Small Changes to the Bowl. Big Possibilities for Your Dog.

The Wildside | November 2026

When it comes to feeding our dogs, we often think it's all or nothing. You're either feeding a completely raw diet, or you're feeding kibble. But what if improving your dog's nutrition didn't require completely changing what's in their bowl?

At Fangs & Fur, we've always believed that to truly understand how to nourish our dogs, we need to look at what they were designed to eat. Their ancestors thrived on diets rich in animal proteins, organs, fats, and other naturally occurring nutrients.

And while we'd love to see more dogs eating fresh, species-appropriate diets, we also understand that feeding 100% raw isn't realistic for everyone.

Here's the good news: Even incorporating some fresh, real food into your dog's existing diet can make a meaningful difference.

What Does the Science Say?

Research into fresh and raw feeding continues to grow, and some of the findings are pretty exciting.

The University of Helsinki — Even 20% Matters

A 2021 study involving more than 4,000 dogs found that puppies whose diets included at least 20% raw food had a lower incidence of allergy-related skin symptoms later in life.

Think about that. These dogs weren't necessarily eating exclusively raw diets. Many were eating a combination of raw and dry food.

This study raises an interesting possibility: even partial fresh-food feeding during early development can influence long-term health.

University of Illinois — Digestibility Makes a Difference

A 2018 study comparing kibble, gently cooked, and raw diets found differences in nutrient digestibility, stool characteristics, and gut bacteria. The fresh and raw diets demonstrated higher digestibility than the dry diet.

After all, it's not just about what's in the food. It's also about how effectively your dog can digest and utilize those nutrients.

Sandri and Colleagues — Feeding the Gut

A 2017 study found that dogs eating a raw meat-based diet developed a different balance of intestinal bacteria and fermentation products compared with dogs eating dry food.

These findings reinforce something important: what we feed our dogs influences the environment inside their digestive systems.

These are some of the scientific themes explored by canine nutrition researcher and author Dr. Conor Brady in his book Feeding Dogs: Dry or Raw? The Science Behind the Debate.

Together, these studies give us good reasons to keep exploring the potential benefits of incorporating fresh, species-appropriate foods into our dogs' diets.

You Don't Have to Change Everything. Just Start Somewhere.

Adding real food to your dog's bowl can be surprisingly simple.

A few of our favorite additions include:

• Raw or gently cooked meat: A source of animal protein that can add variety to the bowl.

• Sardines: Naturally rich in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

• Organ meats: Nutrient-dense additions that provide naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.

• Bone broth: A simple way to add moisture and flavor to meals.

• Fermented raw food: An interesting option for introducing fresh animal-based ingredients and dietary variety.

• Raw Goat Milk: A nutrient-rich addition that provides natural moisture, beneficial fats, vitamins, and minerals. Fermented raw goat milk can also provide probiotics and enzymes that help support digestive health. 

And remember, a little goes a long way! Small extras should generally stay within 10% of daily calories to maintain nutritional balance. For larger portions, choose a complete and balanced fresh or raw food and adjust the rest of the diet accordingly.

Better Nutrition Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

We know that feeding our dogs is getting more expensive. And for some families, feeding a completely raw or fresh diet simply isn't in the budget.

That's okay.

Maybe you start with a little fresh food a few times a week. Maybe you incorporate a complete raw food into 20% or 25% of your dog's daily meals. Or maybe you simply begin introducing more variety into their diet.

Whatever your starting point, our goal at Fangs & Fur is to help you make the most of what's going into your dog's bowl.

Because nutrition isn't about perfection. It's about making informed choices and giving our dogs the opportunity to thrive.

Add a Little Wild at Fangs & Fur!

This November, we're encouraging our Fang Gang to ADD A LITTLE WILD!

Stop into the shop and discover some of our favorite ways to incorporate fresh, species-appropriate foods into your dog's daily routine.

We're even offering samples of Solutions fermented raw sliders as well as Big Country Raw patties so your pup can experience something a little different!

You don't have to overhaul the entire bowl to start making a change.

Start small. Think fresh. Add a Little Wild.

— The Fangs & Fur Team

Curious About the Research?

• Hemida et al. (2021) — University of Helsinki: Puppyhood diet and allergy-related skin symptoms.

• Algya et al. (2018) — University of Illinois: Digestibility and gut health across different dog food formats.

• Sandri et al. (2017) — Raw meat-based diets and the canine gut microbiome.

Further reading: Dr. Conor Brady, Feeding Dogs: Dry or Raw? The Science Behind the Debate.