What Is Raw Feeding for Dogs?
Raw feeding for dogs — often called a raw diet, BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), or prey model raw (PMR) — involves feeding dogs uncooked meat, bones, organs, and sometimes fruits and vegetables instead of commercially processed kibble or wet food.
The concept gained mainstream attention in the 1990s when Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst proposed that dogs would thrive on a diet resembling what their wild ancestors ate. Today, raw feeding is popular worldwide, with proponents pointing to benefits including improved coat condition, better dental health, firmer stools, and higher energy levels.
Raw diets typically include some combination of: muscle meat (chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, rabbit), raw meaty bones (chicken wings, necks, carcasses), organ meat (liver, kidney — usually 5–10% of the diet), and optionally vegetables, fruits, eggs, and dairy like plain kefir or cottage cheese. The BARF model also includes vegetables and fruit; the prey model aims to replicate the whole prey animal more closely.
Potential Benefits of Raw Feeding
Many raw-feeding advocates report significant positive changes in their dogs after switching. While large-scale peer-reviewed studies are limited, commonly reported benefits include:
- Improved coat and skin: Natural fats from fresh meat often produce a shinier coat and reduced flaking or itching
- Better dental health: Chewing raw meaty bones mechanically scrapes plaque from teeth — many raw-fed dogs have noticeably cleaner teeth
- Smaller, firmer stools: Raw diets are highly digestible, producing less waste than grain-heavy kibbles
- Reduced allergies: Removing processed ingredients, artificial additives, and common allergens (wheat, corn, soy) can benefit dogs with food sensitivities
- Higher palatability: Most dogs find raw food more appealing than kibble, which can help with picky eaters
- Weight management: Fresh whole foods with no fillers can help both weight loss and lean muscle maintenance
It’s important to note that much of the evidence for these benefits is anecdotal or from owner surveys. Controlled veterinary studies are ongoing, and opinions in the veterinary community range from enthusiastic support to significant caution.
Risks and Concerns to Understand
Raw feeding carries real risks that every owner should understand before making the switch:
Bacterial contamination: Raw meat can contain Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, and E. coli. While healthy adult dogs have acidic stomachs that handle bacteria better than humans, they can still shed pathogens in their faeces, posing a risk to household members — especially children, the elderly, pregnant people, and immunocompromised individuals. Strict food safety practices (separate cutting boards, thorough handwashing, stainless steel bowls that can be sanitised) are essential.
Nutritional imbalance: A poorly constructed raw diet is the most common health problem in raw-fed dogs. Without careful planning, diets can be deficient in calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iodine, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Muscle meat alone is not a complete diet. Using a recipe formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN) or a commercial complete raw food is strongly recommended over a DIY approach without professional guidance.
Bone hazards: While raw bones are generally safe when appropriately sized, cooked bones must never be fed (they splinter dangerously). Even raw bones carry a small risk of tooth fractures (particularly large weight-bearing bones like beef femurs), intestinal obstruction, or choking. Always supervise bone-chewing sessions.
Parasites: Raw pork and raw fish carry higher parasite risk (Toxoplasma, Trichinella, salmon poisoning disease from Pacific salmon). Freezing meat at -20°C for 3+ weeks kills most — but not all — parasites. Avoid raw pork and raw Pacific salmon unless sourced from a reputable supplier who tests for parasites.
How to Start Raw Feeding Safely
If you decide to try raw feeding, a thoughtful approach reduces risk:
1. Consult your vet or a veterinary nutritionist first, particularly if your dog has any health conditions. Dogs with pancreatitis, immune disorders, liver disease, or other conditions may not be ideal candidates for raw feeding.
2. Start with a commercial complete raw food rather than a DIY diet. Commercial raw foods (including freeze-dried and frozen options from brands like Primal, Instinct, Big Country Raw, or Nutriment) are formulated to be complete and balanced to AAFCO or FEDIAF standards, removing the guesswork.
3. Transition gradually over 7–14 days to avoid digestive upset. Begin with 25% raw / 75% current food, increasing raw incrementally.
4. Follow strict food safety protocols: Defrost meat in the refrigerator (not on the counter), clean all surfaces and bowls with hot soapy water after each meal, and wash hands thoroughly. Dispose of uneaten raw food after 20–30 minutes.
5. Monitor your dog closely: Watch for digestive changes, weight loss or gain, coat changes, and energy levels. Schedule a veterinary check-up 3 months after switching to assess body condition, dental health, and run basic bloodwork.
Raw Feeding Costs and Practical Considerations
Raw feeding typically costs more than feeding standard kibble but less than premium commercial wet food. Costs vary significantly based on your location, the size of your dog, and whether you buy commercial complete raw or source ingredients yourself.
As a rough guide, expect to pay $3–$7 per day for a medium-sized dog (25–35 lbs) on a commercial complete raw diet, or potentially less if buying in bulk from a butcher or farmers market. Buying a freezer chest specifically for dog food storage is a common investment for committed raw feeders.
For working owners, freeze-dried raw foods offer the nutritional profile of raw with the convenience of shelf-stable kibble — simply rehydrate with water. They’re more expensive per serving but are excellent travel options or occasional meal solutions.