Raw Dog Food: Good Or Bad

Raw Dog Food: Good or bad

Raw food diet or Rawism is popular type of dog food discovered by famous Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst, scientifically it is known as BARF diet stood for Bones and Raw Food and later changed as Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. Raw Dog Food is a practice of eating raw fruits, vegetables, meat, chicken and fish on a daily basis to meet daily nutritional need of a dog.

But there is controversy of Raw Dog Food about safety. Scientist has done research on this but nobody has satisfactory answer till date. There are some benefits and some disadvantages of using Raw Dog Food. Let’s discuss about this in detail.

Disadvantages of Raw Dog Food:

Raw dog food has some health risks and health benefits to dogs but if you able to reduce risk of it; your dog will have better health.

Raw dog food may contain bacteria like e. Coli and salmonella in it which may cause problem in dog or it may create problem to human being. According to University of Minnesota study performed in local city 7 % of raw food contains salmonella bacteria. Raw food, e.g. bone may lead to serious oral injuries such as choke an animal, break teeth or an internal puncture. Another problem is long term raw diet may cause imbalance in nutrition which may lead to disease condition. Raw dog food commercial products are much costlier than ordinary food products.

Advantages of Raw Dog Food:

Besides some serious health risks there are various health benefits also. These are as follows.

• Raw foods do not contain any preservatives or chemicals in it which reduces the risk of some disease because of added chemicals.


• Raw dog foods are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, proteins etc. from natural sources.


• Raw dog food is not processed so all nutrients remain as it is.


• Raw dog food contains some enzymes with them which are required during the digestion process.


• Raw dog food keeps dog skin healthier, coat shiny and healthy.


• Raw dog foods are rich source antioxidants which help to minimize the risk of various diseases and build the immune system.


• Raw dog food will help to maintain weight or to reduce obesity of dog.


• Raw dog food helps to prevent obesity, allergies, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and many other diseases.


• It reduces chances of food allergy due to processed food products.


• It improves digestion process.

Conclusion: Although Raw dog food has some serious health issues, if you balance raw food and processed food you will get much better health benefits. You can consult with pet vet about your dog diet regime.