Is Raw Meat For Dogs?

Safe Handling of Raw Dog Food

The Concern for Dogs and Cats

The fact is there is no such thing as a completely safe diet for your cat or dog. Just look at the almost daily recalls of processed pet food, snacks and treats and you'll see the numerous issues that affect the food products we buy for our pets.

I can personally confirm that after feeding my dogs a primarily raw food diet for over 20 years, as well as selling BARF and referring many thousands of my clients to feed raw, I have never experienced one single adverse health issue with any of my pets; and as far as I know neither have any of my clients.

In spite of the numerous articles of late, mostly from traditional Veterinarians and Commercial Pet Food Manufacturers, I have been unable to find any scientific proof that raw feeding has harmed any pet. Veterinarians make a huge profit from the sale of "prescription diets" and of course the rising trend of pet owners turning to raw diets is no doubt a threat to pet food companies. What I can say is that the news media has presented far more detrimental feeding scenarios from eating dry kibble than from eating a raw meat diet.

Here is an interesting June 27, 2019 article on the FDA Investigation of Grain Free Dog Food

The FDA, under pressure from the pet industry, has begun to crack-down on raw food manufacturers to make their diets safer. For what reason I am unsure since, as far as I can tell, no sickness or deaths have been cited. Nonetheless, a few companies have had to close their doors under the pressure of a total recall and emptied warehouses. Raw Manufacturers are often smaller companies; good for passionate consumers but bad for the company that has it entire inventory depleted by a recall.

The downside of this is that it could likely force raw feeders to prepare home-made recipes and this might affect proper feeding as it is somewhat difficult and time consuming for owners to prepare a daily balanced diet. It is easy to get lax especially with a busy, active home and family life.

The Concern for Humans

Safe handling of raw meat is absolutely essential!

I cannot stress this enough. This also applies when cleaning up after your dog which includes cleaning water and food bowls as well as poop duty!

This is common sense stuff, but needs to be emphasized to eliminate the possibility of harm to humans.

In general, handle raw meat diets exactly as you handle raw chicken that is being cooked for your family. Sterilizing dishes, washing hands often, using disinfectants, and observing safe handling procedures is the key to eliminating potential hazards.

Using the diet around older adults or others that may have a depressed immune system or around infant children requires additional preventive measures. I NEVER recommend having children prepare raw meals or clean up after dogs and cats.