Can dogs eat raw meat?

Raw meat is nutritionally valuable for dogs, and many handle it without any trouble at all. The real risk usually isn't the dog itself but the bacteria that can spread from the kitchen to the people who live there. Here is how to feed raw meat safely, and when it's better to leave it out of the bowl.

Why only in moderation

A dog's digestive tract is better suited to raw meat than a human's: stomach acid is more concentrated and food moves through faster, so a dog's system can neutralise some bacteria on its own. That's the main argument raw feeders make for BARF diets, which they see as a more natural way of eating, closer to what a dog's wild ancestors lived on.

The reality is that even healthy adult dogs can get sick from raw meat, and they can also shed bacteria such as salmonella, listeria, E. coli and campylobacter in their stool without showing any symptoms themselves. That puts the people in the household at risk, especially children, older adults, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened immune system who handles the bowl, touches the dog's paws, or gets a lick on the face.

Raw meat can also carry parasites, including toxoplasma and tapeworms. Freezing meat for several days at -18 to -20°C (0 to -4°F) cuts the risk from many parasites substantially, though it will not destroy bacteria on its own. That is why it is worth buying meat sold specifically for raw feeding from a vetted supplier, rather than using leftovers pulled from the back of the fridge past their date.

Muscle meat by itself is also not a balanced diet. It is missing the calcium and many of the vitamins and trace elements a dog would naturally get from bone, organs and other parts of its prey. If raw meat is going to be the backbone of the diet, it needs to be a properly worked-out mix of meat, bone, organs and supplements, not just a fillet from the supermarket chiller.

How to serve raw meat

• Buy fresh meat from a butcher you trust, or meat that is specifically labelled for raw feeding.
• Freeze the meat for several days before serving it; this lowers the risk from some parasites, though bacteria will survive the freezer.
• Follow the same kitchen hygiene you would use for raw meat meant for people: a separate board and utensils, thorough handwashing, washing the bowl after every meal, and clearing away any leftovers within a couple of hours.
• Introduce raw meat gradually and combine it with other ingredients, such as bone, organs and vegetables, so the overall diet is nutritionally balanced, ideally following a recipe worked out with a veterinary nutritionist.

Risks

• Bacterial contamination (salmonella, listeria, E. coli, campylobacter) with a risk of spreading to people in the household.
• Parasitic infection from meat sourced from an unverified supplier or from wild game.
• Nutritional imbalance if raw meat makes up the diet without bone, organs and other components.
• Cross-contamination of the kitchen, worktops and utensils when hygiene isn't strict enough.

Symptoms to watch for

• Vomiting and diarrhoea, sometimes with blood
• Fever and lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Similar digestive symptoms in household members after contact

Your dog already ate raw meat. What now?

1. If your dog eats raw meat of doubtful origin, say from the trash or meat that had gone off in the fridge, watch it for 24-48 hours for vomiting, diarrhoea or fever.
2. Check whether the meat had been marinated or seasoned. Onion, garlic and some spices are toxic to dogs and call for contacting your vet straight away.
3. If symptoms persist, or you notice blood in the stool or lethargy, see your vet, who can arrange stool testing for pathogens if it's warranted.
4. After any contact with raw meat your dog has eaten, wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect any surfaces it touched.