Raw meat is likely to contain harmful bacterial like Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli and more. Cooking meat to a safe temperature kills off those harmful bacteria. By feeding uncooked meat, there's a higher risk your dog could develop a foodborne illness or other type of bacterial infection.
Most traditional vets are against raw because most likely majority of people who feed it are going the DIY route and think throwing some meat into the bowl is all a dog needs and are also most likely not following proper sanitation measures. And while salmonella and the likes are a risk, it's also a risk with kibble.
As mentioned above, raw meat and bones carry bacteria that can make both animals and humans ill and so are not recommended. However, if you do decide to feed your dog any raw meat or raw bones, it is recommended that you choose only human-grade raw meat and bones.
science plays a large role. Every animal has a different structure to their body. Animals can eat raw meat because they have stronger stomach acid that helps digest their food. From an evolutionary standpoint, the acid has needed to be much stronger to kill parasites and different bacteria that we would get sick from.
Three toxic types of meat for dogs include fatty, processed meats (like bacon, sausage, ham) due to salt/fat causing pancreatitis and sodium issues; seasoned meats with onions/garlic (allium) that damage red blood cells; and cooked bones, which splinter and cause internal damage or blockages, potentially requiring surgery. Raw meats can also carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli.
Heartworm disease is among the top silent killers of dogs and cats, and it's a slow and insidious disease which gradually incapacitates them. By the time pet owners notice the giveaway signs of this disease, serious damage may already have been caused.
The 90/10 rule for dogs means that 90% of their daily calories should come from a complete and balanced dog food, while only 10% should come from treats, chews, and table scraps, preventing weight gain and ensuring proper nutrition. This guideline helps owners manage treat portions, preventing unbalanced diets and health issues like obesity, joint problems, and diabetes, as treats can be surprisingly high in calories, even healthy ones.
Gently cooked fresh food is just as nutritionally sound for your dog, and cuts down pathogen risks dramatically. If you do go with a raw meat dog food, be sure to serve raw meat fresh but well thawed. Dogs don't want to find their dinner frozen in the middle any more than you would!
Dogs can eat raw meat without getting sick because of their digestive system that's designed to handle bacteria in the gut. Their highly acidic stomach and natural digestive enzymes help them process even harmful bacteria without becoming ill.
They Can Digest Meat Better
Obligate carnivores, like lions and house cats, lack the enzymes needed to break plants down into essential nutrients but developed highly acidic stomachs and specialized enzymes to efficiently digest muscle, blood, skin, cartilage, and even bone.
The "95% Rule" for dog food, set by AAFCO guidelines, means if a food is named after an ingredient (e.g., "Chicken Dog Food"), that ingredient must make up at least 95% of the product's weight (excluding added water). If two ingredients are named ("Chicken & Rice"), they must total 95% (minus water), with more of the first ingredient listed, and each must be at least 3%. This label indicates a high-quality, nutrient-dense food, contrasting with "25% Rule" (e.g., "Chicken Dinner") or "With" Rule (e.g., "with Chicken") products, which contain much lower percentages.
Among the three (chicken, turkey, and beef), the most balanced meat is chicken — as it is high in protein but also low in fat which makes it the healthiest type of meat to serve canines.
Australia is now the fourth country in the world to approve cell cultured meat. The gazetted changes did more than approve this innovative food: the Code was also amended to lay out a clearer path for cell-cultured foods created from growing animal and plant cells in a controlled environment moving forward.
The worst dog foods often contain cheap fillers like corn, wheat, and soy; unspecified "meat meals" or by-products; excessive sugar; and artificial colors/preservatives, with brands like Kibbles 'n Bits, Beneful, Gravy Train, and some Purina/Iams varieties frequently cited for low nutritional quality and questionable ingredients. Focus on avoiding poor-quality protein sources (unspecified meat meals), fillers, artificial additives, and dangerous human foods like chocolate, grapes, onions, and xylitol.
The results demonstrated that a dog fed on homemade food featuring fresh, quality ingredients, when compared directly to a dog fed an industrially produced canned food, lived more than 32 months longer. That's nearly three years of additional joyful, active life simply through the power of fresh nutrition.
Unfortunately, too often, homemade food lacks key nutrients. When researchers from the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine performed a nutritional evaluation of 200 homemade dog food recipes, they discovered that most were missing key nutrients.
The leading cause of death in dogs, especially older dogs, is cancer (neoplasia), affecting about 1 in 4 dogs, similar to humans, with specific breeds at higher risk. Other significant causes include old age, heart disease, digestive disorders (like bloat), infectious diseases (like Parvo), and trauma, with sterilization influencing risks for cancer and infections.
Animals that eat raw meat are able to do so because their bodies are adapted for that purpose. A big part of this relates to their stomach acid. Their stomachs are more acidic, which breaks down the animal proteins in meat using pepsinogen and hydrochloric acid. This makes the meat easier to digest.
Toxicity in dogs can show up anywhere from minutes to several days or even months after exposure, depending entirely on the substance; some toxins (like alcohol or certain pesticides) are rapid, causing symptoms like drooling or seizures quickly, while others (like some rat poisons) cause delayed internal bleeding over days, requiring immediate veterinary attention even if the dog seems fine. Always contact your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately if you suspect poisoning, even without symptoms.
The healthiest dog food depends on your dog's specific needs, but top veterinarian-recommended brands known for science-backed nutrition and meeting AAFCO standards include Hill's Science Diet, Royal Canin, and Purina Pro Plan, offering options for life stages and health conditions. For sensitive dogs or allergies, limited ingredient diets (LID) from brands like Prime100 (single protein, human-grade) or raw/air-dried diets from Eureka (high meat, organs) are excellent choices, focusing on whole, digestible ingredients for better gut and skin health, but always consult your vet first.
Can dogs eat raw mince? Yes. Beef mince is safe for dogs to eat and it has the same nutritional benefits as raw beef. This means it is rich in protein, zinc and vitamins B12, B3 and B6.
Your dog can eat raw chicken, lamb, beef, fish, turkey and duck. They can also eat unusual meats like venison and rabbit. The main thing is that the meat is high-quality and the recipe is free from sugars, salts and preservatives. Dogs can also eat some raw bones, but read our guide before feeding your dog.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
High-energy breeds (especially those bred for herding work) like Australian shepherds, Australian cattle dogs, German shepherd dogs, and border collies often display signs of reactivity. Companion dog breeds might be less prone to reactivity.