Why raw meat is bad for dogs
Dangers of Raw Diets for Dogs
"Should I feed my dog a raw diet?" If you've ever heard another pet parent rave about how his or her dog appears to be thriving on a raw meat diet, you might be asking yourself this question. Proponents of raw diets for dogs point out that dogs are biologically similar to carnivorous wolves, and claim that the benefits of this type of diet include healthier skin, coat and teeth, more energy and smaller stools, according to PetMD. However, there is very little scientific evidence to support these claims. In fact, most of the scientific research on raw meat diets for dogs shows that they could do more harm than good.
Dogs Are Not Wolves
It's a fairly common belief that because dogs are descended from wolves, they should eat a diet similar to that of their wild ancestors. Because wolves are carnivores meaning that they solely eat meat it's often assumed that dogs should also be fed a carnivorous diet.
The problem with this assumption is that dogs are genetically different from wolves, says Science Magazine. Dogs split off from wolves and became domesticated thousands of years ago. Since then, they have evolved alongside humans to be able to eat much of what humans eat. In a study published in Nature, genetic researchers found clear evidence that dogs have genetically adapted to eat a diet consisting of meats and starches. Feeding your dog nothing but raw meat as though he's a tame wolf has the potential to deprive him of vitamins and nutrients that are vital to his health. Such a diet could pose serious health risks not only to dogs, but also to people.
Dangers of Raw Diets for Dogs
A two-year study conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2010 to 2012 found that raw pet food is more likely than other types of pet food to carry bacteria, including Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes that cause food borne illnesses. This study prompted the FDA to issue a warning about the public health risks of raw pet food diets. Not only that, but veterinary organizations, like the American Animal Hospital Association, officially recommend against feeding raw meat-based diets to dogs, as does the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
While it's possible that your dog could get food poisoning from eating raw meat infected by Salmonella, E. Coli, or other disease-causing bacteria, it's more likely that your dog could himself become a carrier, says The Whole Dog Journal. A dog's stomach acid may neutralize infectious bacteria before they make him sick, but there's a chance he could still pass the bacteria to other dogs or people he comes into contact with. What's even more troubling is that a 2011 study in The Canadian Veterinary Journal found that much of the Salmonella found in dogs fed raw meat diets was a type that's resistant to antibiotic drugs.
Another worry of raw diets is obstruction from any bones or other solid artifacts that are not properly removed from the food. These can cause choking or intestinal damage to your pup. Finally, raw diets are not properly balanced to provide your dog with the adequate levels of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D that are essential to a growing dog's development. For instance, without the right amount of calcium, your puppy could develop skeletal problems.
Balanced Nutrition
Of course, another important criticism of raw diets for dogs is the lack of balanced nutrition. For healthy dogs that aren't dealing with health problems that require a specialized diet, the American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals recommends feeding a diet with the right balance of protein, water, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. High-quality dog foods are formulated specifically to meet these needs in the correct amounts. What's more, a dog's nutritional needs change as he goes through different life stages. Dog foods are typically specifically suited to each stage of your pet's development.
Proponents of raw food diets claim that their dogs' skin and coats showed improvements after switching to raw meat diets; however, it's possible that any previous skin problems occurred from low-quality pet food, an environmental factor no longer around, or negative reactions to an ingredient in one brand of dog food. Instead, switching their dogs to a high-quality dog food may lead to similar improvements while ensuring that their dogs receive the proper balance of nutrients.
Raw Diet Safety
In spite of the risks and the lack of scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of a raw food diet, many people still insist that a raw diet is the healthiest way to feed their dogs. If you're not convinced that raw diets for dogs should be avoided, here are some safety guidelines recommended by the FDA to help reduce the risk of contamination to you and your dog.
- Avoid touching your face or mouth while handling raw pet food.
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw meat.
- Clean and disinfect all surfaces, utensils and other objects that came into contact with the raw pet food. The FDA recommends washing the surface with soap and water and then following with a solution of one tablespoon of bleach to one quart of water.
- Freeze raw meat or poultry until you're ready to use them (freezing does not guarantee killing of all the bacteria. Salmonella and E. Coli can often be resistant to cold temperatures). Thaw raw meat in your refrigerator or microwave, not in the sink or on the countertop.
- Carefully handle raw meat or poultry to avoid spreading raw juices to other areas.
- If your pet doesn't finish his food, immediately refrigerate or carefully dispose of the leftovers.
- Avoid kissing your dog on or near his mouth, and don't allow him to lick your face.
- Be sure to wash your face and hands after handling or being licked by your dog.
It's also a good idea to wear disposable gloves while handling your dog's food and to feed him on disposable plates. Because young children and the elderly are especially susceptible to foodborne illnesses, they should never come into contact with this type of dog food.
Your pet's stool is also a potential source of contamination. Be sure to collect and safely dispose of your dog's stool, taking care not to come into contact with it. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water when you're done.
With this evidence in hand, you can confidently answer "No" the next time you hear the question "Should I feed my dog a raw diet?" While the enthusiasm of raw diet proponents can be alluring, the safety of your dog and the people in your household should be your highest priority. If you're still not sure, talk to your veterinarian about the best type of food to feed your dog.
Contributor Bio
Jean Marie Bauhaus
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger, and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of fur babies.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat? Here's Everything You Need to Know
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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.
