In recent years, a growing number of pet owners have started to supplement their dog’s kibble with fresh meals from dog food delivery services or homemade dog food—and in some cases, transitioned them off of store-bought food entirely. If you’ve been considering feeding your dog a raw food diet but are still on the fence, just know that there’s an easy way to approach the switch. These days, there are dedicated raw food delivery services that minimize the preparation and handling of raw meat, plus they help ensure your pup’s diet is balanced. Out of these brands, two of the most trusted ones are Maev and We Feed Raw.
We Feed Raw and Maev are two of the most popular raw dog food brands.
Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailer
Based on my personal experience feeding my dogs food from these brands, you can’t go wrong with either—after all, they have quite a bit in common. They both ship frozen raw dog food right to your doorstep (nationwide within the continental United States), allowing you to choose the frequency of your deliveries and pause them when necessary. The two companies use USDA-certified, human-grade meat and are Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO)-compliant. (This is essentially an assurance that your pet’s meal is nutritionally complete or balanced.) Additionally, both companies note that they work with a PhD veterinary nutritionist to formulate their respective meal plans. But all that said, the services aren’t identical, and there’s likely one that makes more sense for you and your pup.
In this Maev vs. We Feed Raw comparison guide, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of each one, so you can determine which might be the best option for you. And of course, always consult with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet to make sure they’re getting balanced nutrition that fits their particular health needs.
First Off, Is A Raw Food Diet Right For Your Dog?
Whether raw food is better for your pup than cooked is somewhat of a polarizing topic, and not all veterinarians agree. In my interviews with experts, some have noted that it works well for some dogs and not others. A few touted benefits of a raw meat–based diet include being higher in antioxidants and potentially improving immune function. However, what most veterinarians do agree on is that it presents a greater risk for the transmission of foodborne pathogens—so you should always be mindful of practicing safe handling, as you would when dealing with any raw meat. That means washing hands and any surfaces it touches, making sure all bowls are thoroughly cleaned between feedings and not letting it sit out too long.
If you and your vet have determined that your pup could benefit from a raw diet, the main differences between Maev and We Feed Raw products are outlined below—and include ingredients, how the product is packaged and how it should be served, meal plan options and pricing.
Number of options: Two recipes for adult life stage meal plan, one recipe for puppy life stage meal plan | Additional offerings: Treats, supplements and bone broth meal toppers | Personalized plans: Yes | AAFCO-compliant: Yes
Best for:
The benefits of a raw diet with minimal handling Those with lots of freezer space Anyone who wants the option to add treats and toppers to their plan
Skip if:
You’re looking for a meat-only meal planYour pup has sensitivities or dental issues that make it difficult to eat frozen food
Maev offers three main formulas: beef (which includes beef and beef liver), chicken (which includes chicken breast, chicken liver and chicken gizzard) and a special one for puppies. And alongside the protein, each blend contains a variety of fruits, veggies and more, such as potatoes, green beans, blueberries, zucchini, kale and peanut butter. The formulas couldn’t be easier to serve: They come packaged as frozen bite-sized chunks in a bag you store in the freezer, so all you have to do is scoop it out and toss it in your dog’s bowl. And while most dogs appreciate the crunchy texture of the frozen food, you can also leave it out to thaw for about 10 minutes before serving.
In determining which formula to choose, you first want to select the one for your dog’s appropriate life stage (either puppy or 1 year old and up). For the adult recipe, in addition to having the option of either chicken, beef or a mix of the two, you’re also asked to further customize your formula to focus on one of four areas: weight and digestion, skin and coat, anxiety and calming or hip and joint. Additionally, there’s a portion-guidance chart on Maev’s site to help dog owners determine how much to feed based on their pet’s age and activity level, as well as a transitional guide for those intending to make the switch entirely to raw food.
Maev’s raw food is served frozen and easy to scoop right out of the bag.
Emmy Favilla / Forbes Vetted
Deliveries can be scheduled anywhere from one to 10 weeks apart, with the option to cancel, pause or change delivery frequency at any time. You can order anywhere from one to 16 bags at once, and you save more with larger orders. (Shipping is also free on orders over $249.) Sweetening the deal, Maev also carries other products that can be added to your box, like freeze-dried beef liver treats, a beef bone broth topper and various supplement bars.
Number of options: Six protein options in the form of meal plans or bulk patties; prekitted boxes with three bestsellers | Additional offerings: None | Personalized plans: Yes | AAFCO-compliant: Yes
Best for:
Anyone looking to feed their dog protein beyond chicken and beef Multi-dog households that could benefit from buying in bulk Those not yet looking to commit to a subscription
Skip if:
Your dog could benefit from a diet lower in protein You don’t love the mess of handling raw meat
We Feed Raw offers six different types of 16-ounce patties made with muscle meat, organ meat, edible bone and a vitamin premix. Like Maev, the brand gives you options: You can choose from chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, beef or venison, or you can mix several different recipes in each subscription delivery. (For more on the benefits of each protein source, check out the brand’s recipe page.) Additionally, if you’re not yet ready to commit to a subscription or want to simply see how your pup likes the food, you can opt for a onetime box with We Feed Raw’s best-selling recipes (turkey, beef and lamb). Large, 5-pound patties can also be purchased in bulk, in increments of 30-pound boxes.
Your first shipment of We Feed Raw includes a handy silicone container for thawing or storing opened … [+] packages in the refrigerator.
Emmy Favilla / Forbes Vetted
Patties should be kept frozen—they can last up to six months in their original, sealed packaging—until you’re ready to thaw them. Whereas the meal plan patties take approximately 12 hours to thaw in the refrigerator, the 5-pounds patties generally need about 24 hours. Once you’re ready to serve, just open the packaging and portion according to the serving size the brand recommends for your dog. In addition to serving the food raw, you can also consider lightly searing it, based on your pup’s preferences.
Maev Vs. We Feed Raw: How They Compare
A few primary differences between the two brands include plans and pricing options, the ingredients in the food itself, the variety of other products available and how the food is intended to be served.
Storage And Serving
Maev comes packaged similarly to kibble: in a bag with bite-sized frozen chunks of raw meat mixed with fruits, vegetables, potato and peanut butter. While you can serve the food straight out of the freezer (where it should always be stored), it’s also safe to let it sit out and thaw and soften for about 10 minutes before feeding to your pup. In my experience, my dogs liked the texture of the frozen cubes and had no qualms eating it straight out of the freezer, but do what works best for your pup’s preferences. It’s easy to portion out with a scoop and toss right into your dog’s bowl with no prep work. Maev’s packaging is also biodegradable, compostable and recyclable.
We Feed Raw, meanwhile, is not necessarily intended to be served frozen. While the meat should be stored in the freezer and is good for up to six months frozen if unopened, you want to thaw it in your fridge overnight before serving. You can choose a box of either 6-ounce or 16-ounce patties, depending on the size of your dog, or buy in bulk (a box of 5-pound patties delivered in 30-pound increments). Note that you have to portion out the patties by eyeballing them or using a scale.
Ingredients
Maev offers two types of protein in its raw meal plans, chicken and beef; you can either opt for one or a mix of the two. In addition to the protein, bags include fruits and vegetables like blueberries, kale, zucchini and more. When signing up, you’re also asked to choose what formula you’d like, which can focus on weight and digestion, skin and coat, anxiety and calming or hip and joint. Each formula includes ingredients that support the issue you’d like to target, such the addition of glucosamine and chondroitin for hips and joints or chicory root and probiotics for weight and digestion.
Your first order of We Feed Raw includes a digestive support mix-in to help ease the transition to a … [+] raw diet.
Emmy Favilla / Forbes Vetted
We Feed Raw’s meal plans include six types of protein to choose from—chicken, turkey, duck, beef, venison and lamb recipes—and the patties consist of 80% muscle meat, 10% organ meat and 10% edible bone, as well as a vitamin and mineral mix. All protein is said to be humanely harvested, either cage-free or pasture-raised, with no added hormones or antibiotics. What’s more, all ingredients are subject to high-pressure processing, designed to neutralize pathogenic bacteria. Your first order of We Feed Raw also comes with a package of supplement powder intended to aid with digestion in order to help your dog’s transition to raw food go smoothly, as well as a handy silicone storage container to hold the patties as they thaw (or once they’re opened).
Plans And Pricing
Choose from two life stages for Maev raw food—puppies (chicken only) and adult dogs from 1 year old upward (chicken, beef or a mix)—as well as one of the four formulas above for adult dogs. You can select a delivery frequency of the 5-pound bags ranging from once a week to once every 10 weeks, as well as between one and 16 bags per order. The more bags per order, the more you save; for example, one 5-pound bag of the beef meal is $67, or you can order four bags for $152 or eight bags for $280 plus free shipping. Maev also offers freeze-dried treats (my pups are huge fans), supplements and bone broth topper.
Maev offers freeze-dried treats and supplements.
Emmy Favilla / Forbes Vetted
With We Feed Raw, you can either select from three boxes of varying sizes containing the brand’s best-selling recipes (turkey, beef and lamb) or create your own meal plan subscription. You can personalize the recipes and the number of patties you’d like to receive, after answering a few questions about your dog to help you create a box that’s best tailored to their needs; you’re also be provided with portion instructions for your dog’s weight. At this time, We Feed Raw offers only its raw food, which starts at $132 for a small (9-pound) box.
Final Verdict
Both dog food delivery services offer premium formulas and have their merits. So ultimately, the right one for you comes down to the food that best suits your dog, their needs and their preferences. If you value a variety of proteins, for instance, We Feed Raw is likely your best bet; you may also have a multi-dog household and find it makes sense to buy the larger patties in bulk to save on costs. If you’re looking for something that’s convenient to serve and minimizes mess, or you prefer the addition of ready-to-serve fruits and vegetables in your dog’s diet, Maev is the better option. Or perhaps you could opt for a mix of the two, experimenting with both to see which works best for your pup.
Gizmo waiting patiently for his Maev freeze-dried treat.
Emmy Favilla / Forbes Vetted
Overall, pricing is more or less comparable, but it really depends on the size of your dog and which meal plans and formulas you opt for. Based on general estimates, however, the most affordable We Feed Raw plans work out to be a bit more bang for your buck (and you can always supplement the meat with your own fresh produce or other carbs).