The Ultimate Raw Dog Food Swap & Substitution Guide

You go to reorder your dog’s favourite raw recipe and see those dreaded words: Out of stock. It happens to almost every raw feeder eventually, and it always brings up the same question: What should I feed instead?

This guide makes the answer easy to find. For every Four Roots and The Complete K9 (CK9) recipe we carry, you’ll see the closest match, a few other good options, and whether it’s a single protein, includes tripe, or has added fruit and veggies. It’s also handy if you’re looking to try a different recipe or mix things up in your dog’s bowl.

How to Use This Guide

• Closest swap: Essentially the same recipe with slightly different ratios. The easiest switch.

• Also try: Same base protein, with different ratios or extras like tripe, fruit and veggies, or a second protein.

• Single protein: The whole recipe, organs included, comes from one animal. Mixed protein recipes combine more than one.

• Fruit & veggies: Some recipes include added fruit and vegetables. Learn more about vegetables for the raw fed dog.

• Novel protein: A protein that’s less common in standard dog food. In our lineup, these include pork, boar, kangaroo, salmon, duck, bison, lamb, and rabbit.

Switching to a brand-new protein? Our transition guide recommends feeding one protein at a time for 1 to 2 weeks before adding the next.

➡️  Good to know: Many CK9 recipes include beef and pork organs, even when the primary protein is listed as duck, bison, or boar. Sensitivities to beef or pork tend to be meat protein related than organs, so your pup may do well with these options even if they do have pork/beef sensitivities.  If you’re ever unsure feel free to  reach out—we’re happy to help you choose the best match for your fur family!

Beef Swaps

Chicken Swaps

Turkey Swaps

Novel Protein Swaps

Novel proteins are ones many dogs haven’t eaten before, which makes them a popular choice for dogs with food sensitivities. Working through an elimination diet? Check out our guide on Allergies or Yeast? for a step-by-step walk-through on testing one protein at a time. Browse the full Novel Proteins Raw Dog Food collection for more.

The pork and boar recipes above are also good options for most duck, bison, lamb and rabbit feeders.

Good to Know: Itchy skin can sometimes point to a protein your dog doesn’t tolerate. Learn how to spot a trigger protein and when a novel protein can help.

Variety Box Swaps

Rotating proteins is a great habit for long-term health. The more proteins your dog eats, the broader the range of essential nutrients they get —which is why our Variety Boxes are so popular! If your favorite variety box is currently out of stock, you can easily build your own custom mix using individual recipes.

• For the CK9 Variety Box: Combine CK9 Ultimate Beef, Ultimate Chicken, Ultimate Turkey, Ultimate Duck, and Complete Pork.

• For the Surf & Turf Variety Box: Combine Four Roots Bow Beef, Four Roots Timber Turkey, CK9 Ultimate Salmon & Pork, and CK9 Ultimate Turkey/Beef.

Need Help Choosing?

We’re always happy to help you find the right fit. Browse our full selection of Raw Dog Food, or reach out to Amanda at info@granddog.ca. Unsure about portion sizes for a new recipe? See our breakdown on How Much to Feed the Adult Raw Fed Dog. We love helping our Grand Dog community keep their pets happy, healthy, and well-fed—even when a favourite recipe is out of stock!

Grand Dog Essentials

877-494-0682 / / info@granddog.ca

All information presented is for informational and/or educational purposes only and based on our experience, research and stories shared by our clients. These statements have not been evaluated by a veterinarian. Information shared is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for any medical treatment. Please seek the advice of a holistic veterinarian for your dog’s specific health concerns.