Nutrition guide · Dog and cat

Raw food diets and their risks

Some owners choose to feed their dog or cat raw products, out of conviction or habit. Yet the scientific evidence shows real risks, for the pet and the family alike, and little proven benefit. Here is a clear, judgment-free picture to help you decide with full information.

The topic

What are we talking about?

'Raw' refers to any uncooked animal product fed to a pet: commercial diets (fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried), homemade recipes, and also many treats such as rawhide, ears, hooves, tracheas, and bully sticks (dried bull penises).

What the authorities say

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), the Public Health Agency of Canada, and their US counterparts (FDA, CDC, AVMA, AAHA) all acknowledge the public-health and animal-health risks of raw products. Most discourage the practice: the evidence of risk outweighs the presumed benefits.

Nutrition

Nutritional risks

Whether commercial or homemade, raw diets are often poorly balanced. An imbalance can cause deficiencies (vitamins, for instance) or excesses (too much protein or fat), whose consequences are not always immediately visible.

Look for a 'complete and balanced' statement

A food meant to be the main meal should carry an AAFCO statement saying it is 'complete and balanced' for the intended species and life stage. In Canada, pet-food labelling is largely voluntary and lightly regulated, so the AAFCO statement is still your best guide. Treats and supplements need not carry it and should not serve as the main meal.

Homemade recipes

Home-prepared foods have no quality control and are rarely complete, raw or cooked. Recipes from books or the internet are often deficient. If you want to cook for your pet, do it with a veterinary nutritionist, and cook the meat.

Contamination

Risks to health

The main danger of raw diets is contamination by germs. Cooked foods can be contaminated too, but raw products carry a far higher risk. Many animals stay healthy regardless, but some develop serious, even fatal, infection, especially if their immune system is weakened (cancer, corticosteroids).

Bacteria

Salmonella
Campylobacter
Clostridium
E. coli
Listeria

Parasites

Toxoplasma gondii
Cryptosporidium
Echinococcus
Neospora
Sarcocystis

Cold is not enough

Freezing, freeze-drying, and dehydrating reduce the number of germs but do not eliminate them. A 'frozen' or 'freeze-dried' raw product can still be contaminated. (CDC)

Not just the pet: the whole household

People who prepare the food, or clean up after the pet, can be exposed. A dog or cat can also carry a germ without being sick and shed it in its stool. The most vulnerable are young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people: in those households, raw diets should be avoided entirely.

The risk is not theoretical

people sickened across six provinces in the 2023 Canadian outbreak linked to raw pet food. In Québec, about half the cases were children aged 5 or under.

Public Health Agency of Canada · Québec

196

raw products tested by the FDA (2010 to 2012 study): 15 positive for Salmonella and 32 for Listeria. Raw was the most frequently contaminated food category.

FDA

Bones

The bone myth

You often hear that raw bones 'clean the teeth.' In reality, they do more harm than good.

Fractured teeth and mouth injuries: cuts, abrasions.
A bone lodged in the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines, sometimes needing surgery to remove.
Sharp fragments, especially from poultry and pork bones, that can pierce the digestive tract.

A perforation is an emergency

If a bone fragment pierces the intestine, the pet risks a life-threatening abdominal infection (peritonitis). For dental health, tooth brushing and approved dental products are far safer and more effective.

Handling

If you feed raw: handling food safely

The best protection is to cook animal products thoroughly, especially in a home with young children, elderly, or immunocompromised people. If you still choose to feed raw, here is how to reduce the risks.

Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds after feeding the pet or handling its bowls.
Keep a dedicated bowl and utensils for the pet, washed separately from your dishes.
Thaw in the refrigerator, on the lowest shelf, only the portion needed: never on the counter.
Discard uneaten food within 30 minutes: it is quickly contaminated at room temperature.
Sanitize bowls and utensils: hot soapy water, then a solution of 5 mL bleach in 1 L water, prepared fresh daily, and rinse well.
Clean and disinfect food-prep surfaces, as well as scoops, toys, and feeding mats.
Store raw food frozen and sealed, away from the family's food.
Keep food and contaminated items out of reach of young children.
Do not let the pet lick the faces of vulnerable people, or an open wound, after eating.

FAQ

Your questions, our answers

The questions that come up most about raw feeding.

Is raw really more natural and better for my pet?

Evidence of a real benefit is lacking, despite the promises. Today's dogs and cats digest a complete, balanced commercial diet very well. 'Natural' does not mean 'risk-free': the contamination, by contrast, is well documented.

Do raw bones clean the teeth?

No. They can fracture a tooth, injure the mouth, get stuck, or pierce the intestine. For dental health, tooth brushing and approved dental products are far safer.

Is commercial raw safer than homemade?

Not really. Both can be poorly balanced, and both can be contaminated. Freezing or freeze-drying does not reliably destroy bacteria and parasites.

I want to feed raw anyway. What is the bare minimum?

Talk to your veterinarian, especially if there are vulnerable people at home. Work with a veterinary nutritionist for balance, and follow the hygiene rules strictly (see 'Handling').

Do treats like bully sticks or rawhide count as raw?

Yes. These raw animal products can be contaminated and carry the same hygiene risks. Handle them with the same precautions.

Learn more

Recommendations from veterinary and public-health authorities:

This guide is provided for informational and educational purposes. It does not replace your veterinarian's personalized advice. A diet choice should account for your pet's health and your household; at the slightest doubt, talk to our team.

Questions about your pet's diet?

Choosing a diet, transitioning, special needs, or a doubt about a raw product? Our team can recommend safe, suitable nutrition for your companion.

Book an appointment 514 223-1197