Why I Now Recommend a Raw Food Diet for Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Perspective

By Dr. Dana Alazzeh, DVM

If you had asked me early in my veterinary training whether I would ever feed my own pets a raw diet, my honest answer would have been no. Like many conventionally trained veterinarians, I was taught to be cautious about raw food. Concerns about safety, pathogens, and nutritional imbalance were always top of mind. What I have learned since then, both through clinical experience and ongoing research, has changed my perspective in a big way.

Today, I feed a vet-recommended fresh raw food diet for dogs to my own pets, and I support pet parents who are curious about making the switch. I also proudly recommend companies like We Feed Raw because of their commitment to safety, quality, and science. A shift is happening in veterinary medicine, and it is time to talk about why.

Why I Reconsidered Raw Feeding

Over the last several years, I started seeing more dogs who were thriving on balanced, commercially prepared raw diets. Better stool quality, improved skin and coat health, more stable energy, and noticeable changes in weight management were common themes. These changes made me curious, so I dug deeper.

The more time I spent reviewing research, speaking with nutrition experts, and observing my own patients, the more I realized that nutrition cannot be approached with a one-size-fits-all mindset. Dogs are individuals. Their diets should reflect that.

Fresh, minimally processed food works with a dog's physiology in a way that extruded, carbohydrate-heavy diets often do not. Raw diets are richer in naturally occurring enzymes, amino acids, and moisture. All of these support digestion, metabolic health, and immune function in ways that are hard to ignore once you see the difference firsthand.

Safety Matters, and Not All Raw Diets Are the Same

One of the biggest concerns veterinarians have with raw feeding is safety. That concern is valid. Raw feeding must be done responsibly. What changed my mind was learning how much variability exists among companies and how few meet the standards that truly address those concerns.

This is why I support We Feed Raw. Their safety program is rigorous. They use high-pressure processing (HPP) to achieve a validated reduction in pathogens while preserving the nutritional integrity of raw food. They use USDA-sourced meats, organs, and bones, strict testing protocols, and a level of transparency that I wish more pet food companies offered.

When I saw the steps they take, I felt confident not only recommending the food but feeding it to my own pets.

Why I Feed We Feed Raw to My Own Dogs

As a veterinarian, I will never recommend something I am not willing to use myself. My dogs have been on We Feed Raw because it provides balanced nutrition, consistent quality, and a safety process I trust. The difference I have seen in their digestion, energy, and overall well-being has reinforced my belief that fresh raw feeding can be an incredible option for many pets.

A Shift in Veterinary Medicine

More veterinarians are beginning to question old assumptions about pet food. We are seeing pet parents research more, ask better questions, and advocate for diets that feel aligned with their values.

Many of us in the veterinary community are acknowledging that fresh, minimally processed diets can have real benefits. The conversation is changing, and it is happening because of advancements in safety, better education, and companies who are doing raw feeding the right way.

I believe that the future of pet nutrition is more individualized, more transparent, and more rooted in fresh, biologically appropriate food. Raw diets, when formulated and handled correctly, are an important part of that future.

Final Thoughts

If you are considering fresh raw feeding, know that you are not alone. Many veterinarians, including myself, are continuing to explore, learn, and evolve with the latest science. My goal is always to support what keeps pets healthiest and happiest, and for many dogs, a balanced raw diet does exactly that.

I look forward to helping pet parents navigate these choices safely and confidently. And I am proud to support companies like We Feed Raw that hold themselves to the highest standards.

About Dr. Dana Alazzeh, DVM

Dr. Dana Alazzeh is a California native and graduate of San Francisco State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science with a concentration in physiology. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical training at Cornell University in New York.

Dr. Alazzeh is passionate about helping pet parents make informed, science-based decisions that support long-term health and well-being.

Try We Feed Raw's Vet-Recommended Dog Food Today

If you're ready to try dog food recommended by a vet, try We Feed Raw's frozen raw recipes for dogs of all life stages or freeze-dried raw recipes for adult dogs only.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do conventionally trained DVMs now recommend vet-recommended raw dog food?

Many veterinarians, including Dr. Alazzeh, have shifted their views due to clinical experience and updated research. They observed dogs thriving on balanced, safe raw diets, showing better coat health, stable energy, and reduced inflammation. This evidence reinforced the belief that fresh, minimally processed food works with a dog's physiology.

Is kibble still the standard dog food recommended by a vet?

While kibble remains the norm in many practices, a growing number of veterinarians are questioning old assumptions about highly processed, carbohydrate-heavy diets. They are acknowledging that fresh, minimally processed nutrition often supports metabolic health and the microbiome in ways that extruded diets cannot.

What makes minimally processed food qualify as vet-recommended fresh dog food?

Minimally processed food qualifies as vet-recommended fresh dog food because it is rich in naturally occurring enzymes and amino acids that support digestion and metabolic health. This type of diet works with a dog's physiology, avoiding the altered forms of nutrients found in extruded diets that often contribute to chronic issues.

How does a raw diet become a vet-recommended dog food for digestive health?

A raw diet is considered a vet-recommended dog food for digestive health because it improves microbial diversity and provides moisture-rich nutrition. Dr. Alazzeh noted that the food's low processing reduces the risk of ingredients being altered into forms that contribute to chronic gut inflammation and digestive dysfunction.

What We Feed Raw safety protocols allow Dr. Alazzeh to feel confident calling our recipes vet-recommended dog food?

Dr. Alazzeh's shift to recommending our food stemmed from trust in our safety protocols. Our use of high-pressure processing (HPP) provides a scientifically validated reduction in pathogens. This assurance allowed her to confidently recommend and feed our product, knowing the food delivers raw benefits without compromising safety.