The Walking Club

Should I feed my dog a raw diet?

Raw diets carry real risks for dogs and for people. Talk to your vet before you start.
2 min read·Field notes

Short answer: raw feeding has risks, so talk to your vet before you try it. This is one to decide with them, not from social media.

What Cornell and VCA say

Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center reviews the evidence on raw foods for dogs and VCA also covers raw diets. VCA describes a study in which nearly 25 percent of the raw food samples tested positive for harmful bacteria, which can be a health risk for dogs and for people. It also says many commercial raw diets carry no statement that they are complete and balanced, so some nutrients may be missing, too low or too high, and homemade raw diets carry that risk as well.

If you are curious

Ask your vet what they would recommend for your dog, especially if there are children, older adults, or people with weak immune systems in the house. Our guide on choosing dog food covers other options.

Do not

Do not change your dog's food all at once. See changing food slowly.

Get the right help

Ask your vet about your dog's age, health and needs before choosing any diet.

This article is general education, not veterinary advice. If your dog seems unwell, is in pain, or something changed suddenly, call your vet. If it could be an emergency, do not wait.

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RelatedHow do I choose a dog food: dry, wet, raw or grain-free?
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