Recently, the practice of feeding dogs and cats products containing raw meat has surged in popularity among pet owners. This has sparked lively debates across various platforms, involving opinions from people of all backgrounds. Despite the strong opinions, the most significant issue with raw food diets is that we don’t have enough research or quality studies to prove the benefits.

There are now many diets, both conventional and alternative, such as vegan or insect-based, on the market for dogs. So, where do you start? It’s important to remember that all dogs have different nutritional needs based on factors like age, active lifestyle versus sedentary, neuter status, underlying medical conditions and current body condition. No single food will suit every dog, and it may require some trial and error to find the best food for your pet. 

What is a raw diet?

Raw food diets consist of uncooked ingredients, the majority from animal sources, including offal and bones, and additional ingredients such as fruit, uncooked eggs or vegetables. These diets can be split into two main categories: home-prepared or commercially produced. Commercial options are available as frozen, dehydrated or freeze-dried complete diets. There are also complementary mixers/premixes available, which are usually designed to allow dog owners to add their own protein source (meat) at home. 

The potential benefits of feeding your dog raw food

• Improved stool quality: it has been shown that some dogs have firmer stools when fed raw food diets. 
• Better digestibility, which can be useful for dogs with chronic intestinal problems.
• Better palatability, which can help with inappetence and “fussy eaters”.
• Teeth appear cleaner and have less tartar build-up. However, the presence of gum disease is much the same as in dogs fed dry or canned food. 
• Owners feeding raw food report that their pet has fewer health problems, including higher energy levels and a shinier coat. 
• Dogs on a raw diet are less likely to be overfed, and there are reports that they may maintain a healthier body condition, making them less likely to be overweight.

Unfortunately, many of the benefits of raw food are currently only anecdotal, meaning there is no scientific evidence backing some of the claims. But many pet owners who feed their pets raw food do have positive feedback. 

The potential problems of raw dog food

Malnutrition

Improperly formulated diets can lead to severe health problems in dogs. This tends to be more common in homemade diets and those from smaller manufacturers who don’t have the scope to perform comprehensive testing. The most common concerns with raw dog foods are the imbalance of calcium and phosphorus, vitamin A and D deficiencies, low iodine and zinc and imbalances of essential fatty acids and amino acids. 

Bones

While problems with bones seem to be more common with cooked bones, raw bones still carry certain risks, such as intestinal blockages or perforation and tooth fractures. 

Public health risks

Contamination with pathogens is a well-known concern with raw food diets, both for pets and humans. The concerns are mostly around bacteria, such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter. Problems can arise from incorrect storage, preparation and handling.

At greatest risk are children under 5 years old, the elderly, and people who are pregnant or immunosuppressed. The WSAVA recommends against raw feeding in these households. 

Food trials

Raw food diets are often inappropriate for elimination diet trials. When investigating food allergies in dogs, single novel or hydrolysed protein sources are recommended. Many raw food diets contain multiple or non-listed proteins so they are unsuitable for these kinds of trials. 

Miscommunication between owners and vets

Research shows that owners feeding raw food diets are less engaged with health specialists and more likely to seek advice from social media, friends, or breeders. This is concerning and could have potential clinical implications for the well-being of the pet. It’s important for vets and owners to be able to have an honest and open conversation to discuss the potential problems of certain diets and how to prevent them.

Sustainability & cost

High-quality raw food tends to be more expensive than high-quality conventional dry or canned food. Meat production, especially human-grade meat, has a large impact on the environment. Insect-based and vegetarian or vegan diets have a much lower carbon footprint. 

How to reduce the risk of these problems

• Choose a certified raw pet food.  
• Read up on good hygiene, safe storage, and proper handling of raw pet food. 
• Properly dispose of your pet’s stool. 
• Look for companies that use sustainable ingredients, such as unused food from the human food chain and alternative food sources, recyclable packaging, and promote animal welfare. 
• Make sure to consult with your vet before feeding raw. Some diets are not suitable for immuno-suppressed pets and those with severe heart, kidney or liver dysfunction, or diabetes.

The UK Pet Food website contains useful tips on hygiene and handling raw food.

Common myths associated with raw feeding

Dogs should eat like wolves

Dogs are genetically different from their wild ancestors. They have different energy and nutrient needs, live longer and are able to digest different components of food, such as grains, fruits, and vegetables. 

Raw food is better “quality” than other types of pet food

Any balanced diet will provide complete nutrition for your pet. Providing very high protein diets doesn’t improve their health.

Canned or dry dog foods are full of by-products, preservatives and other contaminants

The by-products referenced in pet foods typically refer to meat derivatives from animals. They are from animals fit for human consumption but are seen as undesirable in some cultures. Not only do these meat derivatives have nutritional value, but they also contribute to minimising waste. We add preservatives to food to keep it from going bad. They are also used in human food and are considered safe. In the UK, regulations require animal by-products to be free of transmissible diseases.

How to choose a diet for your dog: how to find accurate information about dog nutrition

For many pet owners, financial considerations greatly influence their choice of pet food. Unfortunately, higher-quality nutrition is often more expensive. However, the importance of nutrition for dogs’ health is often overlooked. Proper nutrition can significantly impact a dog’s ability to prevent and recover from various medical conditions. While it may cost more upfront, better nutrition can reduce vet bills and contribute to your pet’s overall well-being.

Both the WSAVA and UK Pet Food websites have professional, reliable and up-to-date information for pet owners. 

Important points to consider when choosing a diet for your dog:

• Who made the diet? Does the company have a nutritionist? What qualifications does the nutritionist have? Ideally, they should have a PhD in Animal Nutrition or Board Certification with ECVCN/ACVN.
• What nutritional studies or research have been done to test the diet?
• Is the diet complete and balanced? In the UK, the UK Pet Food and the FEDIAF in the EU set out strict nutritional guidelines for cat and dog foods. Some foods are considered complementary or short-term diets.
• Does your dog have any long-term medical conditions? Like diabetes, kidney disease, or obesity? Some diets are specially formulated for these patients. The diets consider their needs for specific nutrient levels.

As a pet owner, it’s important to consider all views and choose a way of feeding that is safe and supports your pet’s welfare. Like all foods, raw is not the answer for every single pet-owner or dog. Some dogs do well on it but others don’t tolerate it.

Our Joii vet team is available 24 hours a day. Call us now if you have any questions about your dog’s health or nutrition.