Learning more about the pros and cons of a raw diet for dogs is important so dog owners can make an informed decision before starting a dog on a raw diet.
The raw diet for dogs still remains subject of controversy and it's helpful to know both the good sides and the not so good ones.
Many dog owners fail to fully understand how these diet works and any mistakes made can lead to nutritional deficiencies and even some serious health issues.
For more information on the pros and cons of a raw diet for dogs we asked a vet's option.
Here's veterinarian Dr. Anna Cherry's guide on the pros and cons of a raw diet for dogs.
Learn about the pros and cons of a raw diet for dogs
Introducing The Raw Diet for Dogs
Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in the number of dog owners choosing to feed their dogs a ‘raw diet’.
In fact, in the UK, it is the fastest growing sector of the pet food market. This has been attributed to the growing desire to feed dogs as they would have done ‘in the wild’, as well as due to rising concerns over the quality of the ingredients used in some commercial pet foods.
However, despite its growing popularity among the dog-owning community, those in the veterinary profession appear to have mixed feelings about raw feeding.
This is due to concerns over the increased risk of pathogens, nutritional imbalances and the health problems associated with feeding raw bones. It is fair to say, that in the past, this has been something of a ‘taboo’ subject for many veterinarians.
A raw diet for dogs involves feeding raw meat, vegetables, fruits and raw bones (depending on owner preference).
There are two ways that you can do this, either by preparing it from fresh yourself at home, or you can buy commercial varieties of raw food that are available as pre-prepared frozen nuggets. Following are some pros and cons of a raw diet in dogs.
Commercial & Home-made Raw Diets for Dogs
Raw diets can be very appealing to dogs, even the finicky ones!
Before delving into the pros and cons of a raw diet for dogs, taking a closer look the types of raw diets is important. There are two forms of raw diets for dogs: commercially prepared raw diets and home-prepared raw diets.
Commercial raw foods are made by simply mincing raw meat and mixing it with other raw ingredients (e.g. fruits, carbohydrates, vegetables and herbs) to form nuggets, which are then frozen.
This is the easiest and most convenient way of feeding a raw diet to your dog that is also nutritionally complete and balanced.
Using a commercial raw food helps to minimize the amount of preparation and handling of raw meat that is involved for the owner. However, the meat used is still raw and could still contain pathogenic bacteria and parasites, which can be harmful to you and your dog. Therefore, careful preparation and good hygiene are still needed.
Depending on the country that your raw food diet is manufactured in, commercial raw foods are subject to regular testing for potential pathogens. The freezing-protocol is also designed to reduce the chances of any pathogens surviving.
Home-prepared raw diets are not for the faint-hearted, as not only do they require a lot of dedication and preparation, but it's also be difficult to ensure that they're complete and balanced and will meet all your dog’s nutritional needs.
Even if you follow a carefully prepared recipe from a board-certified nutritionist, the temptation to substitute ingredients is high (especially if there are availability problems), this can lead to the recipe becoming unbalanced. Giving additional supplements is often recommended
Pros of a Raw Diet for Dogs
As pet owners, we are becoming more aware of the variability in the quality of the ingredients that are sometimes used in commercial pet foods.
Cons of a Raw Diet for Dogs
There are several pros and cons of a raw diet for dogs.
The biggest disadvantage of feeding a raw diet is the concern over pathogen contamination, such as bacteria (e.g. Salmonella, Campylobacter) and parasites (e.g. tapeworm and roundworms).
These pathogens can not only make your dog seriously unwell but could also be harmful to you too! Normally, these would be eradicated by the high heats that are used in the processing of wet and dry commercial diets.
Therefore, when feeding a raw meat diet, careful preparation and good hygiene practices need to be in place (the same as you would when preparing meat for use in your own dinner!). It is also advisable to regularly worm your dog.
Special consideration should also be given to the elderly, young, pregnant and those who are immune suppressed (e.g. undergoing chemotherapy), as they are more at risk and should take extra precautions or avoid feeding this type of food.
In terms of convenience, if you want to go on holiday with your pet, feeding a raw diet can be impractical.
The temptation is for many owners is to change their dog back onto a more portable dry or wet food for the holiday period. However, this could lead to digestive issues, especially if they do not carefully transition them onto the new food type, as the gut bacteria will not have had a chance to adapt.
"Dogs and cats fed contaminated raw meat diets shed viable organisms in their feces. The presence of Salmonella spp. was isolated from 80% of the “BARF” diet samples and in 30% of the stool samples from dogs consuming those diets. (Cusack et al 2002)"~Source DVM360
Feeding Dogs Raw Bones
The feeding of raw bones to your dog is often advocated as part of the raw food diet.
However, although your dog may be delighted at the prospect of chewing on a meaty bone, from a veterinary perspective it just spells trouble.
This is because we know that bones can damage the digestive tract as they pass through and are associated with inducing constipation and life-threatening conditions such as bowel obstructions or bowel perforations.
Although feeding raw (uncooked) bones is slightly better than cooked bones, as they contain more moisture and are more flexible, the risks listed above all still apply.
It is also important to bear in mind that sourcing bones from your butcher is a gamble, as you don’t know how they have been stored and the risk of contamination with pathogens is greater compared to a commercially prepared bone (which undergo freezing to kill any pathogens).
The other popular belief is that feeding bones has dental benefits, this is true, as the physically can help to remove plaque producing bacteria and tartar. However, they can also increase the risk of slab-fractures, which can be very uncomfortable for your dog and may lead to them needing dental treatment.
Pros and Cons of a Raw Diet for Dogs: a Vet's Opinion
As seen, there are several pros and cons of a raw diet for dogs. From my perspective, as a vet, I consider the risk of health problems caused by potential pathogens, bones or dietary imbalances, which can arise from feeding a raw diet, far outweigh the perceived benefits.
Raw feeding is not something that is suitable for every dog (or owner) and the decision to feed a raw food diet should be given careful consideration in every case.
Commercial pre-made raw diets are popular for one simple reason. They’re easy.
You don’t need to figure out the calcium:phosphorus ratio. Or the percentage of muscle meat vs secreting and non-secreting organs. Or what you should include for fruit and vegetables. And the good news is there are several good commercial raw food companies in the marketplace.
But for others, pre-made raw isn’t affordable or they want to try making meals themselves. Maybe your favorite brands just aren’t available in all parts of the country.
Whatever the reason, dog owners like you want totally balanced raw dog food recipes. Recipes with all the measurements and accessible ingredients. Recipes that include the right balance of meat, bones, organ meats and produce.
You want to make your own dog food to solve problems, not create them. And making your own dog food is the perfect way to do that. Here are just some benefits …
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Take Control Of Your Dog’s Diet With Homemade Raw
When you make your own raw dog food, you get more control. You can …
Address special needs and allergies
Quickly adjust your dog’s diet for different life stages
Control the source of your ingredients
Avoid commercial food recalls
Enjoy better budgeting and bulk buying ability
And making your own raw food is taking a huge step towards better health for your dog. Dogs of all ages … from puppies to seniors … are healthier on a raw food diet.
Here are just some health benefits.
Improved digestion
Healthier skin and coat
Better dental health
Reduced allergy symptoms
Firmer stools
Weight management
5 Simple Raw Food Recipes
These are 5 of our best homemade dog food recipes. Make and serve them right away or freeze them in individual servings.
Some recipes have bone, some have a calcium supplement. Some recipes are for adult dogs. Some are for all life stages. That means you can feed those to puppies too. And they all meet The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) minimum requirements.
I’m excited to share these recipes with you: beef, chicken, turkey, fish, pork and … rabbit. Yes rabbit. You can get several meals out of it for a 50 pound dog.
Let’s start with a beef and chicken recipe. These are the most common proteins fed to dogs.
1. Beef & Chicken Neck Dog Food Recipe: With Bone – All Life Stages
Puppies love to chew. Anyone who’s lost a good leather shoe to a puppy’s teething frenzy will understand. That’s what makes this recipe perfect for puppies.
Chicken necks give puppies a little … or a lot to chew. You decide. Plus there’s the right amount of calcium to balance this recipe for a growing puppy. And it’s balanced for adult dogs too.
This recipe gives you the option of grinding chicken necks into the meat mixture. Or you can grind in some of the necks. Then feed the rest whole. Most puppies are able to work through chicken necks. And larger dogs will love these crunchy treats throughout the day as well.
Worried about giving your puppy bones? No need … replace chicken necks with bone meal. Locally sourced, food grade bone meal is best. Bone meal is also available through online retailers.
Caution: Don’t use bone meal that you see in garden centers or hardware stores. It can contain added fertilizers and chemical stabilizers that can be toxic to your dog.
Ready to get started? Here’s the full recipe: Raw Beef & Chicken Neck Raw Dog Food Recipe: All Life Stages
PRO TIP If you’re adding an omega-3 supplement to your dog’s diet, add it at meal time. This will help balance your dog’s fatty acids without the risk of the oil going rancid.
2. Rabbit, Chicken & Beef Dog Food Recipe: With Bone – Adult
Rabbit is a novel protein. That means it’s not a meat that’s commonly fed. It’s a good choice when you’re looking for a protein other than beef and chicken.
Rabbit can also be great for dogs with food sensitivities. And it can be used as part of an elimination diet to identify what your dog is sensitive to. During the elimination diet, you remove the proteins your dog usually eats, and feed a single novel protein like rabbit. But if you’re feeding rabbit for this reason, you don’t want to feed it with eggs or organs from other animals. In that case, restrict your dog’s diet to rabbit alone and monitor your dog’s reaction.
And rabbit also has benefits for other dogs as well. It’s a very lean meat plus it’s higher in protein than chicken, pork, turkey, fish or beef. And it’s sustainable. It’s true that rabbits reproduce quickly and they need less food and water compared to other animals. They’ll produce six pounds of meat eating the same amount as a cow needs to produce one pound of beef
You can feed rabbit in pieces to your dog or use a nice sharp cleaver and a deliberate swing to chop it. You can also feed it whole … your dog will figure out what to do. To add texture you can grind the rabbit and add chopped organs. Some dogs don’t like chunks while others don’t mind.
Here is the full recipe: Raw Rabbit, Chicken & Beef Raw Dog Food Recipe: Adult
3. Pork & Fish Dog Food Recipe: With Calcium Supplement – Adult
Feeding pork is a great addition to your dog’s raw diet. Pork has great advantages. It’s very digestible. If it’s pasture raised, it’s higher in omega-3 fatty acids than factory-farmed meat. And it has more vitamins, especially vitamin E.
But pork diets can be hard to formulate. That’s because they’re quite high in omega-6 fatty acids. That’s why you want to add fish … to help balance out the fats.
Whole fish is a great addition to your dog’s diet and this recipe. It’s high in omega-3 fats and contains important nutrients like protein, calcium, selenium and niacin.
Add sardines fresh, frozen or canned. They pack a nutritional punch. Mackerel are also a good option.
Here’s the full recipe: Raw Pork & Fish Raw Dog Food Recipe: Adult
4. Raw Boneless Turkey & Egg Dog Food Recipe: All Life Stages
Eggs are an easy addition to your dog’s raw food diet. If you can get free-range eggs, even better. Most supermarkets carry them now. But I’m still wary. Some egg cartons proudly proclaim “Vegetarian Diet.” Chickens are not vegetarian. You want eggs from free-range hens allowed to hunt and peck outside for worms and bugs.
To be sure, I get mine from farmers’ markets or directly from the farm. I’ll take a drive through the countryside looking for farms. Those with laying hens often have a simple sign saying “Eggs For Sale.” Drive in, leave your money and take your eggs.
Now you’re ready for this easy combination of turkey, organs and eggs.
Here’s the full recipe: Raw Boneless Turkey & Egg Raw Dog Food Recipe: all life stages
5. Raw Boneless Beef & Egg Dog Food Recipe: All Life Stages
Beef and egg combine for another simple recipe. Visit your butcher for beef heart and liver. Buy it by the organ or the pound. And don’t be surprised by the size … cows are pretty big animals.
PRO TIP When sourcing organs for recipes, buy enough to make several batches. Measure and grind or chop what’s needed for future recipes. Label with the name of the recipe, date, contents and weight. Then freeze. It will be easy to add the organs to your fresh ingredients when you’re ready for the next batch.
This recipe is boneless so you’ll need to add a supplement. Bone meal will supply the extra minerals puppies need. Give adult dogs bone meal or seaweed calcium. [HINT: You can also try adding powdered bone to your dog’s meals. Visit the Natural Dog Store to buy our grass-fed bone powder.]
Caution: Seaweed calcium has higher bioavailability so do not give it to puppies.
Here’s the full recipe: Raw Boneless Beef & Egg Raw Dog Food Recipe: All Life Stages
Raw Recipes Meet AAFCO Requirements
The ingredients in these five recipes have been carefully chosen to meet AAFCO minimum nutrition requirements for adult dogs. Where indicated, recipes are balanced for all life stages including puppies.
How Much To Feed
Adult dogs should eat about 2-3% of their ideal body weight daily in raw food. So, if your dog’s ideal weight is 50 lbs, 1 to 1.5 pounds of food a day is good. If your dog’s really active, you may want to give him a little more. If he enjoys lounging more than a good game of fetch, you may want to feed a bit less. You can also adjust the amount you’re feeding if your dog begins losing or gaining weight. That’s about as scientific as it gets.
Puppies should eat 2-3% of their ideal adult weight. A puppy might weigh 15 lbs right now, but his ideal adult weight could be 50 lbs. You’ll want to be feeding for that future weight, not the current weight. With that amount of food, you’ll want to split it into 3 meals a day. Feed this way until 6 months old. Some puppies will wean themselves off of 3 meals earlier or later than 6 months. Adult feedings are usually 1-2 times a day.
Now you’ve got a good collection of raw dog food recipes with lots of variety.
But before you head off to the store with your shopping list, there’s one last thing you may want to know …
How To Choose The Best Ingredients
Now that you know what you want to make … it’s time to put together a shopping list and do some sourcing.
The staple of your dog’s diet is meat. Some dog owners will be lucky enough to have a local farmer, meat processor or abattoir nearby. But supermarket meats are ok too. Knowing your butcher or farmer makes it easier to get a selection of organs and various types of meat.
When choosing meat, the fat content should be between 10% and 20%. Packaged meat should say 80%, 85% or 90% lean. The fat content is the remaining amount … so 20%, 15% or 10%. That’s what you need to look for.
As well as meat, you’ll need a selection of organs for these recipes. I’ve built up a rapport with my butcher so I can text and have him put organs aside. Then I don’t have to worry about him selling out if I can’t get there.
Buy the best quality meat, poultry, eggs and produce you can afford. Remember, this is a long-term commitment so you want to stay within your means. At the top end of the scale are free range, grass-fed or organic meats. They’ll be free of antibiotics and growth hormones and raised on pastures in the fresh air.
Avoid genetically-modified products (GMO) as much as possible. So look for organic produce. Organic means it has been grown without the use of harmful pesticides or GMO seeds. The cleaner the food, the better it is for your dog’s health. Article written by https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/raw-dog-food-recipes/
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