Does raw meat make dogs stronger

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

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Does Raw Meat Make A Dog Aggressive? The Truth Revealed

One topic frequently arises in the discussion of dog health is whether or not feeding dogs raw meat can make them aggressive. This issue has been debated among dog owners, veterinarians, and animal behaviorists for many years.

While caring for our dogs involves ensuring they get the training, exercise, socialization, and products like beds to calm them down, we always need to consider diet. Especially when dealing with everyday issues like mean Chihuahuas or the much-vilified Pitbull.

Raw meat diets for dogs, also known as raw food or BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) diets, have grown in popularity in recent years. The proponents of this diet argue that it is a more natural and healthy way of feeding dogs, as it more closely mimics the diet of their wild ancestors. However, opponents of raw meat diets claim they are unsafe for dogs and can even make them aggressive.

So whats the truth about raw food and aggression?

So, Does raw meat make a dog aggressive?

The short answer is that no clear evidence supports this claim. While some dog owners have reported changes in their dogs behavior after switching to a raw meat diet, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that raw meat is the cause of aggression in dogs.

Many factors can contribute to a dogs behavior, including genetics, upbringing, socialization, and training. While diet can undoubtedly affect a dogs health and behavior, it is only one piece of the puzzle. Therefore, it is essential to consider all factors when evaluating a dogs behavior rather than attributing it solely to their diet.

However, diet may play some role in a dogs behavior, which we will touch on below. A high-protein diet can also be essential for old dogs who are losing weight.

That being said, some risks are associated with feeding dogs raw meat. Raw meat can be contaminated with harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause illness in dogs and humans. Therefore, handling raw meat properly and taking appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of bacteria is crucial.

Additionally, a raw meat diet may not provide all of the necessary nutrients that dogs need to maintain optimal health. While proponents of raw meat diets argue that they are more natural and nutritious than commercial dog food, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims. Therefore, working with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist is important to ensure that a dogs diet is balanced and meets all of their nutritional needs.

Why Do People Think Raw Meat Makes Dogs Aggressive?

1. People are Afraid that Raw Meat Might Encourage Blood Lust

One reason people may believe this is due to the misconception that dogs are naturally carnivores and, therefore, feeding them raw meat will make them more feral or wild. However, dogs are omnivores and can survive on a balanced diet that includes meat and plant-based ingredients.

2. Dogs Sometimes Seem Aggressive When We Give Them Raw Meat

Raw meat is extremely exciting to dogs. Much more than boring, dry kibble. So if you throw a giant steak at a pack of dogs, you may see a fight break out. However, this happens because a fight may break out if you toss a group of children a new PlayStation; theres bound to be some bickering. We will discuss below what to do if your dog or dogs seem aggressive when they get a chunk of meat.

This does not mean that dogs cant eat raw meat together, only that it takes an experienced owner who can successfully manage pack dynamics like in this video:

Remember, we do not recommend this for the average dog owner.

3. The Science Behind How Diet Affects a Dogs Behavior

This final reason is not one that many people understand or know about, but it is the only reason that raw meat may have any effect on whether a dog is aggressive, anxious, or hyperactive. Its got to do with how amino acids in proteins turn into neurotransmitters that affect a dogs mood.

Briefly, serotonin, the happy, feel-good neurotransmitter, comes from an amino acid called Tryptophan. Tryptophan is a large amino acid, and 90% of tryptophan synthesis happens in the gut. Tryptophan also needs carbohydrates to reach the brain.

This is why L-tryptophan is listed as one of the active ingredients in prescription dog foods like Royal Canin Calm for stressed dogs.

The problem is that a dogs body absorbs amino acids like tyrosine before it absorbs tryptophan. Tyrosine is what the body uses to make epinephrine and norepinephrine. These are used for stress; too much can make animals aggressive, anxious, or hyper.

This is one reason feeding meats high in tryptophan, like Turkey and Tuna, does not make a difference, as these meats are even higher in tyrosine, and the dog will absorb the tyrosine more than the tryptophan.

However, the chemistry of how hormones and neurotransmitters are made is highly complex. For instance, GABA is another neurotransmitter formed in the gut from a healthy gut microbiome. It also helps keep people and animals calm. Dogs on a BARF diet of raw meat showed higher levels of GABA in their systems.

Raw Meat and Diet Changes that can Help Dogs with Aggression

So raw meat has no reason to make your dog aggressive (although we do not recommend tossing a leg of lamb among a pack of Pitbulls). But what dietary changes can we make that may help dogs who struggle with aggression and anxiety?

Firstly, adding an L-tryptophan supplement to your dogs food, as well as healthy carbohydrates like oats in moderate amounts, can help boost their serotonin. Another great supplement is a protein called alpha-capsazepine which comes from the milk powder product casein. An study showed that alpha-casozepine and L-tryptophan help reduce stress indicators in dogs.

Other natural supplements you can add include:

MCT oil;
L-theanine;
Hawthorne;
Valerian;
Rosemary extract; and
Pomegranate extract.

The Omega-3s in fish do have some anti-anxiety effects on dogs and promote gut and brain health. They also reduce inflammation. Therefore, looking for fish-based dog food is a good step to helping promote the well-being of your furbaby.

One study showed that a gluten-free diet with hydrolyzed protein helped reduce aggression in one dog. Hydrolyzed proteins are not raw meat (its proteins broken down chemically to amino acids), but this does support that there is no link between meat, protein, and aggression.

There is no reason not to feed dogs raw meat, so long as it is part of a properly balanced diet.

Will Raw Meat Make a Dog Wild?

Raw meat certainly does not make a dog go wild. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, and raw meat can no more make them go wild than eating raw Sushi, or rare steak can make humans go wild.

Why is My Dog Aggressive When He Eats Raw Meat?

If a dog seems aggressive when they are eating raw meat, it does not mean they are aggressive. Because dogs love raw meat so much, it is a much more high-value food item than ordinary kibble. This can make some dogs more prone to resource-guarding it or growling if they think someone will take it away from them. Resource-guarding food is not the same as aggression.

Resource guarding is really anxiety over losing something very important and it is primarily genetic. If a dog resource guards, they likely had a parent who did it too. If your dog is possessive over their yummy raw meat, make sure they are able to eat in peace, away from other dogs or people who may try to take it away from them.

Its difficult to deal with resource-guarding raw meat because one of the best ways to stop resource-guarding is to trade a dog what they have for something even better. Since there isnt much a dog likes more than raw meat, its a bit trickier to persuade them not to be possessive over it.

Nevertheless, the video below gives a good outline of what to do if your dog is too possessive over their raw meat:

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while there is no clear evidence to support the claim that raw meat makes dogs aggressive, there are some risks associated with feeding dogs a raw meat diet. Therefore, it is essential to handle raw meat properly and take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of bacteria. Additionally, it is important to work with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist to ensure that a dogs diet is balanced and meets all of their nutritional needs.

Meet Your Experts

Tamsin De La Harpe

Author

Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions.Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.

Can Raw Feeding Make My Pet Aggressive?

A raw diet does not inherently make dogs or cats aggressive or bloodthirsty. There are several factors to consider when aggressive behavior is displayed when feeding a raw diet. Always rule out medical conditions if the dog or cat shows aggression and ensure the raw diet is sufficient in amino acids to support healthy hormone function.

If a dog or cat is physically healthy and is consuming a diet sufficient in essential amino acids, resource guarding is the likely cause for aggressive behavior. A consistent feeding routine to eliminate the display of resource guarding and behavior modification training program is needed to overcome food aggression.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Table of Contents:

Pro Tip: When you welcome a dog into your home, he or she will quickly become part of the family and youll want to do everything you can to look after them. But with so many potential risks, accidents can happen. Vet bills can be quite high, so consider protecting your dog (and your bank account) with a pet insurance policy.

Possible benefits of raw meat for dogs

As pet parents, we want to make sure that our four-legged companions receive a healthy, balanced diet. While there are hundreds of kibble and canned dog food options, many owners have started exploring diets that are based on raw meat for dogs.

One of the most popular raw food diets for dogs is BARF - Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, or the Bones and Raw Food diet. Invented in 1993 by the Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst, this diet requires dogs to eat a combination of uncooked meat, offal, vegetables, fruits, and eggs.

Raw meat aligns with dogs biological needs

The advocates of this approach argue that dogs are omnivores and raw diet aligns with their biological needs. Before canines were domesticated, their diet was mostly made up of raw meat. It is important to note that dogs also had shorter lifespans during this time compared to todays pet dog breeds. Wolves still eat raw meat in the wild but it is important to remember that the dogs that live with us today are very distant relatives of the wolves they are descended from.

They also argue that dogs' digestive systems are designed to help them digest raw meat quickly and efficiently. Their GI system is shorter than the humans, which means that food passes through it faster. Dogs also have stronger stomach acids which help break down foods that humans could never safely consume.

Possible benefits of feeding dogs raw meat

According to proponents, raw meat diets benefit dogs in the following ways:

Healthier coat and skin. Researchers at the University of California, Davis found that a raw meat diet is not only easier for dogs to digest, but also produces a softer, shinier coat than cereal-based dry food. This could be explained by the fact that raw dog food contains little to no carbohydrate filler, but plenty of fresh fat, readily available protein, plus high levels of vitamin E and zinc, all of which are vital to coat health. However, its important to note that most dog kibble adds vitamin E and zinc to the formula to achieve the same result.

Improved breath and oral health. A study by Brown and Park confirmed the theory that dental problems in dogs were a result of feeding soft diets with insufficient dental activity. In the experiment, canned dog food rations were replaced with beef oxtail (which consists of hard spinal vertebrae) in 30 dogs with tooth loss and dental calculus. More than 30% of the calculus was removed within 24 hours, and about 95% of the dogs calculus was removed by the end of the second week.

The important distinction here is that this study compared raw meat with bone fragments to canned food. Most raw diets do not contain hard bones and therefore do not help clean a dog's teeth as much as hard kibble does.

Possible improvement in medical conditions. Proponents claim raw meat can help to control conditions like diabetes, although further research is needed to confirm that this is actually beneficial for dogs with these health issues. Always discuss diet with your veterinarian if your dog has an underlying disease.

Improved digestion. Some believe a raw food diet enables dogs to absorb more nutrients. While kibble stays in dogs stomachs for seven to nine hours, raw food takes only one or two hours to digest. As a result, the dog will poop less frequently and their stools will smell less pungent.

Maintenance of lean mass and healthy weight. According to some, a raw diet balances dogs systems, helping them lose or gain weight as needed.

Potential risks of a raw meat dog diet

While there are some perceived benefits to feeding raw dog food, most veterinarians will advise against it. Here are some of the most important reasons why:

Raw dog food hosts bacteria

Raw meat presents a substantially larger risk of contamination than cooked meat. The reason for this is simple: heat destroys many of the pathogens and germs present in raw meat, such as Salmonella. Although are less susceptible to Salmonella than people, some will become quite sick and suffer from diarrhea for multiple days. In some cases, additional severe clinical signs can manifest.

More importantly, even if your pet doesnt become sick from the bacteria in raw dog food, he or she will spread infective spores everywhere he goes, thus putting your family members at risk. This is extremely important for families with small children to consider, as feeding dogs raw meat puts them at a higher risk of exposure to dangerously harmful bacteria.

In addition to Salmonella, other pathogens often found in raw meat include:

Listeria. L. monocytogenes rarely cause illness in dogs and, even when infected, pups usually have only mild GI symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. However, more serious symptoms are possible, including fever, breathing problems, muscle pain, and even death.
Campylobacter. In dogs, typical clinical signs include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping, fever, and lethargy. Diarrhea might last for one week or more.
Clostridium. This bacterial infection causes severe diarrhea in dogs. There are two specific types of clostridium in dogs, Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens.
E. coli. E. coli is usually benign in dogs, but symptoms can appear when the bacteria concentration is too high. If it goes untreated, E. coli infection can be serious and result in blood poisoning. It mostly affects puppies but can be found in canines of any age.
Trichinosis is a parasitic disease caused by a roundworm parasite called Trichinella spiralis, also known as pork worm. In most cases, this infection results from eating contaminated raw or undercooked pork.

Dogs nutritional needs have evolved with the species

Even though wolves and dogs came from a common ancestor, we shouldnt disregard the dogs evolution as a domestic species. Dogs are perfectly able to digest starchy foods through increased amylase secretion, which is directly associated with the drastic increase in copy numbers of the AMY2B gene throughout their evolutionary history.

In addition, many pet dogs today have food intolerances and allergies. In some cases, a dog can be sensitive to some of the more common meats found in dog foods, such as chicken and beef.

Raw meat diets arent well-regulated

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA), Raw pet foods are produced with little to no regulatory oversight by the state or federal governments. Studies have found excessive vitamin A and D, as well as low levels of calcium and phosphorus present in raw diets. An unbalanced diet might damage your dogs health if he or she is on it for an extended period of time.

How to reduce the risk of feeding dogs raw meat

Dogs can eat raw meat, so long as your veterinarian is on board, but there are some things to keep in mind to reduce the risk illness due to contamination.

Be mindful of meat quality and proper hygiene

Quality is an important factor when it comes to reducing the risks of raw dog food. The first step is to buy meats that look and smell fresh. Avoid giving your dog meat that has been lying out on the counter for too long.

Next, you need to make sure you exercise proper cleaning procedures. The Federal Drug Administration doesnt recommend feeding dogs raw meat, but if you do, they suggest:

Freezing the raw meat until ready for use
Keeping the raw meat separate from cooked food
Cleaning preparation surfaces and food bowls with soap and hot water
Washing your hands before and after handling the meat

Use caution when feeding dogs raw bones

Dogs can eat raw bones that are large in size, but avoid feeding your pet cooked bones. Small bones may present a choking hazard, but you should be especially careful with cooked poultry bones, as they can splinter and lodge in your pets throat or puncture his intestines. Uncooked bones are softer and your pup should have no problem handling them.

Puppies and senior dogs are more vulnerable to health complications

Pet parents should be especially careful with puppies as they develop rapidly and have complex dietary needs. The same is true for older dogs who might have weaker immune systems and more sensitive digestive systems.

Balanced nutrition is key to optimal health in dogs

The key to feeding your dog a raw meat diet is to provide them with balanced nutrition adjusted over time. Experts recommend using commercially prepared formulas, as homemade options are rarely complete.

What if my dog ate raw meat?

If your dog eats raw meat from the grocery store, chances are that theyll be fine. However, if you are worried or you notice anything out of the ordinary after they consume raw food, contact your vet. Severe illness that occurs overnight or on the weekend may require an emergency animal hospital, but be aware that unexpected vet costs can be quite expensive.

Pro Tip: Some pet insurance plans cover emergency and specialty care no matter where you go, so you can rest easy knowing that your dog is covered for any unexpected illness and accident that may occur.

Are other raw foods good for dogs?

If youre still contemplating a raw food dog diet, but youre skeptical about raw meat, you should know that there are alternative options, such as certain vegetables and fruits, that are perfectly safe and very healthy.

Fo example, dogs can safely eat apples, bananas, carrots, and more, as long as you remember the 90/10 rule: 90% of your pups daily calorie intake should come from balanced and complete dog food, while the other 10% can come from special treats and healthy snacks.