Fresh Dog Food vs. Processed: What’s the Best Choice (and Is There a Secret Third Option)?

If you’re a dog owner who’s spent any time on the internet over the past few years, you’re likely all too familiar with many human-grade dog food brand names that are advertised everywhere you look or listen. Fresh meals, raw food, specialty diets delivered straight to your door, promising long-term health benefits with each bite. But with the sheer number of companies out there, it can be hard to know which one is right for you and your furry friend.

Let’s start with the basics: are they even worth it?

When you hear the phrase “processed dog food,” it’s likely that the first word that comes to mind is “unhealthy” or “bad” or “low-quality,” but the truth is a little bit more complicated. There’s nothing inherently wrong with processed dog food. It’s shelf-stable—which means it won’t go bad over short periods of time—it’s inexpensive, and it’s usually fairly well-rounded in terms of its nutritional value.

And fresh food, despite how much it’s praised for its health benefits, is not the pinnacle of dog nutrition that it markets itself as. Unlike dried, processed food, fresh dog food has a very short shelf life and can go bad if kept too long or stored improperly. Though the ingredients are high quality and much more familiar to most owners, these fresh food diets are often lacking in key nutrients that your dog needs to be healthy. There’s a higher risk of foodborne illnesses because of lower cooking temperatures and minimal processing. And, most notably, fresh food diets are expensive—far more expensive than the average dog owner can afford regularly.

But at the same time, there are indisputable benefits to fresh food diets: it’s more digestible than dry or canned dog food, it’s more hydrating, it’s more appealing to picky eaters, and less-processed diets have been linked to long-term health benefits and decreased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

So how do you strike a balance between fresh and processed food, and reap the benefits of both without breaking the bank?

I’ll tell you. Give your dog a multivitamin.

Seriously? 

Yes. Seriously.

Whether you choose to go fresh or processed, a multivitamin can help supplement any missing nutrients and supply key health benefits that might otherwise be lacking.

The Dog is Human Daily Multivitamin is not some miracle fix for your dog’s diet: it’s better than that. This daily chew is formulated by experts (including leading veterinarians, canine nutritionists, and researchers) for long-term health benefits in five key areas:

• 1. Skin & Coat – ingredients like Vitamin E and omega-3s promote shinier fur and boost your dog’s skin barrier
• 2. Hip & Joint – MSM & glucosamine lubricate joints and support cartilage cushioning
• 3. Digestion – balance your dog’s gut microbiome and ease digestive issues with a probiotic blend
• 4. Immunity – essential vitamins support immune function, preventing inflammation
• 5. Heart Health – Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil provides omega-3 fatty acids that help manage blood pressure and cholesterol for optimized cardiovascular function

And even in supporting all these different health areas, the Daily Multivitamin is formulated with only 12 active, clinically backed ingredients. There are no fillers or unnecessary additives, meaning that these chews are easily digestible and only made with the highest quality ingredients.

Unlike fresh food, these multivitamins are shelf-stable and come in the form of a chicken or beef-flavored soft chew, so they’re incredibly easy to store and give to your dog. No refrigeration, no prep time: just one chew every day to give them everything they need.

A multivitamin is a much more accessible and affordable option for dog owners out there who want to give their dog the best quality nutrition without the effort or cost of fresh food diets.

This is especially true with Dog is Human, as their main mission is Pioneering Human-Grade Pet Health™. Every single ingredient in their Daily Multivitamin is human-grade, and everything they do is in the interest of raising the standard for dog health. They believe that our dogs deserve the same level of care that we give ourselves.

And that care doesn’t stop at multivitamins.

For senior dogs, dogs with joint issues, or breeds prone to hip dysplasia or IVDD, they have their Multiflex Hip & Joint Supplement Powder that supports mobility, flexibility, and long-term joint health in one daily packet. Simply sprinkle this stuff on your dog’s dinner as a food topper, and they’re getting a 4-in-1 advanced approach to joint health that supports:

• 1. Cartilage Cushioning – with ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, & collagen peptides
• 2. Inflammatory Responses – with MSM & Boswellia Extract
• 3. Balanced Immunity – with UC-II Collagen (a special type of collagen that has been proven in clinical studies to be more effective than any other joint supplement — dogs taking it had up to 91% less joint pain)
• 4. Nourishing Connective Tissue – with Bone Broth

Just like their multivitamin, this supplement powder is formulated by veterinary and canine health experts with simple, human-grade ingredients designed to support long-term health and prevent future complications.

When it comes to your dog’s nutrition and overall health, you shouldn’t have to choose between high-quality care and practical application. Whether you give your dog fresh food, dry food, canned food, or even raw food, Dog is Human’s multivitamins and supplements are an easy, simple, accessible way to ensure that your dog is getting everything they need.

Don’t compromise when it comes to your dog’s long-term health. To check out Dog is Human’s full range of products, be sure to visit dogishuman.com.