Companion Animal Raw Feeding: Nutrition, Safety, and Welfare Considerations

Raw feeding for dogs and cats is growing in popularity. Understanding the nutritional evidence, safety concerns, and welfare implications helps owners make informed decisions.

Key Facts

Raw or biologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diets for dogs and cats are based on uncooked meat, bones, and organs, sometimes with added vegetables and supplements
The BFSA, BVA, and RSPCA advise against raw feeding primarily due to bacterial contamination risk — raw pet food can carry Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, and E. coli
Homemade raw diets risk nutritional imbalance — studies have found the majority of home-formulated raw diets fail to meet AAFCO nutritional standards for complete and balanced nutrition
Commercial raw diets that carry AAFCO or FEDIAF complete and balanced statements have been independently tested and are more nutritionally reliable than homemade formulations
Some studies suggest raw-fed dogs have better coat condition, stool quality, and body condition scores — but controlled studies are limited and selection effects complicate interpretation
Immunocompromised households — including those with young children, elderly residents, or immunosuppressed individuals — face higher bacterial contamination risk from raw feeding
Bones in raw diets carry risk of gastrointestinal obstruction, perforation, and tooth fractures — risk varies with bone type and preparation method

Welfare Considerations

Raw feeding welfare considerations are primarily about ensuring the animal receives nutritionally complete, safe food that supports their health across their lifetime. An animal fed a nutritionally deficient raw diet may suffer from metabolic bone disease, organ dysfunction, or immune deficiency that develops gradually and may not be recognised until significant welfare harm has occurred. Bacterial contamination from raw food causes gastrointestinal disease in pets and can cause serious illness in household members. The welfare case for raw feeding is strongest when it is nutritionally verified, commercially prepared to safety standards, and used in households without heightened contamination risk. The welfare case against raw feeding as commonly practiced — homemade, without nutritional formulation, in households with vulnerable members — rests on documented risks that owners should understand fully before proceeding.

What You Can Do

If you choose raw feeding, use commercially prepared raw diets with AAFCO or FEDIAF complete and balanced statements rather than homemade formulations
Consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist if you wish to feed homemade raw food — generic recipes from the internet are insufficient to meet species nutritional requirements
Apply strict food safety hygiene when handling raw pet food — separate preparation surfaces, handwashing, and proper refrigeration are essential to minimise bacterial risk
Discuss raw feeding with your vet and disclose it at every consultation — some medications and health conditions interact with dietary choices
Do not feed raw diets in households with immunocompromised members without specialist risk assessment and hygiene protocol guidance
Monitor your pet on any dietary transition including to raw — regular weight checks, coat assessment, and stool evaluation provide early indicators of nutritional or health issues
Engage with the raw feeding debate based on evidence rather than ideology — both the benefits claimed by advocates and the risks identified by researchers deserve honest consideration