I get this question at least twice a week. "Should I feed raw?" The person asking usually has a friend who swears by it, or they saw a Instagram influencer feeding their dog raw chicken wings. The answer is not simple. And honestly? It depends on how much effort you are willing to put in.
I tried raw once. For Bruno. Bought organic chicken, carefully measured supplements, froze portions in labeled bags. Lasted three weeks. Then I had a 60-hour work week, forgot to thaw the food, and Bruno gave me a look that said "you are failing me." We went back to kibble. I am not proud. But I am honest.
The Case for Raw
Proponents claim raw diets are more "natural," closer to what dogs evolved to eat. And they are not wrong — wolves do not eat kibble. Raw diets can have higher protein bioavailability, more natural enzymes, and fewer processed carbohydrates. Some dogs with allergies or digestive issues do better on raw.
But "natural" does not automatically mean "better." Wolves in the wild live about 6-8 years. Domestic dogs live 12-15. There is more to health than evolutionary accuracy. I mean, smallpox is natural too. You do not want that.
The Risks Nobody Talks About
- Bacterial contamination. Raw meat carries Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. The CDC reports dozens of human illnesses annually from handling raw pet food. Your dog might handle it fine. Your toddler who petted the dog and then ate a sandwich? Maybe not. I have seen it happen. Not pretty.
- Nutritional imbalance. Most homemade raw diets are deficient in calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamin E. I have seen puppies with bone deformities from all-meat diets. It is not pretty. The owners always say "but I researched it online." Online is not a veterinary degree.
- Bone hazards. Cooked bones splinter. Raw bones can fracture teeth or cause intestinal blockages. I have surgically removed bone fragments from dogs twice in the past year. One was a $4,000 surgery. The owner cried. I cried a little too, honestly.
⚖️ Check If Your Dog Is at a Healthy Weight
Regardless of diet type, portion control matters. Our BMI tool works for raw-fed and kibble-fed dogs alike.
Assess Weight →The Case for Kibble
High-quality kibble is formulated by veterinary nutritionists to meet AAFCO standards. It is tested for nutrient completeness, shelf-stable, and convenient. Premium brands use human-grade ingredients and minimal processing.
The problem is not kibble itself. It is cheap kibble full of fillers, artificial colors, and by-products. Read the label. If the first ingredient is not a named meat ("chicken," not "meat by-products"), put it back. I tell clients this every day. Some listen. Some buy the cheapest bag anyway. Then they come back with an overweight dog. Shocking.
My Recommendation
If you want to feed raw, do it right. Use a commercially prepared raw diet that is AAFCO-compliant and HPP-pasteurized. Or work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to formulate a balanced homemade diet. Do not wing it based on a Facebook group. Please. For my sanity and your dog's health.
If you want to feed kibble, buy the best quality you can afford. Look for named meats as the first three ingredients, no artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin), and a calorie statement on the label. Measure portions with a scale, not a scoop. I know, I sound like a broken record. But it works.
Bruno eats a high-quality kibble. I have considered raw. I have the knowledge to do it safely. But honestly? The convenience and safety of a tested, balanced kibble wins for my lifestyle. There is no shame in that. And if anyone judges you for feeding kibble? They probably do not have a full-time job and a dog.
— Dr. Anika Patel