Raw meat diets for dogs carry risks of bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalance that can harm dogs, their owners, and veterinary staff; balancing owner preference with welfare.
The raw feeding debate involves genuine welfare concerns on both sides. Dogs eating nutritionally imbalanced raw diets or contaminated raw meat suffer preventable health consequences. At the same time, well-formulated raw diets may offer benefits for some dogs. The welfare-centred approach involves honest risk assessment, ensuring nutritional completeness with a veterinary nutritionist's guidance, and safe food handling practices.