There is no question that a raw, balanced diet can deliver quality nutrition. However, there are five potential problems to feeding a raw-food diet: 

1. The potential of salmonella, E. Coli and other micro-organisms. There is no cure for either bacteria other than medical support. Raw food diets have been tested and found to have these micro-organisms. There is a myth that dogs can eat raw meat that has these microbes. The dog’s intestine does not have any special defense against them.

2. All raw meat contains parasites in various forms which are passed on to the pet. The parasites travel throughout the body and can make cysts in organs such as the brain and liver. Depending upon the temperature and rate of freezing, the parasites can survive and infect your dog or cat.

3. Before the pet parent buys the raw meats, they are transported through various channels of distribution. If they thaw out and are refrozen during transit, it can have dangerous effects on the product, and this is incredibly energy intensive.

4. Most of the raw meals are not balanced diets.

5. A dog fed raw food only may appear healthy but at the same time can shed harmful micro-organisms in their feces. Any immune-compromised person, or young or old person, could be at risk.

To learn more about the problems associated with raw-food diets, we encourage you to read Pet Product Recalls Skyrocket in 2018 on our blog.