Is a raw diet good for dogs?

Raw feeding has grown significantly in popularity, and the debate between raw advocates and conventional veterinary nutrition is ongoing. Here is an honest look at the evidence on both sides.

What is a raw diet?

Raw diets for dogs typically consist of raw muscle meat, raw meaty bones, organ meat, raw eggs, and sometimes fruit, vegetables, and dairy. The two main models are:

- BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) — includes plant matter
- Whole prey — mimics what a dog would eat in the wild, without plant material

Potential benefits

Owners who feed raw diets frequently report a shinier coat, cleaner teeth, smaller firmer stools, and increased energy. Some dogs with chronic digestive issues or skin conditions improve on raw. However, most of these reports are anecdotal — high-quality controlled studies are limited.

Real risks to understand

- Bacterial contamination — raw meat regularly contains Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, and E. coli. This poses a risk not just to your dog but to humans in the household, particularly children, elderly people, and immunocompromised individuals.
- Nutritional imbalance — homemade raw diets are frequently deficient in calcium, zinc, vitamin D, and other micronutrients unless carefully formulated. A 2022 study found the majority of home-prepared raw diets did not meet NRC minimum requirements.
- Bone hazards — raw bones are safer than cooked (which splinter), but still pose a risk of tooth fractures, intestinal obstruction, and perforation. Never give weight-bearing bones from large animals.
- Parasites — raw pork and freshwater fish carry parasite risks. Freeze meat for 3 weeks before feeding to reduce (not eliminate) this risk.

If you choose to feed raw

Use commercially prepared raw diets that are HPP (high-pressure pasteurised) for safety. If going homemade, work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to formulate a complete diet. Always handle raw meat with strict hygiene.

Flovvi tip

Track your dog's weight and coat condition in Flovvi before and after transitioning to raw — objective data is much more useful than memory when evaluating any diet change.