All About Raw Food for Dogs and Cats
Written by: Dr. Jean Hofve, Holistic Veterinarian, DVM
Our animal companions are natural hunters and carnivores - just look at their ancestry. The dog at your feet (or on your sofa) evolved from wolves and other wild dogs, and the cat on your lap descended from nature’s many feline predators. Despite being smaller and more cuddly after thousands of years of domestication, our pets’ digestive systems are more-or-less the same as they were in the past. Dogs are considered "omnivores" (as they eat a variety of grasses, berries and vegetables in addition to prey) and cats are "obligate carnivores” (meaning a meat-only diet), and neither of these animals is built to eat processed foods laden with fillers.
Curious about feeding your pet a raw diet?
Many dog and cat owners swear by the benefits, from improved digestion to healthier skin and coats. In this blog, we’ll break down raw feeding, how it can support your pet’s health, and tips to get started safely.
The Benefits of Raw
Diet is the foundation of maintaining good health. The fresher the diet, the more nutrients are available for an animal's system to utilize. Raw food diets may help support healthy teeth and gums, skin and coat health, energy levels, gastrointestinal functions, and overall health.
Some exceptions to "raw is better" are older, weaker animals who may not tolerate raw food, animals with certain gastrointestinal or inflammatory conditions, or animals on immune-suppressing drugs. In these cases, a home prepared, cooked diet can be a good substitute for a raw food diet.
No matter what dietary choices you make for your pet, it’s usually best to make changes and introduce new foods gradually.
Types of Raw Food Diets
The level of raw diet you feed your pet is up to you. Some guardians choose to feed their companions a ½ raw and ½ dry (dehydrated or kibble) diet, either mixing the two or feeding raw for one meal each day and dry or cooked for the other. Toppers can also be used to supplement raw food on top of your pet’s normal diet. It doesn’t have to be complicated — you can feed raw chicken and turkey necks and chicken backs as part or all meals or several times a week. As always, naturally raised, hormone- and antibiotic-free or organic meat is best.
Raw Bones and Their Benefits
Cooked bones are a big danger for our pets, but raw poultry bones don’t splinter, they crunch. These can be a great way to support healthy teeth and normal periodontal health. When introducing raw bones to dogs they may experience diarrhea, constipation, or both as their systems adjust. Remember to go slowly and feed small amounts at first. When beginning the introduction of raw bones, it may be helpful to crush them with a hammer or in a meat grinder until your dog becomes fully transitioned to a raw diet. For cats bones should always be ground. If your companion has a delicate digestive system, consider grinding meat and bones through a 1/4-inch blade before feeding. Ground bones do not have the same teeth cleaning benefits as whole bones, however. You may also see similar symptoms as your companion's system goes through a detoxification process during the transition to a raw food diet. The key is to go slowly and monitor your pet closely.
Are There Risks to Feeding Raw Food?
While raw food diets can offer significant health benefits for pets, there are also some risks to consider, primarily related to bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria. These bacteria are common in raw meat, but healthy dogs and cats are typically resistant due to their shorter digestive tracts and faster digestion. The main concern lies primarily with human exposure, particularly for young children, elderly individuals, or those with weakened immune systems. With most meats, the likelihood of contamination is relatively low, especially when compared to the large-scale recalls of processed pet foods (raw pork, however, should always be avoided, as it has been shown to be a source of Trichinella).
Observing safe food handling precautions and best practices helps minimize risks for both pets and people. Always wash hands thoroughly after handling any raw meat, and wash/sanitize surfaces used in prep. Thaw meat in the refrigerator, not sitting on the counter at room temperature. Warm water can be used to thaw or warm food after it has been mostly thawed in a refrigerator. Never use a microwave on raw food, as the live enzymes can be damaged and bones can harden even in just 30 seconds of microwaving.
Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried Raw Food Alternatives
Big drawbacks for many pet owners when considering raw food feeding are the expense, mess, prep time, and potential for bacteria and parasites. But feeding raw doesn’t have to be a hassle, or leave you worrying about possible contaminants! Convenient new dehydrated raw dog food, freeze-dried raw dog food, and air or freeze-dried cat food options eliminate these concerns. These new options offer all the benefits of raw feeding without the hassle of refrigeration or thawing. Dehydrated formulas are gently heated at low temperatures to remove moisture while preserving nutrients, while freeze-dried options use a moisture-eliminating process that locks in flavor and nutrition. Both are shelf-stable, lightweight, and easy to prepare — just add water to rehydrate for some options, or simply open the package and serve for others. These alternatives make raw feeding more accessible and practical for busy pet parents, providing a nutritious and convenient way to support your dog or cat’s health.
The favorite around Only Natural Pet is our super easy and nutritious RawMeals formula, a minimally-processed mix of high-quality meat, organs, fruits, and veggies that requires no refrigeration, freezing, or prep time. Just scoop & serve for a complete meal, topper, or treat anytime!
Transitioning to Raw Food
It’s best to introduce raw food slowly into your companion's diet over the course of two weeks. If your companion is used to having food available throughout the day, you can first transition them to eating only once or twice per day for dogs, and two to three times per day for cats before beginning the transition to raw food. Consider transitioning fully to raw even if you ultimately intend to feed a mix of raw and cooked or dry, as this will help maintain proper gut flora and support normal digestive function. You can start with 1 teaspoon for small dogs and cats and 1 tablespoon for larger dogs for three days or so. Then increase to 2 teaspoons or tablespoons for several days, decreasing the amount of regular food by ¼ to ½ in general proportion to the raw. You can work up to replacing at least ½ the normal diet for several days. Finally, you can replace one full meal with raw for a day or two, then fully transition to raw.
If your animal is resistant to the raw food at first, you may want to use a bit of canned food to entice them. Cats, in particular, can be resistant to any change in diet. They tend to fixate on whatever food they are weaned onto and will resist switching to a different diet. Grinding or shredding their favorite treat on top of the food can often help cats transition more easily.
We recommend supplementing your pet’s diet with digestive enzymes and probiotics for at least the first two weeks to support healthy digestion. Omega-3 fatty acids are deficient in all commercial pet diets, and even in homemade raw diets, so it’s also a good idea to add a good quality Omega-3 oil to your pet’s diet.
Is Raw Food Right For Your Pet?
Feeding your pet a raw food diet can potentially be a great way to support their overall health and well-being, but it’s essential to make informed decisions along the way. Whether you choose home-prepared, frozen, dehydrated, or freeze-dried raw options, understanding the benefits, risks, and safe handling practices is necessary for obtaining the best possible results, both for you and your furry companions. By prioritizing high-quality meats and balanced formulas as well as following proper safety precautions, you can give your pet the nutrition they need to thrive.
