Confused about raw dog food? Vets disagree. Is it safe for my pet?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

  Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

  Published on September 14th, 2017

  Raw food diets are a huge area of controversy in veterinary medicine. Most vets will tell you that they aren't worth the risk and many websites will tell you that they are miraculous. I think (like most things) that the reality is somewhere in the middle. I tell clients that I don't think there is any benefit for most dogs to eat a raw diet over a fresh food diet and there are certainly risks associated with feeding a raw diet. My preference is a dehydrated diet (like The Honest Kitchen https://www.thehonestkitchen.com) or a freeze dried diet over a raw food diet. If you are interested in making a homemade diet, you could consider a recipe from Balance It (https://secure.balanceit.com/#). There are also a number of new companies that offer fresh food dets delivered to you, but I do not have as much experience with those.
  I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

  

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• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on February 6th, 2017

  I personally never recommend feeding dogs raw diets. You are correct that raw meat is dangerous to humans, and it can be dangerous to dogs as well. They can also get E coli and salmonella poisoning from eating it. In addition, it is extremely difficult to give your dog a balanced diet with a home diet including all the nutrients they need to be healthy. Instead, I recommend feeding your dog a high quality dry food food, such as Royal Canin or Hills Science diet.

  

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• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on April 10th, 2019

  Hi Yoon! I never recommend raw food diets. There is no scientific evidence they are actually good for cats and dogs, they are often unbalanced, and they pose a health risk to both the pet and owner. Both pets and owners have gotten sick from bacteria like E coli and Salmonella with raw diets. The pets from eating it, and the owners from handling it and/or being licked by their pets (the bacteria lives on the tongue for a while after eating). I would feed them a commercial dry diet food. I hope this helps!

  

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