Raw Meat for Dogs or Kibble: The Risk the AVMA Flags
Notice: this content is for information only and does not replace a visit to the veterinarian. If your pet has symptoms, see a veterinarian before acting on this article.
Between raw meat and kibble, the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) discourages raw meat. The association recommends not feeding dogs and cats any raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein, because of the risk of illness to the pet and to the people in the home. In FDA testing of 196 samples of raw pet food, 15 (7.7%) had Salmonella and 32 (16.3%) had Listeria monocytogenes.
This article shows what each source says, where cooked meat fits in the conversation and what to do when your dog turns up its nose at kibble. It has no recipe and no amounts: a home-prepared diet, when one exists, is designed by a veterinarian.
Can you feed raw meat to a dog?
Not according to the AVMA. In its policy on raw animal-source protein, the association "discourages feeding any raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein" to cats and dogs. The list includes beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs and milk. The risk falls on the animal and on the people who live with it.
The same policy acknowledges public interest in raw diets. The position is still clear.
What is the risk of a raw diet?
The risk is contamination with bacteria that cause disease. The AVMA cites peer-reviewed studies and product recalls that found raw or undercooked protein contaminated with Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus. The danger does not stay in the dog's bowl.
The AVMA states that apparently healthy dogs and cats can carry a subclinical infection and pose a risk to other animals and to people, especially children, older adults, pregnant women and the immunocompromised. People who handle raw food are also at risk of getting sick.
The FDA measured this in the laboratory. On its "Get the Facts!" page, the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) reports a study from October 2010 to July 2012 with more than 1,000 pet food samples. The raw food results looked like this:
| Type of food tested | Samples | With Salmonella | With Listeria monocytogenes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw food for dogs and cats | 196 | 15 (7.7%) | 32 (16.3%) |
| Dry dog food | 120 | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) |
| Semi-moist dog food | 120 | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) |
The data come from commercial raw products sold in the United States, in a 2010 to 2012 study. The sample shows the pattern, not the exact risk of any one product. The FDA quotes CVM researcher Renate Reimschuessel, who said the study "identified a potential health risk for the pets eating the raw food, and for the owners handling the product."
For people who choose to handle raw food anyway, the FDA advises washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after contact. Surfaces, bowls and utensils also need cleaning and disinfecting.
Does cooked meat solve the problem?
Cooking reduces one problem, pathogens, but it does not fix the whole diet. The AVMA describes pasteurization and cooking to the minimum safe internal temperature as the traditional methods to reduce or eliminate pathogens in animal-source protein. That is why the policy says "raw or undercooked" protein.
Cooked meat alone, however, comes with no guarantee of composition. A complete and balanced adult dog food states protein, fat, fiber and moisture in its guaranteed analysis, and the manufacturer formulates it to be the main diet. If you want to offer home-prepared food, ask a veterinarian for individual guidance, with a plan for your dog.
What food should you offer a dog that won't eat kibble?
If the refusal is new or persists, talk to your veterinarian. Then compare complete and balanced adult dog foods and choose the one your dog accepts. Each owner weighs the criteria differently, and our ranking orders the options by catalog score.
If your dog gets tired of one flavor, compare lines with a similar profile before giving up on kibble. Look for the AAFCO statement on the label ("complete and balanced") for the right life stage. Switching foods is a conversation to have with your veterinarian, especially for a dog with a medical condition or in a special life stage. A pet with a diagnosed disease needs a diet prescribed by the vet.
To sort the options by your dog's profile, use the dog food ranking.
Frequently asked questions
Can a puppy eat raw meat?
The AVMA policy makes no exception for puppies: it covers dogs and cats in general. The only caveat is unpasteurized milk of the same species for puppies that are still nursing. For questions about puppy feeding, the path is the veterinarian.
Is commercial raw food safer?
The AVMA supports diets processed by methods that reduce or eliminate the risk of disease from pathogenic contaminants, such as pasteurization and cooking. The FDA, in the study cited above, found bacteria in commercial raw products.
Between raw meat and a complete and balanced dog food, the strongest source we have, the AVMA, points to the side of safety. If your dog refuses kibble, the problem deserves investigation, not a switch to raw meat.
Picked by score from our overall dog ranking, not by the topic of this article. To get it right for your pet — age, weight, spayed or neutered — take the quiz and get a list made for them. A pet with a diagnosed condition needs a diet prescribed by a veterinarian.
