If you are searching for an easier way to feed a non-kibble diet, you can look at base mixes or premixed diets. These diets take less time to prepare, allowing you the peace of mind to feed your dog a healthy diet. All diets have pros and cons, whether raw, premixed, or base mix. However, these options are significantly more nutritious than a kibble-based diet.

Premade raw dog food is a new and exciting concept in pet nutrition. It is a pre-blended raw diet that contains all the ingredients you need to feed your dog an all-natural, nutritious diet. They are an excellent alternative for dog parents who want to provide their dogs with a raw diet but don't have time for meal prep.

Commercial premade raw diets are available as frozen, dehydrated, air-dried, or freeze-dried. These diets are minimally processed without the high-heat rendering process of kibble diets. Most of them require rehydration before feeding.

A premade raw has all the essential ingredients, often combined with supplements such as probiotics. Most premade raw diets contain fresh meat, vegetables, and fruits purchased from surrounding farms and blended in small batches to maintain freshness. They should not contain synthetic preservatives or other additives found in kibble. 

There are three types of dog food base mixes; complete dog food base mixes, vitamin and mineral mixes, and incomplete dog food base mixes. The entire base mixes can be used as a complete diet but are designed to have fresh foods added to them. They are labeled as "complete and balanced" per AAFCO guidelines. The base diets require rehydration with water or bone broth.

Vitamin and mineral base mix ensures that homemade diets have a complete nutrition profile. However, many of the nutrients used in these mixes are synthetic ingredients that do not have the same level of bioavailability as whole fresh food. A thorough examination of the ingredient list is recommended.

Incomplete dog food base mixes require adding various nutrients, including a fresh protein source. These blends are not AAFCO approved for complete nutrition. Dog parents must verify the source of the ingredients before purchase.

The base mixes are an excellent bowl starter that can make a complete meal with simple additions.

Adding a base mix to raw dog food is one of the easiest ways to boost the nutritional value and provide valuable minerals and vitamins typically lacking in your meat sources. However, you must read the label carefully before purchasing these products to know exactly what needs to be added before feeding them. 

It may seem common sense, but some crucial differences between base mixes and premade raw foods could make or break your dog's diet if not considered carefully beforehand.

If You Choose the Premade or DIY Raw Route

Whether using all raw food or purchasing a base mix, sourcing the food can be challenging. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of areas based on your location to determine where you can purchase the components for your dog's bowl. 

Other alternatives to premade raw or DIY raw dog food include dehydrated, air-dried, or freeze-dried foods that require the addition of water before serving. These diets haven't been through the high-heat rendering process that commercial kibble has undergone. 

Most conventional veterinarians' primary concern with raw feeding is the risk of bacterial contamination to household members, especially children and immune-compromised individuals. The handling of Salmonella-positive commercial pet food and treats is a well-established risk factor for human salmonellosis. However, reports of bacterial contamination of homemade raw diets are minimal compared to the recalls of commercially made raw diets and kibble.

The assumption that kibble is a safe choice for bacterial contamination is false. Over ten years, from 2009-2018, 23 recalls of kibble for Salmonella and E. coli contamination. Numerous recalls for premade raw diets have also been due to bacterial contamination. 

Yet, in a survey of more than 16,000 households feeding a raw diet to their dog, only three identified a pathogen in both the dog food and an infected individual, meaning that there was a 99.6% level of safety in these households.

All food products can be sources of bacteria. The key is to mitigate the chances of contamination using sanitary practices and common sense.

Choose what works best for your dog and lifestyle.

Not all foods meet AAFCO guidelines, and that's OK. If you what the premix to meet AAFCO guidelines, look for the "complete and balanced" statement on the label.

Regardless of which method you choose, variety is critical. Rotate protein sources every three weeks on average.

Habib, Rodney; Becker, Karen Shaw. (2021). The Forever Dog. HarperCollins. Kindle Edition. 

Transmission of Bacterial Zoonotic Pathogens between Pets and Humans: The Role of Pet Food  

Owners' perception of acquiring infections through raw pet food: a comprehensive internet-based survey  

Articles from future units will be accessible once you have completed that unit.

Unit 3 - AAFCO And NRC: Why Were Standards Established? 

As more dog parents look for alternatives to ultra-processed kibble, interest in fresh feeding continues to grow. In response, pet food companies now offer a wide range of raw, gently cooked, and “base mix” options designed to simplify feeding real food. While many of these products can be a meaningful upgrade from kibble, they are not all created equal. Understanding how these foods are made and what they contain helps you decide which option is best for your dog.

Can You Use Pre-made Raw & Base Mixes?

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