Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat? A Comprehensive Guide to Raw Feeding

When pet parents first hear about raw food diets for their furry friends, their initial thought is often, "Can dogs eat raw meat?" It is a natural question, given that humans typically avoid uncooked meat. But a dog's body is fundamentally different from ours.

Not only can dogs eat raw meat, but they are anatomically designed to thrive on it. Raw meat provides the cornerstone of a biologically appropriate diet, offering a wealth of benefits that kibble simply cannot match.

This comprehensive guide will answer the most pressing questions about raw feeding. We explore why raw meat is good for dogs, address common safety concerns, and show you why a balanced, professionally prepared raw diet—like those from We Feed Raw—is the best raw dog food for your pet.

Is Raw Meat Good for Dogs? The Nutritional and Biological Case

The question, "Is raw meat good for dogs?" has a simple and powerful answer: Yes. A raw diet aligns with a dog’s anatomical and physiological needs in ways that processed foods do not. It’s an approach to nutrition that taps into their natural, carnivorous design.

Your Dog Is an Anatomical Carnivore

All dogs, from the smallest lap dog to the largest working breed, are anatomically designed to derive nutrients from raw animal protein.

They possess a short, simple digestive tract that processes raw food quickly and efficiently, preventing bacterial overgrowth. A highly acidic stomach, with a pH as low as 1, acts as a natural barrier, helping them to break down bone and handle bacteria in a way that would be impossible for a human. Their powerful, hinged jaws and pointy teeth are also perfectly suited for tearing and chewing raw meat and bone.

From a biological standpoint, the dogs should absolutely be eating raw meat.

Key Nutritional Benefits of a Raw Meat Diet

A nutritionally balanced raw meat diet offers a variety of health benefits:

• •Superior Digestibility and Bioavailability: Raw food is highly digestible, reducing the workload on your dog's digestive system. This means their body can more efficiently absorb and use the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids in the food, leading to better nutrient utilization and less waste.

• •Optimal Hydration: Raw food naturally has a high moisture content, which helps keep your dog hydrated and supports healthy kidney and urinary tract function. This is a significant advantage over dry kibble.

• •Increased Energy and Vitality: With a diet rich in bioavailable nutrients, many pet parents observe an increase in their dog’s energy, a healthier coat, and better overall vitality.

• •Support for a Healthy Gut: Raw food promotes a healthy, diverse gut microbiome. This, in turn, strengthens the immune system and can help reduce symptoms related to allergies and inflammation.

Is Raw Meat Safe for Dogs? A Look at Pathogens and Prevention

Another common worry pet owners have is that a raw meat diet will make their furry friend sick. While this is a valid concern, the reality of pathogen contamination in pet food may surprise you.

Debunking the Myths: Dogs' Digestive Systems and Pathogens

Data from FDA Enforcement Reports between 2012 and 2022 found that of all pet food recalls due to pathogenic bacteria contamination:

• •97% was kibble-style pet food

• •1.4% was treats

• •1.1% was raw-style pet food

• •0.1% was dehydrated or cooked-style pet food

This data clearly shows that when it comes to contaminated pet food, kibble is, more often than not, the culprit. Dogs can eat raw meat without getting sick because of their digestive system that’s designed to handle bacteria in the gut. Their highly acidic stomach and natural digestive enzymes help them process even harmful bacteria without becoming ill.

We Feed Raw’s Multi-Layered Approach to Safety

The quality and preparation of the raw meat are key to keeping your pup healthy. At We Feed Raw, we go the extra mile to ensure our food is always safe and healthy.

• •Human-Grade Sourcing: We use only high-quality, human-grade meats and produce our recipes in a USDA-certified facility. All ingredients must comply with rigid incoming quality assurance specifications.

• •High-Pressure Processing: As part of our food safety program, we use high-pressure processing (HPP). High-pressure processing is a non-thermal pasteurization technology that employs ultra-high water pressure to neutralize food-borne pathogens such as Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella. Because the process uses pressure rather than heat, there is little to no change in product taste, texture, or nutritional value. Our commitment to this scientifically-backed safety method gives you peace of mind that every meal you serve is safe.

Should Dogs Eat Raw Meat From the Supermarket?

Many pet parents ask, "Can I feed my dog raw meat from the supermarket?" While grocery store meat is generally safe for human cooking, it is not a suitable basis for a complete and balanced raw diet. The answer to "Should dogs eat raw meat from the grocery store as their whole diet?" is no.

The Problem With Grocery Store Meat

Grocery store meat, such as ground beef or raw chicken breasts, is meant to be cooked for human consumption. As a standalone ingredient, it is not nutritionally balanced for dogs. A complete raw diet requires a precise ratio of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone.

Feeding only ground hamburger or a chicken breast would lead to severe nutrient deficiencies over time. It would lack vital calcium and phosphorus from bone, as well as the concentrated vitamins from organ meat.

Furthermore, grocery store meat does not undergo a pathogen inactivation step like high-pressure processing (HPP) after being packaged, which increases the risk of bacterial contamination.

A Raw Diet’s Complete and Balanced Approach

The misconception that a raw diet consists only of muscle meat is one of the most common mistakes made by new raw feeders. A nutritionally balanced raw diet is made up of the correct ratio of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone, plus added vitamins and minerals to ensure it meets AAFCO standards.

We Feed Raw's recipes are expertly formulated to provide this precise balance in every meal, so you never have to worry about nutrient deficiencies or food safety.

What Kinds of Raw Meat Can Dogs Eat?

When it comes to feeding your dog raw meat, most proteins are safe and beneficial. Your dog can eat raw chicken, duck, turkey, beef, and lamb. They should enjoy a mix of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone from these animals to provide a broad spectrum of nutrients.

Muscle Meat, Organ Meat, and Bone: The Key Components

A complete raw diet contains three key components from an animal:

• •Muscle Meat: The primary source of protein and fat

• •Organ Meat: The vitamin and mineral powerhouses

• •Bone: A natural source of calcium and phosphorus

Raw Meat Bones: Yes, But With Specific Rules

Your pup can eat meat, but what about giving them a bone to chew on? The answer is once again yes, but with some stipulations.

• •Recreational Bones (e.g., beef ribs, beef kneecaps) are great for mental stimulation, jaw exercise, and teeth cleaning. In fact, in the raw feeding world, they are affectionately referred to as "nature's toothbrush." With recreational bones, your dog is meant to chew the meat off the bone but not actually eat the bone itself. Recreational bones can be fed in addition to the diet and do not replace meals.

• •Raw Meaty Bones (e.g., chicken backs, turkey necks) are the types of bones used for a complete and balanced raw diet (these are finely ground into our patties). Raw meaty bones are meant to be completely consumed and are often fed as a meal or part of a meal.

• •Never give your dog a cooked bone to chew on, as these are dry and can splinter, causing severe internal injury.

How to Feed Raw Meat: A Practical Guide

Transitioning to a raw diet is straightforward when you have a plan. With the right balanced raw diet, your dog can enjoy raw meals every day.

Transitioning and Daily Portions

Start by replacing a small portion of your dog’s current food with raw meat, slowly increasing the amount over 7-10 days. This allows their digestive system to adjust comfortably. Monitor their stool and overall demeanor during the transition.

Whether you choose to feed your pet 100% raw, mix it with their typical pet food, or use it as a topper, it’s completely up to you. Adding even 25% raw to your dog’s daily meals can have overall health benefits. The exact portion size for daily feeding will depend on your dog’s age, weight, and activity level.

Safe Handling and Hygiene Practices

Proper handling of raw meat is crucial for keeping your home and pup healthy.

• •Storage: Always keep raw food frozen until ready to use. Thaw only in the refrigerator, in a sealed container on the bottom shelf to prevent drips and cross-contamination.

• •Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after handling raw meat.

• •Sanitization: Clean and sanitize all surfaces, bowls, and utensils that come into contact with raw meat using hot, soapy water or a pet-safe disinfectant.

The We Feed Raw Advantage: A Safer, Healthier Raw Diet

Including raw meat in your dog's diet offers several health benefits, including healthier gut bacteria, balanced blood sugar levels, and improved overall vitality. When you choose a reputable and transparent brand like We Feed Raw, you can provide these benefits with peace of mind.

Our commitment to using the highest-quality, human-grade ingredients, coupled with our scientifically validated safety process (HPP), sets us apart. Our frozen raw recipes are complete and balanced for all life stages, making raw feeding as easy and safe as possible. We also offer extremely convenient freeze-dried raw food for adult dogs.

Ready to provide your dog with the best raw dog food? Take our quiz now to start your pup’s perfect meal plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat raw meat without getting sick?

Yes, dogs can eat raw meat without getting sick. A dog’s digestive system is biologically designed to handle raw food and its associated bacteria. With a highly acidic stomach and a short digestive tract, dogs are well-equipped to process raw meat.

We Feed Raw enhances this natural safety with high-pressure processing (HPP), a non-thermal process that inactivates pathogens without using heat, providing an added layer of safety.

Is raw meat good for dogs from a nutritional standpoint?

Yes, raw meat is good for dogs from a nutritional standpoint because it provides highly bioavailable nutrients in their natural form. Raw meat, when part of a balanced diet, is rich in essential protein and fats for energy and contains vital vitamins and minerals.

The natural enzymes in raw food also assist in digestion, leading to better nutrient absorption and reduced waste.

Should dogs eat raw meat as their entire diet, or can it be a supplement?

For a truly complete and balanced diet, raw meat must be fed in the correct ratios of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone. While it can be used as a supplement or topper to a kibble diet, feeding a commercially prepared, balanced raw food is the best way to ensure your dog gets all the nutrients they need every day without deficiencies.

Can I feed my dog raw meat from the supermarket?

We do not recommend feeding your dog a full diet of raw meat from the supermarket. Grocery store meat is not nutritionally balanced for dogs, as it lacks the essential organs and bone needed for a complete diet. It also does not undergo a pathogen inactivation step, unlike our high-pressure processing.

A commercially prepared and balanced raw food is the safest way to ensure your dog gets the full benefits of a raw diet.

What kinds of raw poultry for dogs are best to include in a diet?

For raw poultry for dogs, a variety of parts are best for a complete diet. Muscle meat (like chicken or turkey breast) provides lean protein. Organs (like livers and kidneys) are vitamin powerhouses. Raw meaty bones (like chicken necks) offer essential calcium and phosphorus.

We Feed Raw's complete recipes include these components in the proper ratios for optimal health and vitality.