When I first graduated from university and entered the pet food industry, I believed the best food you could feed your dog was kibble. That was not because I had carefully evaluated every feeding approach available. It was because most of what we studied was based on research conducted on kibble. The majority of peer reviewed feeding trials, digestibility studies, and long term nutrient analyses have historically been done on extruded dry diets.

That does not make kibble inherently bad. It simply means it has been studied more extensively. But as I gained experience in product development and formulation, I realized that focusing only on kibble ignores other feeding approaches that can work well when done correctly, including raw food.

My early concerns about raw diets

In the beginning, I was not a fan of raw feeding. I equated it to humans eating raw meat, which carries a clear risk of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella or E. coli. From a food safety standpoint, it felt irresponsible.

Over time, I learned that dogs are not small humans. Their gastrointestinal tract is shorter, their stomach acid is more acidic, and they are physiologically adapted to handle higher microbial loads than we are. Healthy adult dogs can often consume raw meat without developing clinical illness.

However, that does not mean there is no risk.

The real concern with raw feeding is not always the dog. It is the household. Pathogens present in raw meat can be shed in saliva or feces, creating a potential transmission risk to humans, especially children, elderly individuals, or immunocompromised family members.

So my position evolved. Raw feeding is not automatically dangerous, but it does require strict food safety practices:

• Proper storage and thawing
• Avoiding cross contamination with human food
• Washing hands and surfaces thoroughly
• Safe disposal of uneaten portions
• Prompt removal of feces in shared environments

If handled correctly, the risk can be significantly reduced.

Where raw diets can shine

Over the years, I have seen many dogs do very well on properly formulated raw diets.

Some of the most common scenarios include:

• Dogs with suspected food sensitivities
• Dogs that struggle with chronic gastrointestinal upset
• Picky eaters who refuse dry food
• Dogs that seem to have poor coat quality or stool consistency on certain kibble diets

In some cases, the improvement may be due to a simpler ingredient list. In other cases, it may be related to higher moisture content, lower carbohydrate levels, or improved palatability.

It is important to recognize that raw feeding is not magic. It is simply another delivery format for nutrients. The success of any diet comes down to nutrient balance, ingredient quality, digestibility, and suitability for the individual dog.

The industry reality, not all raw is created equal

When I first began working more closely with raw food companies, I quickly noticed a major issue.

Many raw products on the market were little more than ground meat scraps sourced from butchers. These often included trim, excess fat, bone, connective tissue, and organ pieces that were not used in the human supply chain. There is nothing inherently wrong with using byproducts. In fact, organ meats are highly nutritious. The problem arises when:

• The proportions are inconsistent
• The diet is not formulated to meet recognized nutrient standards
• The marketing language suggests “premium” without supporting nutritional data

I have reviewed raw diets that were severely deficient in calcium, iodine, zinc, vitamin D, or certain trace minerals. Puppies and growing dogs are especially vulnerable to imbalanced mineral levels, which can impact skeletal development.

A ground mixture of meat, bone, and organs is not automatically balanced.

The importance of nutritional standards

One of the most important questions pet owners should ask any raw food company is:

In North America, most complete and balanced pet foods are formulated to meet nutrient profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, known as Association of American Feed Control Officials, or based on recommendations from the National Research Council.

Formulating to these standards requires:

• A defined nutrient target
• Laboratory analysis of ingredients
• Adjustment for bioavailability
• Appropriate calcium to phosphorus ratios
• Adequate trace mineral and vitamin inclusion

There are very few raw companies that consistently formulate and test to these benchmarks. That said, they do exist.

As I became more involved in the industry, I met raw companies that genuinely wanted to do better. Some reached out for professional formulation support. They were open to adding proper supplementation, validating their nutrient profiles, and being transparent about their analyses. That shifted my perspective.

There is space in the market for well formulated raw diets. The key is doing it correctly.

What pet owners should look for

If you are considering a raw diet for your dog, here are the questions I recommend asking:

Transparency matters more than marketing claims.

Raw vs kibble, it is not a war

There is a strong divide between some veterinary professionals and raw feeding advocates. I understand both sides.

Many veterinarians are cautious because they have seen cases of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, growth abnormalities, or bacterial infections associated with poorly designed raw diets. Those concerns are valid.

At the same time, dismissing all raw diets ignores the reality that some dogs thrive on them when they are properly balanced and safely handled.

Kibble is not automatically superior. Raw is not automatically superior. Each format has pros and cons:

The right choice depends on the individual dog, the household, the budget, and the owner’s ability to manage food safety responsibly.

My current position

As a nutritionist, my job is not to promote one format over another. My job is to ensure nutritional adequacy and safety.

I no longer believe that kibble is the only appropriate option. I also do not believe that every raw diet on the market deserves blind trust.

Raw feeding can be a great choice when:

• The recipe is properly formulated
• Nutrients are balanced for the correct life stage
• Food safety protocols are followed
• The household understands the risks and responsibilities

It can also be a poor choice when:

• It is unbalanced
• It is based purely on butcher scraps
• It is fed to vulnerable individuals without proper hygiene practices
• It relies on marketing instead of science