Fresh & Raw

Is Fresh, Frozen or Raw Pet Food Right? Benefits, Risks & Safety

Get an expert breakdown on the differences between fresh, frozen and raw diets for your cat or dog.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Raw Dog Food: Is It Best? Benefits, Risks & Your Dog's Diet Guide

See what options there are with a raw dog food diet.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Choose the Best Natural Dog Food: Understand Ingredients & Benefits

Get insights into natural dog food ingredients and learn how they support your pup’s overall health and well-being.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Raw Meat for Dogs: Is It Safe? Dangers, Benefits & Raw Food Diets

Can dogs eat raw meat? Visit Petco to learn about whether raw meat is okay for dogs to eat and other dog food questions.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

New Dog Owner's Guide: Feeding, Health, & Creating a Happy Home

Learn how to care for your dog, recommended diet and training. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.

Updated on April 9th, 2026

My dog's on a raw food diet. Is it healthy? What do vets think?

Raw feeding is a very good option for many dogs, as long as done properly. hygiene and freshness of the ingredients are the key to this diet, it is important to get the raw meals from a good supplier, you will usually need a dedicated freezer to store the food. it is also very important to take the food out of the freezer not too long before giving it to your dog as it can go bad quite quickly when left outside.

Is homemade raw pet food better than store-bought raw food options?

The only difference really is ease of preparation and use. The homemade is going to be essentially healthier because it's fresh, not frozen. Freezing can destroy some of the vitamins/nutrients. If you want to make a homemade diet I suggest you use the BalanceIT website. https://secure.balanceit.com/ They will tell you how to prepare the diet based on what ingredients you are wanting to use and then will also tell you how to balance the diet using their supplements. This website was created by a veterinary nutritionist and would be the only way I would consider feeding a homemade diet. Hope this helps.

What's the best way to safely feed my dogs a balanced raw food diet?

I am a holistic vet. I love raw diets, but it is very hard to make your own raw diet and have it be balanced nutritionally. I highly recommend pre made raw diets such as Honest Kitchen and Sojos. They are freeze dried, so much safer, and you simply rehydrate with warm water. This way you can feed raw, AND ensure it is a balanced diet.

Is a BARF diet good for my 5-year-old dog, or will he get bored?

Thanks for using Boop by Petco! I do not recommend a raw diet for Spoty. These diets are not balanced appropriately for domesticated dogs and can carry bacteria (salmonella) can cause diarrhea and sometimes death. This bacteria is also contagious to humans. I recommend diets made my quality pet food companies. In the US, I like Hills/Science Diet, Royal Canin, Purina, and Iams. These diets are made by veterinary nutritionists and tested for safety for decades. Dogs typically don’t get bored with the same diet like humans do. If they aren’t offered anything different they won’t know there is something better. If you wanted to add something more I would get the canned food that matches the dry food you pick and add that to his food. Watch how much you feed so you don’t give him too many calories. Good luck and kisses to Spoty!

Is a raw food diet suitable for my 12-year-old 12lb senior dog?

Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Hershey is adorable! I think you can give it a try. A few pieces of advice, with raw meats we worry about bacteria and food poisoning. Also you have to be sure you balance the nutrients, especially the calcium/phosphorus ration. All commercial dog foods do this for you already. Anytime a client want to either home cook or start to feed raw I recommend they formulate their recipes through Balanceit.com. https://secure.balanceit.com/ I hope this helps!