Raw
Least processed (closest to nature), high in moisture and protein, low in carbs, nearly grain free.

A diet of fresh, unprocessed meats, organs, bones, and vegetable matter is closest to the evolutionary diet of our pets’ wild canine and feline ancestors. Trying out different types of diets with our own animals over the years, we have discovered that a mostly fresh food diet yields outstanding results, with beautiful coats, clear eyes, sweet breath, great teeth, calm dispositions, and dogs and cats that are rarely sick. Fresh diets can be served raw (their preferred state), or lightly cooked. In our retail stores, we carry fresh frozen diets for dogs and cats made from chicken, turkey, beef, buffalo, and lamb.

Canned
Cooked and processed (but not as much as dry food), high in moisture & protein, lower in carbs, most premium brands are grain free.

Canned foods are a good choice for both dogs and cats. Like fresh foods they have a high moisture content, 78% versus 10% for kibble. This extra moisture is especially important to cats. Canned foods have a higher meat content, contain little or no grain, and are cooked more gently than dry foods. Kibble is processed twice, once in the vat where the ingredients are cooked down to a thick slurry, and again in the extruder where the nuggets are shot through nozzles with hot steam under tremendous pressure.

Dry
Most processed (ingredients are cooked into a slurry & then extruded at a very high temperature), low in moisture and protein. Highest grain and carb content.

Kibble – The 50% Rule:
Dry pet food is an invention of convenience that has come a long way since its inception 50 years ago as a way to feed pets on inexpensive grain and very little actual meat. As carnivores, dogs and cats are far healthier eating more meat and fewer carbohydrates. Some very conscientious pet food companies now make high meat kibble using human quality ingredients – fresh (not rendered) chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, dairy products, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. These ground-breaking products, including Innova (Original & Evo), Nature’s Variety, Newman’s Own Organics, Organix, Pinnacle, Wellness and some others, are preserved naturally with Vitamin C and E, and contain no by-products or fillers. With the highest quality kibble making up 50% or less of the total diet, and fresh foods, canned foods, and bones making up the rest, dogs and cats tend to be pretty healthy.