Although your dog may seem willing to eat nearly anything, that does not mean that every food option is safe for them to consume. As a responsible pet owner, it’s your responsibility to understand what your pup can and cannot eat.
On this topic, many people wonder whether it’s safe for their dogs to enjoy a treat of raw meat. Of course, we all know that it’s generally unsafe for humans to eat uncooked or undercooked meat. However, the safety of dogs in eating raw meat is entirely different.
In this article, we’ll discuss the key points about the safety of dogs’ consumption of raw meat. We’ll also share some key insights about how you can treat your dog to the safest and healthiest diet.
If you have an interest in dogs, you likely know that all our domesticated species evolved directly from carnivorous wolves. And while today’s dogs typically have an omnivorous diet, many of them maintain a strong preference for meat.
Given this genetic ancestry, it’s not much of a surprise to learn that modern dogs are biologically capable of digesting raw meat safely. This fact reveals that feeding dogs raw meat is not only acceptable but also an excellent way to give a dog the nutrients it naturally needs. However, there are some risks you should watch out for before feeding raw meat to your dog.
Despite the fact that dogs can digest raw meat, there are some risk factors you should be aware of before feeding your dog a meal of uncooked steak, chicken, or fish. These risks typically arise when the raw meat you’re serving has either gone bad or did not come from a reliable source.
When raw meat has gone bad, or your meat provider did not follow all the highest standards when sourcing, storing, preparing, and shipping, the meat is more likely to contain harmful bacteria. Typically, if your dog eats raw meat that contains bacteria, they will experience food poisoning, including symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can also lead to dehydration.
While standard food poisoning symptoms are most likely, there are rare cases in which consuming bacteria can lead to more dangerous symptoms for your dog. For instance, some cases of food poisoning can lead to neurological problems, including tremors and seizures. While these issues are rarer, it’s crucial to monitor your dog if they eat a significant amount of raw meat to ensure they remain safe and healthy.
Wise dog owners should serve only the finest dog food to their pets to prevent illness. However, there may be cases in which your dog experiences food poisoning nonetheless, whether from eating spoiled raw meat or something else. If this occurs, you need to know how to respond to keep your dog safe.
One approach to take as soon as your dog shows food poisoning signs is to temporarily restrict their diet. It’s often best to refrain from feeding your dog for 24 after you notice them vomiting or having diarrhea. During this 24-hour period, you should still encourage your dog to drink water to avoid dehydration.
If your dog does not show significant improvements after 24 hours, the next steps are simple. Take your dog to your veterinarian for an examination. Your vet has the expertise to evaluate your dog’s condition and provide the proper treatment.
Although dogs’ bodies can digest raw meat, doing so comes with a risk of health complications if the meat has gone bad. Since that’s the case, many pet owners seek an alternative to feeding their dogs raw meat that has a lower potential for risk. In many cases, the answer is to simply cook the meat before serving it.
It’s far too common for the meat and fish we buy today to carry many harmful forms of bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella, both of which will make your dog sick if they consume them. Fortunately, thoroughly cooking meat essentially eliminates those bacteria and ensures the meat is safe for human and canine consumption.
With all this discussion about raw meat safety, it’s important to recall that meat, including raw meat, is a healthy and often necessary component of a dog’s diet. Still, if you’re wary about serving raw meat to your dog due to the potential for food poisoning, here are a few steps to follow to ensure you feed meat to your dog in the safest possible way:
Meat is not only safe, but it is something that your dog should eat regularly. While the method above represents the lowest-risk method for serving your dog meat, it’s important to remember that raw meat remains safe in many cases, especially if you source your meat from a company that truly cares about the quality and safety of the meat they provide.
If you’re like many dog owners, you care deeply about the quality of the food you serve your pet. In fact, many pet owners spend hours searching the internet and pet supply stores for the best food suppliers.
Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about doing your own research. Instead, check out the pet food available at Fetching Foods. The Fetching Foods team is dedicated to providing the highest quality food for cats and dogs and sharing helpful information for pet owners along the way.
Regarding our raw meat selection, you can rest assured that the products we sell are fully tested to ensure they are free of pathogens and safe for dogs to eat. So, if your dog has a hankering for raw meat, Fetching Foods is the best place to find safe and healthy meat products for them to enjoy.
A Complete Guide Making the switch to raw food improves your cat’s health and happiness. This guide shows you how to transition your feline friend to a natural, species-appropriate diet safely. Why Choose Raw Food ...
A Complete Guide Helping your cat reach a healthy weight demands patience and the right strategy. Extra pounds put cats at risk for diabetes, joint problems and shortened lifespans. This guide offers proven steps to ...
Want to improve your dog’s health through better nutrition? Raw food can transform your pet’s wellbeing. This guide will show you how to switch your dog to raw meals safely and confidently, with expert guidance ...
