Choosing the right diet for your canine companion is a critical decision for any pet owner. In recent years, raw diets have surged in popularity, prompting many to consider this alternative feeding approach. While proponents tout various benefits, it's essential to understand both the potential advantages and risks associated with raw diets before making a switch.
Understanding Raw Diets for Dogs
Raw diets, also known as raw meat-based diets (RMBDs), aim to mimic what dogs' ancestors ate in the wild. These diets typically consist of uncooked muscle meat, bones (whole or ground), organ meats (such as livers and kidneys), raw eggs, vegetables (like broccoli, spinach, and celery), fruits (such as apples), and sometimes dairy (like yogurt). The rationale behind these diets is the belief that dogs and cats evolved eating raw, natural foods. Processing may destroy or alter nutrients.
Types of Raw Diets
There is no standardized raw diet; instead there are many such diets that fit within two general categories: homemade raw recipes and commercially prepared raw diets. The strictest of raw diet feeders are considered purists who feed only raw meat, bones, and eggs, but no fruit, vegetables, or grains; these diets rarely include supplements to make them balanced or complete. There are several well-known homemade raw diets, including the BARF homemade diet (standing for bones and raw food), the Ultimate diet, and the Volhard diet. In many diets each meal is not meant to be balanced; however, over time the diets aspire to provide balanced nutrition. Many pet owners have amended these popular raw food diets to create their own recipes with or without additional supplements.
Commercially prepared raw food diets are typically sold frozen, although refrigerated diets are also available. Most commercial diets contain meat, bones, produce, and supplements to make a complete and balanced diet.
Potential Benefits of Raw Diets
Advocates of raw diets report several potential benefits for dogs, including:
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- Shinier coat and healthier skin: The higher fat content of most raw food diets promotes healthy skin as well as fur. A nutrition professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Freeman says that many of the benefits attributed to a raw food diet for dogs, such as a shinier coat, instead are the result of the high fat composition of the typical raw diet.
- Cleaner teeth and better breath: Meat on the bone can reduce bad breath and improve dental hygiene in dogs.
- Higher energy levels: Some owners report increased vitality in their dogs after switching to a raw diet.
- Smaller stools: Raw diets may result in smaller, more compact stools.
- Improved immune function: RMBDs may result in improved immune function.
- Weight management: If your dog tends to gain weight easily, a raw diet can help keep its weight in check.
- Food allergies solutions: In my experience, commercial or home-prepared raw diets can be medical problem solving for dogs and cats that have developed food allergies, especially to common meats such as chicken and beef.
However, it's important to note that many mainstream veterinarians as well as the FDA agree the risks of raw diets are well documented with several studies published in veterinary journals.
Potential Risks of Raw Diets
Despite the potential benefits, raw diets are not without risks. These risks need careful consideration:
- Bacterial Contamination: Raw meat can harbor harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. These bacteria can pose a threat to both the dog and the humans handling the food. In a research study conducted by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, your odds of being exposed to a foodborne pathogen (Salmonella, Listeria, or toxigenic E. coli) in frozen raw meat diets for pets purchased online are about 1-out-of-3. A more recent study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that 10 percent of canine raw food products contained Gram negative bacteria that produced extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), enzymes that degrade penicillins and cephalosporins, making treatment of those infections quite difficult.
- Nutritional Imbalance: A raw diet that is not properly balanced can lead to nutrient deficiencies or excesses, which can cause serious health problems over time. A study by Freeman and Michel (JAVMA 2001) performed a nutritional analysis of 5 raw diets (3 homemade and 2 commercial) and found that all had nutrient deficiencies or excesses "that could cause serious health problems when used in a long-term feeding program."
- Bone Hazards: Raw bones can pose risks such as choking or internal injuries. Choose appropriate-sized bones and supervise your pet while they eat. Big bones should not be offered, due to the potential of breaking teeth. Dogs in the wild would only gnaw the ligaments and cartilage off.
- Zoonotic Disease Transmission: Pathogens in raw meat can be transmitted to humans through handling the food or contact with the dog's saliva or feces. The transmissions of bacteria can be not only through food and its handling but also through water and fecal-oral routes; thus, documenting another reason raw meat preparation hygiene is important for all parties involved in the care and handling of animal products. A large epidemiologic study published in 2017 indicated that raw meat consumption was a significant risk factor for Salmonella shedding in dogs, and close to half of the infected dogs appeared healthy.
Addressing the Risks: Safety Measures
If you choose to feed your dog a raw diet, it's crucial to take the following safety measures:
- Consult with a Veterinary Nutritionist: Work with a veterinary nutritionist to design a complete and balanced diet that meets your dog's specific needs. Use a veterinary nutritionist to help create a complete and balanced raw diet.
- Source High-Quality Ingredients: Purchase raw meat and other ingredients from reputable sources that follow strict food safety standards. Owners who elect to feed raw meat and eggs should be careful to purchase only products of quality acceptable for human consumption from a clean and trusted source.
- Practice Strict Hygiene: Handle raw meat with care, using separate utensils and cutting boards. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw food. Clean and disinfect all surfaces and dishes afterwards, and of course wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
- Proper Storage: Store raw meat properly in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent bacterial growth. Most refrigerated fresh or thawed meat products should be used within 3 days.
- Bone Safety: If feeding bones, choose appropriate sizes and supervise your dog to prevent choking or internal injuries. Options to minimize this risk could include supervision to allow chewing on large bones but prevent ingestion by timely removal, or only feeding bones that have been ground into very small pieces.
- Avoid High-Risk Individuals: If you have young children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals in your household, take extra precautions to prevent exposure to raw meat and dog feces. If you choose to give your dog freeze-dried treats (or any other raw food), do not let anyone in high-risk groups (young, old, immunocompromised, or pregnant) come in contact with the product or the dog. Even if your dog doesn’t look sick, they could be shedding organisms that would likely harm those family members.
The Veterinarian's Role
Veterinarians play a crucial role in advising pet owners about raw diets. It is important for veterinarians to understand the rationale behind why owners choose to feed raw food diets, the differences between various diets, and safety concerns involved, so they can provide solid and trustworthy advice to clients. Veterinarians should:
- Discuss the risks and benefits: Provide pet owners with evidence-based information about the potential benefits and risks of raw diets.
- Assess the dog's individual needs: Consider the dog's age, health status, and lifestyle when making dietary recommendations.
- Evaluate the diet's nutritional adequacy: Review homemade recipes or commercial labels to ensure the diet is complete and balanced.
- Offer guidance on safe handling practices: Educate pet owners on proper food handling and hygiene to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination.
- Monitor the dog's health: Regularly monitor the dog's health for any signs of nutritional deficiencies or health problems.
Making an Informed Decision
The decision to feed your dog a raw diet is a personal one that should be made in consultation with your veterinarian. A successful raw feeding plan requires careful consideration, professional guidance, and a commitment to your pet’s health and safety. Consider the following factors:
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- Your dog's individual needs
- The potential benefits and risks
- Your ability to prepare a balanced diet safely
- The cost and convenience of raw feeding
Ultimately, your pet’s health and happiness are our top priorities!
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