What Dogs and Cats Should Eat Raw Food, Why Some Vets Don’t Like Raw…

Raw Feeding Done Right And Much More!

Off Leash Advice |  January 16, 2023

Editor’s Note:  From time to time, Off Leash will focus one entire column around a specific topic or area that readers have asked a lot of questions about. For this edition, we’ve decided to answer some questions about a raw food diet.

What is a” raw food diet?” A raw food diet is one that is typically made up of raw, meaty bones, organ meats, fresh vegetables and, occasionally, yogurt. Some people feel this is a better diet for dogs—reflective of what canines ate previous to domestication—than grain-based diets or kibble.

“Raw feeding” has become an increasingly popular choice to feed dogs and cats. This is largely due to anecdotal evidence that pets on a raw food diet seem to have more energy, healthier coats, less allergies, healthy weight, cleaner teeth and less poop.  Opponents of raw feeding say that there is not yet a substantial amount of scientific evidence that such a diet is any healthier than other traditional processed foods. And, in that point, they are indeed correct—there is still not an overwhelming amount of evidence for or against raw food diets at this point.

It’s an interesting topic, with valid points for and against—as we will see in the questions below. In any event, it is important to understand that feeding a proper, nutritionally-appropriate raw food diet does require more planning, time, and preparation, and a long-term commitment to the same.

Read on to see if a raw food diet might be an option for you and your pet:

Are Raw Food Diets Really Healthy for Pets?

Is it healthy to feed my dog a raw diet? Example: chicken, fish, chicken beaks, chicken feet, etc. and do we need to worry about bones?

-Raw Curious

Dear Raw Curious:  It is healthy to feed a properly formulated raw food diet.  However, it is not healthy to use an unbalanced recipe, say, off the internet, or that only includes raw meats and bones with no vitamin or mineral supplementation. This is a critically important distinction.

Because of the high risk of creating an unbalanced formula when crafting a raw diet at home, I only recommended feeding raw foods from a reputable commercial production raw food manufacturer that has used a credentialed formulator to create their diets and has a nutritional analysis readily available for review.

It is important to remember there is also a higher risk when feeding raw foods one has prepared at home of potentially introducing pathogenic bacteria. The USDA allows for some bacterial contamination in raw meat for human consumption that occurs during processing, because these foods are intended to be fully cooked before we (humans) consume them. This is why human foods that are found at your local grocery store or butcher have a higher risk for bacterial contamination than commercially prepared raw food—the raw food is not meant to be cooked. Reputable raw food manufacturers will have their ingredients and final food formulations tested multiple times for these pathogenic bacteria, and often the foods are also treated in another fashion to reduce the risk of bacteria. This is why it is so important to use raw foods from commercial manufacturers rather than just grabbing something out of the meat case at the grocery store or from your local butcher.

Lastly, when feeding raw bones there is always a risk of potential tooth fracture and foreign body obstruction. These risks can be reduced by feeding non-weight bearing bones that can be fully digested—such as wings, backs, and necks—and avoiding dense bones, like femurs and knuckle bones. As with anything your pet chews on, you should always provide direct supervision so that if they do break off a potentially hazardous piece, you can take it away immediately. Raw commercially prepared foods that do include bone in their formulation have had the bone ground into pieces small enough to not cause tooth fracture or obstruction when consumed and do not pose a health risk to your pet.

-Dr. Katy

Should Homes with Infants or Immunosuppressed People Avoid Raw Food Diets?

Is it true that if you have a newborn/infant in the house that your pup should not eat raw food or that you should change your dog’s food if they are currently on a raw diet?

-Raw Concerns

Dear Raw Concerns: This is correct. When feeding a raw food diet, there is a small risk of food-borne bacteria that usually will not make a pet sick, but can possibly be transferred through contaminated food bowls/utensils/pet waste/pet saliva. Because this risk is present, and the risk to a person with either a not-fully-formed immune system (such as an infant or small child) or a person who is immunosuppressed is so significant, we do not recommend raw feeding in those specific circumstances. If you’re a dedicated raw feeder, you might want to consider a dehydrated food that contains meats which have been steamed gently before processing, or perhaps a gently cooked food that uses low heat—like sous-vide cooking—to reduce any potential risk.

-Dr. Katy

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Why Are Some Vets Against Raw Diets? Do They Get Kickbacks to Sell Processed Food?

Many vets suggest using prescription foods. (I have heard many reasons for this, such as their training is influenced by the big companies, or they are getting kickbacks from the manufacturers.) In addition, most vets don’t seem to recommend raw food diets. (I was joking with someone that none of us want to tell our vets that we give our dogs raw foods!) Can you help me with how to best feed my dog and at the same time keep him healthy? My dog is currently on meds that cause my vet to be concerned about his renal health, which has prompted her to want him to be on a prescription diet.

-Conspiracy Against Raw?

Dear Conspiracy: Okay, you have a couple of different questions, so let’s look at them individually. First off, veterinarians often do get nutritional training from the companies that formulate the prescription products, but the vets do not receive financial incentives to sell them. In offering prescription food, vet practices make no more money than a local pet store would from the same food. Furthermore, practices don’t sell prescription food in large enough quantities for there to be an incentive to recommend it, unless the veterinarian feels the prescription food is needed for the pet’s health.

In your particular case, if there is a renal issue, there are very few options on the market that will have the same nutrient profile the prescription products do, because they would not meet the nutrient needs of a healthy pet.

Since your pet does have a known medical condition, you will want to take any formulation that is not the one recommended by your vet to them for evaluation and to ensure it is meeting the nutritional requirements that are needed for your pet. We always recommend checking with your vet when considering a new food, but this is particularly important if your pet has a medical condition. Your veterinarian is the only person knowledgeable enough about your pet’s specific needs to properly make a food recommendation if you pet has a health issue.

-Dr. Katy

Is An Exclusively Raw Diet Healthy for My Dog?

Should you feed dogs an exclusively raw diet? What are the benefits and disadvantages? Can you feed a partial raw diet?

-On the Raw Food Fence

Dear On the Raw Food Fence: Feeding an exclusively raw diet is a great option for those whose lifestyles it fits.

It takes a little more commitment with time and freezer space, and you will want to be able to take the same precautions you do when preparing raw meat—like washing utensils and hands in warm soapy water between feedings. As discussed previously, it is also not indicated if you have a pet, small child or adult who is immunocompromised. There is a risk—because these diets are not exposed to heat that kills pathogenic bacteria—that you or your pet could become ill if such bacteria is present. The risk is low, but it is present. The benefit of raw feeding is that it is fresh—less processed foods vs. a highly processed diet. Some of the benefits people report are: healthier weight, more energy, better skin and coat, less allergies, better dental health and less poop!

Finally, yes, you can easily supplement an existing diet with some raw food. In fact, as little as 20-25% raw food in a pet’s diet can lead to some of the above-mentioned benefits people see when feeding a 100% raw diet.

In short, at this stage, with the information currently available, a raw food diet is a choice that pet owners can decide to make, depending on their lifestyle (do they have the time, space and resources to consistently prepare, store and safely serve a raw food diet?), circumstances (do they have anyone who is immunosuppressed in their household?) and pet’s condition. Remember, as with selecting to start or change any pet diet, you should consult your veterinarian for advice.

-Dr. Katy

Image of Dr. Katy Miller

Dr. Katy Miller is the Director of Veterinary Services at BSM Partners. She previously served for 11 years as the Director of Dog and Cat Health and Nutrition for Mud Bay. Dr. Katy is a graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, with her clinical year spent at Louisiana State School of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association, American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

🌞 🎆 🎉 Summer brings celebrations, late nights, travel and events that can leave your pets feeling uneasy.
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Mud Bay is here to help, offering products that bring calm and comfort to your cat or dog when things get noisy.
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We carry calming collars, tinctures, treats, and pheromones to help your pets handle everything summer brings—Shop Mud Bay in-store or online to find the right calmatives for your pets.
#mudbay #summer #keepcalm #healthypets #calming

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🌞 🎆 🎉 Summer brings celebrations, late nights, travel and events that can leave your pets feeling uneasy. 🐈 🐕 Mud Bay is here to help, offering products that bring calm and comfort to your cat or dog when things get noisy. 🐈 🐕 We carry calming collars, tinctures, treats, and pheromones to help your pets handle everything summer brings—Shop Mud Bay in-store or online to find the right calmatives for your pets. #mudbay #summer #keepcalm #healthypets #calming

Fluff & Tuff`s #IGIVEAFLUFF is Coming Soon!
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Starting June 8th, National Best Friends Day, our friends at Fluff & Tuff are once again kicking off #IGiveAFluff to help put toys in the paws of shelter and rescue dogs who need them most.
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And we want you to be a part of it, and it couldn`t be easier to participate!
Here`s how it works:
📸 Snap a photo of your dog with their favorite Fluff & Tuff toy.
📱 Share it on social media using #IGiveAFluff.
🐾 Fluff & Tuff donates a toy to a shelter or rescue dog.
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Since 2015, with the support of pet parents like you and the generosity of Fluff & Tuff, over 22,000 toys have been donated to shelters and rescue dogs. Want to participate, but you need a Fluff & Tuff toy? Take a tip from Frank and stop by your local Mud Bay or visit us online. Click the link in our bio to learn more about #IGIVEAFLUFF

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Fluff & Tuff's #IGIVEAFLUFF is Coming Soon! 🐾 Starting June 8th, National Best Friends Day, our friends at Fluff & Tuff are once again kicking off #IGiveAFluff to help put toys in the paws of shelter and rescue dogs who need them most. 🐾 And we want you to be a part of it, and it couldn't be easier to participate! Here's how it works: 📸 Snap a photo of your dog with their favorite Fluff & Tuff toy. 📱 Share it on social media using #IGiveAFluff. 🐾 Fluff & Tuff donates a toy to a shelter or rescue dog. 🐾 Since 2015, with the support of pet parents like you and the generosity of Fluff & Tuff, over 22,000 toys have been donated to shelters and rescue dogs. Want to participate, but you need a Fluff & Tuff toy? Take a tip from Frank and stop by your local Mud Bay or visit us online. Click the link in our bio to learn more about #IGIVEAFLUFF

Summer is coming, so be like Goose 🐕 and stay cool 😎 ❄️ on every outing with the Swamp Cooler Harness from Ruffwear.
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Whether she’s out on a trail or enjoying a long walk or run, this harness is built for warm-weather adventures, offering cooling comfort and secure control in one breathable design.
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Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay.
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Summer is coming, so be like Goose 🐕 and stay cool 😎 ❄️ on every outing with the Swamp Cooler Harness from Ruffwear. 🧊 Whether she’s out on a trail or enjoying a long walk or run, this harness is built for warm-weather adventures, offering cooling comfort and secure control in one breathable design. 🌞 Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay. #mudbay #adventures #pnw #dog #summeriscoming

Mud Bay Memorial Day Hours ⏰
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Today, Monday, May 25, all Mud Bay locations will be open from 10 am to 6 pm.
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Delivery orders placed after 2 pm on Sunday will arrive on Tuesday. Store pickup and Instacart will still be available. 🐈 🐕 🚚
#mudbay #holidayhours #healthypets #mudbaydelivery #pets

View Instagram post by mudbay
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Mud Bay Memorial Day Hours ⏰ 🐈 🐕 Today, Monday, May 25, all Mud Bay locations will be open from 10 am to 6 pm. 🐈 🐕 Delivery orders placed after 2 pm on Sunday will arrive on Tuesday. Store pickup and Instacart will still be available. 🐈 🐕 🚚 #mudbay #holidayhours #healthypets #mudbaydelivery #pets