Why Your Vet May Disagree With Raw Dog Food
Explore a few reasons why you may get push back from you vet when you change to a raw diet….
Why Vets May Disagree with Raw Foods
Understanding the Benefits of a Raw Dog Food Diet
Sometimes veterinarians haven’t done enough research to fully understand the benefits and safety of feeding a raw dog food diet or even home-prepared cooked meals with balanced recipes. Some may even try to scare you away from it. But you can challenge them with some important questions about their knowledge of feeding dogs foods as nature intended.
As a pet parent, it's essential to be able to have an informed, unemotional conversation with your vet. So do your homework! It’s okay to end sentences with periods, not question marks.
Feeding your dog a healthy raw diet is not as simple as throwing meat in a bowl. Many dog owners are "winging it" and unknowingly setting their dogs up for problems later.
The Importance of Balanced Raw Diets for Dogs
One of the biggest concerns with DIY dog food recipes, whether raw or home-cooked, is the potential for nutritional gaps. Many pet parents make mistakes by not incorporating enough variety, staying in an ingredient rut, or overlooking critical nutrients.
I offer a home-prepared dog food guide for clients to ensure they’re making a well-balanced recipe that covers all essential nutrients.
Addressing Common Veterinarian Concerns About Raw Feeding
Let’s ease your mind about some of the concerns your vet might have regarding raw dog food diets:
Bacteria: Proper handling and hygiene (washing hands, cleaning bowls, etc.) go a long way. Dogs are built to handle bacteria like E. coli and salmonella due to their highly acidic stomach pH. While contamination is rare, choosing high-quality ingredients reduces the risk even further. Surprisingly, kibble may carry a higher risk of contamination than raw food.
In fact, a study by DogRisk, a research group from the University of Helsinki, surveyed 16,475 households and found that only three raw foods were linked to pathogens affecting individuals. On the other hand, Salmonella is the leading cause of dry dog food recalls—between 2010 and 2015, there were 19 recalls affecting thousands of tons of kibble.
You can read more in Dr. Conor Brady’s book, Feeding Dogs Order here.
Vitamin Deficiencies: Zinc, Vitamin D, E, Manganese, Iodine, Choline, Omega 3, Calcium, and Amino Acids are common nutrients that can be lacking in homemade diets, raw or cooked. Commercial foods aren't perfect either—they often contain synthetic vitamins, which may not be as effective or safe. It’s wise to monitor your dog’s vitamin and mineral levels through bloodwork, especially when making diet changes.
Tryptophan Deficiencies: If you’re cutting corners with low-quality meat, your dog could be missing out on tryptophan, which can lead to aggression or behavioral problems.
Too Much Organ Meat: Feeding too much liver can result in copper toxicosis, particularly in breeds predisposed to it. Keep liver under 5% of your dog’s diet.
Potential Risks in Raw Feeding and How to Mitigate Them
Prey Model Diets: This diet can lead to excess calcium from too much bone. Balance the Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio by diversifying protein sources.
Trichinosis: This roundworm is found in wild animals. To minimize risk, freeze wild meats for 3 weeks before feeding or use high-pressure pasteurized (HPP) meats.
Salmonella in Fish: Freezing wild-caught fish for at least 7 days reduces the risk of salmonella poisoning.
Worms: Avoid feeding your dog the entrails (small and large intestines) of animals.
For dogs with cancer, we often start with lightly cooked foods to boost gut health and immunity before moving to raw food—if it’s appropriate for the individual dog.
Weight Loss Concerns in Raw Fed Dogs
Some pet parents mistakenly reduce fat too much in their dog's diet, leading to unhealthy weight loss. If you’re using lean meats or fish, add fat sources like grass-fed butter, ghee, or tallow to ensure enough calories.
The Dangers of Supplement Guesswork
When feeding a raw or homemade diet, many dog owners begin to worry about supplements. Don’t guess! Incorrect supplements or excessive amounts can cause just as much harm as deficiencies. With a balanced dog food recipe, very little supplementation is needed. I can help you choose the right supplements to avoid wasting money on unnecessary products.
Lightly Cooked Dog Food as an Alternative
If you’re still uncomfortable with raw feeding, we can explore lightly cooked recipes or crockpot meals. Any whole food option will be better than kibble.
Monitoring Bloodwork for Raw-Fed Dogs
It’s important to get bloodwork for your dog when transitioning to a raw diet to establish baselines. Retest every 6 months to make adjustments as needed. Seeing a healthy dog with strong blood work results will make it difficult for your vet to argue against raw feeding.
Ready to Get Started?
Need help crafting your dog’s recipe? Schedule a wellness review with me to ensure your dog’s diet is balanced and healthy. The initial inquiry is no cost to you (up to 15 minutes).
Final Thoughts
Feeding raw or home-prepared meals isn’t as intimidating as it may seem when you have the right information and support. With careful planning, you can feed your dog a nutritious and balanced diet that’s free from harmful additives found in many commercial foods. Whole foods, whether raw or lightly cooked, are the best option for your dog’s long-term health.
Still don’t take my word for it??
See also: Benefits of Raw Food Diets For Dogs for resources from veterinarians and worldwide resources on healthy feeding for dogs.
Dana Brigman is a Raw Dog Food Specialist in North Myrtle Beach SC & Certified Canine Nutritionist. Online Support Is Also available via Zoom. If you’re seeking support for choosing the best raw dog food or lightly cooked foods for your pet — it’s worth a consultation! Inquiries are no cost.
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