The Kibble Vs Raw Dog Food No-Nonsense Guide

I’m Anna Bain, accredited Canine Nutritionist and writer for ProDog Raw. I work closely with our expert nutrition team to help dog owners like you cut through the noise, get clear on what’s actually in your dog’s bowl, and feel confident about making better nutrition choices.

Every day, I speak with people who want to feed raw dog food but feel confused, overwhelmed, or just unsure where to start.

Whether you’re feeding kibble (aka dry dog food), raw, a mix of both or something in between, you’re undoubtedly doing your best.

We get that the raw vs kibble debate can feel overwhelming, especially with so much conflicting advice online. This guide is here to cut through the confusion, offer expert insight, and help you make informed choices that work for you and your dog.

This isn’t about pressure or perfection. It’s about giving you straightforward, science-backed information so you can make the best choice for your lifestyle and your dog’s health.

Most kibbles contain a low percentage of real meat. Often in the form of “meat meals” or by-products, combined with fillers like corn, wheat, and soy (common allergens for dogs). These are then cooked at high temperatures and preserved with synthetic additives to extend shelf life.

Cheaper brands often rely on plant-based proteins to meet basic dietary requirements, which are less biologically appropriate for dogs and nearly all add synthetic vitamins and minerals to provide some nutritional value.

Unfortunately, vitamins and minerals delivered in man-made, synthetic form are not recognised or utilised as effectively by dogs as they are when obtained from natural, wholefood ingredients.

That said, not all kibbles are created equal. Some higher-end products use better quality meats and ingredients.

Plus, there are also dry dog food options made with higher quality, natural ingredients, including real meats, vegetables, and superfoods, produced using gentler methods like air or freeze-drying to better preserve nutritional value.

A quality raw dog food, by contrast, includes fresh, uncooked ingredients like lean meat, bone, offal, healthy fats, and small amounts of plant fibre. These ingredients closely mirror what your dog’s ancestors would have eaten in the wild—making it the most natural and biologically appropriate choice [1].

Let’s keep it simple for a second. Forget expertise or nutritional science.

If you had to choose between a bowl of fresh, real ingredients or something made from highly processed, mass-produced meat meals, what would your instincts say is better for your dog?

Want to dive deeper into raw food diet for dogs? Our guide, Raw Dog Food for Beginners is the best place to start.

There’s a long list of benefits of a raw food diet for dogs. Here’s how raw stacks up across key health areas:

Gut health & digestion

A raw diet supports a diverse and thriving gut microbiome, supporting dog gut health means better overall health. Because it’s made from real, living food, rich in natural enzymes and animal-based proteins. It’s easily digested and fuels the microbiome effectively.

Kibble, aside from being highly processed, are often packed with carbohydrates, starches and oxidised fats all of which can lead to inflammation and create an imbalanced gut environment. Over time, this can contribute to allergies, digestive issues, and autoimmune conditions.

Dogs are naturally designed to digest raw meat. Their acidic stomachs are built to process bone, muscle, and offal efficiently, while destroying harmful bacteria along the way.

Skin & coat

Gut health is fundamental to immune response and in turn skin condition [2]. Most dogs who suffer with inflammation, histamine imbalances, and itchy, irritated skin will benefit from a change in diet and more of the good stuff in their bowl.

Raw dog food benefits include healthier digestion and improved nutrient absorption, both of which play a key role in supporting clear skin and a shiny coat. In fact, around 30% of the protein a dog consumes is used for fur growth, so the highly absorbable protein in natural raw food directly contributes to that healthy, glossy finish.

Got an itchy dog on your hands? Our guide How to Help an Itchy Dog could help you get to the bottom of things.

Weight management & obesity

Most kibbles are high in starch and sugar, two key drivers of overeating and weight gain. Raw diets, on the other hand, are high in animal protein, rich in healthy fats, and naturally low in carbs. This helps dogs feel more satisfied and maintain a healthy weight long term [3].

Got a dog carrying a few extra pounds? Our Weight Loss Tips for Dogs guide, written by ProDog’s Lead Nutritionist Alison Frost, is full of simple, practical advice to help your dog slim down and feel better fast.

Joint health

Joint issues are often linked to chronic inflammation. Kibble’s processed carbs can promote the production of AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products), which accelerate joint degeneration. Feeding a raw diet packed with healthy fats and joint supporting nutrients such as glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen help regulate inflammation and supports more agile movement.

Absolutely! Here’s a refined version of that section that softens the tone, avoids being preachy, and focuses on the wellness benefits of incorporating more natural food—without insisting on 100% raw:

Focus on wellness: kibble vs raw dog food

When it comes to your dog’s long-term health, what goes into their bowl matters. Over the years, as highly processed pet foods became the norm, there’s also been a rise in chronic health issues like diabetes,[4] pancreatitis, and even cancer in dogs [5]. Many of these conditions have been linked to poor-quality diets high in carbohydrates and low in fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients.

That’s why more and more dog owners are exploring ways to bring their dog’s diet back to basics, starting with simple, natural foods that are easier to digest, packed with goodness, and closer to what dogs are designed to eat.

So ask yourself: what feels like the most nourishing choice for your dog? A bowl full of highly processed pellets, or something a little closer to nature?

Wellness isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making choices that support your dog’s health, one meal at a time.

I get it, raw feeding can seem more expensive upfront. But there’s a bigger picture to consider.

Highly processed kibble may seem cost-effective today, but what about over the long term? We are what we eat, and so are our dogs, so when you prioritise fresh, real food now, you’re investing in your dog’s future health and potentially saving money on health care over the course of their lifetime.

Looking to make raw more affordable?

• Our bundle savings
• New customer deals
• Economy raw food range
• Rewards programme

We understand not everyone can feed a 100% raw dog food diet all the time. You might be dealing with freezer space, budget constraints, travel needs, or just learning the ropes.

The good news? Even small steps make a big difference!

One of the easiest ways to begin is to use raw as a topper or mixer with your dog’s existing food. Dogs love the variety and taste, plus, a few raw meals a week can go a long way in supporting:

• Better digestion
• Balanced energy
• Healthier skin and coat
• And overall happiness

Think about it: how would you feel eating the same dry food every day?

Just like us, dogs thrive on variety. That doesn’t mean you have to overhaul everything overnight—but adding in fresh, nutrient-rich food is a powerful way to level up your dog’s wellbeing.

Here are a few easy ways to add more real food into your dog’s bowl:

• A spoonful of raw. Try ProDog’s 80:10:10 raw dog food : pure and simple meat, offal and ground bone, nothing else
• A raw egg (shell included for calcium!)
• Sardines or oily fish
• Fresh berries or greens

Explore our A-Z Guide: What’s Safe for My Dog to Eat for inspiration on fresh natural dog-friendly additions you’ll likely have in your kitchen.

Of course, I know there are lots of myths out there about raw feeding.

From fears about bacteria to concerns around feeding bones to dogs or “unbalancing” your dog’s diet, chances are you’ve come across a few of these already. And we get it, when you’re trying to make the right call for your dog, conflicting info can feel confusing and even a little intimidating.

The good news? Most of these worries are either outdated or simply misunderstood.

We’ve unpacked the most common raw feeding myths and set the record straight in one easy read:

Read: Raw Dog Food Myths – Busted

In short? A raw food diet is what dogs were literally built to eat, it’s biologically appropriate and supports their overall health, energy, and happiness [5].

But, if you’re feeding kibble right now and toss in a few fresh, natural ingredients this week? That still counts. You’ve already made a positive change.

Because real dog parenting? It’s about progress, not perfection.

Need help getting started?

If you’re curious about raw feeding but still unsure what to try, or how to make it work for your dog’s needs, we’re here to help.

Check out our guide to Switching Your Dog to Raw.

Or, book a FREE 1-to-1 consult with our canine nutrition team.

We’ll walk you through your options, help you plan a stress-free switch, and answer any questions you’ve got—no pressure, just personalised support.

• Kibble is convenient but often nutrient-depleted and processed.
• Raw feeding offers biologically appropriate, nutrient-rich meals.
• Even small additions of raw food can improve your dog’s wellbeing.
• Over time, raw-fed dogs often cost less due to fewer health issues.
• You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to start.
• And help is always just a click away.