IS RAW DOG FOOD GOOD FOR DOGS? 11 MYTHS BUSTED

Is raw dog food good for dogs? – quick takeaways

• A raw dog food diet is safe and healthy when food is sourced, stored and served correctly.
• Dogs of any age and breed can switch to a raw diet.
• You can help your dog get used to a raw diet with a gradual 7-day transition.
• More convenient and cost-efficient options like meal plans make switching to raw easier than ever.

There are a lot of raw dog food myths and misconceptions out there.

With so much information available, it can be tough to know what’s true and what isn’t.

Here, we bust 11 of the biggest myths about raw dog food diets and get down to the truth of the matter.

 

1. Myth: Raw food is full of bacteria

There can be bacteria in raw dog food. But with a little care, there’s no need to worry.

Simply stick to the same hygiene principles as you would when handling any raw meat.
 

• Wash your hands before and after handling
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and utensils straight away
• Store and thaw raw dog food as per the instructions of the brand you’ve chosen

As far as your pooch is concerned, a raw food diet can be safe. Their immune systems and digestion evolved on raw food and can usually deal with the trace amounts of bacteria sometimes found in raw meals.

If your dog suffers from an immunosuppressive disorder or has a medical issue, give the raw food company you are considering a call to chat through your options first.

At Natures Menu, we prepare and deliver our meals with careful temperature control. By storing and defrosting properly, you can help keep any microbes safely below the level that could make your dog poorly.

A word of caution – meat and bones sold in supermarkets or butchers are made to be cooked. They don’t have the same hygiene controls, and it’s unlikely to be safe or suitable for dogs to consume.

See our Feeding FAQs for the full list of measures we have in place to keep our raw food safe.

 

2. Myth: Raw dog food is messy

It doesn’t need to be. And if you’ve never seen raw dog food before, you’re in for a nice surprise.

Our raw meals come frozen into neat little nuggets in convenient packaging.

And, you don’t even need to handle it. Just count the nuggets for easy portion control, pour them into a tub or their bowl to thaw for a couple of hours (or overnight in the fridge) and serve.

 

3. Myth: Raw dog food is complicated

Raw feeding can be as complicated or simple as you like.

Sure, some owners get a kick out of creating their own dog food from home – but that’s optional.

A ready-made raw meal plan is incredibly simple and you’ll have peace of mind knowing it meets all of your dog’s essential dietary needs.

If you’re new to raw meat for dogs, read our guide on raw food for beginners for everything you need to know.

 

4. Myth: Raw dog food is a risk to children

Raw or not, it’s best to keep children away from your dog’s food. This goes for both during feeding time and after.

Children need to learn that your dog’s dinnertime is a play-free zone. This is safer for them germs-wise and helps your dog feel secure when it comes to their food.

If there are any leftovers, dispose of them once your dog is done eating, and never leave raw or wet food out.

 

5. Myth: My fussy dog won’t like raw food

Most dogs are very much tempted by the smells, tastes, and textures of their new raw diet. But, if your pet is a little choosier, then a gradual introduction works wonders.

Our experts have put together a simple 7-day plan to switch to raw meat. We’ve tried and tested it over the years, with great feedback from people who thought their pooch would never take the (raw) bait.

 

6. Myth: My dog is too young or too old for raw

Any time is a good time to get started on a raw diet. Just be sure that it’s age-appropriate, which is easy enough if you’re buying ready-made raw meals.

Raw is great for puppies too, but they do have special dietary requirements. Feeding them adult food means they’ll miss out on important nutrients for growth.

You can start puppies on a raw diet when you’re weaning them off milk – choosing raw food made for puppies, like our puppy nuggets.

As for older dogs, we’re big believers that you can teach an old dog new habits. And they might just thank you later.

We hear back from lots of people telling us their older dog has a new lease of life after starting raw food.

That could be down to the fact that our raw recipes are free from artificial sugars and colours – things which can cause energy slumps and sluggishness.

Plus, raw food for dogs is usually softer, making it gentler on older teeth and gums.

 

7. Myth: Raw dog food makes dogs aggressive

We’d love to claim that our raw food is so good that it sends dogs wild. Sadly, it’s simply not true.

Feeding your dog a raw meat diet won’t make them more aggressive. Eating rare steak wouldn’t do that to you, and it doesn’t to your dog either.

We hear from lots of people who say the opposite. They’ve found that switching to raw food helped their dog become calmer, likely due to having less sugar. Just one of the many benefits of raw feeding.

 

8. Myth: Raw dog food takes up too much freezer space

Our packaging is designed to take up as little space as possible.

If you’ve got a small freezer, a meal plan subscription could be the answer. You can select the frequency of deliveries and the amount of food you need, so you don’t need to worry about running out of storage space (or food!).

Another option is freeze-dried meals – coming to Natures Menu soon!

 

9. Myth: Raw dog food is expensive

Raw dog food can cost more, but that depends on what you’re comparing it to.

Natures Menu meal plans are highly personalised to cater for your dog’s unique needs.

The cost will depend on your dog's breed, age, size, activity level and dietary requirements.

But, on average it will cost under £2 a day to feed a medium-sized dog with standard dietary requirements.

If you’re looking for a more cost-efficient way to go raw, see our subscription meal plans.

 

10. Myth: Raw bones are dangerous (because they splinter)

Bones are only safe to eat if they’re raw. Cooking bones dries them out, which is what makes them splinter.

Raw bones are soft and flexible, and dogs can digest them easily. Dogs love them, not just for the taste, but because they’re mentally stimulating, too.

You can help your dog to enjoy raw bones safely by:

• Choosing an appropriate bone size
• Opting for less dense bones for dogs that are new to bones or have ageing teeth and gums
• Not cutting or sawing raw bones as it can make them sharp
• Throwing away defrosted bones after 24 hours, if there are any left

 

11. Myth: Cooked meat is better than raw

Part of the idea behind a raw meat diet for dogs is that it’s potentially easier for some dogs to digest than cooked meat.

A complete raw meal has a combination of fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals, too. Cooking your meals may destroy natural nutrients, meaning your dog might not receive a complete and balanced meal.

 
Try our personalised meal plans with high-quality raw ingredients to help keep your dog healthy and happy.