Este artículo todavía no está traducido al español, así que se muestra en inglés.
A raw food diet for dogs carries real risks: raw meat can carry germs like Salmonella and E. coli that make both dogs and people sick, and the Public Health Agency of Canada doesn't recommend feeding pets raw food or treats. A homemade raw diet can also miss nutrients if it isn't carefully formulated.
Plenty of owners choose raw feeding (sometimes called BARF) because it feels more natural, and it's your call to make with your vet. We're not here to lecture.
What we can do is lay out what Canadian authorities say, who in your household is most at risk, how to handle raw food more safely if you go ahead, and what to ask your vet. It isn't veterinary advice.
What Canadian public health authorities say
They advise against it. The Government of Canada's raw pet food safety page (September 2024) explains that raw food isn't cooked to the temperatures that usually kill bacteria, so it's more likely to contain harmful germs like Salmonella or E. coli. Its advice is plain: the Public Health Agency of Canada does not recommend feeding your pets raw food or treats.
Quebec's government guide on raw feeding gives a concrete example. An outbreak of extensively drug-resistant Salmonella infections was linked to raw pet food in Quebec and five other provinces. About half of the Quebec cases were children five and under, and puppies in a litter that ate raw food were infected with the same strain and died.
Even if they look healthy, pets can spread germs to the people and animals around them, the Government of Canada notes.
Raw food diet for dogs: the main risks
The main risks of a raw food diet for dogs are germs, parasites and gaps in nutrition, and the germs don't stay in the bowl:
| Risk | Who it affects | What the sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli | Dogs and people | Higher risk in raw food because it is not cooked |
| Parasites | Dogs and people | Quebec notes raw meat often contains parasites |
| Germs on treats | Dogs and people | Freeze-dried treats and dried pig ears may not destroy all microorganisms |
| Spread in the home | Everyone, especially vulnerable people | Healthy-looking pets can still spread germs |
| Nutritional gaps | Dogs | Quebec says raw diets must meet your pet's nutritional needs |
Who in your home is most at risk
The Government of Canada says some people face a greater risk of serious illness and shouldn't handle raw pet food or feeder rodents at all: adults over 65, pregnant people, children 5 and under, and people with weakened immune systems.
Quebec's guide goes further and suggests skipping raw feeding altogether in homes with vulnerable people. Picture a toddler crawling across the kitchen floor near the dog's bowl, or a grandparent going through chemo who still loves to have the dog on their lap. If anyone in your household fits one of these groups, that's a strong reason to ask your vet about a cooked or commercial complete diet instead.
Is a raw diet balanced?
Only if it's been formulated to be. A dog's diet has to provide every nutrient it needs for its life stage. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) suggests checking whether any food is labelled as complete for your dog's life stage, and asking who formulated it and whether the company employs a qualified nutritionist. Those questions apply to commercial raw foods just as much as to kibble.
Homemade raw diets are harder to get right. If you want to feed one, ask your vet about a recipe from a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, not one from a forum. Puppies, pregnant dogs and dogs with medical conditions need extra care.
If you choose raw feeding: safer handling
Careful handling can't remove the risk, but it can lower it. These steps come from the Government of Canada and Quebec guidance:
- Check the packaging for storage instructions and the expiry date.
- Thaw only what you need, in a sealed container on the bottom shelf of the fridge, and never refreeze leftovers.
- Use separate dishes and utensils for your dog's food, and wash them separately.
- Pick up the bowl when your dog's done and throw out leftovers; Quebec suggests within 30 minutes of serving.
- Keep food and bowls out of reach of children, and clean surfaces after preparing food.
- Don't let your dog lick your face, mouth or open wounds.
- Wash your hands after feeding, playing with your dog or picking up waste, and help young children do the same.
What to ask your vet
Start with the big one: given my dog's age and health, and who lives in my home, is raw feeding a reasonable choice? Then get specific. Is this particular product complete and balanced for my dog's life stage? Would a cooked fresh diet or a commercial complete food meet the same goals? Should we check weight or bloodwork after the switch?
Tell your vet exactly what your dog eats, raw treats and chews included. It matters a lot if your dog ever gets diarrhea or another illness. The free PetGrid app keeps diet notes in your pet's records, and you can share them with any clinic using sharing. For more on food choices, see our guide to grain-free dog food and DCM.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is raw food safe for dogs?
It carries a higher risk of germs like Salmonella and E. coli than cooked food, and the Public Health Agency of Canada doesn't recommend feeding pets raw food or treats. Talk to your vet about your dog's diet.
Can raw dog food make people sick?
Yes. Germs in raw pet food can spread to people who handle it or touch the dog, and healthy-looking pets can still spread them. A drug-resistant Salmonella outbreak in Canada was linked to raw pet food.
Who should not handle raw pet food?
The Government of Canada says adults over 65, pregnant people, children 5 and under and people with weakened immune systems shouldn't handle raw pet food or feeder rodents.
Are freeze-dried raw treats safer?
Not necessarily. Quebec's raw feeding guide says freeze-dried treats and dried pig ears may not destroy all infectious microorganisms, and cooking is still the best way to reduce the risk.
How do I handle raw dog food safely?
Thaw it sealed on the bottom fridge shelf, never refreeze leftovers, use separate bowls and utensils, throw out uneaten food, and wash your hands after feeding. These steps lower the risk but don't remove it.
Should I tell my vet that my dog eats raw food?
Yes, always. Knowing your dog eats raw food or raw treats helps your vet make sense of illnesses like diarrhea and give advice that fits your household, especially if anyone at home is at higher risk.
En resumen
A raw food diet for dogs comes with real germ risks for your dog and everyone at home, which is why Canada's public health agency doesn't recommend it. If you go ahead anyway, use a complete, well-formulated diet, be strict about handling, and keep it well away from vulnerable family members.
Whatever you feed, write it down and share it with your vet. The PetGrid app is free for pet owners; here's how it works.
Guarde los historiales, las vacunas y las visitas de su mascota en un solo lugar seguro. La app PetGrid es gratuita para los dueños de mascotas, con o sin clínica.
Get the free PetGrid appFuentes
Cada dato sobre otro producto u organización proviene de estas páginas, consultadas en la fecha indicada.