In general, most raw or well-cooked meat is safe for dogs, with the exception of some fish and pork. Dogs’ stomachs are highly acidic and natural digestive enzymes and bile help them process bacteria without getting sick. Your dog’s digestive system can handle eating raw meat.
Just like the meals you prepare for yourself; your dogs Meals should be balanced and complete. Lissa Cannady, RVT, Hospital Director for VCAsays this is best determined by a veterinary nutritionist who can ensure that the meal contains all the nutrients your pet needs to thrive. How much meat to feed your dog will be based on his calorie needs. Work with your veterinarian or a Veterinary nutritionist before add raw meat to your dog’s diet.
Can dogs eat raw chicken or beef?
Yes, raw chicken and raw beef are both safe for dogs. Dogs can eat one a variety of meats eaten raw or lightly cooked.
Raw meat that is safe for dogs includes:
- chicken
- beef
- bison
- Türkiye
- rabbit
- buffalo
Rare and safe meats for dogs include: llamas, llamas, elk, deer, elk, reindeer, goats, lamb and venison. Ducks, geese, quails, ostriches, and live ostriches are also safe for dogs.
Limit these types of raw fish for dogs
Raw mackerel, sardines, trout, and trout are sometimes safe to feed dogs as treats. These types of fish can contain high levels of pollutants and should be avoided. We recommend cooking fish to neutralize the effects of thiaminasesan enzyme that inhibits nutrient absorption.
Do not feed raw pork to dogs
Do not feed raw pork to dogs; always cook it first. This is a safer rule than sorry as raw or undercooked pork can poison your dog. helminth disease (basically a parasitic worm, Trichinella spiral). However, the CDC says better U.S. pork production laws and public awareness about not eating raw or undercooked pork have made these infections less common now.
Feeding dogs raw meat safety tips
Always follow the proper safety precautions when preparing raw meat meals for your dog:
- Keep it in the fridge if you don’t use it right away
- Defrost meat in your fridge, not in the sink or on the counter
- Follow all safe handling instructions on the label
- Wash your hands before and after handling raw meat
- Clean and disinfect everything raw meat touches as you prepare it, like dog food bowls, cutting boards, knives, etc.
Check Safe Food Handling advice from the US Food & Drug Administration.
Feed the dog raw meat
Protein is the basis of any dog’s diet, but not every dog can eat every type of protein. meat protein will make up the bulk of your dog’s meal, but your dog’s choice of protein will be determined by your dog’s health needs. If your dog has Food allergy or certain health problems, avoid certain types of meat. Discuss what to avoid with a Veterinary nutritionist.
Working with you Veterinary nutritionist for a “timely balanced” plan that rotates meat with fruits, vegetables and whole grains at each meal to provide all the amino acids, vitamins and minerals your dog needs to stay healthy.
Read our article on three types of raw dog food And rules for raw food diet.
