Raw food diets have recently gained popularity among health-conscious pet owners. I’m going to cut to the chase here—raw pet diets are foolish. These diets carry unnecessary risks that outweigh any perceived benefits. In clinics, I frequently see significant illnesses in dogs and cats from even the highest-end raw food diets.
Virtually all raw meat harbors harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Clostridium, Campylobacter, Yersinia, and Vibrio—the only question is whether there are enough colony-forming units to make your pet severely ill. Raw meat can also contain dangerous mold and parasites such as Toxoplasma and Trichinella. Cooking food virtually eliminates these pathogens. Nutritionally, raw diets can also lead to deficiencies in taurine, vitamin D, and calcium, while excessive fat-soluble vitamins can cause toxicity.
Many assume that because raw diets are expensive, they must be superior. This is a classic example of Price Perception Bias in pet food—where cost is mistaken for quality and nutritional value without an underlying scientific basis. With dog food, price often reflects exclusivity rather than genuine nutritional or health benefits. Exclusivity doesn’t make pets live longer, but it can definitely make them sick.
But wait—someone must be regulating these raw pet food companies, right? Unfortunately, no. In the U.S., the FDA monitors pet food safety but generally only acts with recalls after pets become ill. While AAFCO provides nutritional guidelines, they are voluntary, and many niche diets avoid audits. The USDA inspects raw meat but does not require pre-market approval. So who ensures raw diets are researched and safe? No one. Scary.
Conclusion
What do I recommend? Avoid raw pet food for dogs and cats of all ages. Growing animals face even greater risks—never feed juvenile pets niche raw diets. There are many safer alternatives, including many cooked diets verified by veterinary nutritionists. Trends come and go, but good nutrition is fur-ever. Next week: dangerous foods for your pup.
Dr. Ezra Ameis is an emergency veterinarian and the owner of Paw Priority in West Hollywood, a clinic providing general practice, urgent care, and acupuncture. To suggest a topic or ask a pet-related question, email hello@pp.vet.