Nutrition

Raw Diet for Dogs: Benefits, Risks, and Vet Advice

By Julia WrenfieldUpdated August 4, 20261 min read

Evidence-based · Sources checked

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The raw feeding debate is one of the most divisive in dog nutrition. Here is the evidence on both sides.

What Is a Raw Diet?

Raw diets typically include raw muscle meat, organ meat, raw bones, and sometimes vegetables, eggs, and dairy.

Claimed Benefits

Improved coat condition
Better dental health from raw bones
Smaller, firmer stools

Evidence-Based Risks

Bacterial contamination: Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria — risk to dogs and humans
Nutritional imbalance: home-prepared diets frequently deficient in calcium, vitamin D, iodine
Bone injuries: tooth fractures, choking, gut perforations

Vet Advice

Most veterinary nutritionists advise against home-prepared raw diets. Commercially prepared, AAFCO/FEDIAF-compliant raw diets are safer. Never feed raw to immunocompromised dogs or households.

#raw diet dogs risks benefits#dog health#dog nutrition#forpetshealthcare

Sources & further reading

This article is based on peer-reviewed veterinary research and reputable animal-health sources. Explore the underlying science in our Research Library.

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