The answer to the question, “Can dogs eat raw meat?” is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Every dog is unique, just like every piece of raw meat is. If your pet consumes raw beef, they might not experience any negative effects, or they might get a terrible disease.
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’re going to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of feeding raw meat to your dog in this article from the viewpoint of a veterinarian.
Pro Tip: Once you’ve welcomed a dog into your home, you’ll want to do everything in your power to care for them because they’ll quickly feel like a member of the family. But with so many potential risks, accidents can happen. Consider securing your dog (and your bank account) with a pet insurance policy because vet bills can be quite expensive.
Can dogs eat frozen raw food?
Yes, dogs can eat frozen raw food. Dogs in the wild consumed raw food continuously for thousands of years, and they kept doing so long after becoming domesticated. In the history of dogs, dogs not eating raw food is a relatively new development.
Many people believe that raw food is preferable, even for humans. The processed dog food you buy at the store is frequently heated to keep it fresh. It will last longer this way, but some nutrients will be lost in the process. Compared to non-frozen food, frozen food retains nutrients longer and stays fresher.
The better the food is for your dog, the more natural it is or the less processing it has. Although some people contend that meat should be cooked before feeding it to a dog, in the wild, canines only consume raw meat. Although cooking meat would likely eliminate some potentially harmful bacteria, raw food is still generally a better option for your dog.
What Is Frozen Raw Dog Food?
A type of diet known as “raw dog food” includes raw meat, vegetables, fruits, and occasionally even bones. Satchu says.
“This type of diet can be stored frozen,” Dr. According to Satchu, “which extends the shelf life and promotes food safety, much like how you might freeze raw meat for your own meals.” ”.
There are numerous businesses that sell frozen, packaged raw dog food diets that you can keep in your freezer and thaw before using. There are also shelf-stable varieties of raw dog food, such as freeze-dried and raw-boosted kibble.
Frozen raw food may seem like a treat for dogs, but is it actually safe?
Some dogs can do well with raw food, Dr. Satchu says.
She adds, “Unfortunately, the diets can pose serious health risks to your dog, as well.” “That includes broken teeth or intestinal punctures due to the presence of bones, as well as food poisoning from salmonella or other pathogens carried in raw meat—a risk to humans who handle the food, too. ”.
Freezing a food doesn’t guarantee its safety.
Dr. : “It doesn’t get rid of the bacteria that cause most foodborne illnesses.” Veterinary writer, editor, and consultant Jennifer Coates works out of Fort Collins, Colorado. “If contaminated raw dog food is present before it is frozen, it will remain contaminated once it is frozen.” The best way to lower the risk of foodborne illness is to cook. ”.
Especially for animals (and people) with compromised immune systems, raw foods can be harmful, says Dr Coates.
Raw diets are not always suitable for puppies, Dr. Because they may cause risky electrolyte abnormalities that result in skeletal malformations, says Satchu
So, she advises, “pay attention to labels and only decide to feed your puppy a raw diet if it specifically states that it’s designed for growing puppies.”
When compared to foods that are processed to have a longer shelf life out of the fridge, the basic idea is that freezing the food helps to maintain the full nutritional value, says Dr. Satchu.
Despite some of the risks associated with raw diets, some dogs can thrive on frozen cooked foods, according to Dr Satchu says.
This might be a good option for you and your furry friend if you like the idea of raw food but want something with fewer health risks and less cleanup time, she explains.
Advocates of raw diets contend that they are more natural because they are closer to what our dogs’ ancestors consumed.
“It’s like Paleo for pups,” says Dr. Satchu made a reference to the popular Paleolithic diet, which includes foods that prehistoric humans consumed at the time. The lack of processing may also help the food retain more nutrients for the dog, it is also believed. ”.
Can dogs have frozen raw chicken?
More than 90% of any contaminating bacteria on chicken meat, including Campylobacter, are eradicated by freezing chicken. If you feed your dog or cat chicken bones, freeze them for two weeks before doing so. Give them to your pet frozen as soon as you remove them from the freezer. No thawing.
FAQ
Can you give dogs frozen raw meat?
Frozen raw food for dogs may seem like a treat, but is it safe? Some dogs can thrive on raw food, according to Dr Satchu says. She adds, “Unfortunately, the diets can pose serious health risks to your dog, as well.”
What happens if a dog eats frozen meat?
No serious health risks, but it might cause some people to have a runny nose or hurt a small dog’s teeth if it has poor dental hygiene. However, food is food, whether it’s frozen or thawed, and a dog’s protectiveness over it won’t change that.
Does raw dog food need to be fully defrosted?
Transfer the quantity needed for your dog every two to three days, and let it defrost in the refrigerator. Soak in the kitchen sink’s hot water if you’re in a rush. In the refrigerator, our Cotswold RAW meals will remain fresh for 48–72 hours. Do not refreeze food that has been fully defrosted, as you would with any raw meat.