Do vets recommend raw dog food

Why Few Vets Say Raw Dog Food is a Good Idea

As more people embrace clean-eating diets and cut out processed foods in an effort to be healthier, theyre also putting their dogs on raw food diets to help their four-legged family members achieve similar benefits.

Social media influencers and online resources, like Rodney Habib and Perfectly Rawsome, suggest raw food diets replicate how pets ate in the wild before they were domesticated and offer benefits like shinier coats, dental hygiene, improved digestion and smaller stools.

But most vets disagree, saying these claims are not backed by science.

The Raw Truth

The American Kennel Club (AKC), American Veterinary Medical Association and other groups discourage pet owners from feeding dogs raw or unprocessed meat, eggs and milk. Raw meat and dairy can carry pathogens, like E. coli, listeria and salmonella, which can make pets and people sick or even cause death.

A 2011 study published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal suggested that any evidence for thebenefits of raw food diets for pets is anecdotal. Additionally, the researchers point out that vets should be informing pet owners of the disease risks associated with raw food.

Jennifer Larsen, a professor of clinical nutrition in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, doesnt recommend raw food diets for pets. She links the trend to pet food marketings emphasis on ingredients over nutrients and the general romanticizing of nature that compares dogs to wolves.

Larsen says many pet owners she meets choose raw food diets because they distrust commercial dog food, want to avoid specific ingredients or believe alternative pet foods are healthier.

If somebody that you consider to be reliable like a celebrity veterinarian on the internet, for example is telling you that raw food is the way to go, and it's the way dogs evolved and the way they should all be eating, and it's much healthier and kibble is dangerous, then it's really difficult to [convince] those people that traditional pet foods are perfectly safe, and they're adequate choices for the vast majority of pets, Larsen says.

Most vets say traditional pet food provides enough nutrition for pets. (Credit: Ekaterina Markelova/Shutterstock)

But conventional dog food is safe and nutritionally balanced, Larsen says. The FDA regulates all pet food products, including kibble, canned and commercially available raw foods.

Additionally, pet food marketing often depicts raw, human-grade meats in ads, which could mislead pet owners into thinking raw meats are safe for dogs to eat. Pet food ingredients, though named similarly, do not necessarily correlate to ingredients in human food, Larsen says. For example, pet food chicken includes flesh, skin and sometimes bones, not the boneless, skinless chicken breasts people purchase at the grocery store.

Pet Food Worries

But some vets nevertheless do advocate for more natural pet food options. Karen Becker, who describes herself as an integrative wellness veterinarian, advocates for minimally processed, nutritionally balanced and gently cooked or raw diets for dogs. This feeding method is more biologically appropriate, she says, referring to how dogs ate in the wild before domestication.

Too many pets are fed fast food, or feed-grade kibble and canned pet food, says Becker, who is affiliated with alternative medicine brand Mercola and has a pet health YouTube channel.

I believe the less processed foods are for humans and pets, the healthier they are, she says.

Some advocates hold that raw food is better for pets, though little evidence supports that. (Credit: Monika Wisniewska/Shutterstock)

But, dogs are not wolves and shouldnt eat raw meat and bone like them, says Jerry Klein, AKCs chief veterinary officer.

Through the thousands of years and generations of becoming domesticated, dogs became omnivores who evolved to eat what we people eat, Klein says.

Wolves are carnivores, he says. Their gastrointestinal systems can process raw meat, and they absorb nutrients differently than dogs do. In addition, their ability to fight potential pathogens is limited compared with wolves as well.

Dogs are better than wolves at digesting starches, key nutrients in grains like wheat and rice, according to a study published in Nature. Researchers suggest dogs and humans adapted similarly to the development of agriculture.

All reported benefits of feeding raw diets in dogs are anecdotal, not based on scientific study results, Klein says, urging caution in feeding dogs raw diets. In fact, most research on the subject has focused on the dangers of pathogens in raw diets and how they could impact animals and their owners.

More research is needed on the true benefits and safety of all dog foods, comparing kibble, canned food and raw diets, Becker says.

Across the board, the pet food industry is lacking unbiased, objective, lifetime studies about one feeding technique over another, Becker says.

The healthiest diets should be vet-recommended, based on an animals age, breed and any health conditions. Larsen urges pet owners to choose foods based on World Small Animal Veterinary Association nutrition recommendations, which list whether the food was formulated by a full-time nutritionist and provides a nutrition analysis.

Now that we have all of this proof and the fact that there's no benefit, it makes it really difficult for somebody who is interested in animal health and has a public health responsibility to recommend raw diets, Larsen says.

Why Vets Dont Recommend Raw Diets

Why Vets Dont Recommend Raw Diets

Raw diets are currently increasing in popularity. There are many books available which describe how to prepare them, and pre-made commercial options are readily available for purchase. Even so, many veterinarians are not on board with the hype. Both the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and British Veterinary Association discourage raw feeding. So why not?

Here are some of the reasons many veterinarians will not recommend raw diets:

Raw food prep can introduce bacteria into the home

The surface of any raw meat can carry bacteria. Even commercially prepared pet foods have been shown to carry pathogens. They can also easily be spread around the home if we arent careful when preparing our pets raw food. Dishes used to serve raw foods have to be properly cleaned and disinfected after each use. Young children and immunocompromised individuals are at risk of falling ill even when very low numbers of infectious bacteria are present.

Bacteria found on the surface of raw meats can infect pets and people

Infections caused by bacteria found on raw meat can cause diarrhoea, hospitalisation, and death in both people and pets. Although it appears that cats and dogs are sometimes able to carry pathogenic bacteria without showing clinical signs, they are still able to pass them on to the people they live with. It has been documented that pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria are shed in the droppings of dogs and cats.

There are reported cases of raw diets causing illness in pets and people

One example was thoroughly documented and published in a scientific journal. In 2018, a raw cat food was linked with tuberculosis in the gut; a very rare form of the disease. One hundred and thirty cats throughout the UK were diagnosed with an infection. It was very likely that the cats picked up the infection from their commercial food as they lived indoors and were consuming the same batch of raw food. There were no other potential sources of infection identified. In the end, a total of five people in contact with the infected cats also contracted tuberculosis, with one requiring medical treatment.

Lack of evidence demonstrating the benefits of raw diets

Research investigating the true benefits of feeding dogs a raw diet is still in its infancy. Dog owners who feed raw diets often report a link between raw-feeding with improved health. This includes beliefs that a raw diet will make a dogs coat shiny, enhance muscle condition and improve teeth cleanliness. However, more scientifically rigorous methods would be required to draw definitive conclusions. Until then, it appears that the risks of feeding a raw diet are greater than the potential benefits they would provide.

Nutrient inadequacies in home-prepared raw diets

Many people have taken it upon themselves to formulate raw meals for their pets. Unfortunately, this can lead to many nutrient deficiencies and imbalances. Even the majority of published recipes have ambiguous instructions which make them inconsistent or are not formulated with a proper nutrient balance in the first place. When looking for recipes to cook at home, the best source is from a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. They will have the expertise to formulate a diet and can tailor the nutrient profile to closely match your dogs specific needs.

Conclusion

Every veterinary surgeon will adhere to the first rule of care: first do no harm. Many vets believe that recommending feeding a raw diet goes against this principle, especially because of the lack of research demonstrating the benefits.

At the end of the day, your vets recommendations will be made to safeguard the wellbeing of your pet while being mindful of any public health implications.

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References

• Dgi, J., Imre, K., Herman, V., Bucur, I., Radulov, I., Petrec, O. C., & Cristina, R. T. (2021). Antimicrobial Drug-Resistant Salmonella in Urban Cats: Is There an Actual Risk to Public Health?. Antibiotics, 10(11), 1404.
• Empert-Gallegos, A., Hill, S., & Yam, P. S. (2020). Insights into dog owner perspectives on risks, benefits, and nutritional value of raw diets compared to commercial cooked diets. PeerJ, 8, e10383.
• Morelli G, Bastianello S, Catellani P, Ricci R. (2019) Raw meat-based diets for dogs: survey of owners motivations, attitudes and practices. BMC veterinary research. 2019 Dec;15(1):1-0.
• OHalloran C, TrnqvistJohnsen C, Woods G, Mitchell J, Reed N, Burr P, GascoyneBinzi D, Wegg M, Beardall S, Hope J, GunnMoore D. (2021) Feline tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis infection of domestic UK cats associated with feeding a commercial raw food diet. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2021 Jul;68(4):2308-20.
• Runesvrd, E., Wikstrm, C., Fernstrm, L. L., & Hansson, I. (2020). Presence of pathogenic bacteria in faeces from dogs fed raw meatbased diets or dry kibble. Veterinary Record, 187(9), e71-e71.
• Wilson SA, Villaverde C, Fascetti AJ, Larsen JA. (2019) Evaluation of the nutritional adequacy of recipes for home-prepared maintenance diets for cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2019 May 15;254(10):1172-9.

Raw diets for dogs and cats

The AVMA recognizes public interest in feeding raw diets to dogs and cats. However, the AVMA discourages feeding any raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, egg, milk*) to dogs and cats because of their risk to human and animal health. The AVMA supports the production and feeding of diets that have been processed using methods that reduce or eliminate the risk of illness due to pathogenic contaminants.

Pasteurization or cooking until the product containing the animal-sourced protein reaches a safe minimum internal temperature adequate to reduce or eliminate pathogenic organisms have been the traditional methods used to reduce or eliminate pathogens in animal-sourced protein. However, the AVMA recognizes that other scientifically validated technologies can also reduce or eliminate the risk of human and animal illness due to pathogenic contaminants.

Animal-sourced proteins of concern include beef, pork, poultry, fish, and other meat from domesticated or wild animals, as well as milk* and eggs. Several studies reported in peer-reviewed scientific journals and product recalls have demonstrated that raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein may be contaminated with a variety of pathogenic organisms, including Salmonella spp, Campylobacter spp, Clostridium spp, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus. Dogs and cats may develop foodborne illness after being fed animal-sourced protein contaminated with the organisms listed above if adequate steps are not taken to reduce or eliminate pathogens. Apparently healthy dogs and cats can develop subclinical infections with these organisms and pose a risk to other animals and people, especially young, elderly, pregnant, and immunocompromised individuals. People handling contaminated raw pet foods are also at risk of becoming sick.

To mitigate public health risks associated with feeding pets, the AVMA recommends following the AVMA resource on safe handling of pet foods and pet treats.

* This recommendation does not preclude the feeding of unpasteurized, same-species milk to nursing young (i.e. puppies, kittens).

Related resource

Recalls and safety alerts

Reasons Why Veterinarians Dont Support Raw Feeding for Dogs

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So, why exactly don't veterinarians support raw feeding for dogs? With all of the information that we've learned combined with thousands of firsthand accounts from pet parents, I expected that the days of veterinarians taking a strong stance against raw feeding would be a thing of the past. Turns out that I'm wrong

Recently, I was stunned by responses to a social media post describing veterinarians actively trying to convince clients that raw feeding for dogs is unhealthy and unsafe, leaving people feeling like bad dog owners for choosing this dangerous diet. What????? Are people STILL spreading myths about raw feeding??? There was a commercial for raw dog food on network television. New brands are popping up every year. Raw feeding is no longer a fad; it's a legit and healthy choice for our dogs.

With everything we know and that we're learning about canine health and nutrition, I'm stunned that veterinarians still aren't convinced that raw feeding for dogs is an acceptable alternative to processed foods. I don't expect all vets to jump on board, but I'm stunned to learn that there are vets who are still passionately against raw feeding.

So, now I want to understand why.

Why Veterinarians Don't Support Raw Feeding for Dogs

I reached out to the veterinarian community to ask why they don't support raw for dogs and three reasons bubbled to the top of this Query Soup:

1. A raw food diet isn't balanced and our dogs risk nutrient deficiencies when fed a raw diet.
2. The bacteria in raw meat is a danger to dogs and their humans.
3. There are no scientific studies that support the nutritional benefits of a raw diet for dogs.

Now, I'm not a veterinarian so I'm in no way suggesting that I'm smarter than the people who took time out of their day to share their thoughts with me. I do, however, somewhat disagree with the information I received and I want to share why.

A Raw Food Diet isn't Balanced

This is an argument that is shared by people who are pro and anti-raw feeding so I wasn't surprised to see this on the list. A couple of years ago, there was a small social media dust-up about balance and I remember someone saying that if you can't feed raw correctly then you should just feed kibble. And, lately, I've noticed people I respect sharing this same belief, and recommending working with a meal formulator if you want to feed raw. A popular veterinarian questions the belief in balance over time:

Dogs eating homemadeprey model dietsfed by misguided pet parents who believe offering any type of fresh food is all that matters, recipes are unnecessary, and balance will occur over time without intentional additions to meet specific nutrient deficiencies.

Dr. Karen Becker

So, what's my issue with this argument against raw feeding?

I don't believe that raw feeders (as a community) are feeding our dogs a nutrient-deficient diet. Before one assumes that I'm dropping the ball on my dogs' diet, I'd love it if they took the time to learn what I'm feeding my dogs, how I formulate their meals, and how I double-check my work. However, on the flip side, I'm certain that there are many well-meaning pet parents who are doing the best they can, working from the belief that they're doing everything right, but they're missing the boat. And I used to be one of those well-meaning pet parents, sharing ridiculous recipes on this blog (all deleted) that I would never feed my dogs today. We're always learning.

How to Balance Your Raw Food Diet

If you're reading this and you're concerned that the diet that you've formulated for your dogs isn't meeting their nutritional needs, there are a few things you can do to correct their diet.

1 Purchase recipes from a reputable source. Planet Paws offers balanced recipes for raw feeders for about $3 each. As long as you can source the ingredients in the recipe, then you can purchase a handful of recipes and feel more confident about your dog's diet.

2 Hire someone to formulate a diet for your dog. Meal formulation services is a new-ish opportunity in the pet industry. If you don't know enough about creating a diet that meets your dog's nutritional needs and your veterinarian can't help, you can hire someone who formulates raw meals including holistic veterinarians who offer this service. It's important to work with a reputable formulator, communicate any health concerns you have about your dog, and share what foods/ingredients you can and cannot source.

3 Invest in meal formulation software. I purchased the Animal Diet Formulator in 2018 and the software has taught me a lot about the different foods I can add to my dogs' diet. It is an investment, however, I've found that it's worth the cost because I have more confidence in my dogs' diet and I can quickly formulate a meal only using ingredients that I can source locally. This allows me to formulate a diet that is nutritionally balanced and affordable.

4 Feed commercial raw. Yep, commercial raw is far more expensive than DIY, but the reason it costs more is that someone else is formulating a nutritious diet, someone else is sourcing the ingredients, and in some cases, someone else is delivering the food to our door. When all else fails, find an affordable brand.

Bacteria in Raw Meat is Harmful to Dogs and Humans

The main reason that I do not support raw diets is that many people cannot follow instructions to keep them and their pets safe. If you leave raw meat out on the counter for a period of time, it can easily and quickly grow bacteria. This can cause your dog and you to be very sick. I have a few people who insist on feeding a raw diet to their pets and we have a very long conversation about what to expect if they do not keep their kitchen clean and keep their pets food cold.

~ Sarah Ochoa, DVM, small animal and exotic veterinarian in Texas and a veterinary consultant for doglab.com

This is an interesting argument and whenever someone brings up bacteria in raw meat, I wonder if they have ever made a chicken or turkey dinner. If they've prepped hamburger patties for the grill or baked cookies from scratch. Or if they're aware of the number of romaine lettuce recalls due to salmonella we've had in America. Some dogs eat their own stool and kibble-fed dogs shed salmonella too; so why are we so worried about bacteria for healthy dog?.

Bacteria is everywhere and I've learned not to be afraid of it. Maybe this can be an issue if we don't keep our kitchen clean (I clean our kitchen daily) and if we don't keep our dogs' food cold (my dogs have two dedicated freezers and a fridge). But this isn't the reason I'm not afraid of bacteria.

1 A dog's saliva kills bacteria. I'm not suggesting that we start harvesting our dogs' drool and using it instead of colloidal silver or prescribed antibiotics. I'm saying that this makes sense because wild dogs and their cousins/ancestors aren't dying from salmonella or e-Coli when eating their prey. In fact, my dogs snacked on a dead rabbit for several days before I caught on and no one got sick. I'm not suggesting adding decomposing animals to the diet; I share this because I believe it shows that a healthy dog is more resilient than we realize.

2 Dogs have an acidic gut, which is typical of a carnivore and helps them to digest meat and bones. And that being the case, a dog's gut isn't a fun place for bacteria to set up camp and build a community. We have a dog with a history of digestive issues and he was diagnosed with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in 2019. Despite his compromised gut, he's handled raw meat and bones like a champ and I believe it's because this is a species-appropriate diet and I educated myself about how best to support his gut and immune system health on a raw diet.

3 Dogs have a shorter digestive tract and food is processed quickly and efficiently and then turned into waste; decaying food isn't hanging out in a dog's gut. Of course, I'm not keen on feeding my dogs' raw meat that has been sitting around on the counter all day or baking in the sun. But I do feel confident that the food I feed to my dogs isn't going to make them sick.

Still Worried About Bacteria?

If you're still concerned about bacteria here are a few things you can do to reduce the risk:

1 No kisses after mealtime. I have very affectionate dogs and they all love to give me kisses and I love receiving their affection. But if my dogs just ate a raw meal, I'm not keen on doggy kisses. My dogs don't seem to be either so it works out in our house.

2 Thaw raw in the fridge. Yeah, it's a pain in the butt because it takes forever (about 5 days for me), but once you get a good system going, then you'll know when to start the thawing process. If you're in a hurry, you can thaw in cool water (never hot water) for a few hours before putting the meat in the fridge to continue.

3 Store raw in the correct sized containers. I have four big dogs, so using the larger containers to store raw works for us. Each container holds two days of food. However, there are times when Rodrigo eats something different due to his protein sensitivities. When I'm making his food, I use smaller containers. The dogs finish a container of food before bacteria becomes an issue and the meat spoils.

4 Feed home-cooked instead of raw. Some believe that cooking kills all of the nutrients Ummm, that doesn't make much sense; how do we explain humans? And I say this as someone who used to often say cooking kills all of the nutrients. Excuse me while I roll my eyes at myself. If bacteria is a concern, you can always cook meals for your dogs. Planet Paws also offers balanced cooked recipes.

There are No Studies Supporting the Benefits of Raw Feeding for Dogs

Nope, there are no definitive studies to support the anecdotal evidence that thousands of raw feeders can provide. But, I'd love to know more about the studies supporting the benefits of a kibble diet for dogs. I'm not referring to AAFCO feeding trials; I'm curious about actual studies that follow a lot of dogs over an extended period.

Veterinarians are scientists and I respect the desire to read a study. But isn't observation a part of scientificdiscoveries? I don't expect veterinarians to take time out of their busy schedules to interview raw feeders around the world, but what if they contacted one person? Thomas Sandberg of The Long Living Pets Research Project is tracking the health and longevity of raw fed dogs. He's been observing raw fed dogs for years. And what about holistic veterinarians that do support raw feeding; wouldn't a conversation inquiring about their experience with raw fed patients be informative?

While this makes sense to me, a dog mom and blogger, I can understand why this doesn't make sense to a veterinarian. How many veterinarians have the time to explore the pros and cons of raw feeding if everything is showing them that raw feeding isn't safe for dogs?

I have seen no scientific evidence supporting the idea that feeding a raw diet provides superior nutrition to pets in comparison to a diet made from the same ingredients that have been appropriately cooked. For example, a diet centered around chicken breast would provide essentially the same nutrients whether the chicken was raw or cooked to the recommended internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, cooking makes some nutrients more available to pets than they are in the foods raw form.

~ Jennifer Coates, DVM, serves on the advisory board for Pet Life Today

Studies that Mention the Benefits of Fresh Food for Dogs

The following are studies that I've come across in my years as a raw feeder. While these aren't about whether raw diets provide superior nutrition to cooked or processed diets; I think this is a start.

Relation Between the Domestic Dogs' Well Being and Life Expectancy 2003 study conducted by Lippert and Sapy studied 500 dogs over a 5 year period. This study isn't specifically about raw feeding, but it does mention feeding a home-prepared diet based on similar food as the family. To me, this means a cooked diet, but I still believe that this shows that feeding fresh food is beneficial and extends a dog's life.

Urinary Bladder Cancer in Dogs, a Naturally Occurring Model for Cancer Biology and Drug Development 2005 study conducted at Purdue University on Scottish Terriers this study is about bladder cancer and in the study, as highlighted below, is the statement that vegetable consumption has been reported to reduce the risk of TCC in Scottish terriers who have a strong breed-associated risk for the disease.

2016 New Zealand dog diet study a wake-up call for dog nutrition in this study, they find that dogs shouldn't be fed a high carb diet and do well on a diet that is higher in protein and fat.

Up until now science has looked at studies on nutrient digestion in human, mice and rats and assumed the same is true for dogs in terms of digestion and what is good and bad bacteria in the gut. This study shows this may not [be] the case and much more needs to be done to understand the digestive system of dogs and the long-term health consequences of feeding different diets.

2017 Dog Risk (Helsinki) Study: Raw Meat-Based Diets in Dogs and Cats

Zoonotic meat-borne bacteriasuch as Campylobacter, Salmonella, and enteropathogenic Yersiniawere only sporadically detected in RMBDs by PCR. These pathogens were not found by culturing, indicating a low contamination level in frozen commercial RMBDs produced in Finland. C. upsaliensis was a common finding in dogs irrespective of feeding RMBDs or dry pellets. Salmonella and enteropathogenic Yersinia were detected only in dogs fed RMBDs; however, the infection source and transmission routes remained unclear. Y. enterocolitica bioserotype 4/O:3 and Salmonella were probably transmitted from contaminated RMBDs to the indoor cats but not C. helveticus. However, the indoor cats shed C. helveticus in their feces for months. The practice of feeding raw meat to dogs and cats may increase the potential transmission risk of meat-borne pathogens to people. Pet owners, especially individuals at increased risk for infectious diseases (small children, old people, and immunocompromised individuals), should be aware of the safety risks of feeding RMBDs. Attention should particularly be paid to storage and handling of raw meat. RMBDs should be kept frozen until use.

Other Arguments Against Raw Feeding for Dogs

There are many more arguments against feeding a raw food diet. I'm not an expert or a veterinarian, so my response to these arguments are opinions based on my experience as a raw feeder.

1 Dogs are Omnivores, not Carnivores

It's hard to accept that dogs are omnivores when I look at their teeth; they're made for ripping and tearing into meat and crunching bones, something a horse or cow wouldn't do. Their digestive system is perfect for digesting a high protein diet and bones. The fact that many dogs eat a processed diet of dry dog food doesn't change the fact that they are carnivores.

2 Dogs Have Adapted to Eating Dry Dog Food and High Carb Diets

I'd love to see the studies that prove that dogs should be fed a high carb diet. From my own experience, a high carb diet leads to weight gain, inflammation, dental disease, and other health issues. If dogs were adapted to processed diets, then why are we seeing shorter lifespans and more health issues?

3 Dogs will Contract Parasites from Eating Raw Dog Food

I once had a veterinarian tell me that I needed to have my dogs' feces tested for parasites if I was going to feed a raw food diet. They didn't ask what I was feeding or where I was sourcing the foods. The food that my dogs eat is primarily human grade; I say primarily because ground meat with bone and green tripe aren't human-grade. I don't feed wild animals and my dogs have never had parasites.

4 Feeding Dogs Raw Meat Will Make them Aggressive

This is my favorite because it's what my mom warned me about when I explained what I feed to my dogs. All that blood will make them feral. Ummmm, no. My dogs are not aggressive or bloodthirsty. However, when Rodrigo was on a kibble diet, we did witness aggression in him that I attribute to inflammation and gut issues. Who isn't cranky when they are in constant pain or always feeling unwell?

5 I Need to be a Canine Nutritionist to Feed a Raw Diet to My Dogs

Nope, we don't need to become a certified canine nutritionist to feed a raw food diet. However, it doesn't hurt to take the time to educate ourselves on how to feed a nutritious diet to our dogs. Thankfully, there are plenty of people who offer formulation services. I personally think having meals formulated is a great idea, especially when you're starting out. DIY raw feeding is much more affordable and having a few balanced recipes to start with makes the transition easier.

6- Feeding Raw Dog Food is Expensive

This one is subjective because it truly depends on your personal budget and the sources you have available in your area. I'm blessed to live in a rural city, I belong to a raw food co-op, and I get free organs from friends who raise their own meat. So, to me, raw feeding is inexpensive. But if someone only has their local grocery store, pet store, and commercial raw as a source, then the numbers can add up. On top of that, some of the tools we use are also expensive knives, meat grinders, additional freezers, etc. I wrote a blog post sharing 30 ways that I found to save money on raw, which can give people some ideas.

7 Feeding Raw Dog Food is Time Consuming and Inconvenient

This one is subjective too. If someone has a big family, a ton of dogs, and little time then raw feeding can be time-consuming and inconvenient. Personally, I found learning how to feed a nutritious diet to my dogs to be the biggest time-suck, but it's been worth it too. Settling into a routine of meal prep and finding the right tools (knives and meat grinder) made it easier for me and I went from spending a full day making meals, to spending an hour or two.

8 DIY Cooked Diets are Better than Raw Food Diets

If bacteria or a compromised immune system is a concern, then a DIY cooked diet may be better than a raw food diet. But I'm not sure if I agree that cooked diets are inherently better than raw; it all really depends on the dog. Plus, a cooked diet can be nutrient deficient too. I think both cooked and raw are beneficial to our pets; we just need to figure out what works best for our individual dogs.

9 Dogs Need Grains in Their Diet

This is the newest argument for me; people think dogs need grains to avoid DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy). I don't think grains will protect our dogs from DCM. As I understand it, grains were blamed for sensitivities, allergies, and digestive issues in dogs so, to appease a customer base that wanted a grain-free diet, kibble companies dumped the grains and added legumes. Instead of increasing the animal protein, they chose to add plant-based protein which offers different amino acids. Ultimately, the lower level of amino acids and the anti-nutrients (legumes) that blocked the absorption of taurine led to DCM in some dogs. A diagnosis of DCM isn't always due to diet. In order to avoid heart disease with my dogs, I add a heart supplement, fermented fish stock, and healthy animal-based proteins to their diet.

What Do We Do When a Veterinarian Doesn't Support Raw?

I've been lucky because even veterinarians that didn't support raw were open to how I feed my dogs because they saw that I was doing my homework to learn how to meet my dogs' nutritional needs. Personally, I need to be 100% transparent with our veterinarian because they need all the information to treat my dogs. So, in the past when I took a dog in to see a veterinarian that didn't support raw, I made a point of sharing the following:

1 I understand the risks and I share what I do to reduce those risks. For instance, I don't leave raw meat sitting out all day. I monitor my dogs when they have bones. I grind bones to make them easier/safer to eat.

2 I feed a nutritious diet. I share information about the software I use to formulate my dogs' diet. I share where I source my food. And that I have my dogs nutrient tested every other year (it's expensive).

3 I'm constantly learning. Although I've been feeding raw for more than seven years, this is still a learning process and I am constantly seeking to educate myself and improve my dogs' diet.

In my experience, this satisfies the veterinarian's concerns and they've taken it a step further and offered helpful suggestions.

Read More About Raw Feeding