For the longest time, I thought “better dog food” just meant upgrading from grocery store kibble to something in a prettier bag with buzzwords like “all-natural” or “vet-approved.” But after dealing with months of itchy skin, smelly breath, and a dog who seemed sluggish and off, I knew I had to dig deeper.
That’s when I started researching fresh feeding, and realized the biggest debate isn’t just brand vs. brand, but raw vs. cooked.
So I decided to test one of the top raw brands, We Feed Raw, against one of the most popular cooked fresh brands, Ollie. Here’s what happened when I compared them side by side for a month.
Raw vs. Cooked: What’s the Difference?
Before we get into results, here's the key distinction:
Raw dog food is made from uncooked meat, bones, and organs. It’s minimally processed and preserves all the natural nutrients, enzymes, and amino acids that dogs need to thrive.
Cooked dog food is cooked at low temperatures. While it’s cleaner than kibble, heat breaks down many of the raw benefits. You’re left with something that’s convenient – but not optimal.
Ingredients & Processing: We Feed Raw Is the Cleanest Option
Raw food is made from uncooked meat, bone, and organs, meaning nutrients stay intact. We Feed Raw in particular stood out because they use USDA-certified meat and cold-pressure processing to keep it safe without destroying those natural enzymes and amino acids. It really feels like the “purest” version of feeding. I’ve tried other raw options before, but We Feed Raw blew them all away.
Cooked food like Ollie is gently cooked at low temps, which is better than kibble but still loses some of the benefits of raw. Ollie also includes extras like rice and legumes, which aren’t really necessary in a dog’s diet. While it’s marketed as complete and balanced, I couldn’t help but feel like those fillers took away from the premium vibe.
Health Benefits: We Feed Raw Showed the Biggest Improvements
Within a week of switching to We Feed Raw, my dog’s digestion was transformed: firmer poop, no more paw licking, and a noticeable improvement in energy. By week four, his coat was shinier, and he seemed overall more balanced and happy. It was the kind of change you can’t miss.
With Ollie, things didn’t get worse—but they didn’t dramatically improve either. My dog ate it without complaint, but there wasn’t the same excitement at mealtime or glow-up in his health. It felt like a “maintenance” food rather than a “transformative” one.
Convenience: Tie
Both We Feed Raw and Ollie offer personalized meal plans and ship food straight to your door.
I liked that We Feed Raw came in pre-portioned frozen packs (just thaw and serve), while Ollie’s trays and pouches were easy to store in the fridge. If freezer space is limited, Ollie might be the simpler option.
That said, I appreciated that We Feed Raw also offers a freeze-dried raw option—perfect for travel or days when freezer space is tight. That kind of flexibility gave it an extra edge in my book.
Price: We Feed Raw Is the Best Value
Here’s what I paid per meal:
- We Feed Raw (Raw): $3.51
- Ollie (Cooked): $3.77
Surprisingly, We Feed Raw was not only more affordable but also delivered the biggest health improvements—making it the better investment overall. And when I factored in savings on supplements and fewer vet visits, the difference grew even more noticeable.
Ollie isn’t overpriced, but considering the results, I found myself questioning why I’d pay more for less impact.
Taste & Protein Variety: We Feed Raw Is a Crowd Favorite
While I obviously didn’t taste the food myself (lol), my dog absolutely did, and his excitement for We Feed Raw was on another level. He devoured every meal, licked the bowl clean, and even started sitting by the fridge at dinnertime.
I also loved that We Feed Raw offers a variety of proteins like beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, and duck. I started with beef and turkey and plan to rotate for variety. It’s an easy way to keep meals interesting and avoid ingredient fatigue.
Ollie leans into more traditional flavors, but none of them got the same tail-wagging enthusiasm I saw with We Feed Raw.
Final Verdict: Raw Wins (But Cooked Has Its Place)
Both raw and cooked fresh foods are a huge upgrade over kibble, and I think Ollie is a solid option if you’re not ready to commit to raw just yet. It’s convenient, gentle on digestion, and a step in the right direction.
But if your goal is real, visible improvements in digestion, skin, coat, and energy? Raw is the clear winner, and We Feed Raw makes it safe, easy, and surprisingly affordable.
