February 26, 2025

The Importance of AAFCO Guidelines in Raw Feeding

Ensuring that your dog’s meals meet AAFCO standards is critical for their long-term health. AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) provides guidelines to guarantee nutritional balance in pet food. Here’s why AAFCO matters and how Natural Raw Dog Foods ensures compliance.


What Are AAFCO Standards?

AAFCO guidelines define the minimum nutritional requirements for dogs, including:


  • Protein and fat levels for energy and muscle maintenance.
  • Vitamins and minerals for overall health.
  • Proper calcium and phosphorus ratios for bone health.


These standards ensure that dogs get the essential nutrients they need to thrive, whether they’re puppies, adults, or seniors.


Why AAFCO Matters for Raw Feeding

Meeting AAFCO guidelines ensures your dog’s diet is:


  • Complete and Balanced: Every meal includes all the nutrients your dog requires.
  • Safe: Proper ratios of nutrients like calcium and phosphorus protect bone health and prevent deficiencies.
  • Optimized for Life Stages: Nutritional needs vary by age, size, and activity level. AAFCO-compliant food supports dogs at every stage.

How Natural Raw Dog Foods Meets AAFCO Standards

At Natural Raw Dog Foods, we meticulously craft each blend to exceed AAFCO guidelines:


  • High-Quality Proteins: Locally sourced, human-grade meats form the foundation of our blends.
  • Essential Nutrients: Ingredients like kelp, cod liver oil, and zinc gluconate ensure balanced nutrition.
  • Perfect Ratios: Careful formulation provides the ideal calcium-to-phosphorus balance for bone health.


Our pre-portioned meals make it easy for pet parents to provide their dogs with nutritionally complete food without additional supplements.


Common Misconceptions About AAFCO

1. “AAFCO compliance is only for kibble.”

Truth: AAFCO guidelines apply to all pet food, including raw diets.


2. “If it’s raw, it doesn’t need to meet AAFCO standards.”

Truth: Even raw food must be nutritionally complete to ensure your dog’s health.



3. “You can balance a raw diet without following guidelines.”

Truth: DIY raw diets often lack key nutrients, leading to deficiencies over time.


The Benefits of AAFCO-Compliant Raw Feeding

  • Peace of Mind: Know your dog is getting everything they need to thrive.
  • Improved Health: Balanced meals support digestion, energy levels, and coat health.
  • Convenience: No guesswork or additional supplements required.

Take the Guesswork Out of Raw Feeding

At Natural Raw Dog Foods, we’re proud to offer AAFCO-compliant meals that combine convenience with premium quality. Our blends are designed to support your dog’s health at every stage of life, making raw feeding simple and worry-free.



📍 Serving Ontario, including the GTA, Durham, York, Peel, Halton, and Toronto.

A dog is eating from a white bowl in a living room.
April 16, 2025
The conversation around pet nutrition is changing, and across Ontario, more pet parents are rethinking kibble. From Hamilton to Ajax, families are searching for food that supports energy, longevity, and better overall health. That’s where Natural Raw Dog Foods comes in. Our blends are formulated to reflect what dogs were biologically meant to eat. We offer complete and balanced raw meals using human-grade, locally sourced proteins and whole produce—nothing synthetic, nothing artificial. Each portion is tailored to exceed AAFCO standards, ensuring your dog is getting everything they need to thrive. What sets us apart is our focus on transparency and simplicity. Our packaging offers six individually portioned servings per 1lb tray, making raw feeding achievable even for new pet parents. Whether you're using Natural Raw as a full diet or a nutrient-dense topper to enhance your kibble routine, we make it easy to get started and stay consistent. With direct delivery to most of Southern Ontario, including the GTA, Durham, York, Peel, Halton, and beyond, plus a growing list of retail partners, we’re committed to making raw feeding more accessible and sustainable. Customers report shinier coats, healthier stools, better digestion, and fewer vet visits—all signs of a dog truly thriving. If you’re curious, concerned, or ready to switch, Natural Raw Dog Foods offers a trusted, Canadian-made solution backed by quality and care.
A black and white dog is licking a person 's hand.
April 9, 2025
Southern Ontario experiences all four seasons, and each one impacts your dog differently. That’s why year-round, species-appropriate nutrition is key. More and more dog owners across Ontario are discovering that a raw diet helps their pets maintain consistent health regardless of temperature swings or environmental factors. During our cold winters, raw feeding provides dogs with dense, nutrient-rich meals that support joint health, immunity, and skin resilience—perfect for preventing dry, flaky skin and boosting warmth through metabolism. Come spring and summer, raw meals rich in hydration-friendly ingredients like fresh meat and organ content help keep dogs feeling energized and cool. At Natural Raw Dog Foods, we take this one step further. Our blends are made in Pickering, Ontario using only Canadian-sourced proteins and vegetables. This means reduced food miles and maximum freshness. Our customers love the convenience of our pre-portioned trays—easy to thaw, simple to serve, and perfect for seasonal meal prep. Each recipe is created with intentionality: from omega-rich proteins like duck and beef to antioxidant-packed greens and fiber from fresh produce, our meals are crafted to nourish and protect all year long. Southern Ontario dogs thrive on Natural Raw because it's tailored to support them through the changing seasons with quality ingredients you can trust.
A dog is sitting on a chair and smiling at the camera.
April 2, 2025
If you’re a pet parent in the Greater Toronto Area looking for high-quality raw dog food, you’re in luck. Natural Raw Dog Foods is proudly Canadian, sourced and made in Pickering , Ontario , and delivers to cities across the GTA including Toronto, Mississauga , Ajax , Oshawa, Whitby, Burlington , Hamilton, and more. As raw feeding continues to grow in popularity, it’s essential to know where to find trustworthy, locally made options that prioritize your pet’s health. Natural Raw Dog Foods stands out for its commitment to using locally sourced, human-grade proteins and fresh produce. Each of our blends is carefully crafted to exceed AAFCO guidelines for complete and balanced canine nutrition, without any fillers, preservatives, or artificial additives. Our products are designed for convenience, too. Each 1lb tray is divided into six 75g portions, making it easy to feed the right amount whether you have a toy breed or a large working dog. This user-friendly format ensures minimal waste, optimal freshness, and straightforward storage and thawing. We also understand that accessibility matters. That’s why we offer online ordering with delivery throughout Southern Ontario, including our key service areas: Toronto, Durham, York, Peel, Halton, and surrounding cities. In addition, you can find our products in-store at select locations like The Fluffy Carnivore in Mississauga and Pet Valu in Pickering and Ajax. If you're searching "where to buy raw dog food in the GTA," Natural Raw Dog Foods has you covered with high-quality, species-appropriate nutrition delivered right to your door .
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