Can dogs eat raw meat?

Raw, cooked and other forms of raw meat

• Skip itRaw meat and raw chicken Can carry Salmonella and Listeria. Dogs can shed these germs without looking sick.
• Skip itCommercial raw diets An FDA study reported by PetMD found about 1 in 4 raw pet food samples had Salmonella or Listeria. VCA says the risks outweigh the benefits.
• Skip itHomemade raw diets VCA says these are likely to be nutritionally incomplete unless a nutritionist wrote the recipe.
• Skip itRaw bones Can block the gut (often needing surgery) or pierce it.
• YesPlain cooked meat Cooking kills the germs. Keep it plain, with no seasoning, onion or garlic.

Why dogs should skip raw meat

Not a toxin but germs: mainly Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Dogs fed raw food can carry and shed them in saliva and poop, putting children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weak immune system at risk.

Signs to watch for after she eats raw meat

Salmonella in dogs can cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fever, poor appetite and low energy. Many dogs show no signs at all but still spread the germs.

What to do if your dog ate too much raw meat

If she ate raw meat and gets vomiting, diarrhea, fever or seems unwell, call your vet. Wash your hands, her bowl and any surfaces it touched with soap and hot water, pick up her poop promptly, and avoid face licks for a while. If you feed raw, tell your vet.