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Is Raw Meat Safe for Dogs?

A diet of raw meat opens the way for many parasites to enter your dog's body.

By Jon Geller, DVM

Q. We have a 4-year-old dog. My boyfriend's mom gives the dog raw meat sometimes. I have read a lot of articles that say it's not healthy to feed your dog raw meat. Is it OK for dogs to eat raw meat?

Dr. Jon GellerA. The raw-meat diet is a topic of great controversy in veterinary medicine.

Most veterinarians don't like it because of the toxic bacteria that is present, such as E. coli and Salmonella.

In addition, raw meat is often riddled with parasites that will take up residence in the intestines of a dog that eats the meat. These parasites can migrate about the body, often curling up in a little cocoon-like structure known as a cyst. They can live in the intestines, wreaking havoc with normal digestion and causing diarrhea and vomiting.

Once you have looked at these worms, flukes and tiny parasites under a microscope, you hope that they never make their way into your own body.

So to answer your question, no, I don't recommend giving your dog a raw-meat diet.
 
Jon Geller, DVM

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Is Raw Meat Safe for Dogs?

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Reader Comments
check out my website: www.dogscamefromwolves.com

it explains the benefits of feeding raw meat/bones to a dog, the vitamins and nutrients you get from various animals and organs they can eat, and also different supplements you can give them.

pet owners have to 'get over' this fantasy land we live in that our precous fido's eat kibble which is 1. convenient for americans because we all love our convenience and something that is quick and 2. we might think raw is disgusting and we don't want little tommy and little sarah seeing our dog eat a whole chicken.
monty, w chester, PA
Posted: 2/18/2011 11:47:06 AM
A dog's gut has an acidity that is something like 7 times higher then a humans. They also have a much shorter digestive tract, designed for digesting meat and bone.

What does this mean for your dog? Well basically, any parasites that MIGHT be present in the meat will likely be pulverized by the acids, and furthermore will not remain in the digestive tract long enough to even pose a problem.

Your dog is a carnivore, it's dna is 99% that of a wolves -- raw meat is the optimal diet for him or her.
Jane, Toronto, ON
Posted: 2/10/2011 8:31:23 PM
Re Raw food



I am not a vet or the owner of a raw food outlet

These are some observations noted about 2 weeks after changing my dog's diet.

I own 2 dogs (boxers actually) They have been on a raw diet now for about 6 months.



Dog # 1 ( Male 80lbs)

1 ) Over all doggie smell Gone.

He had a overall doggie smell. A bath with a baking powder shampoo would help for about a week then the smell would return.



2) Bad breath Gone.

This dog could knock you over with his breath



3)pimples and minor skin infections Gone.

He used to get pimples on his chin which would occasionally bleed



Dog # 2 (Female 65lbs)

1) Less lethargic more active.

She would be less active on a walk and lay around the house more. Now she is much more active.



Both Dogs

1) Better looking coats.

Both my dogs now have healthier looking coats and I swear the white looks whiter



2)drink less water

They both drink less water. This is because the raw diet has more moisture than the premium kibble they were on.



2)Stools are substantially smaller approximately 20 % of pre diet size

Their stools are smaller and more firm mainly composed of bone. If left in the sun for a day or 2 they turn white and can be put in the garden.



Wish I had fed this way from the first. Feeding was scary at first as I too had fallen for the " it's not safe" comment. As long as the bone is not cooked they can have it. Mixing raw and kibble is not a good idea.



My conclusion

1) Most vets don't know much about nutrition. Your not being lied to by your vet but all they generally know is what the dog food companies tell them. A good dog food does not come from a vet's merchandise or an outlet store.
Steve, Ajax, ON
Posted: 1/25/2011 11:55:12 AM
Although I will not feed my dog any raw meat. My dog's brother insist on feeding him raw meat. Is it safe for the two dogs to play together?
Estora, Hiestand6, CA
Posted: 12/20/2010 6:43:56 PM
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