Key points
- Dogs are omnivores and do not require raw meat, unlike their wolf ancestors;
- Raw foods often cannot provide the animal with enough nutrients;
- A raw diet can expose your pet to bacteria and toxic chemicals found in uncooked products;
- There are a lot of sustainable alternatives, such as insect-based pet food manufactured by Gopetcan;
While raw food diets for pets remain very controversial, they have become more popular than ever before. Such diets primarily emphasize raw meat and bones. A typical raw food diet consists of muscle meat, whole or ground bones, livers and kidneys, raw eggs, vegetables, apples and other fruit, and some dairy products.
People often believe that their dogs will thrive on a raw food diet since it is what they ate before being domesticated. Raw food diet supporters say that beautiful coats, healthy skin, strong teeth, and higher energy levels are among the benefits of such a diet. But one question remains:
Table of Contents
Should dogs eat raw meat?
Dogs were domesticated a long time ago
If you think that dogs are carnivores like wolves and, therefore, they should eat raw meat, you are not entirely correct. Dogs and wolves indeed have a common ancestor, but unlike wolves, dogs evolved significantly over the thousands of years they’ve lived with humans. As a result, they became omnivores and can now consume starchy food since their amylase secretion increased considerably. So before you try to feed your dog raw meat in an attempt to mimic the canine’s historic diet, consider the fact that dogs haven’t lived in the wild for a long time and now have different dietary needs.
Raw diets for dogs are not always healthy
A raw diet may not provide your dog with all the necessary nutrients. Raw meat diets can be especially dangerous for growing puppies and senior dogs with weaker immune systems. This is because dogs fed primarily by raw meat might not get enough calcium and phosphorus while consuming too much vitamin A and vitamin D. Such nutritional imbalances can lead to severe health problems in the future. To live a long and happy life, your dog needs a balanced diet.
Feeding raw meat to your dog might pose risks for you and your family
In addition to failing to provide proper nutrients, raw foods can expose your pets to harmful bacteria. Moreover, raw meat can be potentially dangerous not only for your pet but also for you and your family. Raw products often contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. These pathogens found in uncooked meats, vegetables, and unpasteurized milk can affect your family’s health. For instance, your dog might consume contaminated food and then go on to lick your face or spread bacteria to different surfaces in your home, increasing the risk of infection for you and the family members.
Other dangers posed by raw meat in your pet’s diet
According to WHO, chicken and red meat are carcinogenic. And cancer is not the only risk here. Diets that are too rich in protein can cause digestion issues in dogs. In fact, raw diets are so harmful that many therapy dog associations do not allow dogs on raw food diets to participate in their programs. Finally, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, feeding uncooked foods to animals can cause significant health risks.
Raw meat diets for dogs are not ethical or eco-friendly
It’s not a secret to anyone that killing cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals for food is not ethical. But in the past, pet owners didn’t have any other good choices. Gopetcan is changing that. Our sustainable insect-based pet food is made using humane and sustainable practices. What’s even better, it provides a perfect balance of nutrients for dogs of all ages and breeds.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, industrial animal husbandry is responsible for around 15% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. And methane emitted by cattle and other ruminants is not the only issue, as irresponsible use of fertilizers and pesticides, rainforest deforestation, the conversion of meadows into arable land, and the drainage of wetlands also contribute significantly to global warming. So by refusing to feed your dog meat and opting for a more sustainable pet food option, you are doing your part in the fight against global warming.
FAQ
Why is a raw diet bad for dogs?
While animals that live in the wild thrive on raw meat, the bacteria and toxic chemicals in raw products can be extremely dangerous for pets. Moreover, raw food diets cannot fulfill the nutritional needs of most pets.
Do vets recommend a raw diet?
Raw diets and raw meat diets, in particular, are not recommended by vets because there’s a high risk that the pet will be exposed to Salmonella and other harmful infections.
Does a raw diet help dogs with skin allergies?
Yes, but vets say that most benefits attributed to raw diets, including healthy skin, result from the high percentage of fat found in most raw diets. High-fat commercial pet food can have the same effect, but unlike raw products, it provides balanced nutrition.
Is a raw diet safe for dogs?
According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, feeding raw foods to animals can result in significant health risks.
