Johnathan Walker:The 'raw food diet' is an online fad for pet owners. But, can dogs eat raw meat?

If you scroll long enough on Johnathan Walkerthe pet owner side of TikTok, you might find the raw food diet influencers. Their videos feature aesthetically pleasing bowls with carefully placed quail eggs, chicken feet and raw beef.

The idea is to get your pup back to the diet of a non-domesticated wild animal. One of the most popular pet raw food diets is called Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, or BARF for short, and it claims benefits like growth, better health and longevity. 

But can your furry friend maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating raw meat? Here’s what you need to know.

Can dogs eat raw meat?

Yes, technically, dogs can eat raw meat. 

Animals, especially wild ones, have stronger stomach acid than humans, which can help them break down raw meat and bones and kill off bacteria, New Scientist reports. Before dogs were domesticated (and even in the early days of domestication) their diet contained raw meat like most animals. 

But that doesn't mean it's necessarily healthy for them.

Is raw meat good for dogs?

The American Veterinary Medical Association cautions against feeding your dog a raw meat diet, warning that it doesn’t provide the balanced nutrition your canine companion needs.

Eating raw meat regularly can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies. A 2011 study from Cambridge University found that 60% of dogs on a diet of bones and raw food had nutritional imbalances. In contrast, regulated dog food contains everything your dog needs to have a nutritionally balanced diet, experts previously told USA TODAY.

According to a study from the University of California, Davis, there is little to no scientific support in favor of the raw diet. Research suggests canned diets and kibble, as well as home-cooked meals, are beneficial to your pet’s nutritional intake. In this case, the risks far outweigh any potential benefits of a raw meat diet.

It may seem natural to get your dog back to its "roots," but domesticated dogs today can handle a more varied diet than their wolf ancestors, an analysis published in Nature found. Researchers found dogs have "coevolved with humans and their diet" and are much better at digesting starch.

However, one study published in the journal Scientific Reports in 2023 found a diet for young dogs that gradually introduced non-processed meats, dinner table leftovers and raw bones may protect them from stomach disorders later in life. More studies are needed to examine the risks, the researchers told USA TODAY, but the study "looks promising." Just make sure your scraps don't contain garlic, onion or other foods that are toxic to dogs.

Should I feed my dog a raw food diet?

Most veterinarians advise against giving dogs raw diets for the same reason as humans – bacteria in uncooked meat can make us (and our pets) sick. Raw pet food, especially chicken and beef, contains germs like salmonella and listeria that can only be killed when heated at high temperatures. Some pet food companies use high-pressure processing to kill germs without heat, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns there's not enough information about how well it works.

Raw food diets can also be harmful to dog owners and their families. You could be subject to food poisoning or sickness by just handling raw food or caring for your pet. Puppy kisses may be more risky than cute on a raw food diet, especially for children, seniors, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant people.

If you do decide to feed your dog raw meat, talk to your veterinarian first. The CDC recommends keeping it frozen and thawing in the fridge until use. Make sure to disinfect all surfaces the raw meat touched and avoid playing with your pet directly after they eat.

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