Many consumers prefer raw commercial diets over raw homemade diets due to its convenience. Most commercial diets are formulated to meet the requirements of AAFCO Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. The diets are formulated with the intent to satisfy values needed for the different life stages whether that be adult maintenance, growth, gestation or lactation. Some raw products are meant to be used as supplemental feeding only as they are not nutritionally complete or balanced. Raw commercial diets are usually pre-packaged and can be fresh, frozen or freeze-dried.  Commercial raw diets are easy to handle, include feeding instructions and enable the owner to avoid touching raw meat. Most, but not all, commercial raw diets include all the essential nutrients that the animal requires.