Is a raw diet right for my dog?

Updated January 2026 by Kristina Johansen

When it comes to our dogs, it goes without saying that we want to make sure they are as happy and healthy as can be. A huge part of that is deciding what to feed.
There is a wide range of different diets for dogs, but no other diet in recent years has generated more arguments and divided opinions than the raw diet. On both sides of the debate are dedicated dog owners and veterinarians.

Raw feeding has increased in popularity over recent years. While they still make up only a small proportion of the diets being fed, raw diets are here to stay.

If you are considering a raw diet for your dog but are not sure it is the right choice, I have answered some of the most commonly asked questions in this blog post.

What is a raw diet exactly?

A raw diet is exactly what it sounds like: feeding your dog a diet comprised entirely of uncooked foods. A raw diet typically consists of uncooked muscle meats, organs such as liver and kidneys, raw eggs, vegetables like sweet potato and spinach, some dairy such as yoghurt, some fruit, whole or ground bones and supplements to balance the diet.

Is a raw diet healthier?

When it comes to raw food diets for dogs, some of the commonly claimed health benefits are:

• Better digestion
• A stronger immune system
• Improved general health
• Healthier coat and skin
• Reduced stool volume and odour
• Improved breath and body odour
• Healthier teeth and gums
• Less cancer

But, is there good science behind these claims?

Despite the increasing popularity of raw diets, there have been no long-term, large-scale studies supporting any of the health benefits claimed above. One small 2018 study compared raw, fresh cooked, fresh cooked grain-free, and dry foods found that:

• There was no significant difference in the digestibility among the foods
• Stool quality was not much different
• Dogs fed the raw diet experienced changes in gut bacteria compared with the other diets, although it is not known whether these changes were beneficial or harmful.
• Dogs fed a nutritionally balanced raw diet remained healthy, but did not demonstrate any extra health benefits above those of dogs fed other foods

This study does, though, come with caveats:

• Each diet was fed for only a relatively short time, and long-term conclusions are impossible to draw.
• The result of the study is based upon the foods compared, and conclusions cannot be applied to all raw diets or all dry food

So, where do we stand now? Is a raw diet healthier?

The short answer to the question is ‘no’. But the slightly longer, and perhaps more accurate answer, is, ‘based on the evidence we have right now, no’.

This does not mean there are no benefits; it simply means we do not know, and that the numerous health claims for raw foods are not supported by scientific evidence.

Is a raw diet ok for all dogs?

Definitely not.

While there is a lot of disagreement about raw diets, one thing both vets and dog owners agree on is that a raw diet is not for every dog.

A key factor will be your dog’s current and past health. For example, any disease or medication that weakens your dog’s immune system is reason enough to be cautious.

There are also specific diseases, such as liver disease and pancreatitis, in which a raw food diet is generally not recommended.

I would also avoid feeding raw meat diets if a human member of your family is immunocompromised, and the same goes for therapy dogs that visit such people.

Is it ok to feed raw bones to my dog?

Personally, I wouldn’t. If you do, choose your bones wisely, and please keep a few limitations in mind.

Feeding large quantities of raw bones can cause hard and dry stools that stay stuck inside your dog’s colon or rectum. Raw meaty bones, i.e., bones that are covered in meat and sometimes skin, such as chicken wings and turkey necks, are less likely to cause this problem.

Never leave a dog unattended with a bone. Your dog could be too eager to gulp down their treat and choke, especially if there are other dogs present, when things could get a little competitive. Bones have a remarkably high resource value.

Raw bones can splinter and cause obstruction in the digestive tract. This is bad news because, if the bone fragment is sharp, it can ultimately punch a hole right through the intestinal wall. Some will dismiss this, but the reality is that it can happen. I’m not suggesting a high risk factor; I’m just making you aware it can happen.

Be sure that your dog’s teeth are in good shape before feeding whole bones. Choose a bone which is appropriate to your dog’s age, size, breed, and experience with chewing bones and don’t let your dog become possessive over them.

Should I worry about bacteria in raw meat?

Of all the questions I am asked, concerns about E. Coli and Salmonella come up most often.

Raw meats can carry bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli, as well as microscopic parasites such as Sarcocystis and Toxoplasma. These pathogens can pose potential health risks to both dogs and people. Research shows these are the facts. You can read more here, here and here.

Some people claim that dogs are immune to the bacteria in raw meat. True, most healthy dogs can handle the bacteria in raw meat and bones, but dogs can and do sometimes become sick from them. It is important to note that the illnesses some bacteria cause put younger, older, pregnant, stressed, or ill dogs at higher risk of complications.

Overall, the bigger risk of illness caused by food-borne harmful bacteria is for the people who share their home with a dog fed a raw food diet, especially those who are young, old, pregnant, or immunosuppressed, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or on steroid therapy.

You can be exposed to bacterial contaminants both when preparing your dog’s raw food diet, by inadvertently encountering your dog’s faeces or when your dog licks your face. Even if a dog shows no signs of illness, they can be a carrier of these bacteria. A dog’s stomach acid can neutralise the bacteria, but they can still pass them on to other dogs or people they come into contact with.

That’s not meant to sway you away from raw diets, but rather to make you aware of as many potential risks as possible so you can deal with this information in a smart way.

If you’d like to feed your dog a raw diet, then use common sense to reduce the risk of contamination. Be careful when cleaning the environment and what the food has come into contact with. Run dishes through the dishwasher and, ideally, don’t have the raw food where you prep your own food. It’s also important to practice good hygiene in general, such as washing your hands with soap and water after handling raw dog food, and having children be in the habit of washing their hands and faces if they’ve been licked.

Do you formulate raw home-prepared diets?

I generally prefer cooked diets. However, if a raw diet is chosen, please keep in mind the following limitations:

My raw diets still include supplements to ensure they meet NRC-recommended allowances for healthy nutrient intake. Some people might find this surprising and disagree with the use of supplements. Nevertheless, the fact remains that successfully feeding your dog a fully balanced raw diet without the use of supplements is challenging at best, impossible at worst.

I never use raw bones to meet calcium requirements in my diets. The reason for this is that the absorption of calcium from bone is highly variable. Calcium and phosphorus need to be delicately and accurately balanced relative to each other to avoid health issues.

I only use meat and offal that are legally suitable for human consumption. ‘Pet meat’ products vary greatly in quality and are often inconsistent in their nutritional composition. An excess or a deficiency in essential nutrients can cause several serious health issues. For that reason, I favour a more precise approach to the nutrient content of the diet.

The take-home message

So far, no reliable studies have shown that a raw diet is better for your dog’s health. On the flip side, we have no evidence that this is not the case. There is, however, evidence that pathogens from raw foods can compromise your own health alongside that of your dog.

So, with all this discussion, should you feed your dog a raw diet?

The right decision depends on the health status of your dog and other family members, your personality, life, and comfort level.