As dog lovers, we all want to provide the best possible nutrition for our furry family members. While feeding an entirely fresh, whole food diet is the gold standard for canine health, it’s not always feasible for every pet parent. Whether due to budget constraints, time limitations, or uncertainty about nutritional balance, many owners rely on kibble for convenience.
The good news? You don’t have to choose one or the other. Adding fresh, raw food to your dog’s kibble is an easy and affordable way to improve their diet and overall well-being. Even small changes—like topping kibble with raw meats, organ meats, eggs, or veggies—can have a significant impact. If feeding a 100% fresh diet isn’t an option, feeding some fresh food is still a step in the right direction.
Why Fresh Food Matters
The Quality Difference: Raw vs. Kibble
Kibble is highly processed at extreme temperatures, which depletes many of the natural nutrients in its ingredients. To compensate, manufacturers add synthetic vitamins and minerals to meet AAFCO’s nutritional guidelines. While these added nutrients make kibble “complete and balanced” on paper, they aren’t necessarily the most bioavailable or beneficial for your dog.
Fresh, whole foods, on the other hand, provide nutrients in their natural state—making them easier for your dog’s body to absorb and utilize. Proteins remain intact, healthy fats aren’t oxidized, and essential enzymes are preserved, all of which contribute to better digestion, stronger immunity, and overall vitality.
Raw Food Enhances Digestibility and Nutrition
When dogs eat highly processed kibble, their bodies work harder to break it down, sometimes leading to bloating, gas, or sluggish digestion. By introducing fresh, raw foods, you’re providing a source of nutrition that is easier to digest and more aligned with what dogs are designed to eat.
Adding raw food can also:
✔ Boost hydration (since kibble is very dry, and raw food contains natural moisture)
✔ Support skin & coat health (thanks to fresh omega fatty acids and natural nutrients)
✔ Improve gut health (with naturally occurring probiotics and digestive enzymes)
✔ Enhance immune function (by reducing reliance on synthetic vitamins and artificial additives)
The Best of Both Worlds: Mixing Raw with Kibble
If transitioning to a fully raw diet seems overwhelming, don’t worry—you don’t have to go all in. Even incorporating some fresh food can provide noticeable benefits.
How Much Raw Food Should You Add?
A general guideline is to aim for at least 20% fresh food in your dog’s diet. Studies suggest that feeding just 20% fresh food alongside kibble can improve health outcomes. This keeps the convenience of kibble while significantly upgrading the nutritional quality of the diet.
That said, the more fresh food you can incorporate, the better! Some pet parents start with 10% and gradually increase over time based on their budget and comfort level.
What Raw Foods Can Be Used as Toppers?
If you’re looking to start small, here are some easy and nutritious fresh food additions:
- Lean raw meats (chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, duck, or venison)
- Organ meats (liver, kidney, heart—nutrient powerhouses)
- Raw eggs (great for skin, coat, and brain health)
- Fermented foods (kefir or fermented veggies for gut health)
- Dog-safe fruits & vegetables (blueberries, carrots, pumpkin, leafy greens)
- Bone broth (adds nutrients, collagen, and hydration)
How to Introduce Fresh Food Safely
- Start small—add a little raw food to your dog’s meal and increase gradually.
- Monitor digestion—every dog is different, so introduce one new ingredient at a time.
- Maintain proper hygiene—handle raw meat safely to prevent contamination.
- If your dog has a sensitive stomach, consider feeding raw food separately from kibble.
Addressing Nutritional Balance Concerns
Is the Diet Still “Balanced” if I Add Raw Food?
Many pet parents worry that adding raw food might throw off the AAFCO-approved balance of their kibble. The truth is, as long as 80% of the diet remains kibble, the fortified vitamins and minerals in kibble will keep the diet within the AAFCO guidelines.
However, fresh food naturally provides many of the nutrients your dog needs, often in a more bioavailable form than synthetic additives. Over time, feeding a variety of fresh foods will provide a broad spectrum of essential nutrients, reducing reliance on synthetics altogether.
Whole Food Nutrition vs. Synthetic Additives
Kibble contains synthetic vitamins because high-heat processing destroys natural nutrients. But are synthetic vitamins as good as the real thing? Not quite. Whole food sources of nutrients are always superior because they come with co-factors and enzymes that improve absorption.
For example:
- Vitamin C from real foods (like blueberries) comes with natural antioxidants that work synergistically.
- Omega fatty acids from fresh fish are more bioavailable than the fish oil additives found in kibble.
- Calcium & phosphorus from raw bones are in their most digestible form, unlike artificially added minerals in kibble.
Cost Considerations: Balancing Budget and Quality
Why is Kibble Cheaper?
Kibble is mass-produced using lower-cost ingredients like fillers (corn, wheat, soy) and rendered meats. These ingredients keep costs low, but they don’t offer the same nutritional value as whole, fresh foods.
How to Make Raw Feeding More Affordable
If cost is a concern, you don’t have to jump to a full raw diet overnight. Instead, you can:
- Start small—even adding 10-20% fresh food can make a difference.
- Buy in bulk—many suppliers offer discounts on bulk raw meats.
- Use affordable raw toppers—eggs, organ meats, and sardines provide huge benefits for a low cost.
- Make bone broth—a budget-friendly way to add nutrients to kibble.
The Ideal Goal: A Fully Fresh Diet
While kibble mixed with raw food is a huge improvement, the ultimate goal—if feasible—is to transition to a completely fresh, species-appropriate diet.
A fully raw diet:
✔ Eliminates processed ingredients and artificial additives
✔ Provides optimal digestion and nutrient absorption
✔ Reduces inflammation and improves long-term health outcomes
However, every dog and household is different. What matters most is doing what you can within your budget and lifestyle. Even small steps toward fresh feeding are better than none!
Conclusion: Every Bit of Fresh Food Counts
If a fully raw diet isn’t an option, don’t worry—every fresh food addition counts! You don’t have to go all or nothing. Even adding a few fresh ingredients to your dog’s kibble can lead to improved digestion, better skin and coat, and long-term health benefits.
If you’re new to fresh feeding, start slow, experiment with different toppers, and observe the changes in your dog. You might be surprised at how much of a difference a little fresh food can make!