Many dog owners are intrigued by the raw food diet for dogs. We know that dogs need to eat a nutritious diet to stay healthy and vibrant. But what types of food does this involve?
Dogs’ wild ancestors primarily ate raw meat, including prey animals and eggs, and sometimes the stomach contents of herbivores. It shouldn’t be a surprise that many owners want to feed their pets a more natural diet. But is the raw food diet the best for your dog?
In this article, we will look at what constitutes a raw food diet and discuss the pros and cons, but this information is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Speak to your vet about the most appropriate diet for your dog, depending on their age, lifestyle, and health.
The information provided here is to help you make an informed decision if this diet is ideal for your canine friend while following your vet’s recommendations.
Comparison of Raw Food Diet Pros and Cons
- Anecdotal health benefits, according to owner reports, rather than scientifically proven, such as a shinier coat and firmer stools
- You have control of what your dog is eating, if prepared at home
- May satisfy natural chewing instincts
- All natural
- No worry about food recalls if prepared at home, unless commercial raw food is used
- Dog may not prefer raw food
- More expensive
- Takes time to prepare
- Potential for bacterial/parasite contamination, causing illness
- Risk of transfer of pathogens to people, especially immunocompromised individuals, seniors, and children
- Can be a challenge to provide all the nutrients
- Requires increased fridge and freezer space
- Potential for constipation or gastrointestinal obstruction if feeding bones
What Is a Raw Food Diet?
To feed your dog a raw diet, you will have to provide a variety of foods, so your dog receives the required nutrients to remain healthy, implementing other ingredients such as grains, vegetables, and fruits, all of which play an important part in a balanced diet. This should be done under the guidance and supervision of a certified veterinary nutritionist, as otherwise, the risk of making mistakes is high, leading to your dog’s poor health.
Dogs back in the day didn’t have their meat cooked, and they consumed everything raw. Commercial pet food became popular in the 1960s, and before that, people were feeding their dogs raw bones and meal scraps.
Other foods that can be fed to dogs on this diet are organ meats (such as liver and kidneys) and certain dairy foods. Many adult dogs are lactose intolerant and may have food allergies, which should be taken into account when choosing the most suitable diet for your dog.
There are many foods that a dog should never eat, such as onions, garlic, grapes, and raisins, just to name a few. If you are going to feed your dog a raw diet, you need to know what foods can be safely consumed by dogs and what isn’t recommended, such as raw eggs due to the risk of Salmonella.
Raw vs. Cooked
Proponents of the raw diet say that there is no need to cook the food for your dog. Raw foods may preserve some heat-sensitive nutrients, though evidence for immune system benefits is largely anecdotal. However, the risks associated with feeding a raw diet are related to contamination with bacteria or parasites, often during processing, transport, or accidental defrosting. Dogs may even get sick in such cases, but they will release the bacteria in the environment, putting their human companions at significant risk, especially children, seniors, and immunocompromised individuals.
If you want to minimise or completely alleviate this risk, it would be wise to cook the food before feeding it to your dog or to use a commercial complete and balanced diet.
Potential Pros of a Raw Food Diet
1. There May Be Health Benefits
Feeding a raw food diet may offer some health benefits, though much of the evidence still remains anecdotal. Some owners report that dogs on a raw diet have shinier coats, healthier skin, and cleaner teeth. Smaller stool size and improved energy levels are sometimes observed, and some dogs maintain a healthy weight more easily. A properly balanced raw diet under veterinary guidance, commercial dog food, or a diet formulated by a certified veterinary nutritionist that includes appropriate levels of protein, carbs, fat, vitamins, and minerals can support healthy muscle development and bone strength.
While some studies have explored possible links between diet and certain health outcomes, there is currently no strong scientific evidence that raw feeding prevents specific diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, or cancer. Maintaining a balanced diet and monitoring your dog’s health with the guidance of a veterinarian remains the most reliable way to reduce the risk of illness.
2. You Know What Your Dog Is Eating
You have the choice of what to feed your dog, and when choosing a raw diet, you will know exactly what your dog is eating because you are the one buying and preparing all the ingredients. You are in control. If your dog has certain dietary needs or allergies to foods, you will be able to customize their diet, but remember to do everything in accordance with your vet’s advice.
3. You Can Control Their Chewing Tendencies
If your dog likes to chew on anything and everything, a raw food diet may fulfil some of these tendencies. Since they have to chew the raw diet thoroughly, and it takes more time to eat, your dog may satisfy their chewing needs and be less inclined to chew on other items as often. However, it is important to supervise your dog when feeding bones, as there is a risk of choking or gastrointestinal blockage if they swallow a bigger piece.
4. It Is All-Natural
You can’t get more natural than feeding whole foods to your dog, especially if you are concerned with some of the ingredients found in processed foods, such as preservatives, by-products, and other additives and fillers. While “all-natural” does not automatically mean nutritionally complete, it gives you control over the quality and source of ingredients your dog consumes.
5. There’s No Need to Worry About Dog Food Recalls
Over the years, there have been a significant number of pet food recalls, and you may fear that it could happen again. When preparing a raw diet at home, you have direct control over the ingredients, which can reduce the risk associated with contaminated or recalled products. However, raw food is not completely risk-free—proper handling, storage, and sourcing from reputable suppliers are essential to minimize bacterial or parasitic contamination.
Cons of a Raw Food Diet
1. Dogs May Have a Personal Preference for Kibble
Sometimes it can be hard to transition a dog to a raw food diet when all they have eaten in their life is kibble. Gradual transitions by mixing new raw foods with their current diet over at least a week and slowly increasing the proportion of raw ingredients can help them adjust. Some owners find that cooking the raw food at first makes it more appealing, but this is optional and not necessary for all dogs. Patience and monitoring your dog’s appetite and digestive health are key during the transition.
2. You Have to Prepare the Food
If you have trouble deciding what to make for your own dinner, it may be daunting to have to include making a meal for your dog. Giving your dog a raw food diet will take more time and careful planning, as you need to ensure it meets their nutritional needs, and you will have to make room in your schedule to prepare each meal, unless you decide to use commercial raw food.
3. There’s Potential for Bacteria and/or Parasite Exposure
Feeding your dog a raw diet carries a higher risk of bacterial and parasitic contamination than commercial kibble or cooked food. Handling raw meat can lead to cross-contamination, putting both your dog and yourself at risk of illness if proper hygiene is not maintained. Common bacteria found in raw meat include Salmonella and E. coli, which can survive on surfaces, utensils, and your hands. Parasites, such as Toxoplasma or roundworms, may also be present in raw meat and can infect both dogs and humans.
To reduce these risks, it is essential to wash your hands thoroughly, sanitize all surfaces and utensils, and store raw meat properly. While careful preparation can lower the chance of contamination, feeding a raw diet always carries some risk compared with commercially prepared or cooked meals.
4. It’s More Difficult to Ensure Balanced Nutrients
When you are feeding your dog kibble, you know that most of the needed nutrients are provided at one time, and all you need to do is measure it into your dog’s bowl. With the raw food diet, you will have to make sure you are providing a well-rounded diet, so your dog receives all the required minerals, vitamins, proteins, and fats they need to stay healthy. This should be done under careful guidance from a certified veterinary nutritionist, as otherwise it may lead to significant health issues and deficits.
5. You Will Need More Fridge and Freezer Space
It’s cheaper to buy food in bulk, but you may not have the space to store all the food. It can be difficult for those who live in apartments to find adequate space because they don’t have room for chest freezers or an extra fridge.
6. There’s a Potential for Choking or Gastrointestinal Blockage
If you include bones in the raw diet, there is a risk of your dog choking on a piece of bone or the bone breaking a tooth, leading to a blockage of the stomach or intestines or constipation. Supervising your dog while eating is crucial in reducing these risks.
7. It Is Expensive
Feeding a raw diet will cost more than buying a bag of dog food. On average, you can expect to pay from $2.50 to $5.00 per day for the raw foods, while a super-premium kibble will cost approximately $1.00 per day.
Conclusion
As you think about the benefits and disadvantages of a raw food diet, don’t forget about what is best for your dog. We can all agree that a complete and balanced diet is essential for optimal health, but you need to decide what type of food fits that definition by following the advice from your veterinarian. Some dogs won’t be able to tolerate raw foods, or it may not be recommended if they have a certain health issue or if you have children, seniors, or immunocompromised individuals in your household.
Having a conversation with your veterinarian will provide you with many resources and other considerations that haven’t been covered in this article. Since each dog is different, you have to keep an open mind and weigh all options before determining what is best for you and your dog.
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Featured Image Credit: A_Different_Perspective, Pixabay
Comparison of Raw Food Diet Pros and Cons
