Can dogs eat Raw meat?

Key Takeaways:

- Yes, dogs can eat Raw meat, but it depends on what kind they’re eating.

- It’s never recommended for dogs to eat supermarket or butcher Raw meat, and if they’ve accidentally eaten it out of a bin or off the street, they should be monitored for symptoms of digestive upset like diarrhoea, vomiting, and lethargy.

- The safest way to feed your dog Raw food is using pre-made Raw dog food from a trusted and reliable manufacturer.

Yes, dogs can eat Raw meat - but with exceptions.

The emergence of Raw dog food feeding has brought a lot of questions from inquisitive dog owners. Including: “Since when can dogs eat Raw meat?”.

The importance of practising good hygiene when handling raw food, and ALWAYS being sure that it’s cooked all the way through, has been drummed into us from an early age. So how come our dogs are okay to eat the likes of Raw Chicken, Beef, and Turkey?

Well, it all comes down to how our dogs are built and how we approach feeding Raw.

So, read on to find out how dogs can safely eat Raw meat, why you might want to feed them Raw, and what to avoid.

Why can dogs eat Raw meat?

Dogs can eat Raw meat because they’re built to digest it.

With a shorter digestive tract and stronger stomach acid, Raw meat can slip through quickly enough that harmful bacteria don’t have time to take hold.  Even if they accidentally eat Raw meat they shouldn’t, they can often go unscathed. 

However, this isn’t to say that dogs can’t get ill from Raw meat. Whether they’ve stolen some of your dinner prep off the counter or got into the bin, they may be subject to bacteria that could make them ill. 

When it comes to dogs safely eating Raw food, it’s all about the research, the source, the preparation, and of course,  the hygiene. Keeping those in mind, with the right approach and Raw dog food supplier, your dog can safely eat their Raw food.

Is Raw meat good for dogs?

Yes! Raw meat can be great for dogs, especially when using the right Raw dog food. With a trusted supplier, Raw meat dog food can provide a complete, balanced, everyday meal for your dog, one that’s packed with high-quality protein, nutritious vegetables, and supports overall health & wellness.

When sourced, stored, and served safely and correctly, Raw can be a great way to feed your dog.

Why can Raw meat be unsafe for dogs?

Raw meat, especially that’s untested and not deemed safe for dogs, can be unsafe because it can harbour bacteria like Salmonella and Enterobacteriaceae.

That's why, when cooking Raw meat from the supermarket or butcher, it’s always advised to cook it through to kill the bacteria. 

When bacteria like Salmonella and Enterobacteriaceae are present, both humans and dogs can experience severe digestive upset, with symptoms including:

• Vomiting

• Fever

• Tummy pain

• Diarrhoea 

• Bloody stools

And this is why, when it comes to Raw dog food feeding, safety in sourcing, storage, and prep should be up there with nutrition as a top priority.

What’s the safest Raw meat for dogs to eat?

If you're thinking a Raw diet could be the one for your dog, then the safest way to feed it is by using a reliable, trusted, and high-quality Raw dog food brand and manufacturer.

By shopping around and doing some research, you can help ensure the Raw dog food you’re feeding is of the highest quality, tested for harmful bacteria, and completely safe to eat.

What Raw meat can dogs eat?

Just like all foods and ingredients, there are some meats, both Raw and cooked, that are safer and healthier for dogs than others.

Can dogs eat Raw Bacon?

No. Dogs should never eat Bacon, Raw or cooked. When Raw and straight from the packet, it can harbour harmful bacteria or parasites (which are killed off during cooking, so don’t let us put you off your breakfast). But even cooked, Bacon’s too high in fat and salt for dogs, and is known to trigger digestive upset, or even Pancreatitis, when fed regularly.

Can dogs eat Raw Steak?

Not really. Dogs typically won’t be affected if they accidentally eat Raw Steak, but it’s not recommended to feed it to them regularly. Especially if it hasn’t been tried, tested, and deemed safe for their consumption. Cooked, unseasoned, off the bone Steak however, can be a delicious, high-protein (occasional) treat.

Can dogs eat Raw Salmon?

Yes and no. It’s not recommended to feed your dog Raw Salmon from the supermarket or fishmonger, especially when it hasn’t been tested and deemed safe for them to eat. It can harbour harmful bacteria that, when eaten, can cause digestive upset, including vomiting and diarrhoea.

But when Raw Salmon comes from safe, trusted Raw dog food, it can provide a beneficial source of protein. Especially for dogs needing an alternative protein due to Chicken or Beef allergies.

Can dogs eat Raw Pork?

It’s not typically recommended to feed your dog Raw Pork due to potentially harmful bacteria and the risk of tapeworms. If your dog accidentally eats Raw Pork, they can typically go unscathed, but it’s recommended to monitor for any symptoms like vomiting, tummy pain, or diarrhoea.

Cooked, unseasoned Pork can make for a great source of protein for many dogs. That said, avoid highly processed forms of Pork like Bacon or Sausage, as they’re too high in fat and sodium and can contain other toxic ingredients for dogs (like Onion and Garlic).

Can dogs eat Raw Beef?

Yes! Raw Beef, especially when it's from a trusted Raw dog food source, can be great for dogs! Beef is rich in Iron, Zinc, Selenium, and B12, and helps to support skin & coat health, blood health, and overall wellbeing. Of course, as with any Raw food, Raw Beef can bring risks, mainly due to potentially harmful bacteria. But that’s why using Raw Beef that’s been tested and deemed safe for consumption, and practising good hygiene during prep, is crucial. Getting Raw dog food from trusted manufacturers is the best way to ensure this.

Can dogs eat Raw Mince?

We’d never recommend feeding your dog Mince meat from the supermarket or butcher, or making your own, due to risks of harmful bacteria. But Raw Mince from trusted sources that’s been deemed safe to eat is a popular choice amongst Raw feeders.

Can dogs eat Raw Sausages?

No. Not only are Raw Sausages a risk due to harmful bacteria, but sausages often contain high levels of sodium, seasonings, and other ingredients that are toxic to dogs, specifically Onion, Garlic. Cooked or Raw, the Sausages we eat are a no-no.

Can dogs eat Raw Liver?

Yes! Dogs can eat Raw Liver, and it is often found in Raw dog food recipes. Raw Liver isn’t really recommended as their main protein source, but it can be a nutrient-rich addition to their everyday diet. Of course, with any Raw meat, we’d never recommend feeding shop or butcher-bought raw liver. The safest way is to stick with trusted Raw dog food sources where the meat is taken through the necessary testing and deemed safe for your dog to eat.

Can dogs eat Raw Heart?

Yes, dogs can eat Raw Heart. Packed with beneficial nutrients, vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B, Iron, Zinc, and Taurine, all helping to support muscle growth, eye health, heart health, and overall wellbeing. Of course, like most Raw meat for dogs, the best and safest way for them to consume Raw Heart is to do so from high-quality Raw food for dogs. That way, you know it’s been deemed safe for their consumption.