7 Best Base Mixes for Raw Dog Food 2026

Effortless homemade nutrition meets real-food integrity in The Honest Kitchen Wholemade™ Base Mix, a standout for raw feeders who want convenience without compromise. This grain-free, human-grade formula delivers a potent blend of dehydrated fruits and vegetables, packed with antioxidants and essential nutrients to support long-term canine health. What truly sets it apart is how it scales up—just one 3 lb box yields 12 lbs of food when rehydrated, making it a powerhouse for pet parents batch-prepping balanced meals. It’s designed for those who value control over protein sources but crave the simplicity of not sourcing and chopping veggies daily.

In real-world use, the mix rehydrates quickly with warm water and blends seamlessly with any raw or cooked protein—be it chicken, beef, or even organ meat. The texture is consistent, with no clumping, and dogs tend to love the mildly sweet aroma of the rehydrated blend. While it lacks added fats or oils, that’s by design: it gives you full customization power to tailor fatty acid profiles based on your dog’s needs. That said, it’s not intended as a complete diet on its own—supplemental feeding only, meaning you must ensure proper calcium and vitamin balance through other sources or added supplements.

Compared to more complex superfood blends like Dr. Harvey’s Raw Vibrance, Wholemade™ takes a simpler, more accessible approach—ideal for first-time raw feeders or those transitioning from kibble. It doesn’t include exotic superfoods or bone meal, but that also keeps the price lower and the ingredient list easy to parse. For those seeking best value in raw feeding, this mix delivers unmatched efficiency and quality, offering human-grade nutrition at a fraction of the cost of fresh raw diets.

Nutrient density redefined—Dr. Harvey’s Raw Vibrance isn’t just a base mix; it’s a whole-food powerhouse engineered for optimal canine vitality. With 21 real ingredients, including raw goat’s milk, green-lipped mussels, and eggshell membrane, this formula delivers joint support, immune boosting antioxidants, and gut-friendly probiotics in one meticulously balanced blend. What makes it truly elite is its calcium-rich bone meal and crushed eggshells, which eliminate the need for additional mineral supplements in most raw diets. For raw feeders tired of guesswork, Raw Vibrance offers precision nutrition with zero fillers.

In testing, the mix rehydrates smoothly with hot water and holds its texture well when combined with proteins like turkey or lamb. It yields 28 full-pound meals per 3 lb bag, making it one of the most cost-efficient per-serving options available. Dogs with dull coats or low energy often show visible improvement within weeks, likely due to the synergistic blend of superfoods and essential fats. However, the strong smell of goat’s milk and bone meal may be off-putting to picky eaters or sensitive noses, and the 8-minute rehydration time requires a bit more planning than instant mixes.

When stacked against The Honest Kitchen’s Wholemade™, Raw Vibrance is the clear upgrade for serious raw feeders who want built-in balance and premium ingredients. While it costs more, the added superfoods and complete mineral profile justify the investment for dogs with higher nutritional demands. It’s the best overall base mix for those who want maximum health ROI without sourcing dozens of individual ingredients—perfect for breeders, active dogs, or seniors needing joint and immune support.

Gentle digestion meets gourmet simplicity in The Honest Kitchen’s Kindly Base Mix, a thoughtfully crafted option for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food intolerances. This grain-free, human-grade blend features a soothing mix of dehydrated veggies, nuts, and seeds—carefully selected to be low in irritants while high in fiber and phytonutrients. Unlike more complex formulas, Kindly avoids common allergens and focuses on digestive harmony, making it a top pick for pups prone to gas, loose stools, or skin flare-ups linked to diet.

In practice, the mix rehydrates quickly and produces a soft, palatable consistency that even finicky eaters accept readily. It expands to 12 lbs of food from a single 3 lb bag, offering excellent batch-prep potential. The absence of artificial preservatives or fillers means you’re feeding only what’s necessary—ideal for pet parents auditing every ingredient. That said, it doesn’t include calcium or essential fats, so you’ll need to supplement separately to meet AAFCO standards. It also lacks the superfood density of competitors like Dr. Harvey’s, making it less ideal for high-performance or senior dogs with complex needs.

Compared to the Wholemade™ version from the same brand, Kindly is optimized for gastrointestinal wellness rather than general use. It’s not the most feature-packed option, but for dogs with chronic digestion issues, it delivers consistent, gentle nutrition without overcomplication. If you’re seeking the best base mix for sensitive digestion, this is a reliable, clean-label solution that prioritizes gut health and ingredient transparency over bells and whistles.

Budget meets integrity in Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Pre-Mix, a no-frills, freeze-dried base that proves affordability doesn’t mean compromise. This grain-free, limited-ingredient blend uses real fruits, vegetables, and herbs, preserved via low-heat freeze-drying to lock in flavor and nutrients. It’s perfect for raw feeders who want to control their protein source without overspending on premium superfood blends. At under $25 for 3 lbs, it’s the most wallet-friendly option that still delivers human-consumable quality ingredients.

The mix rehydrates in just 3–5 minutes with warm water, creating a fresh, aromatic meal base that pairs well with raw or cooked meats. Its texture is slightly more crumbly than dehydrated competitors, but dogs generally love the taste—likely due to the natural aroma retention from freeze-drying. While it lacks added calcium or fats, that’s expected for a supplemental mix. However, unlike higher-end options, it doesn’t include bone meal or superfoods, so it’s best used as part of a broader nutritional strategy.

When compared to The Honest Kitchen or Dr. Harvey’s, Grandma Lucy’s is the minimalist’s choice—ideal for pet parents who already understand raw feeding ratios and just need a clean veggie base. It’s not the most advanced formula, but for budget-conscious raw feeders who prioritize ingredient quality over convenience or supplementation, it’s unmatched in value. This is best for those who know their way around a raw diet and want a simple, trusted base without paying for extras.

Low-carb meets high-nutrition in Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm, a keto-friendly, green-focused base mix engineered for dogs with diabetes, obesity, or metabolic sensitivities. This grain-free, dehydrated blend features 6 low-glycemic vegetables, bone broth, and potent herbs—delivering antioxidants and gut-supportive compounds without spiking blood sugar. With only 1% crude fat and 12% max fiber, it’s uniquely suited for dogs needing carbohydrate restriction while still receiving whole-food nutrition.

Despite its trial size (5.5 oz), it makes four full-pound meals, making it perfect for testing dietary changes without commitment. The rehydration process takes 8 minutes with hot water, resulting in a savory, herbal aroma that most dogs accept well. It’s not calorie-dense, so it’s best paired with high-quality protein and added healthy fats like fish oil. However, the small bag size means frequent repurchasing if used long-term, and the limited volume isn’t ideal for multi-dog households or daily use.

Compared to other base mixes, Paradigm fills a very specific niche: low-carb, diabetic, or ketogenic diets. While Dr. Harvey’s Raw Vibrance offers broader nutrition, Paradigm is uniquely formulated for metabolic health. It’s the best choice for dogs needing carb control, offering veterinary-grade dietary support in an easy-to-use format. For pet parents managing chronic conditions, this mix provides targeted, science-backed nutrition that few others can match.

Ultimate control meets raw authenticity in Sojos Mix-A-Meal, the gold standard for DIY raw chefs who want complete homemade oversight. This 8 lb dehydrated base transforms into up to 40 lbs of food with water, making it the highest yield option in the category. Crafted with non-GMO fruits, veggies, and herbs, it’s designed for pet parents who treat dog food like home cooking—choosing every protein, adjusting portions, and tailoring meals to individual needs.

The rehydration process is nearly magical: dry nuggets plump up in minutes, restoring texture and flavor close to fresh raw food. It’s shelf-stable, safe, and easy to store, eliminating the freezer space required by frozen raw diets. While it doesn’t include meat or fats, that’s the point—this is a true blank canvas for raw feeding purists. However, you must supply all protein, calcium, and fats separately, which demands nutritional knowledge to avoid imbalances.

Against competitors like The Honest Kitchen, Sojos offers far greater batch size and customization, though with less built-in convenience. It’s not for beginners—but for those who want best for homemade control, it’s unmatched. With US-made quality and global sourcing, it delivers raw nutrition with kibble-level ease, making it the top pick for experienced raw feeders who want maximum flexibility and volume efficiency.

Complete raw nutrition, simplified—Nature’s Diet Simply Raw is not just a base mix, but a fully loaded, freeze-dried raw meal that redefines convenience in raw feeding. With real beef muscle and organ meat, bone broth, whole egg, and added fish oil, it delivers balanced protein, calcium, and omega fatty acids in one bag. Rehydrate 3 lbs and get over 18 lbs of fresh, raw food—ideal for pet parents who want true raw benefits without sourcing organs or supplements.

The freeze-drying process preserves raw enzymatic activity and nutrient integrity, while ensuring pathogen-free safety—a major win for those wary of raw meat handling. Dogs love the rich, meaty aroma, and the inclusion of probiotics and prebiotics supports gut health from the first bite. Unlike base mixes, this is complete and balanced, so no extra supplements are needed. However, it offers less protein variety—you’re locked into the provided beef blend—making it less flexible than customizable bases.

Compared to Dr. Harvey’s or The Honest Kitchen, Simply Raw is in a different category: it’s a complete meal, not a supplement. While it costs slightly more than base mixes, it includes everything—meat, organs, bones, fats, and probiotics—making it best for complete raw nutrition. For pet parents who want raw benefits with zero prep hassle, this is the smartest, safest, and most holistic option on the market.