Over the past decade, raw food diets for dogs have been gaining popularity. This is because dedicated pet owners feel strongly about providing the best source of nutrition for their companions with the goal of improving their overall health and longevity. Unfortunately, many dog owners do not know that the beneficial claims promoting raw diets are not supported by clinical research. Raw dog food manufacturers also fail to inform owners of potential health risks posed to their pets and themselves.
What Is Raw Dog Food?
Raw diets are foods developed for canines that are either homemade or store-bought. These diets consist of raw or freeze-dried meats, vegetables, and/or fruits. Protein sources may include organ meat, raw eggs, or muscle meat. These meats may be fed as a ‘whole carcass’ which includes the muscle, soft tissue, and bones, or as a pre-made ground product. The diet is recommended to be fed uncooked to not disrupt the nutritional profile of the ingredients.
Raw Dog Food: What Are the Claims?
Many pet owners are misled to believe that raw dog food diets are superior to commercial diets for several reasons. Proponents of raw food diets for dogs claim that these diets result in:
- Improved skin and coat quality
- Better smelling stools and breath
- Cleaner teeth
- Increased energy
- Reduced allergies
- Decreased risk of obesity
- Greater mobility and joint health
To date, none of these claims have been supported by research.
The Risks of Raw Dog Food
What pet owners don’t know about raw dog food diets is that research supporting these claims is severely lacking. The majority of research regarding raw dog food is centric on inherent public safety risks secondary to the transmission of pathogens within uncooked meats.
The FDA has performed studies and published reports on the dangers of feeding a raw dog food diet. A two-year study was performed that analyzed 1,000 samples of pet foods for foodborne illnesses. This study found that raw diets were more likely to contain pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria (Nemser et al., 2014). Owners feeding these diets may have a greater risk of disease secondary to these bacteria. While Salmonella can cause gastrointestinal distress in humans, Listeria is more likely to cause illness severe enough to result in hospitalization or even death. Another study documented that Escherichia coli contamination was found within 50% of raw diets, posing a serious health concern. Immunocompromised individuals, children, the elderly, and pregnant women are the most at risk. The bacteria contained within these diets may also carry resistance to antibiotic medications, increasing the risk of severe illness.
Many proponents of raw feeding believe that proper food handling and cleaning will prevent the transmission of these illnesses, but this is not entirely true. Pathogenic bacteria can still be found on surfaces used to prepare the diet and within food bowls after traditional cleaning methods. These surfaces and feeding utensils must be disinfected with dilute bleach solutions to eliminate harmful bacteria. Even with appropriate cleaning techniques, pathogenic bacteria can be shed by your dog in their feces or be carried on their fur or saliva. Many dogs that are carriers of foodborne pathogens are often asymptomatic, leading to a false sense of safety. Outbreaks of illness have been documented secondary to these diets, some even leading to the death of dogs and cats (Schlesinger and Joffe, 2011).
Raw Dog Food Is Not Nutritionally Adequate
Another evaluation of raw food diets found that these diets are not considered complete and balanced. This means that these diets do not meet necessary dog food nutrient profiles as outlined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These profiles were established to ensure that diets formulated for companion animals are nutritionally appropriate for their given life stage. Many raw food diets do not meet AAFCO standards and are not regulated by the FDA. These diets were found to either have nutritional deficiencies or excesses that may pose serious health risks to dogs with long-term feeding. Health problems that can develop from inadequate nutrients in raw diets include bone fragility, hypercalcemia, poor coat quality, anemia, and hormonal imbalances.
Aside from the uncertain nutrient profile of these raw dog foods, ingredients like raw bones can cause serious risks to your pet. Dogs ingesting bones may be at risk for obstruction of the intestines, gastrointestinal perforation, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, and fractured teeth.
Alternatives to Raw Dog Food
Pet owners feeding raw food diets have the best intentions and only want to provide a high-quality diet and improve their pet’s health. With that in mind, there are plenty of alternatives that serve as a fair compromise. Commercial kibble can be supplemented with fresh ingredients such as fruits and vegetables. If there is an aversion or medical condition that precludes feeding kibble, pet owners can consider a commercial fresh diet or a nutritionist-formulated homemade diet. It is strongly recommended that these diets be cooked to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. A veterinary nutritionist should also be consulted to aid in the formulation of a nutritionally adequate diet.
It is important to note that some of the benefits touted by raw food advocates can easily be obtained by modifying a commercial diet. Raw diets are often high in fatty acids which may promote a healthier appearing coat. Similar results can be obtained by supplementing a commercial diet with fatty acids such as Omega 3 and 6. Supplementing a kibble-based diet with fiber or probiotics may improve stool quality, smell, and even improve underlying medical conditions like chronic diarrhea.
Raw Dog Food Is Not Recommended for Your Dog
Raw food diets do not have research-based evidence to support their use. While some animals may enjoy these diets and even potentially have a perceived benefit, the risks outweigh the reward. Many important organizations such as the FDA, CDC, and American Veterinary Medical Association stand firmly in their position that feeding raw dog food diets pose danger to humans and animals alike. Given the research on the risks posed by these diets, we cannot safely recommend them for our canine companions. As an alternative, fresh food options remain available to pet owners who wish to move away from kibble-based diets. Talk to your veterinarian about safe alternatives or work alongside a veterinary nutritionist to choose the best diet for your dog.
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