Why We Do Not Feed Layla Raw

One of the biggest questions people ask when switching to homemade dog food is whether they should feed raw or cooked meals.

There are many people who feed raw successfully.

Some feed large raw bones and chunks of meat, while others use commercial raw products made from ground meat, organs, and bone.

There are even companies that sell frozen raw blends that are already balanced and ready to serve.

We understand why people are interested in raw feeding.

The idea is very similar to why we feed Layla homemade food in the first place: fewer processed ingredients, more whole foods, and more control over what goes into the bowl.



For us, though, raw feeding never felt like the right fit.

The Two Main Types of Raw Feeding

When most people think of raw feeding, they picture a dog eating a large raw bone or a piece of meat.

That is one style of raw feeding.

Some people feed:

• Raw meaty bones
• Chicken feet
• Raw organs
• Whole cuts of meat
• Large bone-in meals

Other people feed a more ground and pre-made version of raw food.

That can include:

• Frozen commercial raw patties
• Ground meat and bone blends
• Freeze-dried raw foods
• Commercial raw subscription services

For us, neither style ever felt like the right fit.

Why Raw Bones Make Us Nervous

One of the biggest reasons we do not feed raw is because bones make us nervous.

Even though raw bones are considered safer than cooked bones, we still have a hard time watching a dog chew through large pieces of bone.

With our previous Labs, we tried things like raw chicken feet.

Maybe they just were not used to it, but it was not a pleasant experience.

They swallowed large pieces whole, and instead of feeling relaxed, it made us anxious every time they ate.

At some point, we realized that if feeding time is making us nervous, it is probably making the dog nervous too.

We know many people feed raw bones safely, and we are not judging anyone who does.



It is just not something we personally feel comfortable with.

Why We Do Not Like Ground Raw Products

We have also tried commercial raw products made from ground meat and bone.

While we understand why people like them, they still were not a good fit for us.

The raw meat would leak, it felt messy, and honestly, it grossed us out a little.

We also did not love the idea of Layla eating raw meat and then immediately licking our hands, furniture, or faces.

Again, that is just our personal comfort level.

We know other people are completely fine with it.



For us, it felt like too much risk and too much mess for something we were not fully comfortable with.

Why We Prefer Cooked Homemade Food

Cooked homemade food feels like the best middle ground for us.

We still get the benefits of feeding whole foods without the parts of raw feeding that make us uncomfortable.

We know exactly what is in Layla’s meals.

We can use:

• Lean meats
• Vegetables
• Grains and carbs
• Healthy fats
• Organ meats
• Supplements
• Calcium

We can also cook in larger batches, freeze leftovers, and use foods we are already buying for ourselves.

For example, if we are roasting vegetables for dinner, we can make extra for Layla.

If we are making eggs for breakfast, we can save the shells for eggshell calcium.



That makes homemade feeding easier and more affordable.

Grocery Store Ingredients Feel Easier for Us

One of the reasons cooked homemade food works so well for us is because we can use ingredients from our regular grocery store.

We buy:

• Lean meats
• Vegetables
• Rice
• Oatmeal
• Sweet potatoes
• Eggs
• Sardines
• Organ meats

Many of those foods are things we are already buying for ourselves.

If we fed raw, we would probably want to buy from a specialty raw dog food company instead of using meat from the grocery store.

That would likely increase the cost even more.

Homemade feeding is already more expensive than kibble, so we like being able to use affordable ingredients we are already purchasing.

Why We Still Think Homemade Food Is Better Than Kibble

Even though we do not feed raw, we still believe homemade food is a major improvement over kibble.

We are still feeding:

• Real meat
• Real vegetables
• Whole ingredients
• Healthy fats
• Fewer fillers
• Fewer processed ingredients

The goal for us is not to make Layla’s food perfect.

The goal is to feed her a healthier, more balanced diet made from real food.

Cooked homemade food helps us do that in a way that feels practical, affordable, and safe for our family.

We Understand Why People Feed Raw

We understand why some people love raw feeding.

Many dogs do very well on it.

There are people who feel strongly that it is the most natural way to feed dogs.

We respect that.

For us, though, cooked homemade food is what feels best. It fits our comfort level, our budget, and the way we want to feed Layla.

Frequently Asked Questions