As a dog owner, I’m always on the lookout for ways to improve my furry friend’s health and happiness. The raw food diet has been a hot topic for years, praised for its potential to boost energy, improve skin and coat, and support digestion. But let’s be honest—a full-on raw diet can be intimidating, messy, and time-consuming. That’s why I was so intrigued when I came across Nature’s Diet Simply Raw. It promises the nutritional punch of a raw diet with the convenience of kibble. Could this be the perfect middle ground? I decided to dive in and find out.
Key Features
This isn’t just another bag of dog food. Nature’s Diet has packed it with thoughtful features that cater to health-conscious pet parents.
✅ Raw Nutrition, Simplified: The biggest selling point is its ease of use. You get all the benefits of raw, whole-food ingredients without the hassle of chopping meat or balancing nutrients. Just add water, and it’s ready in minutes.
✅ Human-Grade, Purposeful Ingredients: The ingredient list reads like a menu from a health food store: raw turkey, organ meat, bone broth, whole eggs, superfoods like fruits and veggies, and beneficial supplements like fish oil and probiotics. There are no mystery meats or fillers here.
✅ Clean and Transparent Formula: Nature’s Diet is proud of what’s not in their food. It’s free from grains, GMOs, fillers, unnatural preservatives, soy, and artificial colors or flavors. It’s just honest, whole-food nutrition.
✅ Sourced and Made in the USA: The food is made in small batches with regionally sourced ingredients and humanely raised meat, which gives me peace of mind about quality and ethical standards.
✅ Safe and Shelf-Stable: The freeze-drying process naturally preserves the food and its nutrients while eliminating harmful pathogens. This makes it as safe to handle as dry kibble and easy to store in your pantry.
How to Prepare Simply Raw
Getting a meal ready for your pup is incredibly straightforward.
- Measure: Scoop the desired amount of the dry, lightweight food into your dog’s bowl.
- Hydrate: Add 1 to 2 parts warm water for every 1 part of Simply Raw. The amount of water depends on how thick or soupy your dog prefers their food.
- Stir & Serve: Give it a good stir and let it sit for a few minutes to fully rehydrate. It will transform into a hearty, moist meal.
Pro Tip: For a thicker, more pâté-like texture, you can prepare it an hour ahead of time or even make a batch the night before and store it in the fridge. Leftovers stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
What Are Customers Saying?
With over a thousand reviews and an average rating of 3.7 stars, it’s clear that this food is a hit with some dogs but a miss for others.
Many happy customers, like Sarah (5 stars), rave about how it solved their picky eater problems. She said her senior dog, who had lost interest in food, now cleans his bowl every time. Others, like Mark (4 stars), noticed significant health improvements, from shinier coats and healthier skin to better digestion and firmer stools.
However, the mixed reviews show it’s not a universal solution. A common complaint comes from owners like Jessica (2 stars), whose dog simply turned its nose up at the food, refusing to eat it. Some customers also found the rehydrated texture to be too “soupy” or “mushy” for their dog’s liking. Tom (1 star) mentioned that while he loved the ingredients, the cost felt high for a product his dog wouldn’t touch.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Excellent, human-grade ingredients | ❌ Some dogs dislike the taste or texture |
| ✅ Convenient and easy to prepare | ❌ Higher price point than traditional kibble |
| ✅ Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs | ❌ Preparation takes more time than scooping |
| ✅ Shelf-stable and safe to handle | ❌ Texture can be very soft or “soupy” |
| ✅ Made in the USA with sourced ingredients |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I mix this with my dog’s current kibble? A: Absolutely! Simply Raw works great as a “topper” to boost the nutritional value of your dog’s regular kibble. It’s also a great way to slowly transition your dog to a new food.
Q: How much fresh food does the 3 lb bag actually make? A: The 3 lb bag of freeze-dried food rehydrates to make over 18 lbs of fresh, ready-to-eat dog food, so a little goes a long way.
Q: Is it really safe to handle if it’s a “raw” food? A: Yes. The freeze-drying process is a key safety feature. It removes moisture, which inhibits the growth of bacteria and pathogens like Salmonella, making it as safe to store and handle as any dry dog food.
Final Verdict
So, who is Nature’s Diet Simply Raw for?
This product is an excellent choice for dog owners who want to provide a raw, whole-food diet but are put off by the complexity and safety concerns of traditional raw feeding. It’s particularly beneficial for dogs with food sensitivities, digestive issues, or those who have become picky eaters with their regular kibble.
However, it might not be the best fit for owners on a tight budget or for dogs who are very particular about texture and strongly prefer a crunchy bite. Given the mixed reviews on taste, it might be wise to see if you can find a smaller trial size before committing to a large bag.
If you’re ready to upgrade your dog’s diet with high-quality, convenient raw nutrition, this is definitely a product worth trying.
Buy on Amazon Nature’s Diet Simply Raw Freeze-Dried Raw Whole Food Meal