Raw Dog Food Myths Busted: Know the Facts for Your Pet's Health

Common raw dog food myths claim that uncooked diets are unsafe, unbalanced, or inherently dangerous for domestic pets. The reality is that a complete and balanced raw diet is safe, highly bioavailable, and provides optimal nutrition that aligns perfectly with a dog's natural anatomy.

By separating these myths from scientific facts, pet owners can safely move past common misconceptions and choose a raw dog food that helps their dogs thrive.

What Are the Quick Takeaways About Raw Dog Food Myths?

A complete and balanced raw dog food like We Feed Raw is safe, delicious, easy to feed, and will help your dog have more quality years. Most raw food diet myths are perpetuated by Big Pet Food or well-meaning but ill-informed veterinarians who want you to believe that carb-rich kibble is the best thing you can feed your dog.

The reality is that highly processed kibble is no better for your dog than highly processed junk food is for you.

In fact, veterinarian Dr. Katie Woodley said: "I’ve seen raw-fed dogs thrive with shinier coats, healthier skin, better dental health, and fewer chronic issues like allergies and digestive upset. I’m very particular about which brands I recommend and one of the companies I trust is We Feed Raw."

What Is Raw Dog Food?

A raw food diet for dogs includes uncooked muscle meat, organ meat, and bone from high-quality animal sources.

While you can DIY a raw diet, raw dog food from a company like We Feed Raw is already nutritionally complete and balanced with no weighing or measuring and has been subjected to a cold-pressure process to inactivate potential pathogens.

Why Is a Raw Diet for Dogs the Best Thing You Can Feed Them?

A raw diet is the best option for dogs because it honors their ancestral biology while providing clean, unadulterated nutrients that cooking typically destroys.

There are several reasons why this nutritional model outpaces highly processed options:

Are Dogs Carnivores?

Yes, dogs are facultative carnivores. While a Shih Tzu may not resemble a wolf on the outside, their digestive tracts are nearly identical, from their hinged jaws and pointy teeth to their highly acidic stomachs and short intestinal tract.

Does Raw Food Use Higher-Quality Ingredients?

Yes, commercial raw food utilizes significantly higher-quality ingredients than traditional dry food. Since kibble and canned food are cooked at such high temperatures, they can include diseased animals, roadkill, and other ingredients that would never be acceptable under other circumstances.

Do Carbs Cause Obesity and Its Related Diseases?

Yes, high carbohydrate levels directly contribute to pet weight gain. Studies show that dogs fed a high-protein diet lose more fat and less muscle than dogs fed a high-carb diet with the exact same number of calories.

Do Puppies Fed Raw Grow Up to Be Healthier?

Yes, starting dogs on fresh food early prevents chronic illness down the road. Studies show that puppies who grow up eating a raw diet are less likely to struggle with ear infections, skin allergies, and digestive problems than those who grow up eating kibble.

Dr. Woodley adds that, "Starting a puppy on a raw diet sets them up for optimal health, providing essential nutrients in their most bioavailable form, supporting better digestion, improved coat health, increased energy, and stronger immune function."

Does Kibble Cause Dental Problems?

Yes, the starches in kibble cause dental plaque and periodontal disease. While pet food makers want you to believe that crunching on kibble is good for dogs’ teeth, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The carbohydrates in kibble actually feed the mouth bacteria that cause cavities and dental disease. As a result, raw-fed dogs have better oral health, even if they don’t gnaw on recreational raw bones.

What Are the Main Categories of Raw Dog Food Myths?

In general, raw dog food diet myths fall under a few broad categories: that it’s somehow dangerous, that dogs don’t like it, that it’s too expensive, and that cooked food is better.

The reality breaks down quite differently across these categories:

• •Biological Design: Dogs are built to get their nutritional needs met with raw (rather than cooked) meat.

• •Long-Term Savings: An increase in spending on dog food can save countless money on vet bills down the road.

• •Palatability: Dogs naturally and instinctively love the taste of raw food.

• •Safety Protocols: Due to modern processing safeguards, commercial raw food can actually be safer than kibble.

The Top 11 Raw Dog Food Myths Debunked

Let’s look at some of the most common raw dog food myths and debunk each one.

Myth 1: Does Raw Dog Food Contain Harmful Bacteria?

No, commercial raw dog food is safe from harmful pathogens when properly prepared, and a healthy dog's gut is naturally equipped to handle environmental bacteria. This myth encompasses two different fears: that raw food could make your dog sick, and that raw food could make you or your family sick.

Here’s why you needn’t worry:

• •Acidic Environment: The gut of a healthy dog is perfectly able to handle low levels of bacteria since their stomach is highly acidic and their digestive tract is so short.

• •Fast Digestion: Any bacteria that escape the acidic stomach are typically expelled in your dog’s waste before they can replicate enough to make your pup sick.

To keep your family safe, you should use the same precautions when handling your dog’s raw food that you would when preparing meat for your human family: wash your hands before and after touching it and immediately sanitize any surfaces or utensils the raw meat touches.

Kibble isn’t safe from bacterial contamination, either. In fact, one lot of Victor brand Hi-Pro Plus dry dog food was recalled after it was found to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Finally, We Feed Raw uses a cold-pressure process to inactivate potential pathogens, making it even safer for your dog and your human family.

According to Dr. Woodley: “At We Feed Raw, safety is never an afterthought. Every meal is made with high-quality, USDA meats and handled with care using a process that protects both the nutrition and your dog’s well-being. As a holistic veterinarian, I feel confident recommending this food because it’s carefully sourced, safe and biologically appropriate.”

Myth 2: Are There Age Restrictions for Raw Feeding?

No, dogs of all ages can successfully eat a raw diet. While puppies and senior dogs do have specific nutritional requirements, that doesn’t mean they can’t get those needs met through a raw diet.

• •We Feed Raw's frozen recipes meet AAFCO nutritional requirements for dogs of all life stages, including gestation, lactation, and the growth of large-breed puppies.

• •Our freeze-dried recipes meet AAFCO nutritional requirements for adult dogs only.

And, since we use high-pressure processing to inactivate potential pathogens, our food is safe for even the youngest puppy tummies. Our finely ground frozen raw patties are also easy for all dogs, including toothless seniors, to eat and enjoy without any problems.

Myth 3: Is a Raw Diet Too Complicated to Prepare?

No, feeding raw is not complicated when you use a pre-portioned commercial service. Trying to create a complete and balanced raw diet yourself CAN be complicated. That’s why We Feed Raw does the hard work for you:

• •Our pre-portioned frozen raw patties already contain the perfect amount of raw muscle meat, organ meat, and finely ground bone, along with a small amount of a vitamin and mineral pre-mix to make our food complete and balanced. You simply thaw, portion, and serve.

• •Our freeze-fried recipes contain 85% raw muscle and organ meat plus 15% non-GMO fruits and vegetables. Formulated for adult dogs only, our freeze-dried recipes provide the same shelf-stable scoop-and-serve convenience of kibble.

Whether you choose our frozen patties or our freeze-dried recipes, we’ll tell you exactly how much to feed your dog each day based on numerous factors, including their breed, age, weight, activity level, body condition, and more.

We ship the food right to you, so all you have to do is thaw or scoop and feed. Raw doesn’t have to be complicated at all.

Myth 4: Is Raw Dog Food Too Expensive?

No, raw dog food is a highly cost-effective investment when balanced against long-term veterinary savings.

Since raw food doesn’t contain the cheap filler ingredients used by kibble companies, it does cost more upfront. However, raw dog food helps keep your dog healthier for longer, putting off expensive vet bills caused by things like allergies, recurring ear infections, tummy trouble, diabetes, and more.

Raw dog food is an investment in your dog’s health. If you can’t afford a fully raw diet for your pup, adding even some raw to their diet can significantly improve their health and overall well-being.

Myth 5: Will Fussy Dogs Reject Raw Food?

No, picky dogs are far more likely to enthusiastically eat raw food because it appeals to their natural predatory instincts. Most picky pups LOVE raw food because they instinctively know it’s what they’re meant to eat. Here are a few reviews on Trustpilot from real owners of picky dogs who made the switch to We Feed Raw:

• •“My dog is a picky eater and we have tried several brands, We Feed Raw is his favorite. It was the first time he sat at his bowl and ate until it was gone.” -Mike

• •“My dog is a very picky eater. Ever since switching to We Feed Raw, he gobbles it up no problem.” -Rachel

• •“OMG!!! Our 9 lb long- haired Doxie, Ivy gets super excited with her meals! This girl is picky and we have had to change her food a few times in the three years we’ve had her, but this has been THE BEST so far. It’s super frustrating to offer them food and they walk away. What peace it brings each meal that she devours with excitement.” -Paula

• •"My dog, Winnie, is soooo picky. I have tried 4 different dog food subscriptions. THIS is a game changer- she absolutely loves it. I’ve noticed a surge in her energy as well— we are very happy we made the switch!!" -Leah

On the off chance your dog doesn’t immediately love raw food, we have a whole blog post full of tips and tricks to help them make the transition to raw.

Myth 6: Is Raw Feeding Too Messy?

No, raw feeding does not have to be messy or unhygienic when using properly packaged commercial portions.

While raw dog food may seem inherently messier than kibble, it doesn’t need to be messy to the point where it’s disgusting. We Feed Raw’s patties are easy to cut into the perfect portions and serve with no need to touch the food with your bare hands.

We also now offer freeze-dried recipes for adult dogs that are no messier or any less convenient than kibble.

Myth 7: Does Raw Dog Food Require Excessive Freezer Space?

No, you do not need a dedicated deep freezer to feed your dog a raw diet subscription. While raw dog food does take up some freezer space, you don’t necessarily need an entire freezer dedicated to your dog’s food.

With a We Feed Raw subscription, you have some flexibility in how often you receive deliveries, so you can get more frequent, smaller deliveries rather than needing to stuff your entire freezer less frequently.

If you’re concerned about how much room in your freezer our food would take up, you can email hello@wefeedraw.com with your questions, and our helpful Customer Service team will walk you through your options.

Additionally, we now offer two shelf-stable freeze-dried recipes for adult dogs that don't require any freezer space whatsoever.

Myth 8: Is There a Danger of Bones Splintering?

No, raw bones are soft and completely safe for dogs, unlike cooked bones which splinter dangerously. Although cooked bones do pose a risk of shattering, potentially leading to internal damage for your dog, raw bones are much softer and easier to chew.

That said, if you still worry about giving your dog whole bones, you can rest easy knowing your pup can get their required amount of bone in our finely ground patties, with no risk of choking, splinters, or internal injuries.

Myth 9: Does Raw Dog Food Pose a Health Risk to Children?

No, raw food poses no greater risk to children than kibble, provided standard household hygiene and mealtime boundaries are maintained.

Regardless of what type of food you give your dog, you should teach your children to stay away from your pup’s food dish. In addition to the fact that kibble poses as much of a bacterial risk as raw food (if not more so), some dogs can become aggressive when protecting their food.

Resource guarding can be a problematic behavior regardless of what you feed your dog.

Myth 10: Is Cooked Meat Superior to Raw Meat?

No, cooked meat is not better for dogs, as the cooking process alters protein structures and reduces overall digestibility for canines.

Studies have shown that raw dog food is actually easier for dogs to digest than “lightly cooked” or highly processed (kibble) foods.

Myth 11: Does a Raw Diet Increase Aggression?

No, a raw diet does not make dogs aggressive or "bloodthirsty." Some people claim that eating raw meat makes dogs bloodthirsty, but there is no evidence to support this claim.

In fact, many people see their dog’s behavior improve after switching them to a raw diet. Since raw dog food is easier to digest, raw-fed dogs probably feel better and therefore act better.

Does a Raw Diet Lack Required Nutrients?

No, a professionally formulated commercial raw diet does not lack nutrients and easily meets all structural baseline requirements.

One of the main arguments that many vets have against a raw diet is that they say it doesn’t offer balanced nutrition. And while vets may very well see pets in their practice that are suffering malnutrition as a result of being fed an unbalanced DIY raw diet, We Feed Raw is nutritionally complete and balanced.

Our frozen raw recipes meet or exceed AAFCO nutrition requirements for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies, and our freeze-dried recipes are complete and balanced for adult dogs.

When you choose We Feed Raw, you can rest assured that your pup will get all the nutrients they need.

Does Raw Food Cause Increased Veterinary Visits?

No, raw food does not cause an increase in veterinary visits; instead, it typically lowers long-term clinic visits by preventing chronic illness.

We Feed Raw uses high-pressure processing (HPP) to inactivate potential pathogens, and in our 15-year history, we’ve never been involved in a recall. Not only is our food unlikely to result in increased veterinary visits, but because it’s so much healthier than kibble, your dog is likely to need fewer vet visits as they age.

The high carb content in kibble is likely one of the biggest contributing factors to the dog obesity epidemic, and obesity in dogs can cause or contribute to a variety of severe issues, including:

• •Arthritis

• •Cancer

• •Kidney problems

• •Pancreatitis

• •Heart problems

• •Breathing problems

• •Diabetes

• •Increased risks of anesthesia

• •Decreased quality of life

Debunk the Myths and Join We Feed Raw

Ready to debunk the myths and redefine your dog's nutrition with real, wholesome ingredients, just as nature intended? Join the We Feed Raw pack today and feed your furry friend the way their ancestors thrived. Experience the We Feed Raw difference, where we make raw feeding simple, safe, and satisfying for your canine companion.

Take our quiz to tailor the perfect meal plan for your dog, or explore our subscription options for partial raw feeders. With We Feed Raw, you're not just choosing a meal; you're choosing a healthier, happier life for your beloved pet, bite after wholesome bite. Your dog's vibrant future awaits!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a raw food diet for dogs surrounded by unfounded beliefs?

Yes. Some of the unfounded beliefs about raw dog food include that it is unbalanced, makes pets or people sick, is extremely expensive, and causes dogs to become bloodthirsty.

The truth is that We Feed Raw is nutritionally complete and balanced, uses a cold-pressure process to inactivate potential pathogens, can be mixed with other foods for a cost-effective option, and helps dogs feel healthy and happy (rather than “bloodthirsty”).

What are common misconceptions regarding raw food for dogs?

Some misconceptions regarding raw food for dogs include that it’s not complete and balanced; that it could make your dog or your child sick; that it’s complicated and messy; and that it causes dogs to become bloodthirsty.

The truth is that We Feed Raw meets AAFCO nutrition standards for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies; uses a cold-pressure process to inactivate potential pathogens, making the food safe for pets and people alike; is easy to feed without being messy; and improves digestion, making dogs happier and healthier.

Are there misconceptions about the raw dog food diet?

Yes, there are many misconceptions about the raw dog food diet, including that it’s unbalanced, makes dogs sick, and turns dogs into bloodthirsty killers.

The truth is that We Feed Raw makes raw dog food that is nutritionally complete and balanced, free of harmful pathogens, delicious, and easy to digest. It may also even improve some dogs’ moods since their system doesn’t have to work as hard to digest it.

Are there myths about raw food for dogs that need debunking?

Yes, there are several myths about raw food for dogs that need debunking:

Myth: Raw dog food is not balanced

Truth: We Feed Raw is nutritionally complete and balanced

Myth: Raw food makes dogs sick

Truth: We Feed Raw uses HPP to inactivate potential pathogens

Myth: Raw food makes dogs bloodthirsty

Truth: Dog behavior often improves after switching to raw

What myths exist about raw food diets for pets?

Several myths exist about raw food diets for pets, including that they’re not balanced, they could make your pet sick, and they make dogs bloodthirsty.

The truth is that We Feed Raw is nutritionally complete and balanced, uses a cold-pressure process to inactivate potential pathogens, and customers report their dogs acting happier on a raw diet.

Is there a single myth that encapsulates the raw food diet debate?

The raw food diet myth mostly boils down to the idea that highly processed kibble is somehow healthier for dogs than the species-appropriate raw diet dogs are still perfectly designed to thrive on, despite how different they may look on the outside from their wolf ancestors.

What are some myths about a raw food diet for dogs?

Some myths about a raw food diet for dogs include that it makes dogs sick, isn’t balanced, and makes dogs bloodthirsty.

There is no evidence to support the idea that raw dog food makes pets bloodthirsty, and We Feed Raw is nutritionally complete and balanced and uses a cold-pressure process to inactivate pathogens, making it safe.