty of time before the food spoils.
The remaining food should be stored in the freezer. When you need more food, move one pack to the fridge the day before to defrost overnight. Each food bag is stamped with a date, so you know how long it will stay fresh and safe in the freezer.
Packaging & portioning
All shipping materials are compostable or curbside recyclable, excluding the dry ice, which evaporates in the sink or outside. The insulation liner is made of non-GMO corn, so it can be composted or dissolved under water.
The food comes in standard 16-oz, BPA-free, soft plastic bags with a peel-off lid that makes it easy to scoop out the food. The packages don’t reseal, so if your pet won’t eat a full bag in one meal, you’ll need to store the leftovers in a sealable container. Some fresh food subscriptions, such as Ollie Dog Food, include a reusable silicone container in your first delivery, but you can just use your own container with Raised Right.
A general portioning guide is on the front of each food bag. However, a more specific portion guide is provided in your Custom Meal Plan on their website. Using this more accurate tool could help alleviate unwanted weight gain or loss.
Food safety & traceability
Every ingredient used in Raised Right pet food passes the same standards necessary for human consumption, and the food is prepared in a USDA-inspected facility. The low-temperature cooking preserves more moisture and the nutritional integrity of the ingredients while still meeting the USDA pathogen kill-step. Finally, before any food is shipped, it is tested for pathogens to ensure it’s safe to eat.
If knowing that your pet’s food doesn’t come from questionable sources overseas is important to you, you’re in luck. Except for cod oil from Norway and kelp powder and flaxseed oil from Canada, all of Raised Right’s other ingredients are sourced from the U.S. You can check their website to see which US state each indiviudal ingredient comes from.
What is in Raised Right pet food?
Standout distinctions
As I analyzed the nutritional content of each meal, I noticed some key qualities that make Raised Right pet food a bit different from some of the other fresh pet foods. These qualities may help you determine if Raised Right pet food is right for you.
- High protein content: Large amounts of muscle meat, liver, and heart create high protein meals. Each adult dog meal contains between 16% and 23% of real animal protein. This amount is significantly higher than some other fresh food options, such as The Farmer’s Dog or Ollie, which average around 10% protein. This additional protein is great for high-energy dogs, working dogs, or dogs who love meat. The only other fresh food brand we know of with an above-average protein content is A Pup Above.
- No synthetic supplements: All adult dog recipes meet the AAFCO standards for a complete and balanced diet using only whole foods. Vitamins and minerals in their natural form are more bioavailable than synthetic nutrients, so you know your pet is getting optimal nutrition from Raised Right. Many other fresh pet food companies add supplements to satisfy the nutritional needs of dogs and to meet AAFCO requirements.
- Limited ingredient recipes: Each adult dog recipe contains seven to 10 ingredients and only one kind of protein, which is excellent for dogs with food allergies.
- Low carb: Most Raised Right adult dog recipes contain less than 2% carbohydrate content, which is significantly lower than other fresh food competitors. No high-carb fillers are used, such as potato, oats, rice, yam, barley, squash, corn, parsnips, or wheat. Therefore, the protein levels come from meat, rather than plants.
- Proven to be complete & balanced: Raised Right takes pride in being the first company to voluntarily submit a recipe to be analyzed by Check Your Pet Food. The testing results of the adult Turkey recipe confirm that the nutrition profile matches the Raised Right guaranteed analysis on the label and that the food meets the AAFCO standards for a complete and balanced diet for adult dogs.
- Other nutritional facts: No additives, fillers, colors, preservatives, or grains; Raised Right has an average fat content when compared to other fresh brands.
- Full nutrient profile: You can find the full nutrition profile for each recipe on Raised Right’s website.
Raised Right adult dog food ingredients & meal options
Original Beef Adult Dog Recipe
- Ingredients: Beef, Beef Heart, Carrots, Beef Liver, Cranberries, Organic Spearmint, Flaxseed Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Cod Liver Oil, Organic Dried Kelp
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein 23%; Fat 9%; Fiber 2%; Moisture 62%; Carbohydrates 1.49%; Calories: 408 kcals / cup (1,790 kcals / kg)
Original Turkey Adult Dog Recipe
- Ingredients: Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Carrots, Blueberries, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Flaxseed Oil, Organic Dried Kelp
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein 19%; Fat 7%; Fiber 2%; Moisture 68%; Carbohydrates 1.33%; Calories: 328 kcals / cup (1,448 kcals / kg)
Original Pork Adult Dog Recipe
- Ingredients: Pork, Pork Heart, Pork Liver, Carrots, Blueberries, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Organic Dried Kelp
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein 20%; Fat 8%; Fiber 2%; Moisture 65%; Carbohydrates 3.42%; Calories: 368 kcals / cup (1,628 kcals / kg)
Original Chicken Adult Dog Recipe
- Ingredients: Chicken Thigh, Chicken Heart, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Cranberries, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Organic Dried Kelp
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein 20%; Fat 8%; Fiber 2%; Moisture 67%; Carbohydrates 1.35%; Calories: 360 kcals / cup (1,574 kcals / kg)
Turkey & Pumpkin Paté for Adult Dogs
- Ingredients: Turkey Thigh, Pumpkin, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Flaxseed Oil, Organic Dried Kelp
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein 17%; Fat 6%; Fiber 2%; Moisture 72%; Carbohydrates 1.38%; Calories: 296 kcals / cup (1,291 kcals / kg)
Beef & Pumpkin Paté for Adult Dogs
- Ingredients: Beef Heart, Pumpkin, Beef, Organic Spearmint, Flaxseed Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Cod Liver Oil, Organic Dried Kelp
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein 21%; Fat 6%; Fiber 2%; Moisture 69%; Carbohydrates 1.17%; Calories: 320 kcals / cup (1,418 kcals / kg)
Pork & Pumpkin Paté for Adult Dogs
- Ingredients: Pork Heart, Pumpkin, Pork Liver, Organic Spearmint, Egg Shell Powder, Cod Liver Oil, Organic Dried Kelp
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein 16%; Fat 3%; Fiber 2%; Moisture 74%; Carbohydrates 3.27%; Calories: 240 kcals / cup (1,064 kcals / kg)
Chicken & Pumpkin Paté for Adult Dogs
- Ingredients: Chicken Thigh, Chicken Liver, Pumpkin, Chicken Heart, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Organic Dried Kelp
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein 17%; Fat 7%; Fiber 2%; Moisture 71%; Carbohydrates 1.37%; Calories: 312 kcals / cup (1,373 kcals / kg)
Does Raised Right make puppy food?
Yes! Raised Right makes puppy food. While some fresh dog foods, such as The Farmer’s Dog, have formulas that meet the nutritional needs of all life stages, Right Raised puppy food is formulated specifically for puppies and their unique nutritional needs. This puppy food meets the AAFCO standards for growth, including the growth of large dog breeds (70 lb. or more when fully grown).
Currently, Raised Right has three puppy food recipes: beef, turkey, and chicken. These formulas have added nutrients to make them balanced and complete for puppies.
Beef Puppy Growth Recipe
- Ingredients: Beef, Beef Heart, Carrots, Beef Liver, Cranberries, Organic Spearmint, Flaxseed Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Egg Shell Powder, Cod Liver Oil, Organic Dried Kelp, Sea Salt, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein (min) 23%; Fat (min) 9%; Fiber (max) 2%
Turkey Puppy Growth Recipe
- Ingredients: Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Carrots, Blueberries, Organic Spearmint, Dicalcium Phosphate, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Flaxseed Oil, Organic Dried Kelp, Sea Salt, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein (min) 19%; Fat (min) 7%; Fiber (max) 2%
Chicken Puppy Growth Recipe
- Ingredients: Chicken Thigh, Chicken Heart, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Cranberries, Organic Spearmint, Dicalcium Phosphate, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Organic Dried Kelp, Sea Salt, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein (min) 19%; Fat (min) 8%; Fiber (max) 2%
How Raised Right puppy food is calculated
When entering your puppy’s weight into the Customized Meal Plan calculator, you’ll also estimate the percentage of their full adult weight they are currently at. This will tell Raised Right how much food your puppy needs based on how much more the puppy is likely to grow. If you aren’t sure, make an educated guess and adjust later as needed.
Other Raised Right products
Cat food
Raised Right offers a line of cat food and treats, so it’s perfect for pet parents with both dogs and cats. Currently, there are four meals as well as four treats available for our feline friends. You can learn more about cat food on their website.
Treats
Formulated for both cats and dogs, these crunchy, “chip style,” single-ingredient treats come in four flavors: turkey liver, pork liver, lamb liver, and beef liver. They are medium-sized, so you may need to break the treat into smaller pieces for tiny dogs with a lower daily caloric intake.
Just like Raised Right food, these treats are traceable and lab-tested and free of preservatives and grains. Every lab safety report is uploaded on their website for you to view for each batch of food they have sold. They are available for $15.99 per 5 oz bag.
How much does Raised Right cost?
The Raised Right food price is simple. A full box of 16 1-lb bags costs $159.84 no matter the size of your dog, the recipes you choose, or how often you have it shipped to you.
Your price per day will depend on how much you feed your dog. Raised Right prices can be as low as $2 to $3 a day for the smallest dogs, so it may be a great option for nutrition-conscious owners of small pets, like our Yorkshire Terrier Max. However, the average dog owner will pay closer to $9 a day.
This may be higher than some other brands, such as Nom Nom Dog Food and Pet Plate Dog Food. However, you’ll have to go through the Custom Meal Plan calculator to be sure.
You can get your own price quote without any purchase obligations. Also, don’t forget you can take 20% off a full box with our code PETS20.
Raised Right Cost per day by weight
| Dog size | 100% full meal | 50% partial meal | 25% partial meal |
| 6 lb Dog | $2.86/day | $1.43/day | $0.71/day |
| 25 lb Dog | $8.34/day | $4.17/day | $2.08/day |
| 55 lb Dog | $15.06/day | $7.53/day | $3.77/day |
Sample boxes include four 1lb bags for $49.95 plus a $9.99 shipping fee. This totals to $59.94 or $14.99 a bag. By comparison, when you order a full box of food, the price per bag is $9.99. So even if you plan to use Raised Right as a meal topper, we recommend subscribing to the 100% plan and simply requesting fewer shipments.
Sample box vs. full box cost
| Box size | Sample box | Full box |
| # of food bags | 4 bags | 16 bags |
| Cost total | $49.99 | $159.84 |
| Cost per bag | $14.99 | $9.99 |
| Shipping cost | $9.99 | Free |
| Discount on first order | None | 20% with PETS20 |
| Total Cost | $59.94 | $127.87 |
Money-back guarantee
Raised Right will provide a full refund on your first box within 14 days of your purchase if you or your dog are not fully satisfied.
Is it worth it?
Raised Right certainly isn’t cheap, so you’ll need to weigh the cost versus the benefits your dog will get from premium, whole foods.
Fresh, prepared dog food can be pricey when you compare it to traditional kibble, and Raised Right, in particular, is on the more expensive end of the spectrum for fresh dog food delivery services. This higher price may be explained by the higher volume of meat in each recipe, but if it’s still too much to pay, check out one of the other fresh food brands I mentioned earlier in this article, such as The Farmer’s Dog.
That being said, Raised Right may be right for your dog if you are seeking a top-of-the-line, protein-rich diet that’s low in carbs and free of everything but real food. It may be hard to find this combination anywhere else. Factor in that wholesome food can eliminate preventable illness and disease and reduce the time and money you’d spend at the veterinarian in the future. And don’t forget that dogs actually like this food! Fresh food can make a huge difference for picky eaters and dogs with food sensitivities.
If you think fresh food in general is too expensive for your budget, consider a high-quality dry dog food such as Chippin Dog Food or Sundays Food For Dogs. While these dry foods aren’t as nutritionally in-tact as fresh food, they’re still miles beyond the cheap kibble you’ll see at the grocery store, and they’re less expensive than fresh food.
- Fresh, human-grade dog food delivered to your door
- Fewer carbs and double the protein of other fresh food brands
- Get 20% off with code PETS20
Has Raised Right ever been recalled?
At the time of writing this review, there have been no Raised Right recalls, according to the FDA and AVMA.
According to the Raised Right website, they take safety seriously. Every single batch of food is tested for pathogens such as e-coli, listeria, and salmonella. No food is shipped until each batch of food passes the safety lab test. This testing method helps ensure that the food is safe for our pets to eat.
>> Read more: Ollie Dog Food Recalls
Other Raised Right reviews
Holly V. | Verified customer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dogs in food heaven
“Our dogs absolutely love thi food. I have never, in 8 years had my boy whine in excitement for his breakfast and dinner. Thank you for providing great food and service.”
Ruth K. | Verified customer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Finicky eater loves Raised Right
“My dog has always been a finicky eater. She sniffs new foods and walks away if they are not agreeable to her sense of smell. She would go through her food bowl and toss out anything she didn’t like. She loves Raised Right and even eats the vegetables. In fact, she licks her bowl clean after every meal.”
Tristram L. | Verified customer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best dog food out there
“I had been using gently cooked dog foods for a while when I came across Raised Right. I was astonished at how much higher in protein it was over all the other foods. I switched over and noticed right away why. It has absolutely no fillers in it. I’d never go back to anything else.”
Source: Raisedrightpets.com
