Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat?

by Katherine Khoo December 18, 2025 5 min read

The simple answer is “yes”, dogs can eat raw meat. But that doesn’t mean you should just toss a few raw chunks together and call it dog food. While raw diets have gained popularity among pet owners hoping to mimic a dog’s ancestral way of eating, it’s important to understand the potential risks and nutritional challenges of creating a truly balanced raw diet at home.

Raw meats aren’t balanced diet

Feeding your dog pieces of raw meat alone does not make a balanced diet. Dogs need more than just meat proteins. They require a range of nutrients including macrominerals like calcium and phosphorus, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and trace minerals to stay healthy. Simply giving your dog raw chicken breast or beef steaks doesn’t provide the right ratio of these nutrients and can lead to long-term deficiencies or imbalances.

A raw meat-only diet may be too high in protein and fat (if fattier cuts or commercial minced meats are used), but too low in calcium, fiber, and micronutrients like zinc and vitamin E. Over time, these imbalances can lead to issues like brittle bones, poor coat condition, or digestive upset. That’s why it’s crucial to understand how raw diets are structured if you plan to feed one safely.

What’s a balanced, raw diet?

A “balanced raw diet” means your dog is getting the right proportions of meat, bone, organs, and plant ingredients, similar to what they might consume in the wild, but adjusted for modern nutritional science.

There are several interpretations of what a “balanced raw” diet should look like, and not all raw feeders agree on the same formula. The two main models most raw feeders follow are the BARF and PMR, plus a few hybrid variations.

BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)

The BARF model includes both animal and plant ingredients to provide a broader range of nutrients and fiber. It was developed by veterinarian Ian Billinghurst and is one of the most popular raw feeding approaches.

Typical BARF ratio:

70% muscle meat and raw meaty bones
10% raw organ meat (with about half being liver)
10% vegetables
10% fruits, seeds, and supplements (like fish oil, kelp, or eggs)

The inclusion of vegetables and fruits provides fiber, antioxidants, and plant-based nutrients that support digestion and overall health.

PMR (Prey Model Raw)

The PMR approach tries to imitate the composition of a whole prey animal, without adding fruits or vegetables. It’s a more minimalist style of feeding that focuses entirely on animal components.

Typical PMR ratio:

80% muscle meat
10% raw edible bone
10% organ meat (with 5% liver and 5% other secreting organs such as kidney or spleen)

This model assumes that dogs get all necessary nutrients from animal tissues, much like their wild ancestors. However, PMR can be tricky to balance and may need supplementation for certain vitamins and minerals, depending on the protein sources used.

Whole Prey & Hybrid Models

The hybrid models combined elements of both BARF, PMR and other knowledge in nutritional science, to obtain a carefully balanced raw diet. Many commercial raw dog food follows a hybrid model to meet the nutritional standards by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation).

Whichever model you choose to follow, all models will require attention to detail and nutritional knowledge to prevent nutrient deficiencies or access that may affect your dog’s health in the longer term.

What are the different preparations of raw dog food?

Homemade Raw Diets

Prepared by owners at home using raw ingredients like meat, organs, bones, and vegetables. While customizable and the owner have full control over the ingredients that go into the food, they require careful planning and guidance from a vet or canine nutritionist to ensure they’re nutritionally balanced. It is also important to recognize the nutritional needs of the dog can change according to factors such as life stages and overall health. Thus, the recipes used will need to be updated accordingly.

Food safety is of utmost importance when preparing raw food at home. Raw diets can carry bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can make both dogs and humans sick, especially young children, seniors, or anyone with a weaker immune system. Ensure that all utensils, kitchen equipment and kitchen counter tops are promptly cleaned and sanitized after food preparation. Do not leave any unfinished raw dog food around, discard if not consumed within 30 minutes.

Commercial Raw Frozen Diets

These are sold in pet stores as ready-to-feed pouches, patties, cubes or nuggets. These are usually formulated to be complete and balanced and must be stored in a freezer until feeding.

If you’re new to raw feeding, our recommendation is to start with commercially prepared raw meals that meet nutritional standards and are handled under strict food safety controls. This helps you enjoy the benefits of raw feeding without the hygiene and nutritional risks that come with home preparation.

Here are three (3) premium, frozen raw diets that you can find on our webstore.

Freeze-Dried or Air-Dried Raw Diets

These diets start as raw, whole-food ingredients that are either freeze-dried (moisture removed through low-temperature freezing and vacuum pressure) or air-dried (using a gentle air drying method without heat). Both methods preserve most nutrients while extending shelf life and eliminating the need for freezing. Nutritionally, freeze-dried diets retain more enzymes and vitamins than dehydrated ones, and both are considered close alternatives to frozen raw meals.

They are convenient, lightweight, travel-friendly, and have a lower bacterial risk than fresh raw. However, they can be more expensive per serving and may require rehydration before feeding for easier digestion.

If you want to feed raw but prefer the convenience of dry dog food, freeze-dried or air-dried is the way to go. Here are some options for your consideration:

Food safety tips when preparing raw dog food at home

Should you decide to homemade your pup’s raw diet, here are some essential food safety tips to keep in mind:

Buy from reputable sources. Choose fresh, high-quality meat from trusted suppliers. Avoid meats that look discoloured or have an unusual smell.
Store properly. Keep raw ingredients frozen until use, and thaw only what you need in the refrigerator (never on the countertop).
Clean and disinfect surfaces. After handling raw meat, wash your hands, utensils, bowls, and chopping boards thoroughly with hot, soapy water.
Portion and freeze. Divide meals into daily portions before freezing. This makes mealtime prep easier and reduces the risk of spoilage.
Serve fresh. Once thawed, raw meals should be fed within 24 hours and never left out at room temperature for long periods.
Handle bones carefully. Always supervise your dog when feeding raw bones to prevent choking or dental injuries.

In conclusion, dogs can eat raw meat, but a few chunks of raw beef or chicken don’t make a balanced diet. To feed raw food safely, you’ll need to follow a structured model like BARF or PMR, ensure proper ingredient ratios, and maintain hygiene to avoid bacterial contamination.

If you’re considering switching your dog to a raw diet, talk to your veterinarian or a certified pet nutritionist first. They can help you choose a safe, balanced plan, whether homemade or commercial, so your dog can enjoy the benefits of raw feeding without the risks.