Raw vs Gently Cooked: Comparing JustFoodForDogs and We Feed Raw

We Feed Raw provides 100% raw, PhD animal nutritionist-formulated meals that are cold-pressure pasteurized for safety. JustFoodForDogs offers gently cooked meals that are prepared in open kitchens.

While both avoid the heavy processing of kibble, raw feeding offers superior nutrient bioavailability and enzyme preservation for optimal canine health.

Choosing between fresh-cooked and raw nutrition is a major step toward improving your dog's life. Many pet parents make this switch because raw dog food is cheaper than vet bills for chronic conditions, such as obesity, allergies, and digestive issues.

By moving away from ultra-processed dry food, you are investing in a diet that supports your dog's biological needs.

What Is the Difference Between JustFoodForDogs and We Feed Raw?

The primary difference between JustFoodForDogs and We Feed Raw lies in the preparation methods. JustFoodForDogs is a gently cooked fresh food brand, while We Feed Raw is a 100% raw, species-appropriate diet.

While both brands use high-quality, human-grade ingredients, we differ significantly in our nutrient preservation and safety protocols:

• •JustFoodForDogs prepares its meals by lightly cooking whole-food ingredients like beef, chicken, rice, and vegetables. This method is often preferred by owners who are uncomfortable handling raw meat.

• •We Feed Raw follows a Prey Model Raw philosophy, consisting of muscle meat, organ meat, and either finely ground bone (in our frozen patties) or non-GMO fruits and veggies (in our freeze-dried recipes). Because the food is never heated, it retains the natural enzymes and fragile amino acids that dogs evolved to eat in the wild.

Is Raw Dog Food Better Than Gently Cooked Food?

Raw dog food is often considered superior to gently cooked food because it preserves 100% of the natural nutrients and live enzymes found in fresh meat.

While gentle cooking is far better than the extreme heat used for kibble, any level of cooking can denature proteins and reduce the bioavailability of certain vitamins and minerals. When food is cooked, the molecular structure of the proteins changes.

For a facultative carnivore like a dog, raw meat is the most bioavailable source of energy. Raw feeding ensures that your dog receives the maximum amount of nutrition with the least amount of metabolic waste.

This leads to smaller stools, better weight management, and higher energy levels. Furthermore, the live enzymes present in raw food support a healthy microbiome, which is often compromised by the starches found in cooked recipes.

How Do JustFoodForDogs and We Feed Raw Compare in Safety?

We Feed Raw and JustFoodForDogs both prioritize safety, but they use very different methods to achieve it:

• •JustFoodForDogs relies on the heat of cooking to eliminate bacteria.

• •We Feed Raw uses high-pressure processing (HPP) as a form of cold-pressure pasteurization to inactivate pathogens while keeping the food 100% raw.

HPP is a scientifically validated safety step that uses extreme water pressure to neutralize harmful bacteria. This ensures that our meals are as safe as gently cooked alternatives without the need for heat.

This is particularly important for households concerned about the presence of Salmonella or Listeria. By using pressure instead of heat, we provide a product that is safe to handle in your kitchen while maintaining the nutritional integrity of a raw diet.

The Role of High-Pressure Processing in Raw Food Safety

The HPP process is the gold standard for raw food safety. It effectively kills pathogens at the cellular level, ensuring that the final product is free from harmful microbial contamination.

This allows We Feed Raw to maintain an industry-leading safety record, providing pet parents with the peace of mind that their dog's food is both safe and biologically appropriate.

Are These Recipes Formulated by Experts?

Yes, both brands utilize professional formulation to ensure their recipes are complete and balanced. However, the level of expertise behind the recipes is a key differentiator.

Every We Feed Raw meal is formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist with over 30 years of experience in canine nutrition.

The Importance of a PhD Animal Nutritionist

A PhD animal nutritionist possesses a deep understanding of how different life stages and breeds utilize nutrients. This expertise ensures that our recipes provide the exact ratios of human-grade ingredients required for optimal health.

This professional oversight makes our food a "nutritional insurance policy" for your dog, ensuring they get everything they need without the risk of long-term deficiencies.

Which Brand Is More Convenient for Busy Owners, JustFoodForDogs or We Feed Raw?

We Feed Raw is generally more convenient than JustFoodForDogs for busy owners because of our subscription model; compact, easy-peel packaging for our frozen raw recipes; and shelf-stable freeze-dried raw recipes for adult dogs.

The Ease of Freeze-Dried Raw for Adult Dogs

For the ultimate in convenience, We Feed Raw offers freeze-dried recipes for adult dogs. This option is shelf-stable and requires no thawing or refrigeration, making it as easy to serve as kibble but with all the benefits of raw.

This is a major advantage over gently cooked foods, which must remain refrigerated once opened and have a shorter shelf life. Our freeze-dried line is the perfect solution for travel or for those with limited freezer space.

What Do Veterinarians Say About Raw and Fresh Food?

Many veterinarians now support fresh and raw feeding as a primary way to improve canine health.

Understanding what vets say about raw dog food is essential for pet parents navigating the transition away from kibble. Many experts agree that the reduction in starches and the increase in high-quality protein lead to a more resilient immune system.

Research also shows how raw feeding supports gut health by fostering a diverse microbiome. When the gut is healthy, the entire body thrives. This is why many professionals are shifting their stance, now recommending a raw food diet for dogs.

Which Is Better for Dogs With Sensitive Skin and Allergies, We Feed Raw or JustFoodForDogs?

We Feed Raw is often the better choice for dogs with sensitive skin and allergies because it is naturally grain-free and starch-free, and research has shown that puppies fed a raw diet are less likely to develop skin allergies as adults.

Many gently cooked recipes from brands like JustFoodForDogs include rice, potatoes, or legumes. These starches can fuel yeast overgrowth and systemic inflammation, which are the primary causes of itchy skin and ear infections.

A raw diet eliminates the "hidden" triggers found in processed and cooked diets. By providing pure animal protein and essential fatty acids, raw feeding helps strengthen the skin barrier from the inside out.

For dogs that suffer from chronic hot spots or paw licking, the transition to a starch-free raw diet often provides the relief that medications and specialty kibbles cannot.

Ready to Give Your Dog the Best Nutrition Possible?

If you are ready to move away from processed kibble and give your dog the foundation of health they deserve, We Feed Raw is here to help. Our PhD animal nutritionist-formulated, safe, and convenient meals are designed to make raw feeding easy for every pet parent. 

Whether you choose our frozen patties or our shelf-stable freeze-dried raw, you are making a proactive choice for your dog's long-term wellness.

Take our quiz today to build a personalized meal plan tailored to your dog's specific needs and see why raw is the gold standard for canine nutrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is gently cooked food safer than raw dog food?

Both can be safe, but We Feed Raw uses high-pressure processing (HPP) to ensure our food is as safe as gently cooked alternatives.

This cold-pressure pasteurization inactivates pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria without heat, keeping the food 100% raw and safe.

Can I mix JustFoodForDogs with We Feed Raw?

While you can mix different types of fresh food, it is generally easier to stick to one method to monitor your dog's digestive health. Mixing raw and cooked food is safe, but the superior bioavailability of a 100% raw diet usually provides the best results for energy and digestion.

Does JustFoodForDogs contain grains?

Some JustFoodForDogs recipes contain grains like rice or macaroni, while others are grain-free.

We Feed Raw is always 100% grain-free and starch-free, which is often better for dogs with sensitivities or weight issues.

How do I store We Feed Raw frozen patties?

Our frozen patties should be kept in the freezer until the day before you use them. Simply move the patties to your refrigerator 24 hours before feeding to allow for a perfect thaw. Our easy-peel packaging makes it simple to serve without any mess.

Which brand is better for weight loss, JustFoodForDogs or We Feed Raw?

We Feed Raw is often more effective for weight loss because it is higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates than most gently cooked diets. By focusing on lean muscle maintenance and removing unnecessary starches, raw feeding helps dogs reach their ideal body condition more efficiently.