Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat? It’s Not a Good Idea
Key takeaways:
Dogs can technically eat raw meat, but it comes with risks. Most veterinarians don’t recommend it.
Raw meat can carry harmful bacteria and parasites that can make dogs (and humans) sick.
A balanced diet is important for your dog’s health, and feeding raw meat alone isn’t enough.
Table of contents
Feeding raw food to dogs has become a hot topic among pet parents. Some believe it’s a healthier, more natural option. After all, wild dogs eat raw meat, so why shouldn’t our pets do the same?
Although dogs technically can eat raw meat, there are serious risks for dogs and the humans around them. Bacteria, parasites, and nutritional imbalances are just a few of the concerns that come with eating raw. Wild dogs and wolves also have immune systems that are different from our pets’.
Let’s take a closer look at raw meat for dogs and why cooked meat is generally a better option.
Search and compare options
Can dogs eat raw meat?
Most veterinarians recommend against feeding any pet raw meat. Dogs can eat raw meat, but it’s not the best idea. For your pet dog, eating raw meat can lead to harmful bacteria and parasites.
“Raw meat can carry Salmonella, E. coli, and other nasty stuff that can make both dogs and humans sick,” said David D’Angelo, a pet nutritionist.
Another thing people don’t always think about is nutrition. “Raw meat alone doesn’t give dogs everything they need to stay healthy,” D’Angelo said. “Feeding raw requires careful planning to get the balance right.”
Feeding your dog raw meat can harm humans too. “The entire household can be exposed to foodborne pathogens through handling raw meat or contact with the dog,” said Jonathan Yashari, DVM. Yashari is a veterinarian and the medical director at Veterinary Emergency Group in Santa Monica, California.
Raw meat is especially risky for households with young children, older adults, or those with weak immune systems.
Quiz: What human foods are safe for dogs?
Is it better for a dog to eat raw or cooked meat?
Cooked meat is much safer for dogs. Yashari gave some specific examples of why cooked meat is better than raw for our pups:
Cooking kills harmful bacteria and parasites.
Cooked meat is easier to digest.
Dogs can choke on bones, which can lead to an intestinal blockage or perforation.
Raw-food diets may not provide complete, balanced nutrition.
There’s less risk of foodborne illness.
It’s easier to control portion sizes and quality with cooked food.
Modern dogs have adapted to cooked food over thousands of years.
How often dogs should eat: Most dogs should eat once or twice a day. Get all the details in this article.
Foods toxic to dogs: Dogs may love to snack on their owners’ snacks. But not all human foods are safe for dogs. Learn common foods poisonous to dogs.
Why they aren’t eating: There are many reasons dogs may not want to eat. Read up on the most common reasons dogs lose their appetite.
That said, how the meat is cooked matters. Overcooked or heavily processed meat (like smoked or fried) isn’t healthy either.
“Boiling or baking plain meat without seasoning, onions, or garlic is best,” D’Angelo said. Most commercial dog-food brands cook meat in ways that are safe for dogs.
What kind of raw meat can dogs eat?
Most veterinarians don’t recommend feeding any raw meat because of the risks. But if you’re determined to feed your dog raw meat, it needs to be handled with caution.
“It should be fresh, high-quality, and frozen beforehand to kill parasites,” D’Angelo told GoodRx. “Leaner meats like beef, chicken, and turkey are common choices. But never feed raw pork or wild game due to the higher risk of parasites.”
Dogs also need organ meats and bones in the right proportions to prevent deficiencies. So pet parents should avoid feeding strictly muscle meat, like what we find packaged at grocery stores.
When in doubt, work with a pet nutritionist or veterinarian who has experience in raw feeding.
How can you tell if your dog is sick from eating raw meat?
If a dog gets sick from raw meat, symptoms typically show up quickly. Signs your dog might be sick from eating raw meat include:
Diarrhea (sometimes with blood)
Lethargy or unusual tiredness
Abdominal pain or bloating
If you notice any of these symptoms after your dog eats raw meat, take them to a vet immediately. Food poisoning can become serious quickly in dogs.
The bottom line
Dogs can technically eat raw meat. But it comes with risks like bacteria, parasites, and nutritional imbalances. For this reason, most veterinarians recommend not feeding your dog raw meat. If you do feed raw, work with a vet or a pet nutritionist, and handle the meat carefully. But for most pet parents, cooked meat is a safer and healthier option. A balanced commercial dog food is the best choice to keep your dog safe and healthy.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Raw diets for dogs and cats.
Arendt, M., et al. (2016). Diet adaptation in dog reflects spread of prehistoric agriculture. Heredity.
Cohen, A. (2024). Gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction in dogs. Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center.
Cohen, A. (2024). Raw foods for dogs. Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center.
Freeman, L. M., et al. (2013). Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Malone, E. (2023). What happens when dogs eat raw meat? Exploring GI physiology and raw meat consumption in dogs. Lesson Plans for GI Physiology Topics. University of Minnesota Libraries.
Weeth, L. (2017). Bite-sized disasters: Unbalanced diets and raw feeding. World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress Proceedings.
Yang, X., et al. (2018). Comparative analysis of the blood transcriptomes between wolves and dogs. Animal Genetics.
