Raw Food for Dogs: Pros, Cons & Veterinary Advice (2025)

Anyone who’s watched their dog wolf down a raw chicken leg might wonder if this is nature’s ideal meal. Raw feeding has become a passionate topic among pet owners, with supporters claiming shinier coats and higher energy. But veterinary organizations take a starkly different view: the American Veterinary Medical Association explicitly discourages feeding raw protein due to health risks. Here, we lay out the evidence on both sides to help you decide what’s best for your dog.

Estimated U.S. pet owners who feed raw (2023 survey): 10% ·
U.S. FDA advisories against raw pet food (2018–2023): 2 ·
Common bacterial pathogen in raw diets: Salmonella ·
Veterinary organizations that caution against raw feeding: AVMA, CDC, FDA ·
Balanced raw diet typical ratio (meat/bone/organ): 80/10/10

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

Raw pet food can contain pathogenic bacteria (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) (WebMD)
Many commercial raw diets are not nutritionally complete (WebMD)
The 90/10 rule (90% complete food, 10% treats) is recommended by veterinary nutritionists (WebMD) (WebMD)

2What’s unclear

Whether raw diets cause long-term health benefits compared to high-quality commercial diets
Rate of foodborne illness in dogs fed raw vs. commercial diets
Effectiveness of raw diets for seizure management in dogs

3Timeline signal

Raw diet popularity has been rising in recent years (WebMD)
FDA issued two public health warnings on raw pet food (2018, 2020) (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) (WebMD)

4What’s next

Pending more controlled studies on long-term health outcomes of raw feeding
Growing interest in commercial raw-frozen options with safety protocols (WebMD)

Five key statistics, one pattern: raw feeding remains a minority practice with documented bacterial risks, yet its popularity continues to grow.

Label	Value
FDA raw pet food advisories	2 public health warnings (2018, 2020)
U.S. dog owners feeding raw	Approx. 10% (2023 survey)
Common pathogens found in raw pet food	Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli
Annual vet visits for raw-related illness	Data not centrally tracked; case reports exist
Cost of raw diet per month (60 lb dog)	$150–$300

Is it healthy for a dog to have a raw diet?

What do proponents claim?

Supporters report improved digestion in dogs with sensitive stomachs (The Kennel Club)
A shinier coat and healthier skin are commonly mentioned (The Kennel Club)
Many owners say raw-fed dogs have more energy and vitality (The Kennel Club)
Chewing raw bones may help clean teeth and reduce tartar (The Kennel Club)

What does veterinary science say?

One veterinary analysis found that five raw diets (three homemade, two commercial) had nutrient deficiencies or excesses that could cause serious long-term health problems (WebMD)
Homemade raw diets may lack enough calcium and phosphorus, contributing to bone fractures and dental problems (WebMD)
The AVMA and FDA both advise against raw feeding due to pathogen risks (American Veterinary Medical Association; U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Bottom line: Raw diets are praised anecdotally but lack strong evidence of long-term benefits. Veterinary consensus warns of bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances.

The implication: while anecdotal reports are real, the scientific foundation for raw feeding remains thin.

Do vets recommend raw dog food?

Official veterinary organization stances

The AVMA discourages feeding any raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein to dogs because of risks to human and animal health (American Veterinary Medical Association)
The FDA says raw pet food diets can be dangerous to pets and people (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Mainstream veterinarians largely disagree with raw feeding (WebMD)

Situations where a vet might support raw feeding

Some veterinarians may support balanced raw diets under supervision for specific medical conditions (e.g., food allergies that fail to respond to conventional diets)
When owners are committed to careful formulation and regular health monitoring

The catch

No major veterinary association endorses raw diets. The AVMA, CDC, and FDA all advise against them — yet some individual vets allow raw feeding when owners insist and accept the risks.

What this means: the official institutional stance is clear, but individual practitioners may make exceptions under controlled conditions.

What is the downside of feeding your dog raw food?

Health risks to the dog

Bacterial infections with Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria are documented in raw-fed dogs (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Parasite transmission (Toxoplasma gondii, tapeworms) from raw meat
Risk of injury from bones (perforation, tooth fractures)

Health risks to humans

Owners feeding raw diets may have a higher risk of infection with Salmonella and Listeria (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
The FDA recommends strict hygiene: wash hands after handling pets, avoid kisses around a pet’s mouth when raw food is involved (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Nutritional pitfalls

Unbalanced raw diets lacking calcium and phosphorus can cause bone fractures (WebMD)
High cost ($150–$300 per month for a 60 lb dog) and freezer storage requirements

The pattern: the risks span bacterial, parasitic, physical, and nutritional dimensions, affecting both dog and owner.

What is the 90/10 rule for dogs?

How the 90/10 rule applies to raw feeding

90% of daily calories should come from a balanced, complete dog food
10% can come from treats, chews, or toppers — including raw items if chosen carefully
Ignoring this rule risks nutritional imbalance, especially in homemade raw diets

Balancing treats and meals

Even with a raw diet, the 90/10 rule helps maintain calcium-to-phosphorus ratios
Veterinary nutritionists emphasize that treats should not undermine the meal’s completeness

The catch: the 90/10 rule is a safety boundary that many raw feeders overlook.

What prescription food is good for dogs with seizures?

Ketogenic diet for seizure management

Ketogenic diets (high fat, low carb) have shown promise in reducing seizure frequency in some dogs
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets may include MCT oil formulated for epilepsy
Raw diets are not typically recommended for seizure dogs due to inconsistent nutrient profiles

Prescription diets formulated for epilepsy

Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d and j/d are not specifically designed for seizures
Veterinarians generally recommend consistent, nutritionally complete commercial diets for dogs with epilepsy

Bottom line: Seizure-prone dogs need predictable nutrient intake. Raw diets lack the consistency required for managing epilepsy. Prescription diets with MCT oil or ketogenic formulations are more appropriate.

What this means: for dogs with epilepsy, raw feeding introduces unacceptable variability.

What not to feed a dog with seizures?

Foods that can trigger seizures

Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and xylitol are known seizure triggers
High-sodium foods and artificial additives may worsen the condition

Ingredients to avoid

Raw diets with high bone content can cause electrolyte imbalance (calcium/phosphorus ratio)
Any food with inconsistent nutritional profiles should be avoided in epileptic dogs

Why this matters

For a dog with seizures, dietary consistency is critical. Even a temporary electrolyte shift from an unbalanced raw meal could lower the seizure threshold.

Implication: owners of epileptic dogs must prioritise nutrient stability over novelty.

Raw vs. commercial diet comparison

Three key dimensions — safety, nutrition, and cost — show a clear trade-off for most owners.

Aspect	Raw Diet	Commercial Kibble
Nutritional completeness	Requires careful formulation; often deficient (WebMD)	Formulated to meet AAFCO standards
Bacterial risk	Higher risk of Salmonella, Listeria (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)	Low (heat-processed)
Cost per month (60 lb dog)	$150–$300	$60–$120
Dental benefit	Potential from chewing raw bones (The Kennel Club)	Minimal (kibble does not clean teeth)
Convenience	Freezing, thawing, portioning required	Open bag and serve
Veterinary endorsement	Discouraged by AVMA, CDC, FDA	Supported as safe and complete

Upsides

Anecdotal reports of shinier coat, better teeth, higher energy
Potential relief for dogs with certain food allergies
Owners control ingredient sourcing

Downsides

High risk of bacterial contamination (Salmonella, E. coli)
Nutritional imbalance can harm long-term health
Expensive and inconvenient to store
No major veterinary association endorses raw feeding

What we know — and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

Raw pet food can contain pathogenic bacteria (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Many commercial raw diets are not nutritionally complete (WebMD)
The 90/10 rule helps maintain balance (WebMD)

What’s unclear

Long-term health benefits compared to high-quality commercial diets
Rate of foodborne illness in raw-fed vs. conventionally fed dogs
Effectiveness of raw diets for seizure management

Veterinary perspectives in their own words

“The AVMA discourages feeding any raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein to dogs and cats because of the risk of illness to the animals and to people in the household.”

— American Veterinary Medical Association (policy statement)

“Raw pet food diets can be dangerous to your pets and to you. Raw pet food was more likely to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria than other pet foods tested.”

— U.S. Food and Drug Administration

“Balanced raw diets require careful formulation to avoid nutritional deficiencies. The risk of nutritional imbalance is real, and the evidence for long-term benefits is lacking.”

— Dr. Lisa Freeman, veterinary nutritionist, Tufts University

The implication: even when owners manage bacterial risks, the nutritional consistency of raw diets remains a challenge — especially for dogs with conditions like epilepsy that demand predictable nutrient intake.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to transition a dog to a raw diet?

Transition gradually over 7–10 days, mixing increasing amounts of raw with current food. Monitor for digestive upset and consult your veterinarian first.

Can raw food help a dog with allergies?

Some dogs with food allergies improve on a novel protein raw diet, but it must be carefully balanced. Work with a veterinary nutritionist.

How much raw food should I feed my dog per day?

General guideline: 2–3% of ideal body weight for adults, adjusted for activity level. A 60 lb dog might eat 1.2–1.8 lb per day.

Is it safe to mix raw and kibble?

Mixing raw and kibble is not recommended by most veterinarians because it can increase bacterial risk and digestion times differ.

What raw meats are safe for dogs?

Muscle meats like chicken, beef, lamb, and turkey are common. Avoid pork unless frozen first to kill parasites. Never feed raw meat from sick animals.

Does raw food help with dog bad breath?

Chewing raw bones can reduce tartar, potentially improving breath odors. However, balanced nutrition is more important than dental effects alone.

Can I prepare raw dog food at home?

Yes, but it requires careful formulation to avoid deficiencies. Use a recipe from a veterinary nutritionist and consider supplements for calcium and essential fatty acids.