The pros and cons of raw dog food: is a raw diet best?

As dog owners, we all want to feed our pets a healthy, nourishing diet that will keep them in top condition.

In recent years, raw food diets for dogs have become increasingly popular – but they’ve also been the subject of much debate in the worlds of veterinary practice and pet nutrition. Read on to discover more about the potential risks and benefits of raw dog food.

Raw feeding dogs means providing them with a diet based on raw ingredients, instead of processed and baked-style dog foods that are widely available.

A raw food diet for dogs tends to consist of uncooked meat (often including offal, muscle meat and whole or ground bones) along with other uncooked or minimally prepared ingredients such as fruit, veg and eggs. This kind of diet tends to be lower in carbohydrates and higher in fat than dry or tinned dog foods.

Owners who feed their dogs a raw food diet often perceive it as a more natural choice than traditional pet foods. They may feel it’s closer to what the wild ancestors of our modern domestic dogs would have eaten, before they adapted to live alongside humans.

At the moment, however, there is limited scientific evidence on whether raw feeding dogs is good for them – and indeed may include a number of risks that dog owners should be aware of.

Many owners who are feeding their dogs a raw food diet report anecdotally that it has improved their coat condition, muscle mass, tooth cleanliness and even the quality of their poos. However, many advocates of certain processed brands claim similar effects – and relatively little scientific research has been performed to compare the differences.

Another potential advantage of feeding your dog a home-prepared raw food diet is that you should, in theory, know exactly what your dog is eating. This helps you avoid any unnecessary additives or processed ingredients. A clear and simple ingredient list might also make it easier to feed your dog if they suffer from food allergies.

A number of research studies have demonstrated that raw food diets for dogs frequently include pathogenic bacteria such as salmonella, listeria or E. coli. This could increase the risk of your dog developing a food-borne illness or infection.

There’s also an additional risk of human family members (particularly children, or those with weakened immune systems) encountering these pathogens when handling raw meat, touching contaminated surfaces or coming into contact with your dog’s poop.

A few years ago, a study tested 60 raw-meat dog food samples from 10 UK and wider-European manufacturers found that they all contained Enterobacteriaceae bacteria, which can indicate faecal contamination. More than half the samples contained bacteria levels that exceeded EU regulations. This means that if you do decide to adopt a raw food diet for your dog, good hygiene practices are essential; see further below for more advice on this.

Something else to consider – particularly with a homemade raw food diet for dogs – is making sure that it provides all the essential nutrients your dog needs. Dogs have very specific nutritional requirements from puppyhood to senior life, which can be difficult to achieve using home-prepared formulations. Instead, if you wish to feed raw, it’s advisable to choose a complete, balanced raw dog food formulation from a manufacturer who is registered with and participates in the UK Pet Food’s Raw Pet Food certification scheme.

Another risk associated with a raw food diet for dogs is the fact they often contain bones. Feeding bones to dogs should be approached with caution. You should never give your dog cooked bones, as these can be brittle, prone to splintering and creating sharp edges, and therefore potentially very dangerous if swallowed.

While raw bones are softer, spongier and less of a concern, they still involve risk. For example, it’s still possible for dogs to swallow a small bone whole (which could cause choking or internal blockages), or fracture a tooth when energetically chewing on something solid – so do be cautious about giving your dog a bone and keep an eye on them while they’re chewing it.

On the positive side, chewing on raw, meaty bones can provide nutrients such as protein and calcium, as well as offering mental stimulation for dogs. Bones are often highly valued by our dogs, so if you have more than one dog, it’s a good idea to separate them before giving out bones, to avoid competition.

To reduce the risks associated with raw feeding dogs, it’s important to handle their food with care. The Food Standards Agency recommends storing and defrosting raw pet food well away from human food, using dedicated containers and utensils. Always freeze raw dog food until it is required. Keep it on the lowest shelf of the fridge or freezer to avoid any drips transferring onto other foods.

Wash your hands thoroughly immediately after handling and preparing raw dog food – and always clean and disinfect any surfaces that the food has touched, from worktops to feeding bowls. Throw away any uneaten raw dog food as soon as possible.

Any change of diet can be a shock to your dog’s system. If you’re thinking about switching to any new diet, including raw food, it’s always best to do it gradually, and in discussion with your vet. A raw food diet may not agree with some dogs, so do consult a vet or nutritionist with raw dog food experience if you’re experiencing issues.

Like purchasing a dog insurance policy, feeding your dog a complete, balanced diet is an investment in their future health – so always ensure they’re getting appropriate foods for their age and life stage.