Leena Watts
The raw food diet for dogs has gained traction in recent years, with many owners embracing it for their pets. This shift from processed food is driven by perceived health benefits and a suspicion of industrially produced pet food. The raw diet includes raw meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables, and is based on the evolutionary diet of canines before domestication. While there is some evidence of improved stool quality, there is no robust evidence for the wide range of other health benefits claimed by proponents of the diet. In fact, there are documented risks associated with raw feeding, including malnutrition and infection, and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends excluding animals fed raw food from healthcare facilities due to the potential for disease spread.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity | Rising |
| Perceived Benefits | Better health, altered intestinal microbiome, improved stool quality, improved oral health, better digestibility |
| Evidence of Benefits | Limited, no clinically proven benefits, no robust evidence |
| Risks | Nutritional deficiencies or excesses, poor coats, bad skin, weak bones, fractured teeth, dental problems, vitamin A toxicity, infection, malnutrition, foodborne pathogens, zoonotic risk |
| Risk Mitigation | Wash hands, clean and disinfect surfaces, keep raw food frozen, use separate dishes and storage |
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What You'll Learn
Nutritional deficiencies or excesses in raw food diets
Homemade raw diets may also lack calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for bone health. A calcium or phosphorus deficiency can lead to bone fractures and dental problems. Even if these nutrients are present in adequate amounts, they may be difficult for dogs to digest. Raw-meat diets that are high in liver may supply too much vitamin A, leading to toxicity if consumed for an extended period.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has stated that raw pet foods are produced with little to no regulatory oversight, increasing the risk of nutritional imbalances and other health hazards. The AVMA recommends excluding animals that have consumed raw or dehydrated foods from healthcare facilities due to the potential for disease spread.
In addition to nutritional deficiencies, raw food diets for dogs may also contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause foodborne illnesses like salmonellosis. Dogs can be asymptomatic carriers of L. monocytogenes, posing a risk to humans in the household. The risk of bacterial contamination in raw food diets is higher than in conventional processed pet food, as demonstrated by studies showing that raw-fed dogs shed Salmonella at a higher rate than dogs fed contaminated pet food.
Overall, the potential for nutritional deficiencies or excesses in raw food diets for dogs is a significant concern, and proper nutritional expertise is required to formulate a balanced raw diet.
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Potential health benefits of raw food diets
The potential health benefits of raw food diets for dogs are a controversial topic. While some proponents of raw food diets claim that they are a safe and natural way to promote animal wellness, these claims are not supported by long-term, robust evidence. However, some benefits are associated with raw food diets.
Firstly, raw food diets may improve oral health. Studies have shown less calculus among feral or wild dogs and cats, indicating that raw bones can support improved oral hygiene. However, the limited published evidence does not support claims of reduced periodontal disease with raw feeding.
Secondly, raw food diets may result in better stool quality. Formal evidence exists for claims of an altered intestinal microbiome, which can lead to improved stool consistency.
Thirdly, raw food diets may provide a more natural and evolutionary-aligned diet for dogs. The BARF diet, an acronym for Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, suggests that adult dogs will thrive on a diet based on what canines ate before domestication: raw, meaty bones and vegetable scraps.
Lastly, raw food diets may offer improved nutrition compared to commercially processed pet food. Proponents argue that raw food is less likely to contain harmful bacteria and preservatives, which can be detrimental to a dog's health.
While these potential benefits exist, it is important to consult a veterinary nutritionist to ensure that a raw food diet is balanced and complete, meeting all the nutritional requirements of your dog.
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Health risks of raw food diets
While raw food diets for dogs have become increasingly popular, there are several health risks associated with them. These risks can affect both the dogs being fed raw diets and the people who handle the food.
One of the most significant risks is bacterial infection. Studies have found that raw pet food is more likely to be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli than other types of pet food. Dogs consuming raw food are at an increased risk of ingesting these bacteria, which can lead to health issues such as salmonellosis and listeriosis. Additionally, raw-fed dogs can become carriers of these bacteria and pose an infection risk to their owners and other household members through contact or exposure to contaminated faeces.
Another risk associated with raw diets is malnutrition. It can be challenging to ensure a proper balance of macro and micro-nutrients in a raw diet without expert guidance. Nutritional deficiencies or excesses in raw food can lead to serious health issues in dogs, including poor coats, bad skin, weak bones, and even mild anemia.
Furthermore, raw meat may contain parasites that can be detrimental to a dog's health. Some of the parasites identified in raw-fed dogs include Neosporum caninum, Sarcocystis species, and Toxoplasma gondii. These parasites can have detrimental effects on the dog's health and may also pose risks to humans and livestock.
In addition to these risks, there is also a potential for physical injury from bone fragments present in the raw meat. Bones can pose a choking hazard, cause tooth damage, or lead to internal punctures.
While proponents of raw diets argue that they offer benefits such as improved oral health and weight management, these claims are often based on anecdotal evidence and lack robust scientific support. It is essential to carefully consider the potential risks and consult a veterinary professional before feeding a raw diet to your dog.
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Raw food diets and oral health
There is a recent trend of feeding pet dogs raw meat and animal by-products. This shift from heat-treated processed food is driven by perceived health benefits and a suspicion of industrially produced pet food. However, there is currently neither robust evidence nor identified plausible mechanisms for many of the wide range of claimed benefits. In fact, there are documented risks associated with raw feeding, including malnutrition and infection affecting pets and/or household members.
Oral Health
Dental disease is very common, affecting over 70% of dogs before the age of two. Plaques, stained teeth, and tartar buildup have been accepted as normal for most dogs, but these are signs of an improper diet, bacterial imbalance, and chronic disease. High levels of sugars and simple carbohydrates provide rapid nutrition for oral bacteria, and poor nutrient quality does not support the immune system. Rancid foods also contribute to the degeneration of body tissues, including gums.
Raw dog food is low in starch and contains natural live enzymes and good bacteria that help prevent tartar and plaque buildup. These enzymes, combined with a lack of synthetic filler ingredients, sugars, or starches, help prevent tooth decay or other oral diseases. Even pre-ground raw food diets are less likely to stick to teeth than processed kibble and canned food.
Raw meaty bones (e.g. chicken backs, turkey necks) can help keep a dog's teeth in top condition. Chewing on these bones provides a better abrasive action than kibble to scrape away buildup without harming tooth enamel. Chewing on raw bones also massages the gums and helps prevent boredom, which is a leading cause of destructive behaviours.
However, it is important to note that there are health risks associated with raw feeding. Raw food diets have been found to contain bacteria that can cause illness, such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. These bacteria can pose a health risk to dogs and their owners.
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Raw food diets and stool quality
A dog's stool can indicate its health and diet. The stool's consistency and colour can indicate a pet's diet and health. Monitoring a dog's stool can help owners determine how well the raw diet is being tolerated and if any adjustments are needed. Raw foods added to a dog's meal can directly affect stool production.
Stool Consistency
A normal stool should be soft yet firm. The more meat in the diet, the softer and darker it tends to be. If the stool is too soft, this may be due to the dog eating something it does not want to digest. If the stool is hard and crumbly, it may be the result of a diet too high in bone. A high-calcium diet can result in hard, crumbly, and chalky stools. Constipation is possible when too much bone has been fed.
Stool Colour
The colour of a dog's stool can also be influenced by its diet. A high percentage of meat in the diet, especially liver and other offal, can cause very dark or black stools. Poultry such as chicken or turkey can cause yellow-coloured stool. Red meat can cause very dark brown stool. A meal containing a lot of blood will result in black stool. If the stool is light-coloured, especially if greyish, it may be caused by a liver or pancreatic problem. A greasy, sour-smelling stool may indicate an underlying pancreatic issue.
Health Risks
There are several health risks associated with raw diets for dogs. Raw diets have been linked to an increased risk of bacterial infections such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. These bacteria can pose a health risk not only to dogs but also to their owners who handle the food. There is also a risk of malnutrition if the diet is not properly formulated and tested. It is recommended to consult a veterinary nutritionist to ensure the diet is balanced and complete.
Benefits
Proponents of raw diets claim that they improve stool quality and oral health. Raw diets are believed to promote better digestibility and reduce calculus buildup. However, there is limited published evidence to support these claims, and the potential health risks may outweigh the benefits.
Recommendations
To ensure the health and safety of your dog and your household, it is important to handle raw food with care. Keep raw food frozen until ready to use, and thaw it in the refrigerator or microwave. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw food, and disinfect all surfaces and objects that come into contact with it. Use separate dishes and storage containers for raw food.
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Frequently asked questions
Raw diets for dogs are based on the idea that adult canines would thrive on an evolutionary diet of raw, meaty bones and vegetable scraps. This is based on the diet of their wild ancestors.
Supporters of raw diets for dogs claim that they are a safe and natural way to promote animal wellness. They also believe that commercially processed pet foods can contain harmful bacteria.
There are documented risks associated with raw feeding, including malnutrition and infection affecting pets and/or household members. The risk of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli is also increased.
There is limited published evidence to support the benefits of raw diets for dogs. There is also a lack of consensus and paucity of good data, making it difficult for veterinarians to provide informed feeding recommendations.
Alternatives to raw diets for dogs include commercially processed pet foods, which may be dry, canned, or a combination of grains, vegetables, and vitamins mixed with raw meat.
