Is a raw diet good for your dog? Advantages and disadvantages of a RAW diet

Raw food diets for dogs are becoming increasingly popular. Supporters praise them as a natural, more nutritious, and tastier option, but as with any dietary choice, there are risks. It's good to know the facts before you make a decision.

Understanding the Raw Food Diet: What Does It Contain?

A raw diet typically includes:

  • raw meat (beef, poultry, lamb, fish),
  • raw bones,
  • organs (liver, heart),
  • eggs,
  • fruits and vegetables in smaller quantities.

The aim is to mimic the natural diet of wolves, the ancestors of dogs. This feeding method can provide high levels of protein and fat, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. (1*)

Raw Food Essentials and Risks

Advantages :

  • The high protein and fat content supports muscle mass and energy.
  • Some owners notice a shinier coat and less tartar buildup from mechanical cleaning with bone chewing. (2*)

Risks :

  • Microbiological hazard – raw meat can contain bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria or E. coli, which are dangerous to dogs and humans. (3*)
  • Unbalanced diet – without a professional plan, there can be a deficiency or excess of nutrients (e.g. calcium, phosphorus), which affects bone development in puppies. (4*)
  • Bone injuries – risk of broken teeth or damage to the digestive tract from sharp bone fragments. (5*)

If you decide to adopt a raw diet, it is recommended to work with a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist.

Is a raw diet suitable for all dogs?

A RAW diet is not ideal for everyone. Dog owners should be especially careful:

  • with a weakened immune system,
  • growing puppies,
  • older dogs with gastrointestinal, liver or kidney diseases.

For healthy adult dogs, a raw diet may be an option if it is balanced and prepared under hygienic conditions. However, scientific literature warns that the benefits of a raw diet are not yet conclusively proven, and the risks are real. (6*)

Conclusion

The raw food diet has its supporters and detractors. While it may offer some benefits, the risks, especially in terms of microbiological safety and nutritional balance, are serious. If you decide to follow it, the preparation should be thoughtful, supervised, and professionally supported.

Literature: (*)

  1. Source: Dietary nutrient profiles of wild wolves: insights for optimal dog nutrition? (G. Bosch, EA Hagen-Plantinga, WH Hendriks), https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/dietary-nutrient-profiles-of-wild-wolves-insights-for-optimal-dog-nutrition/
  2. Source: Raw beef bones as chewing items to reduce dental calculus in Beagle dogs, (FR Marx, GS Machado, JG Pezzali, CS Marcolla, AM Kessler, Ø. Ahlstrøm, L. Trevizan), https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26814157/
  3. Source: Get the Facts! Raw Pet Food Diets can be Dangerous to You and Your Pet, (FDA), https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-raw-pet-food-diets-can-be-dangerous-you-and-your-pet
  4. Source: Dietary imbalances in a large breed puppy, leading to compression fractures, vitamin D deficiency, and suspected nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, (M. Tal, JM Parr, S. MacKenzie, A. Verbrugge), https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5731398/
  5. Source: Outcomes of esophageal and gastric bone foreign bodies in dogs, (NR Barash, E. Lashnits, ZT Kern, MK Tolbert, KF Lunn), https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8965252/
  6. Source: Raw diets for dogs and cats: a review, with particular reference to microbiological hazards, (RH Davies, JR Lawes, AD Wales), https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6849757/
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