Is Raw Feeding Safe? Let’s Talk Honestly.

If you mention raw feeding in a room full of dog owners—or veterinarians—you’ll hear the same reaction almost instantly:

“But isn’t it dangerous?”

Let’s be clear: any diet can be dangerous if done poorly. That includes kibble, home-cooked food, raw diets, and yes—“prescription” foods.

The real question is not whether raw feeding is safe.The question is compared to what?

The Fear Around Raw Feeding

Most concerns fall into three categories:

• Bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli)

• Nutritional imbalance

• Handling errors

These are valid concerns—but they’re often presented without context.

Dogs are not humans with fur. Their digestive systems are designed differently:

• Shorter gastrointestinal tract

• Higher stomach acidity

• Stronger digestive enzymes

• A microbiome adapted for animal protein

  
  

Healthy dogs are remarkably well equipped to handle raw animal tissue.

What We Ignore About Kibble

Kibble is not sterile. Dry pet food recalls due to Salmonella contamination happen regularly (too regularly!!)...often affecting humans more than dogs.

Ultra-processed foods:

• Sit in bags for months

• Are sprayed with fats and flavor enhancers

• Can grow mold and mycotoxins

• Are often recalled after prolonged exposure

  
  

Yet we rarely question their safety with the same intensity.

The Real Risk Factor: Poor Formulation

The biggest danger with raw feeding is not bacteria.

It’s unbalanced diets. Throwing raw meat into a bowl and calling it “natural” is not raw feeding—that’s guesswork.

Proper raw feeding means:

• Balanced calcium and phosphorus

• Appropriate organ inclusion

• Correct protein-to-fat ratios

• Species-appropriate variety

  
  

When done correctly, raw feeding is not reckless. It's intentional nutrition.

The Honest Truth

Raw feeding is not for everyone. But fear should not be the deciding factor—education should be.

If a dog is overweight, inflamed, painful, and metabolically compromised, continuing ultra-processed food while fearing real food is backwards.

Safety isn’t about avoiding risk. It’s about choosing the best option for your dog.