One of the most common questions we get from new raw feeders: which protein should I start with?
The honest answer is that the best protein is the one your dog does well on — and the best strategy long-term is rotation. But here's a practical guide to matching your dog to the right OMF blend from the start.
Beef — the workhorse protein
Beef is the most nutrient-dense, widely available red meat protein and an excellent starting point for most dogs. It's high in zinc, iron, B12, and creatine — all critical for muscle development and energy metabolism. Dogs tend to be highly palatable to beef, making it great for picky eaters or dogs transitioning from kibble.
Best for: Dogs new to raw, active adult dogs, muscle building, high-energy breeds.
OMF blend: Beef Blend – Single Protein
Pork — clean energy and easy digestion
Pork is an underrated protein in raw feeding. It's highly digestible, moderately lean, and provides excellent thiamine (B1) levels — important for nervous system function and energy production. It's a great rotation option and a solid choice for dogs with beef sensitivities.
Best for: Sensitive dogs, rotation feeding, dogs needing a leaner energy source.
OMF blend: Pork Blend – Single Protein
Venison — lean performance fuel
Venison is one of the leanest red meat proteins available — naturally lower in fat than beef or pork, with a high protein-to-calorie ratio. It's ideal for dogs that need to maintain lean muscle without adding body fat. It's also an excellent novel protein for dogs with beef or chicken sensitivities, since most dogs have never been exposed to it before.
Best for: Weight management, lean muscle support, novel protein for sensitive dogs, sport and working breeds.
OMF blend: Lean Tri-Blend – Venison, Beef and Pork
Lamb — rich, calorie-dense performance fuel
Lamb is richer and more calorie-dense than the other proteins in our lineup — higher in fat, with excellent levels of zinc, B12, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which supports immune function and body composition. It's ideal for hard keepers, dogs in very high-demand training, and cold weather.
Best for: Hard keepers, high-performance sport dogs, cold climates, dogs needing extra calories.
OMF blend: High-Performance Tri-Blend – Pork, Beef and Lamb
Why protein rotation matters
No single protein provides every micronutrient in optimal proportions. Rotating between proteins — especially across different species — gives your dog the broadest possible nutritional coverage and reduces the risk of developing sensitivities to any single protein over time.
A simple rotation strategy: run one blend for 2–4 weeks, then switch. Our tri-blends already do part of this work for you by combining three proteins in one formula.
The Canine Stars approach
The stunt dogs on The Canine Stars team rotate across our full product lineup. Their trainers use protein variety strategically — matching higher-fat blends to heavy training periods and leaner blends to recovery and maintenance phases. This is performance nutrition applied the same way elite human athletes approach their diet.
Your dog doesn't have to be a stunt dog to benefit from the same thinking.