Feeding dogs a raw diet is far from being a fad or trend. In fact, it wasn’t until the min-1800s that “dog food” was created in the UK, then introduced to the US in the 1890s. So, for about 150 years dogs have been eating processed foods. Up until that point their diets looked much different.
As intimidating and dangerous as a raw diet might sound, the fear of feeding raw comes from our modern culture. Though there are precautions raw feeders need to take when sourcing, preparing and feeding their dog a raw diet the fears people have about feeding raw meats, bones and organs are simply fears of the unknown.
Although dogs (wild and domestic) have been eating raw diets for thousands of years, we’ve become so accustom to kibble that the idea of feeding dogs a natural diet is scary. Our grandparents and great-grandparents did it, but today it’s as foreign to us as the idea of navigating our lives without a cell phone.
Let’s take a look at common fears and concerns, then discuss the truth behind them.
Fear: Salmonella.
Fact: Dogs’ industrial-strength digestive systems and strong stomach acids are powerful enough to disarm salmonella bacteria before they can cause illness. While salmonella can be contracted through the consumption of raw meat (though is rarely harmful), the reality is that there are endless sources of salmonella present in the environment (including, at times, commercial kibble), but most do not cause contamination.
Fear: E-coli.
Fact: As stated above, dogs’ short GI tract (full of powerful acids) is designed to quickly digest food, minimizing the time bacteria has to colonize. This means that a raw fed dog has no greater chance of getting sick from bacteria found on raw meats, bones and organs than he does if he came in contact with the bacteria from another source.
The truth is that dogs with unhealthy guts (those fed processed diets) are far more likely to become ill when they come in contact with salmonella or e-coli. On the flip side, those who are fed raw and have strong, health guts have a far greater defense against these and other bacteria.
Fear: Bones.
Fact: Most of us were taught, growing up, that chicken bones can splinter and kill dogs. The truth is that any cooked bones (not just chicken bones) can potentially splinter and puncture your dog’s digestive tract.
The only bones you shouldn’t feed your raw fed dog are cooked bones, weight bearing bones, bones that have been cut and have unnaturally sharp ends or edges, and bones from old animals.
Otherwise, feeding raw bones (including raw chicken bones) is completely safe and necessary for a balanced raw diet.
Fear: Germs.
Fact: Cleanliness is absolutely necessary when feeding your dog raw- the same way it’s necessary to clean your counter and wash your hands after you’ve handled raw meat in general. There are raw feeders out there who let their dogs eat on their couches, drag raw meat across their floors and wipe their faces on the carpet once they’re done. It should go without saying that these things should not be allowed.
Sanitary options are to feed your dog outside, feed him/her in their crate and then wash up afterwards or feed them on a surface that can be easily (and immediately) cleaned (linoleum floor, towel, plastic shower certain, etc.).
As for your dog’s mouth, their saliva contains compounds which are antibacterial. This means that salmonella and e-coli are unable to exist within a dog’s mouth. While you wouldn’t necessarily want your dog to lick your face right after eating, rest assured that their mouths don’t harbor deadly bacteria.
Fear: Aggression.
Fact: The notion that your dog is going to revert to the aggression of his wild ancestors after he gets a taste of raw meat and blood is a myth. Yes, raw food is much more valuable to your dog than kibble and they’ll be much less likely to want to share, but food aggression is food aggression no matter what they’re eating.
Fear: Choking.
Fact: Choking is a real concern, but a rarity when you take precautions. First and foremost, never leave your dog alone while they’re eating.
Dogs more likely to choke are those that gulp their meals and there are several ways you can prevent this from happening. Freeze your dog’s meals in big chunks to slow them down, don’t feed your dog pieces that they’ll be tempted to swallow whole (for example, don’t give chicken wing sized bites to Rottweilers) and break up bones (as in, take a hammer to them) in odd shaped pieces like turkey and chicken necks.
Concern: Feeding raw is expensive.
Fact: When you take advantage of the different ways you can source raw meats, bones and organs, nine times out of ten you’ll find that feeding raw is less expensive. This means sourcing from local farmers, meat markets and taking advantage of sales.
Feeding raw will also save you a great deal of money on vet visits and long-term health care costs. Feeding an exceptional diet will help prevent the onset of diseases and ailments and can also help cure them.
Concern: Sourcing.
Fact: Sourcing meat, bones and organs for your raw fed dog can be challenging for newbies and a little intimidating. It’s certainly much more convenient to pick up a bag of kibble at the pet store than it is to learn the ins and outs of buying in bulk. This alone keeps people from making the switch to raw.
But let’s be honest with ourselves here. There’s a price to pay for convenience. Disease is far too common among dogs these days and we’d be lying to ourselves if we believed that a processed diet isn’t to blame.
Contact local butchers, buy in bulk from meat markets, keep an eye out for sales and get to know your local farmers and hunters. Always have a backup plan in case someone is out of stock of what you need.
Concern: Preparation and storing.
Fact: Not everyone is up for being elbow deep in raw meats and organs on a Saturday morning, but as you create your own system you’ll find that it gets easier and easier (and a lot less messy) to prep your dog’s meals.
Storing your dog’s raw food can be a bit of a challenge, but with time you’ll perfect your system. Try using Reditainer containers for easy storing.
Concern: Unbalanced diet.
Fact: I’ve heard it said that an unbalanced raw diet is one of the most dangerous things for a dog’s health, however, I have to disagree. While a proper raw diet is essential to your dog’s health and longevity (and yes, an unbalanced diet can be detrimental), I believe that the risks of feeding commercial food far outweigh the risks of an unbalanced raw diet.
Balance is achieved through the 80/10/10 rule (80% meat, 10%bone, 10% organ).
If you’re new to raw you can visit the “Resources” tab above for free downloads that will help you get started.
Concern: Allergies.
Fact: Allergies to a particular meat (chicken for instance) don’t often pose a problem when chicken is fed in its raw form.
A raw diet is the single best way to pinpoint your dog’s allergies. Start with one meat (chicken or duck, for instance) and add in one additional meat or organ at a time, waiting as long as a week or two for the body to adjust. This way you’ll know exactly what causes your dog an allergic reaction.
Do you have any fears or concerns not listed above? Comment below and share with us what’s holding you back.
Disclaimer: All content provided on WhitneyLiving.com is for informational purposes only. The materials contained here are not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed veterinary professional.
These suggestions are based on research and personal experiences. Whitney Bryson, the author of this site, assumes no responsibility or liability for the use of this information. This content is not meant to replace veterinary advice.