Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat?
If there is one question that can split the community of pet owners right down the middle, it is this: can dogs eat raw meat? The concept of raw feeding has been around since 1993 when Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst propagated the notion of a B.A.R.F. (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet for dogs in his book, Give Your Dog A Bone. However, it has become a particularly hot topic of interest on the internet.
The broad idea is that it is a biologically appropriate diet where you are feeding dogs “the food they have evolved for over millions of years”. In theory, that does sound logical. That’s why so many jump on this bandwagon, assuming that the answer to, “Is it safe to feed dogs raw meat?”, ought to be an emphatic yes. However, it’s not quite that simple. There are no clear yes or no answers to questions like: is raw meat good for dogs or is raw meat bad for dogs?
I tried transitioning one of my GSDs to a raw meat diet, and his digestive system did not take kindly to that change. So, I’m somewhat skeptical of that idea. Even so, my objective here is to offer you the complete picture of the pros, cons, risks, and benefits, so that you can make an informed choice. That’s why I decided to put together my understanding and research to help you find an answer to, “Should I feed my dog raw meat?”
Is Raw Meat Good For Dogs? Potential Benefits
One of the primary reasons that pet parents find themselves wondering, “Can dogs eat raw meat?”, is that they have their reservations about a kibble-only diet. I’m definitely one of them. I mean, imagine if you had to eat the same food, out of a packaged box, twice a day for the rest of your life. You wouldn’t be too thrilled about it, right? Neither are our canine companions. Quite telling evidence of this is the fact that most pets start turning up their noses at kibble once they’ve had a taste of other foods.
Then, there are concerns about the quality of ingredients, presence of preservatives, and nutritional value. These doubts and dilemmas can quickly give way to the thought: can you feed your dog raw meat? If you have been contemplating that and wondering, “Is raw meat good for dogs?”, here are a few potential benefits to consider:
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1. Better skin and coat health
A raw meat diet is believed to make a dog’s fur shiny and improve overall skin health. This is likely because raw foods have a higher density of critical nutrients such as healthy fats, protein, vitamin E, and zinc.
2. Improved dental health
Issues like dental calculus, tooth decay, and bad breath can be resolved far more effectively with a raw diet that requires your pet to chomp down rather than softer foods that promote insufficient dental activity. However, you can reap this benefit of feeding your dog raw meat only with diets that include bones
3. Known to improve chronic conditions
Is raw meat good for dogs? Many pet owners believe so as they claim that feeding raw meat to their pets has helped control chronic health conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
4. Improve digestion
Another widely held belief is that raw meat being a biologically appropriate diet for dogs helps improve digestion as well as the assimilation of nutrients.
So, can dogs eat raw meat? Sure, they can eat and digest it too. But if you’re asking, “Should I feed my dog raw meat?”, it’s important to note that most of the known benefits of this alternative diet plan for our canine companions are anecdotal. There isn’t even research or validated scientific proof that raw meats add any unprecedented value to canine nutrition.
That said, the benefits of natural, fresh foods over processed packaged alternatives cannot be denied. As canine nutritionist, Narelle Cooke says, “Eating food as close to its natural form as possible is by far our best bet for improving health and preventing disease…whole foods are also important sources of 100’s of different bioactive compounds that work together synergistically to help our dogs reach their full health potential.
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Is It Safe to Feed Dogs Raw Meat? Possible Risks to be Mindful Of
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence out there — as is the case with any alternative dietary or lifestyle choice — that won’t have you even for a second question, “Should I feed my dog raw meat?” But there are also concerns and potential risks you need to be mindful of.
Research highlights that there are several nutritional and infectious disease risks as well as public health implications of raw meat-based pet diets. Another study talks about the microbiological hazards of feeding pets raw meats. It is for these very reasons that bodies like the American Veterinary Medical Association discourage “feeding any raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein” to pets.
So, is it safe to feed dogs raw meat? Here are some potential risks that indicate that it may not be:
1. Nutritional deficiencies or inadequacies
It is difficult to meet your dog’s nutritional needs with solely a raw meat-based diet, even if you offer them a mix of muscle, organs, and bones. This concern is exacerbated by the fact that these diets are often propagated by non-professionals, and shared between communities of pet parents, either online or in the real world, making it seem like raw diets are a one-size-fits-all solution, which they’re not.
2. Risk of injury from bones
Raw bones are an integral part of these diets and can pose a significant risk to your pet. From dental fractures to foreign body obstructions, and perforation and tears, raw bones can cause severe damage to your pet.
3. Bacterial load and risk of infection
Is raw meat bad for dogs? Here is a potential health risk that may make it seem so: raw meat has a far higher risk of contamination as compared to after it has been cooked. Although dogs are at a lower risk of bacterial infection, the possibility of contaminated meat causing diarrhea and digestive discomfort cannot be ruled out completely. Some of the pathogens commonly found in raw meats that can pose a health risk to your pet include:
- Salmonella
- Listeria
- Campylobacter
- Clostridium
- E. coli
- Trichinosis
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4. Antibiotic resistance
Raw pet foods are not governed by any sort of regulatory oversight, and hence, there is no surety of quality. It’s not possible that raw meats can expose your pets to antibiotic-resistant strains of certain bugs, putting both their and your health in jeopardy. Perhaps, this is reason enough to rethink, “Can I give my dog raw meat?”
5. Zoonotic diseases
Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that spread from animals to humans. As a pet parent, you handle your dog’s feces, you bathe them, play with them, they lick your hands and face, and possibly, even share a bed with you. A dog on a raw diet can transmit deadly pathogens to human beings, putting them at a grave health risk.
This risk gets compounded manifold if there are immunocompromised people in the family. If the deadly COVID-19 outbreak has taught us anything, zoonotic diseases are not a trivial matter we can afford to overlook.
Watch this video:
How Should I Feed My Dog Raw Meat? Things to Consider
Can dogs eat raw meat? Sure, they can. But by now, I think, it’s amply clear that the question you need to be asking is whether they should. As a pet parent, I choose not to feed my dog a raw diet. However, to each their own. So many pet parents around the globe swear by the myriad benefits of transitioning to one. In the end, it all boils down to weighing risks and benefits and making an informed choice. If you do decide to give your pet raw meat, here are some things you must keep in mind:
1. Always consult a professional
Can I give my dog raw meat, you ask? The best way to find an answer to this question is to seek professional guidance. Consult your vet or a canine nutritionist to understand whether a raw meat-based diet will be beneficial to your pet. A professional will also be able to help devise a balanced diet plan keeping in mind your pet’s unique nutritional needs and requirements.
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2. Meat quality and hygiene
If you dig deeper into why is raw meat bad for dogs, you’ll find that the quality of meats is a major cause for concern. So, if you do go this route, make sure you steer clear of low-grade, unregulated options as well as denatured, 3D, and 4D meats. The best option is to choose high-quality human-grade meats for your pet.
3. Balanced nutrients
While protein is a key nutritional requirement for dogs, they also need fats and fatty acids, carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, and vitamins to thrive. Supplementing a raw meat-based diet with vegetables, fruits, and other natural, whole foods can be a great way to make sure your pet doesn’t develop any nutritional deficiencies.
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4. Consider homecooked meals instead
If you don’t want to feed your pet kibble or packaged foods but at the same time aren’t convinced about feeding them raw meat, why not take the middle path and feed them homecooked meals? There are several nutritionally complete homemade dog food recipes you can explore.
5. Transition slowly
If your dog has been on kibble or processed food and you’re making the transition to a fresh diet, you need to know how. Whether it is homecooked food or a raw diet, the change has to be gradual. Start by replacing 10% of your pet’s meal with the new food type you intend to introduce, and steadily increase its quantity day-by-day while cutting back on the food your pet is currently on.
I hope this answers your question: can dogs eat raw meat? And helps you decide whether or not this dietary choice will be a good fit for you and your pet.
