Veterinarian Weighs in on Controversy Over Safety of Dogs Eating Raw Meat

Many dog owners are hesitant to feed their dogs raw meat because they don't think it's healthy for their dogs. According to veterinarian Amir Anwary, raw meat can be good for your pooch...if you feed it to them correctly.

Dr. Anwary posted the video on Thursday, July 11th and it's definitely worth the watch. It's on the long side for a TikTok - about two and a half minutes. In it, he explains how a dog's teeth and digestion work and how their bodies are built to eat meat. He then goes on to explain what you need to know when it comes to feeding your dog raw meat.

As a dog owner, I appreciated Dr. Anwary taking the time to explain all of this in a simple, easy to understand way! The most important thing to remember if you feed your dog raw meat is that you need to get it from somewhere that specifically sells raw meat for consumption. Feeding your dog over-the-counter raw meat from the grocery store can be dangerous to your dog since the bacteria levels that they can sell meat are different than bacteria levels for raw meat that won't be cooked before being eaten are.

Commenters had a lot to say about Dr. Anwary's video. @Sophia shared, "Finally, a vet that’s actually explaining it properly rather than just saying ‘No raw is bad, here have some Royal Canine/Purina" and Dr. Anwary responded, "Educating over alienating. I find people are more likely to listen if you treat them like actual intelligent individuals." @brandybrowder587 said, "Thank you for the simplicity of your explanation. It makes perfect sense." and @frenchieslife added, "No dogs are created to only eat highly processed kibbles!" and Dr. Anwary had the best response, "Unless dog food companies have anything to say about it."

Related: 3 Ways to Keep Pups Safe During Summer Heat Waves Is Something All Dog Owners Should Know

Drawbacks to Feeding Dogs a Raw Diet

Commenter @A made a good point, "I tried to do raw on my own, but it was waaaay too much work. Finding a dog company (RahRaw) that formulates for dogs is such a time saver and peace of mind!" I've never considered feeding my dog raw meat regularly, though I do give her raw veggies and fruits. If you are considering feeding your dog raw meat, there are some cons to doing it; like @A said it's a lot of work to try to do on your own. And as the vet said, you also have to consider the risk of bacteria and parasites.

Other drawbacks include: the cost (it's not cheap!), potential time-consuming preparation, and storage requirements (some are frozen, others are fresh, so you need somewhere to keep at least a week's worth of food). You will also want to talk to your vet about nutritional imbalances and how to make sure your dog is getting enough of everything it needs from a nutritional standpoint.

Another drawback is the potential for constipation. Another Pet Helpful article suggests prevention is key and to do these things to avoid your dog getting constipated:

• Feed your dog a pumpkin-based vegetable mixture at least once a week.

• Make sure that your dog always has a bowl of fresh water available.

• Exercise your dog every day. I am not talking about a walk around the block. Every dog deserves to get out and run or walk briskly for at least an hour.

• Always walk your dog in a safe and quiet place to “do his business."

Whether or not you choose to feed your dog raw meat or a raw diet is a personal choice and solely up to you (after a discussion with your vet!) Always do what's right for you and for your pooch, and don't feel like you should or shouldn't feed them something solely because others say it's not a good choice.

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