Steve’s Real Food: Pioneers in Practical Raw Feeding

Company Origins and Mission

Steve’s Real Food was founded in 1998, making it one of the original raw pet food companies in the U.S. It began when founder Steve Brown—an early raw feeding advocate—started formulating biologically appropriate diets for dogs based on prey-model nutrition, but with a practical, balanced approach that pet parents could manage every day.

Though Steve Brown eventually moved on to other ventures, the company has remained independently owned and operated, with a strong commitment to the same founding principles: transparency, affordability, and raw food made with real, whole ingredients.

Based in Oregon and Utah, Steve’s manufactures its food in small batches and focuses on high-quality sourcing, nutrient diversity, and safe, easy-to-feed formats for dogs and cats.

Core values:

• Raw Made Practical – Balanced formulas in accessible formats for daily feeding 
• Transparency – Ingredient sourcing and processing are fully traceable 
• Affordability – Raw nutrition designed to fit real-world budgets 

What Makes Steve’s Real Food Unique?

1. One of the First to Offer a Complete, Balanced Raw Diet

Steve’s helped pioneer the model of complete and balanced raw feeding—adding produce and functional foods like kelp, raw goat milk, and flaxseed to support full nutritional profiles without relying on synthetic vitamins.

All formulas meet AAFCO standards and are formulated to reflect ancestral feeding patterns while supporting long-term health and digestion.

2. Raw for Both Dogs and Cats

Steve’s offers complete raw diets for both dogs and cats, with feline formulas that are higher in meat content and free from unnecessary starches or plant-based fillers.

The cat line includes frozen nuggets as well as freeze-dried options, making it easy to feed raw regardless of schedule or storage limitations.

3. Freeze-Dried and Frozen Formats: Nuggets and Patties

Steve’s Real Food offers two convenient formats for their raw diets:

• Bite-sized nuggets, available in both frozen and freeze-dried versions, ideal for quick portioning and minimal thaw time
• Frozen patties, which offer an economical option for larger dogs or households feeding multiple pets

Their Quest line for cats is available in nugget form (both frozen and freeze-dried), while the original line for dogs is available in both patties and nuggets, giving pet parents flexibility based on feeding needs and storage space.

4. Ethically Sourced, GMO-Free Ingredients

Steve’s emphasizes sourcing from grass-fed, cage-free, and antibiotic-free producers in the U.S. and New Zealand. All produce is pesticide-free and non-GMO, and recipes are free from synthetic additives or preservatives.

Each batch includes transparent ingredient sourcing and production details, available on their website.

5. High Pressure Processing-Free (No HPP)

Steve’s does not use High Pressure Processing (HPP) on any of their products. Instead, they rely on a test-and-hold protocol and strict sanitation procedures to ensure food safety while keeping nutrients and beneficial bacteria intact.

For customers avoiding HPP, Steve’s remains one of the most transparent and consistent raw options on the market.

Is Steve’s Real Food Right for Your Pets?

Steve’s is great for you if:

• You’re looking for a budget-friendly entry into raw feeding
• You appreciate the benefits of a high-protein, low-carb diet with minimal processing
• Households avoiding synthetic vitamin packs and HPP
• You’ve got a multiple pet household and want easy, portionable format
• You value independent ownership and transparent sourcing

Feeding Cost per Day:

• 50lb dog starts at about $8 with the 20lb bulk chicken formula
• 10lb cat starts at $1.40/day with the 5lb Chicken formula for Dogs and Cats