Dr. Harvey’s Dog Food Review 2024: Best Raw Food Diet?

If you’ve been looking to take the step into raw foods, this could be your answer. Let’s break it all down here in our comprehensive Dr. Harvey's dog food review.

Meet Dr. Harvey's Dog Food. Dr. Harvey's is a rare breed of natural food that’s been around since the 1980s. It all started when an eccentric doctor looked at what pet owners were forced to feed their pets food that only benefited the manufacturer’s bottom line.

Dr. Harvey created a range of foods that used holistic ingredients to become what true Dr. Harvey fans know as “the miracle food.”

Now, 30 years later, the brand still has a loyal following and creates freeze dried foods and premixes for those who want a more comfortable foundation for a raw food diet.

Brand Quick Look

• Parent Company: Dr. Harvey’s
• Founded in: 1980s
• Made in: New Jersey, USA
• Available at:  Chewy, Amazon, drharveys.com
• Types of Food: Freeze-dried raw food and premixes
• Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients? : Yes
• Recalled in Past? : No

Behind the Brand

It was odd in the 1980s to claim that even pets should be fed organic, holistic diets because there was so much on the market that went against that advice. Dr. Harvey was appalled by the ingredients found in almost all commercially available dog foods at the time and began to experiment with his own recipes that could help conquer the issues so frequent in dog digestion and allergies.

The result was his raw formula. Over the past 30 years, the recipes have undergone changes, but the underlying principle remains the same. Dogs need whole ingredients with no cheap fillers such as corn or soy and no artificial ingredients.

The foods are suitable for all life stages and include both complete formulas and premixes that can be mixed with a protein source for more customizability. It’s a holistic brand that began before holistic was popular and builds on Dr. Harvey’s knowledge and experience to create foods that can finally conquer allergies and digestion problems.

Dr. Harvey's Dog Food Review

1. Dr. Harvey's Oracle Freeze-Dried Beef Formula
2. Dr. Harvey's Oracle Freeze-Dried Chicken Formula
3. Dr. Harvey's Canine Health-The Miracle Dog Food Pre-Mix
4. Dr. Harvey's Veg-To-Bowl Pre-Mix
5. Dr. Harvey's Le Dogue Bites Chicken
6. Dr. Harvey's Sweet Potate'r Fries Dog Treats

 

1. Dr. Harvey’s Oracle Freeze Dried Beef

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients: Beef, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Potatoes, Flax Seed

Dr. Harvey’s beef formula is a holistic option for those who’d like to feed their dogs a quality, raw food, but don’t have the time or the willpower to create their own meals from scratch.

It features whole meat protein with essential oils for all-day energy and muscle tone. It also uses fruits and veggies to provide critical vitamins and minerals for your dog’s overall health and well being.

Freeze-dried foods preserve all the flavors and nutrients of a raw based diet, but the meals are shelf stable and don’t need to be refrigerated until the food is reconstituted.

It’s on the expensive side but investing in a quality dog food could help you save money in the long run if you frequently have to buy supplements for skin or digestion issues or if you visit the vet constantly for those same issues.

It’s a convenient alternative to raw diets that allow you to feed your dog balanced nutrition with no fillers, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. Many dogs have trouble digesting those and removing them could be the best thing to do.

The formulas build health and well being from the very beginning and offer dogs the chance to clean up digestion and skin irritations from allergies. Some dogs experience more gas than usual when first introduced to this style of food so it could be beneficial to transition them slowly to the new diet.

Feed a little more at each meal time until all you’re feeding is Dr. Harvey’s. For many dogs, transitioning slowly allows their digestion to reset, and you could see easier digestion.

2. Dr. Harvey’s Oracle Freeze Dried Chicken

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

First five ingredients: Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Potatoes, Flax Seed

Dr. Harvey's Oracle Chicken is a freeze-dried raw complete food for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. It offers a convenient way to give your dog the health benefits of a raw diet. Simply rehydrate with hot water, wait for a few minutes and serve to your pup.

At 28% protein, this Dr. Harvey's Oracle recipe helps dogs maintain a lean and strong muscle mass. With real chicken as the only source of animal meat protein, this formula is ideal for dogs who are sensitive to other animal proteins. Chicken is a highly digestible protein with a natural savory flavor that many dogs prefer.

This has only ultra nutritious vegetables and fruits. Its main source of carbohydrates is sweet potato. It is followed by carrots, potatoes and flax seed. These are complex carbs that are nutrient-dense.

Oracle Chicken also has superfoods such as banana, apple, cranberry, blueberry and coconut. These fruits deliver fiber, vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants with every meal.

Antioxidants help support cellular health. According to Dr. Harvey's website, adding fruit to dogs' daily diet has been shown to help fight off disease, increase energy levels, as well as support muscle growth, heart health, and metabolism.

This chicken recipe also contains pumpkin. Pumpkin is rich in soluble and insoluble fiber that help move food along the digestive tract. It is quite beneficial to dogs’ digestive systems. Many experts believe that the key to good overall health starts with healthy digestion. Having a healthy digestive system also allows the body to absorb more nutrients.

This chicken formula is nutritionally complete and balanced. It contains no artificial enhancers such as flavors, colors, or preservatives.

According to feedback from pet parents, many dogs seem to like this formula, but there are also those who do not like it. Some pet parents find that it has chunks of meat and vegetables that are too big for tiny dogs.

Those dogs who do love it seem to be kept fuller for longer. They no longer beg for food in between meals. Senior pups and even diabetic dogs thrive on this freeze-dried raw recipe.

Owners have noticed a significant improvement in their dogs’ overall health since being switched to this chicken recipe. Overall, it is a good dog food to try, especially for dogs who are allergic to proteins other than chicken.

It is nutrient dense and easy to prepare. However, it may contain chunks of meat and vegetables that may need some chopping for very small dogs.

3. Dr. Harvey's Canine Health-The Miracle Dog Food Pre-Mix

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

First five ingredients: Organic Rolled Oats, Organic Barley, Organic Triticale, Organic Spelt, Organic Brown Rice

Dr. Harvey's Canine Health-The Miracle Dog Food Pre-Mix is a base mix with a holistic blend of organic grains and vegetables. This base is designed to make homemade dog food preparation so much easier. Simply mix in your choice of protein, water, and oil for a complete and nutrient-rich meal for dogs.

Not all dogs can have high-meat meals on a daily basis. Some dogs, such as those with kidney problems require low-protein or low-phosphorus diets, it is perfect for such dogs. It is also quite beneficial to dogs who suffer from digestive issues.

The organic grains in this recipe are high in fiber and multiple health benefits. It has organic rolled oats, barley, and spelt among other nutritious grains. Fiber helps move food along the digestive tract.

This pre-mix has been known to help sensitive stomachs. As it does not contain corn, wheat, or soy that are common triggers of allergic reactions, it is safe to feed to very sensitive pups. As fiber also help dogs feel full, it is great for dogs who need weight management.

It is actually suitable for dogs who need to lose weight, and those who need to gain a few pounds. This highly nutritious pre-mix is naturally flavorful. It has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

The Miracle Dog Food Pre-Mix has received rave reviews from dog parents. Pups with various health issues such as digestive and kidney issues, as well as allergies are doing quite well on meals that contain this base mix. Owners attributed the improvements in their dogs’ health to this grain-inclusive base mix.

If you wish to introduce your dog to a nutrient rich homemade meal, this is a great base to start on. It is quite convenient to prepare, and you can control the amount of protein and fat that goes into their meals.

4. Dr. Harvey's Veg-To-Bowl Pre-Mix

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

First five ingredients: Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Potatoes, Broccoli, Peas

Dr. Harvey's Veg-To-Bowl Fine is a base mix for homemade meals for dogs. This grain-free base contains highly nutritious dehydrated vegetables.

The granulated vegetables in this pre-mix make it perfect for toy breeds, senior dogs or those who longer have all of their teeth.

Dr. Harvey's Veg-To-Bowl Fine Ground makes nutritious homemade meals convenient to prepare. Simply add water, and your choice of protein and fat to this veggie base mix.

This tasty, nutrient-dense base mix from Dr. Harvey's is made with nine different vegetables and herbs. Veggies such as sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and beets are good sources of carbs, fiber, vitamins and minerals. They also add flavor to your dog’s meals. It also has crushed egg shells as a whole food source of calcium.

This grain and gluten free base mix contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. It is the perfect base for dogs with food sensitivities.

This pre-mix is one of the highest rated products from the brand. Dogs just love Veg-To-Bowl! The veggie granules make meals easy to chew even for tiny dogs and senior pups.

Numerous pet owners credit this grain-free base mix to the noticeable improvements in their dogs’ overall health. It also does not trigger allergies in many sensitive dogs.

Overall, it is a highly recommended base mix for sensitive dogs, toy breeds, or dogs who require softer, easy to chew meals. It's packed with nutrition, as well as flavors that numerous dogs enjoy.

5. Dr. Harvey's Le Dogue Bites Chicken Freeze-Dried Treats

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Ingredients: Freeze-Dried Chicken

Dr. Harvey's Le Dogue Bites are grain-free, single-ingredient dog treats. Made of real chicken only and nothing else, Le Dogue are the perfect treats for dogs sensitive to other proteins or grains.

Chicken is one of the most popular proteins among dogs. They just love the savory flavor of chicken. It is also a highly digestible protein.

This treats feature real chicken meat that has been freeze-dried to preserve its natural flavor and nutrients. Le Dogue contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

These grain and gluten-free treats can be given as protein-packed treats, a light snack, or even as a meal topper. It can also be broken into smaller pieces to make training rewards.

It cannot get any better than a single-ingredient protein treat like Dr. Harvey's Le Dogue Bites. Dogs love its rich flavor as well as it’s texture.

Pet parents feel good about giving their pups these high-protein treats as it is absolutely free from any questionable ingredients. As it is made of real chicken, even dogs who need to lose weight can enjoy these grain-free treats.

6. Dr. Harvey's Sweet Potate'r Chews

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

Ingredients: Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes

Dr. Harvey's Sweet Potate'r Chews are grain-free, single-ingredient doggy treats. Made with only sweet potatoes, these treats are absolutely perfect for sensitive pups, even those with certain protein allergies.

These chewy treats are a great alternative to rawhide, as well as other treats that are full of artificial enhancers. These naturally tasty and nutritious treats will keep your pup happy and busy.

Grown and dried in the US, it is high in fiber that supports digestive health. It is also a good source of vitamin A which promotes healthy eyes, joints, skin and coat.

Sweet Potate'r Fries are also low in calories. You can feel good about treating your dog to a few more chewy treats without worrying about weight gain.

A lot of dogs are fans of this sweet potato treats. They love the flavor and its chewy texture. Depending on your dog, it may keep him busy for anywhere from 10 seconds to several minutes. While a few toy breed pups find these treats too hard, many small breed dogs including pugs are able to enjoy them.

It has also received feedback from a dog parent that it is made mostly of skin and very little potato. They would like to see more sweet potato on the chews.

Overall, Sweet Potate'r Fries is a great and natural way to keep your dog busy and give their jaws some exercise. Aside from being naturally packed with flavor and nutrients, it is a safer alternative to rawhide and molded chews.

 

What types of dog food does Dr. Harvey’s offer?

Freeze dried raw foods are an excellent way to get the benefits of natural foods without the hassle of storage or mixing. Owners who can’t feed fully raw can use this food to obtain the same type of benefit but with easier storage and serving options. They’re also great for sitters who may not be used to feeding dogs an entirely raw diet.

The premixes are also great for those who want to customize their meat options or who have picky dogs that only like a particular taste or texture. These formulas allow owners to rest easy knowing they’re giving dogs a balanced meal that leaves nothing out while still providing fresh meats vital to their dog’s systems.

The foods don’t have a lot of recipe options, and you may want to talk to your vet about using the food or premix with puppies. However, they’re all formulated to be suitable for all life stages and breed sizes and consider the unique dental needs of small breed dogs.

Premix Recipes:

• Canine Health
• Veg-to-Bowl
• Veg-to-Bowl Fine Ground

Oracle Dog Food Recipes:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Fish

Dog Treats:

• Le Dogue Bites
• Sweet Potate'r Fries
• Coconut Smiles

Dr. Harvey’s Recall History List:

• Dr. Harvey’s has never issued a recall. They are very involved with their food processes, and in over 30 years of business, they’ve never had an issue that required pulling any of their foods off the shelves. Considering how long they’ve been in business, this is an exceptional record.

Customer Reviews

Dr. Harvey’s foods have some die-hard followers because they were the only option for a holistic diet for a long time. Although many other options have popped up over the years, most Dr. Harvey’s fans remain so even after trying different foods. People love that they can purchase whole meals or premixes that allow them to customize.

Dr. Harvey’s is highly rated across quite a few online platforms that sell dog foods. The recipes and premixes regularly rate four and a half out of five stars and the food is also highly reviewed with several very reliable and trusted online reviewers.

What Customers Like and Dislike about Dr. Harvey’s?

People love that the premixes allow them full customization of their dogs' meals and that the freeze-dried foods are so easy to use. They love the convenience of feeding their dogs a raw based diet without all the hassle and storage of entirely raw.

Those who like to make their own foods but worry they aren’t getting the right balance of nutrients also like the assurance that all the complicated steps are taken care of with the premixes. It takes the guesswork out of cooking foods for pets but still allows fresh proteins and oils.

It’s on the expensive side so those on a strict budget may have a difficult time justifying the cost, especially if there’s more than one dog in the house or a large breed dog. However, you could save money in the long run by not having to visit the vet for digestive or immune response issues.

Positive

• “Thank you dr. Harvey. My puppies love it, and it's what they're supposed to have. Best part being I don't have to fuss with it.” Carol, chewy.com

Negative

• “what a waste of good money, my four dogs would not touch this stuff and i prepared it right to the instructions, afraid to even bother cooking up the other packages, my dog judy is not fussy about food, she will eat most anything but she would not go near it after i cooked it,, not a good buy” Shirleyjh, chewy.com