I want to switch to raw feeding. What is the best freeze-dried raw dog food for beginners?

If you’re new to raw feeding, I’d start with a complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw food, rather than trying to formulate a homemade raw diet yourself.

My top beginner pick: Stella & Chewy’s

• Stella & Chewy's Chewy's Chicken Freeze-Dried Dog Food - $35.99 (Chewy)

Why I like it for beginners:

• It’s a complete and balanced meal, not merely a topper. Stella & Chewy’s says its freeze-dried raw formulas meet AAFCO nutrient profiles.
• The Dinner Patties are easy to portion.
• It contains meat, organs and ground bone, plus added vitamins/minerals and probiotics.
• Chicken is a relatively straightforward first protein if your dog already tolerates chicken.
• You can feed it dry or rehydrate it with water; I prefer rehydrating when transitioning to raw.
• Current expert roundups also rank Stella & Chewy’s very highly; Forbes Vetted named its Dinner Patties the best overall freeze-dried dog food for 2026.

Two excellent alternatives

• Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Variety Pack - $79.94 (Open Farm)

Open Farm would be my second choice. It has excellent ingredient traceability, several protein options, and its freeze-dried raw recipes are formulated to be complete and balanced. Forbes Dog Food Advisor It's particularly nice if you want to eventually rotate proteins.

• Primal Raw Pronto Chicken Recipe - $43.98 (Chewy)

Primal Raw Pronto is another beginner-friendly option because it's already formulated as a complete and balanced meal and doesn't require you to grind or combine ingredients yourself.

One important distinction

Don't assume that "freeze-dried raw" automatically means nutritionally complete or pathogen-free. Look specifically for the nutritional adequacy statement saying the food is complete and balanced for your dog's particular life stage. Freeze-drying itself doesn't make an incomplete formula complete.

Also, raw diets carry bacterial-contamination considerations even when they're freeze-dried. Good hand hygiene, clean bowls and proper storage are important.

If you tell me your dog's age, weight, breed, and whether they're currently eating kibble/wet/fresh food, I can narrow this down to the best specific formula and give you a simple transition schedule.

Switching to a raw diet is an exciting step, and freeze-dried raw is the absolute easiest way to start because it offers the nutritional benefits of raw food without the hassle of grinding meat, balancing organs, or dealing with messy thawing.

For beginners, the best options combine complete and balanced formulas (AAFCO-compliant as full meals), easy-to-portion formats (patties or small nuggets), and high palatability.

Top Freeze-Dried Raw Brands for Beginners

- **Why it’s great for beginners:** It is widely considered the gold standard for accessibility and quality. The pre-formed patties make portion control foolproof—you just count out the number of patties based on your dog's weight.
- **The formula:** Around 95% meat, organs, and bone, plus certified organic fruits and vegetables and added probiotics. You can check options like the Stella & Chewy's Super Beef Patties on Chewy.[[1]](https://www.google.com/search?q=product&prds=pvt:hg,productid:7248341533872767906,catalogid:17921100827825457393,gpcid:9290008516499467508,mid:576462745768807777&ibp=oshop)[[2]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESjAEB6zswFYmQ0MbptaumE6N05R0kDM5KYoq1G4rXQdzNJCEvEUmexvq1S4Q4Jz7xmgFwb42a-VBDX_XB32DJhZd3GYwUYuRVuQqCHso_Tkd2BMbi5RYQF9n6rsCy4FMDBalfCf2PW3qLDRoy9Kj5Ea-PadXhNw4d0AHI7qgTaOA42a9mxsZEND7OO6ItPw)[[3]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESqwEB6zswFYvhi8TOMwWRDrNsMF5m1YUcA6dWSu4ozBDalr6dKhGauPGU1S0R6boL2B3qDbeNoO7wSKNiJkQKxEP96pjlAm5dMsMpThE1hF1ER24DcguzhDJm7f14I6MFS4PvNGhT4GxzDAlnEbV6D3dTsnv1b6g_LcR4mhc1888d8GlSKegTBLGzu0OA4Q-BVk0i0pKZ7tlnQPqguuNnYsE035qpHQYlv3fFIuE)[[4]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESdwHrOzAVHFUYIweRh6Xh8-DO1SXaeHqQf5SNAlLDYA9uS3Q_BDWPHwCdH3lGgrnvejlQGtqogqv_qsF5jbMLjj2_gSeLHEHIFH_2vpAYDCcuv5ExJuOTNnS2EFSOHOXPoik4F1OpAAjsjccLGjSqBFtLjg_0u2HK)[[5]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESTgHrOzAVTNL7xDhf6ibGWgCLNY3M5ndqrO4o1tY3ToJqiiMWPYZeSzzomjvP2dO1FOCn0NN8OqvBEIqyHMyXs1h4oMHOkXjAqiLNwcCErQ)

- **Why it’s great for beginners:** Primal uses small, uniform nuggets that rehydrate much faster than large patties. If your dog likes to eat meals quickly or you want a food that breaks down smoothly in warm water, these nuggets are very user-friendly.
- **The formula:** Highly transparent sourcing, fully balanced with organic produce and essential vitamins.[[1]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESkgEB6zswFZvHtkl3VOZDcjF7r_mHJ8Y18F27TxyJtYp7TboYFvZYqG7GyCNJS_VrgI6JMjnHnjZTGgJx71BrfsiMpJdQSyRgwaZpn1uLC5pTW7wogCo5m1Dh6n_jtVhMlyztWtk-sevYqZo0Aouw915axSfMm4ueJ52qJUuGfZmVIt_1VC0CRmhulVWqqhHgIlhm1Q)[[2]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAEStQEB6zswFQo-DttU7Y8byJyGXpcegLGdKpQXNro1ss_K2NJs4x7uqZHSeaERnV4LcJ78QadHyPmpE6ETgsdNGaN1nt2MKQERdr1Vj0aJzDZP1cbw9aCfyRWI2gmRAaodrY08p2WLPIsd9ZMn5oTKx9p43QGvdPM4FAQ0Kv8Tikj5ISmuSFsVJI3lWQVwQE81ZpCds8C1yCq5L7anyhD7rwXgUNRd2aVjFA9AnE50UNUTe05DAaOj)[[3]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESTgHrOzAVczuAuPXbHML-MSpY7KdcetLBraX3aTvEXYG4v9kPg2r96mU9ahMKN5TNAEbzrRNHh4mQdjtGLZQD9F_qrKfj-7iRRwTz3SQlpw)[[4]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESqgEB6zswFQQZCTXvwQyI-e5CJaMQsy8Jo5TiXkohBTaHXpVLAEp56k1vutuKjZ5KVSd5fPL5fS1eNpcAU_FXN7mur_prdFt1lU8TopLK9ycPZ7l7B1BRl4X2X7-1tYTfMNHM3uk4wmBiM5K1GB40p17O2UG7S9LgAaTe5DTCV8NO0WdmOcfaWny4UUdRqT7nCdgSBQSVq8NdW3gIvXykmFzyLhOC1GqSHI8R3A)[[5]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESsgEB6zswFS_njHtG7BCcr4DxiYswGikkjByLFkQKZdQoK5H5EG0xRyqU0PzMGVgnVuZyp9eUDZytaz8mseftH9g761Bn2caiZbgplmjiT4vlzecnFo70X2ndcWQ0LUbBmku9Xs0_WOo_HBlb81OAs-an9-N3-oHJerbfi9KpjZAEsERmgNHJpSIp1FcDGWho6J-nmT_K0GXyENddct-kPBGxslAho-nNVw5WCEB5x_lPxYJY)

- **Why it’s great for beginners:** Open Farm is famous for 100% traceable ethical sourcing (grass-fed meats, certified humane, wild-caught fish). If you care deeply about sustainable sourcing while transitioning your pet, their recipes are gentle and transparent. You can browse choices like Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef Freeze-Dried Dog Food on Chewy.[[1]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESfwHrOzAV5TW00kg36sxVZjjvi55gD3ThfoQ9ih0gz1QwWoseG4w75HuXDvBaswnn1Ie_K_SYVbFBcj4_nRzEt3cblvfjgZkYFChLL78kPcs-1N_FtHf-ohamVhGqYNd1AwQLpIKxrEjiVpFpGRQQfM2Po_HrSwKZpUEJzhYyGv8)[[2]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESlQEB6zswFd2lK8-tafPC_YfoyaTwurNI-2PwiLE6ahkGEyAqlsosMMyHDLLr9IdNj6FIpdfWBc_LXBHT1fWr8FgkrB_ZR5gpqeVdYG4VcjwwYBTCUlyrjKCeAE0Ag7tLPj3Z-dWsPX2LOO4gOVQX8MuHkqIS2NqjtuxkOkH7xDzP0uvWNvMqc04yrPtaUohhfwmG5kT_Gw)[[3]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESTQHrOzAVvJKVrsJn1VGGHg_SpGx4x6TM7VBbUY2p3isdBBHXzDee0HWzto5zQ3nOi7IV3bYdO8RBaW3ZSxNYDvgiEJVqjK9qNlPMRpNd)[[4]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESVgHrOzAVf55JyfAKLH4cSR-4ipdO6_vOAuuaFqZNkKlV3yVyHhyrvoWDNror7f36G7nUK8SuvEdSYw3j5ZYRj-yJtPXOBFQrxo0W-S6cjUZWX6OhefKH)[[5]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESaAHrOzAV-MnDKzsn3DR77NWORMB0Vh0OSBvy8GwG2s3ubneOnXj71MJqaAX49v2ZjlbHsms_JD3_PBByzK3YDPavjLiqNJrsc1T3YXLRHxENZm48lzvl9xXbc6NgpKiFWnyYZ8Cau2Fv)

- **Why it’s great for beginners:** Developed by veterinary experts, this beef-centric formula is designed to be complete and easy to digest, functioning seamlessly as a standalone meal or a high-value topper. Take a look at the Ultimate Pet Nutrition Nutra Complete on Chewy.[[1]](https://www.google.com/search?q=product&prds=pvt:hg,productid:10204161712046823585,catalogid:12632414673894373678,gpcid:15314832521954234752,mid:576462817265594409&ibp=oshop)[[2]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAEScgHrOzAVOjLVCZz_xGJA20kI8IfU2Jfe926aYCUYPg4cuEx_wuXb44RxTdTKbSgdrJEunCQUydoJ1_UgegDyRaIMg63vNAjAy75vJgl4aG94P55LXBiARpaRlqWJ3n1pm3y2xaNR_vXrmtYMPoNmnxkQeA)[[3]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESSQHrOzAV74wytRzEN6rgwPeul52TZM5COtZgwst4m70uGWP3pESvXTdBRB22KEVVtJ6YQekaq0TGAMPb2PpgpRofz_JSOPeQl8c)

Quick Tips for a Smooth Transition

• Start slow: Don't swap their entire kibble bowl overnight. Mix a few crumbled pieces into their current food for 7–10 days to let their digestive system adjust to the richer protein and new microflora.
• To rehydrate or not? While many brands say you can feed them dry, always provide plenty of fresh water, or better yet, warm water or bone broth to rehydrate the food. Rehydrating aids digestion and ensures your dog stays hydrated.
• Treat it like raw meat: Wash your hands, bowls, and scoops after handling freeze-dried raw food just as you would handle raw chicken meant for human cooking.

What Dog Owners Say

“Stella & Chewy's is a renowned brand that offers premium quality, raw freeze-dried food for pets. These nutrient-packed patties are a fantastic way to feed your dog a raw diet, even if you don't have much time for meal preparation.”

To help tailor this, tell me:

• What breed, age, and weight is your dog?
• Are you planning to feed freeze-dried as a complete meal or as a meal topper/mixer?

If you're new to raw feeding, I'd start with a complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw food, rather than trying to formulate a homemade raw diet yourself. That makes the transition much simpler and reduces the risk of nutritional gaps.

🥇 My pick for beginners: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties

• Stella & Chewy's Chewy's Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food - $35.99 (Chewy)

Why I like it for a first raw food:

• It's a complete and balanced diet rather than merely a topper. Stella & Chewy's says its freeze-dried raw formulas meet or exceed AAFCO nutrient profiles.
• The patties are very easy to portion—much less intimidating than handling frozen raw meat.
• The recipes contain muscle meat, organs and bone, plus added vitamins/minerals and probiotics.
• It's widely available and comes in several proteins.
• Current expert roundups also put Stella & Chewy's Dinner Patties among the top freeze-dried foods; Forbes Vetted named them its overall pick for 2026.

For a healthy adult dog, I'd probably start with Chicken unless there's a reason to avoid poultry. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or known food intolerance, the protein choice becomes more important.

Two other excellent choices

• Open Farm Harvest Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Patties - $39.99 (Open Farm)

• Primal Chicken Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food - $75.96 (Chewy)

• Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Meals Chicken - $34.99 (PETCO)

• Open Farm — excellent if ingredient sourcing and traceability are particularly important to you. Its Harvest Chicken recipe is 95% chicken, organs and bone.

• Primal — a very good premium option, particularly if you prefer nuggets that you can break apart and rehydrate. Its Raw Pronto line is formulated as a complete and balanced adult diet.

• Instinct — another good beginner-friendly option and especially worth considering if availability at local pet stores matters.

How I'd make the switch

Don't change from kibble to 100% raw overnight. Start around 25% freeze-dried food / 75% current food, then gradually increase the raw portion over roughly a week or so. Primal's own transition instructions, for example, start at 1/4 freeze-dried and 3/4 current food.

I'd also rehydrate the food with water when you're getting started. It increases moisture intake and can make the transition easier.

One important caveat: freeze-drying doesn't make raw food sterile. You'll still want good hand-washing and bowl/surface hygiene, and raw diets aren't necessarily appropriate for every dog or household. A veterinarian—ideally one comfortable with nutrition—can help determine whether raw feeding is appropriate for your particular dog.

If you tell me your dog's age, weight, breed, and whether they're currently eating kibble/wet food, I can narrow this down to the best specific formula and how much you'd feed per day.

Switching to a raw diet is an exciting step, and freeze-dried raw is arguably the best gateway because it offers all the nutritional benefits of raw meat without the hassle of grinding bones, measuring organs, or daily freezer defrosting.

For beginners, the ideal brand needs to be complete and balanced (AAFCO-compliant for all life stages or adult maintenance so you don't have to guess the nutrient ratios), easy to break apart or rehydrate, and sourced transparently.

Top-rated freeze-dried raw dog food brands well-suited for beginners include:

Excellent for beginners who value transparency and ethics. They use humanely raised, 100% animal-protein sources (like grass-fed beef or free-to-roam chicken) paired with certified non-GMO superfoods, fruits, and veggies. Their patties or morsels crumble easily and rehydrate smoothly. You can check out their options directly on the Open Farm Pet Site.

A gold standard in the raw community. Their recipes feature 90%-95% meat, organs, and bone, with added organic fruits and vegetables, and are fortified with probiotics and vitamins. The patties snap apart effortlessly, making portioning simple for a first-timer. Explore their formulas via retailers like Chewy's Stella & Chewy's Selection.

Another very accessible brand found in most major pet specialty stores. Instinct's recipes (such as their cage-free chicken or grass-fed lamb) use a whole-food, grain-free approach designed to transition easily as a complete meal or a high-value topper.

Primal uses high-quality, antibiotic- and hormone-free proteins with certified organic produce. Their nugget form factor makes counting out exact daily portions by weight straightforward, reducing the learning curve.

Tips for Raw Beginners

1. Slow Transition: Transition your dog over 7 to 10 days by mixing increasing amounts of the new rehydrated or crumbled freeze-dried food with their old food to give their gut microbiome time to adjust.
2. Don't Skip the Water: While some dogs will eat freeze-dried bits dry as treats, full meals must be rehydrated with warm water, bone broth, or goat milk to ensure your dog stays properly hydrated and the food digests correctly.

To help narrow down the best specific recipe, tell me:

• What is your dog's breed/size and age?
• Do they have any known food allergies or a sensitive stomach?

If you’re new to raw feeding, I’d start with a commercial freeze-dried raw food that is explicitly “complete and balanced” rather than trying to formulate a DIY raw diet. Freeze-drying makes raw feeding much easier, but it doesn’t eliminate the bacterial risks associated with raw meat, so handling hygiene still matters.

🥇 My pick for a beginner: Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Patties

Stella & Chewy's Chewy's Chicken Freeze-Dried Dog Food

$35.99

Why I’d start here:

• Specifically formulated as a complete and balanced meal, rather than merely a topper.
• Uses meat, organs and bone, with added vitamins/minerals and probiotics.
• Very straightforward to portion—break up the patties and serve, with water added if you prefer.
• Multiple protein options make it easy to find one your dog likes.
• It has also been selected as a top overall freeze-dried food by Forbes Vetted's 2026 review.

For a first protein, chicken or beef would be my choice unless your dog has a known food sensitivity.

🥈 Two other good beginner options

Primal Raw Pronto Beef Recipe

$43.98

Instinct Freeze-Dried Raw Meals Real Beef Recipe

$91.58

Vital Essentials Crunchy Mini Nibs Raw Beef Entree

$16.99

Primal Raw Pronto — good if you want small pieces/nuggets rather than patties. It's marketed as a complete-and-balanced raw diet.

Instinct Raw Meals — another beginner-friendly option with a complete-and-balanced formulation. Instinct specifically says its freeze-dried raw meals meet AAFCO nutrient profiles.

Vital Essentials — particularly appealing if you want a very meat-heavy formula; its beef nibs are listed as complete and balanced.

One important beginner mistake to avoid

Don't accidentally buy a “meal mixer,” “topper,” or “supplemental feeding only” product and use it as the dog's entire diet. Some freeze-dried raw products look like complete foods but aren't nutritionally complete. Always check the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the specific bag.

And I'd transition gradually rather than switching overnight—particularly if your dog has been eating kibble.

If you tell me your dog's age, weight, breed, and whether they're currently on kibble/wet food, I can narrow this down to the best specific formula and how much to feed per day, including an estimate of monthly cost.

Switching to raw feeding is a great choice for your dog's vitality, and freeze-dried options offer all the nutritional benefits of raw food without the mess or freezer hassle . For beginners, Stella & Chewy's Super Beef Dinner Patties Go to product viewer dialog for this item. and Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Morsels Go to product viewer dialog for this item. are widely considered the best introductory brands due to their precise nutritional balance, easy portioning, and high palatability.

Top Beginner Recommendations

• Formatted into uniform, pre-portioned patties that make it incredibly simple to calculate exactly how much to feed your beginner dog.

• Features a 95% meat, organ, and bone profile enhanced with probiotics, which helps smooth out the digestive transition for dogs new to raw protein.

• Every production batch undergoes independent lab analysis to ensure rigorous food safety standards before reaching shelves.

• Comes in small, scoopable chunks that can easily double as full meals or transitional toppers mixed directly into your dog's current kibble.

• Provides 100% humanely raised, grass-fed meats paired with organic leafy greens like spinach and kale for a gentle vitamin boost.

• Offers total ingredient transparency with a tracking code on every bag so beginners can verify exactly where the ingredients were sourced.

• Formulated specifically as an affordable, introductory "bridge" food to easily supplement raw nutrition into a standard diet.

• Features a patented, heat-stable GanedenBC30 probiotic strain tailored to support gut health and minimize loose stools during the diet switch.

Beginner Tips for Switching to Raw

1. Start with a Single, Lean Protein

When transitioning, stick to a single, easily digestible protein like chicken or turkey rather than rich red meats. Introducing too much fat too quickly can overwhelm a beginner dog's digestive system and cause temporary diarrhea.

2. Rehydrate the Food

While freeze-dried raw can be served dry, it is highly recommended to rehydrate it with warm water or bone broth. Freeze-drying removes all moisture, and adding water ensures your dog stays properly hydrated while helping them digest the dense protein safely.

3. Use the Topper Method

You do not have to switch entirely on day one. Many beginners successfully transition by replacing 25% of their dog's old kibble with freeze-dried raw crumbs, gradually increasing the raw portion over 7 to 10 days until the bowl is 100% raw.

What the Community Says

Dog parents frequently discuss their experiences transitioning to freeze-dried raw on forums like Reddit:

“K9 naturals has the best price per lb... Nulo has great ingredients... Instinct is slightly cheaper than Nulo”

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

• What breed and age is your dog?
• Do they have any known food allergies or a sensitive stomach?
• Are you planning to feed this as a complete meal or a kibble topper?

I can help you build the perfect transition schedule.

Switching to freeze-dried raw is a smart way to start raw feeding because it gives you the nutritional benefits of raw meat without the hassle of grinding bones, balancing organs, or clearing out your freezer . Most options are complete and balanced (meeting AAFCO standards), meaning you just scoop, add warm water, and serve.

Top freeze-dried raw dog food brands tailored for beginners include:

Widely considered the gold standard for beginners . The patties are lightweight, very easy to break apart or crumble , and widely available in pet stores and online. They use a whole-prey ratio (meat, organs, bone) plus certified organic fruits and vegetables.

Excellent for transparency and ethical sourcing . Their morsels are shaped into small, easy-to-scoop pieces (great if you aren't ready to snap apart larger patties) and come with 100% traceable ingredients from certified humane farms.

A pioneer in the commercial raw space . Primal offers balanced formulas that rely on single-source or specific proteins, making it straightforward to monitor how your dog reacts or to navigate around food sensitivities.

Known primarily for their customized frozen raw meal plans, their shelf-stable freeze-dried line offers high palatability and straightforward transition feeding with USDA human-grade meats.

Community Experiences

Pet parents transitioning their dogs often share similar positive feedback about starting with familiar, accessible brands:

“If you're ready to start your dog on a raw food diet and don't know where to begin, Stella & Chewy's Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is an excellent brand to choose. These freeze-dried recipes were designed with your dog's health, happiness and longevity in mind.”

To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:

• What is your dog's breed, weight, and age?
• Does your dog have any known food allergies or a sensitive stomach?
• Are you looking to feed this as a complete meal or a kibble topper?

If you're new to raw feeding, I’d start with a commercial freeze-dried raw food that is explicitly “complete and balanced” rather than trying to formulate a DIY raw diet. Freeze-drying makes raw feeding much easier, but it does not eliminate all pathogen risk, so normal raw-food hygiene still matters.

🥇 My beginner pick: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties

Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties

$16.97

I’d put Stella & Chewy’s Dinner Patties at the top for a first-time raw feeder because they're straightforward: break off the appropriate amount, serve dry or rehydrate, and the Dinner Patties are formulated as a complete and balanced meal rather than merely a topper. The company says its freeze-dried raw diets meet AAFCO nutrient profiles and are available for different life stages.

Why I like it for beginners:

• Complete & balanced, so you don't have to add calcium, organs, supplements, etc.
• Easy portioning with patties.
• Multiple proteins available.
• Can be served dry or rehydrated.
• Relatively easy to find.
• The company recommends a gradual 7–10 day transition from the current food.

Two other good choices

Primal Beef Formula Nuggets

$75.96

Instinct Freeze-Dried Raw Meals

$108.28

Nulo Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food

$20.99

Primal Nuggets — excellent if you want a meat/organ/bone-focused formula and don't mind rehydrating it. Primal's Beef Formula is marketed as a complete and balanced raw diet for adult dogs.

Instinct Raw Meals — another very beginner-friendly option. Its freeze-dried meals are roughly 85% meat/organ ingredients plus fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals.

Nulo — worth considering if you want another complete-and-balanced freeze-dried option with meat, organs and bone.

One important distinction

Don't accidentally buy a “meal mixer,” “topper,” or treat and assume it's a complete diet. Some freeze-dried raw products are intended only for supplemental feeding. The package should specifically say something like “complete and balanced” and identify the appropriate life stage.

Also, freeze-dried raw is not sterilized simply because it's freeze-dried. Wash hands/bowls and clean preparation surfaces just as you would with raw meat.

If you tell me your dog's age, weight, breed, activity level, and whether they currently eat kibble/wet food, I can narrow this down to the best specific recipe and how much to feed per day.

If you’re new to raw feeding, I’d start with a complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw meal, rather than trying to build a homemade raw diet yourself.

My top pick: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties

Stella & Chewy’s Chewy's Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties

$35.99

Why I like it for beginners:

• It’s a complete meal, not merely a topper. Stella & Chewy’s says its Dinner Patties meet AAFCO nutritional profiles for dogs.
• About 95% meat, organs and bone, with fruits/vegetables plus added vitamins and minerals.
• Very simple: crumble the patty, add water if desired, and serve.
• You don't need to calculate calcium, organ-meat percentages, or supplements yourself.
• There are several proteins, so you can eventually rotate if your dog does well with it.

Chicken is probably the easiest place to start if your dog has no known food sensitivities. If you'd prefer red meat, the Super Beef version is another good starting point:

Stella & Chewy’s Stella's Super Beef Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

$39.99

Two other good beginner options

Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Patties — particularly appealing if ingredient sourcing is a priority. Their chicken recipe is 95% chicken, organs and bone with organic vegetables/superfoods.

Sojos Complete — a little different because you add water and rehydrate it. That's convenient if you want something closer to the texture/moisture of conventional raw food.

One important beginner tip

Don't switch from kibble to 100% raw overnight. A gradual 7–10 day transition is a sensible starting point; sudden diet changes can cause digestive upset. Stella & Chewy's recommends gradually increasing the new food over that period.

And I'd rehydrate the freeze-dried food with water rather than routinely feeding it completely dry—especially because raw diets otherwise contain considerably less moisture than fresh/frozen raw food.

If you tell me your dog's age, weight, breed, activity level, and current food, I can narrow this down to the best formula and tell you roughly how much freeze-dried raw you'd feed per day and what the monthly cost would be.

Switching to raw feeding is an exciting step, and freeze-dried raw is the absolute easiest way for beginners to start. It gives you all the nutritional benefits of a raw diet (unprocessed nutrients, vibrant energy, smaller stools) without the hassle of balancing organs, meat, and bone yourself or dealing with messy daily thawing.

For beginners, look for brands that are complete and balanced (meeting AAFCO guidelines), easy to crumble/rehydrate, and transparently sourced.

Top Freeze-Dried Raw Brands for Beginners

Add to list**Stella & Chewy's Dinner Patties** (Best Overall)

• Why it's great for beginners: It is the most widely available and trusted freeze-dried raw brand on the market. The patties are easy to break apart, crumble quickly in warm water, and come in a massive variety of single and multi-protein recipes. They feature 95% meat, organs, and bone, plus added organic fruits, vegetables, and probiotics.

Add to list**Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Morsels** (Best for Ingredient Transparency)

• Why it's great for beginners: Open Farm Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is famous for 100% traceable sourcing—you can literally look up the origin of every ingredient in your bag . The food comes in small "morsels" instead of large patties, which makes scooping, portioning, and quick rehydration completely foolproof.

Add to listPrimal Pet Foods Freeze-Dried Nuggets (Best for Raw Purists)

• Why it's great for beginners: Primal uses a nose-to-tail single-protein or balanced formulation approach packaged as small nuggets. They rehydrate smoothly and are fantastic if your beginner strategy involves testing a novel or single protein (like rabbit, pork, or duck) to check for food sensitivities.

Add to listVital Essentials Mini Nibs (Best for Small Breeds / Portion Control)

• Why it's great for beginners: Their "Mini Nibs" format requires zero breaking apart—they look like little pellets that turn into a complete meal the second you splash water or bone broth on them. They are also small enough to double as high-value training treats.

Beginner Tips for Success

1. Start as a Topper: You don’t have to switch your dog cold turkey. For the first week, crumble a few morsels or half a patty over your dog's current food (dry or wet) to let their digestive system adjust to rich raw proteins.
2. Always Rehydrate (At First): While some dogs crunch them dry, freeze-dried raw is dense and needs moisture. Add warm water, goat milk, or bone broth, let it sit for a minute or two to soften, and serve.
3. Transition Slowly: Over 7 to 10 days, gradually increase the freeze-dried ratio while decreasing their old food until they are fully transitioned.

To help narrow down which choice fits best, tell me:

• What breed, age, and weight is your dog?
• Do they have any known food allergies or a sensitive stomach?
• Are you looking to use this as a complete meal or a meal topper?