Big Country Raw vs Raw Performance Dog Food Canada 2026: Which Frozen Raw Brand Is Right for Your Dog?

Both Big Country Raw and Raw Performance are Canadian-made frozen raw dog food brands available at Ashario Pets in North York — and both have loyal followings among GTA dog owners. If you're trying to decide between them, this side-by-side comparison covers ingredients, protein profiles, life-stage suitability, and which type of dog genuinely benefits from each. Shop frozen raw dog food at Ashario Pets to see both brands in stock today.

As of 2026, raw feeding is no longer a niche choice. According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), interest in raw diets has grown significantly, and pet food manufacturers have responded with more rigorous safety and formulation standards. Before switching, always consult your veterinarian — especially if your dog has underlying health conditions.

Key Takeaway: Big Country Raw is a flexible, budget-accessible Canadian raw brand suited to multi-dog households and owners who like to mix and match proteins. Raw Performance is a performance-focused formula with higher fat content designed for working dogs, active breeds, and dogs that need serious caloric density. Both brands are carried at Ashario Pets' North York location.

What Is Big Country Raw? A Canadian Frozen Raw Brand Overview

Big Country Raw is a Canadian brand that produces frozen raw dog food in a wide range of proteins, blends, and formats — including cartons, patties, and chubs — making it one of the most versatile raw options on the Canadian market. Their products are made in Canada and are formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional standards for adult maintenance, with specific blends designed for puppies and all life stages.

Our team at Ashario Pets recommends Big Country Raw frequently to first-time raw feeders because the product line is approachable. The carton format is easy to portion, and the variety of proteins — chicken, turkey, duck, beef, lamb, and more — lets owners rotate proteins without switching brands. Rotating proteins supports a broader amino acid profile and reduces the likelihood of developing food sensitivities over time.

From a nutritional standpoint, Big Country Raw's standard blends typically deliver approximately 13–16% protein and 8–12% fat on an as-fed basis, with moisture content around 70–72%. Their Pure line (muscle meat only, no organ or bone) gives owners granular control to build a custom raw diet. AAFCO recommends a minimum of 18% protein on a dry matter basis for adult dogs and 22% for puppies — Big Country Raw's complete blends are formulated to meet or exceed these thresholds on a dry matter basis.

In our North York store on Finch Ave West, Big Country Raw is consistently one of our top-moving raw dog food lines, particularly among customers with multiple dogs or larger breeds where volume and value matter.

What Is Raw Performance? A High-Fat Canadian Raw for Active Dogs

Raw Performance is a Canadian frozen raw dog food brand built specifically around the needs of working dogs, sporting breeds, and highly active dogs that burn significant calories daily. Their formulas are characterized by a higher fat content than most standard raw blends — typically 18–24% fat on an as-fed basis — which translates to greater caloric density per serving.

Pet owners tell us at Ashario Pets that Raw Performance is a go-to choice when a dog simply isn't maintaining weight on conventional raw or kibble. The higher fat content means that a dog needs a smaller volume of food to meet daily caloric requirements, which can be advantageous for picky eaters or dogs recovering from illness (under veterinary guidance).

Raw Performance products are formulated as complete and balanced diets, including organ meat, ground bone, and muscle meat. Their protein content runs approximately 14–18% as-fed, which — when converted to dry matter — comfortably exceeds AAFCO's 18% minimum for adult dogs. The caloric density of Raw Performance blends can reach 900–1,100 kcal per kilogram depending on the protein source, compared to approximately 700–850 kcal per kilogram in leaner raw blends.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are naturally present in raw muscle meat and organ fat, supporting coat health and inflammatory regulation. For working breeds that spend hours outdoors in Ontario winters, maintaining coat condition and energy reserves makes a high-fat formula genuinely functional — not just a marketing angle.

Big Country Raw vs Raw Performance: Key Differences Compared

Choosing between these two brands comes down to your dog's activity level, life stage, and your feeding goals. Here is a breakdown of the most meaningful differences:

• Target dog profile: Big Country Raw suits a wide range — puppies, seniors, moderate-activity adult dogs, and multi-protein rotation plans. Raw Performance is purpose-built for working dogs, high-energy sporting breeds, and underweight dogs needing caloric support.
• Fat content: Big Country Raw standard blends average 8–12% fat (as-fed). Raw Performance blends average 18–24% fat (as-fed) — roughly double. For a sedentary dog, this difference matters for weight management.
• Protein sources: Both brands offer a range of proteins including beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb. Big Country Raw has a broader product line including Pure (meat-only) options. Raw Performance focuses on complete blends optimized for caloric output.
• Format variety: Big Country Raw offers cartons, patties, and chubs in a wider range of sizes — including 1 lb, 2 lb, and bulk formats. Raw Performance is available in standard frozen chub and patty formats.
• Life-stage formulations: Big Country Raw has explicitly labeled puppy and all-life-stage formulas. Always verify the guaranteed analysis and AAFCO statement on the packaging for your dog's specific life stage.
• Glucosamine content: Both brands include ground raw bone, which is a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin — beneficial for joint health, particularly in large breeds prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
• Taurine: Taurine is found naturally in meat-based raw diets. Both brands rely on animal-sourced ingredients, which are generally reliable sources of taurine compared to heavily plant-based diets. If taurine levels are a concern for your breed, consult your veterinarian and review the guaranteed analysis.
• Probiotics / digestive support: Neither brand markets itself as a probiotic-fortified food. If your dog needs added probiotic or prebiotic support, our dog health and wellness supplements at Ashario Pets include standalone options to add to either diet.
• Price tier: Both are competitively priced as premium Canadian raw brands. Big Country Raw's bulk carton formats often offer lower cost-per-serving for large dogs. Raw Performance's higher caloric density may reduce the daily volume needed, partially offsetting cost.
• Canadian-made: Both brands are proudly Canadian. See our made in Canada pet products page for more locally produced options.

How Much Raw Food Should I Feed My Dog?

Adult dogs generally need 2–3% of their body weight in raw food per day, split into two meals. A 50 lb (22.7 kg) dog needs approximately 1 to 1.5 lbs (450–680g) of raw food daily. Puppies typically need 2–3% of their expected adult weight, fed three times daily. Adjust based on activity level, age, body condition score, and your veterinarian's guidance.

For a working dog on Raw Performance's higher-fat formula, the feeding amount may be reduced slightly due to the greater caloric density — some active dogs may maintain ideal weight on as little as 1.5–2% of body weight when fat content is significantly higher. Always start at the manufacturer's recommended feeding rate and adjust over 2–3 weeks while monitoring body condition.

Research published via NCBI/PubMed suggests that raw meat-based diets are generally highly digestible for dogs, with dry matter digestibility often exceeding 85–90%. This means dogs typically absorb nutrients efficiently from raw diets, which is why stool volume decreases noticeably for many dogs transitioning from kibble to raw.

If you're transitioning from dry food, our best pet food for specific needs guide covers transition strategies and how to manage digestive adjustment periods.

Which Brand Should You Choose in 2026?

Choose Big Country Raw if your dog is a puppy, senior, moderate-activity adult, or if you want maximum flexibility to rotate proteins and customize the diet over time. It's also the stronger choice for households with multiple dogs at different life stages, since the wide product variety means everyone can eat the same brand.

Choose Raw Performance if your dog is a working breed, sporting dog, or consistently underweight dog that needs caloric density above what a standard raw blend provides. It's also worth considering for dogs in high-energy athletic training, or those living outdoors or in physically demanding environments during Ontario winters.

In our store, customers from the Yonge-Finch, Downsview, and Dufferin-Wilson areas regularly ask us to help them choose between these two brands. The most common answer is: if your dog is a typical family pet with moderate exercise, start with Big Country Raw. If your dog is a sled dog, working shepherd, or an agility competitor, Raw Performance is worth the premium.

Both brands are available at Ashario Pets, located at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, North York, ON M3J 2P7, open 7 AM to 11 PM daily, 365 days a year. You can also shop raw dog food online and have it delivered via Uber Eats, DoorDash, or SkipTheDishes.

For more information about our commitment to stocking only the highest-quality pet nutrition, visit our pet care commitment page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Big Country Raw a complete and balanced dog food?

Big Country Raw offers both complete and balanced formulas (meeting AAFCO standards for adult maintenance and all life stages) and Pure lines (muscle meat only) that are intended to be used as part of a DIY raw diet. Always check the product label and AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement before feeding as a sole diet. If you're unsure which Big Country Raw product to choose, our team at Ashario Pets can guide you in store or you can contact us directly.

Is Raw Performance dog food safe for puppies?

Raw Performance is primarily formulated for adult working and active dogs, with high fat content — typically 18–24% as-fed — that may not be appropriate for puppies without veterinary guidance. Puppies require specific calcium-to-phosphorus ratios and life-stage formulation to support skeletal development. Consult your veterinarian before feeding Raw Performance to a puppy, and look for products carrying an AAFCO "growth" or "all life stages" statement on the label.

How do I transition my dog from kibble to frozen raw food?

A gradual transition over 7–14 days is recommended to avoid digestive upset. Start by replacing 25% of the daily kibble portion with raw food and increase incrementally every 3–4 days. Some dogs transition quickly; others with sensitive digestion need a slower timeline. Adding a probiotic supplement during transition can support gut flora adjustment. Browse dog health and wellness products at Ashario Pets for probiotic and digestive support options.

Where can I buy Big Country Raw and Raw Performance in North York or Toronto?

Both Big Country Raw and Raw Performance are available at Ashario Pets, located at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, North York, ON M3J 2P7. The store is open 7 AM to 11 PM daily, 365 days a year, including all holidays. GTA-wide delivery is available through Uber Eats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, Instacart, and Fantuan. See our full premium pet food selection online or visit us in store.

Can I mix Big Country Raw and Raw Performance in the same meal?

Yes — mixing two raw formulas from different brands is generally safe, though it may complicate your ability to track exact macronutrient ratios. If you're feeding a working dog that needs caloric density but you also want the protein rotation flexibility of Big Country Raw, blending the two at a ratio of roughly 70/30 is a practical approach many of our customers use. Always monitor weight and adjust portions accordingly, and check with your veterinarian if your dog has specific health conditions.