Can dogs eat raw meat?
It is not recommended. Raw meat often carries bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli, which can make dogs ill and spread to people in the home, even when the dog looks healthy. Veterinary bodies such as the AVMA discourage raw feeding.
Updated:
Why
Contamination of raw meat by bacteria is common. Dogs can carry these germs without signs and shed them in saliva and faeces, putting family members at risk, especially high-risk groups such as the young and the old. Raw pork can carry a parasite, raw bones can block the gut, and home-made raw diets are likely not balanced unless a nutritionist formulated the recipe.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Low energy or poor appetite
- Belly discomfort
What to do
If your dog grabbed some raw meat, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea or low energy and call your vet if these are severe or don't stop. Wash your hands, bowls and surfaces thoroughly. Talk to your vet before changing your dog's diet.
How to give it
Share meat only fully cooked, plain and boneless.
Questions and answers
My dog seems fine on raw food. Is there still a risk?
Yes. Apparently healthy dogs can carry these bacteria and shed them, which can harm people in the home.
Is freeze-dried raw food safer?
Not for germs: freeze-drying is not equivalent to cooking when it comes to bacteria and parasites.
Related foods
All foods: What can dogs eat?Sources
- Raw diets for dogs and cats (Raw or undercooked animal-source protein in cat and dog diets) — American Veterinary Medical Association (policy)
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets — ASPCA Animal Poison Control (no date; ©2026)
- Raw Food Diets in Dogs — VCA Animal Hospitals, CAVN / Grant, Weir, Downing
- Get the Facts! Raw Pet Food Diets can be Dangerous to You and Your Pet — U.S. FDA (content current as of 2018-02-22)
- Raw foods for dogs: Evidence-based advice from the Riney Canine Health Center — Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center (updated 2025-12-09)
- Feeding your pet a raw diet — PDSA (no date)
- Can Dogs Eat Pork? — American Kennel Club, Alexandra Anastasio (updated 2026-04-27)
- Food Poisoning in Dogs: What to Know — American Kennel Club, AKC Staff (updated 2026-07-27)
General information from the sources below, not reviewed by a vet and not a substitute for veterinary advice. When in doubt, call your vet.
How kids practise this in PetPrep
In PetPrep a child looks after a realistic dog: meals at the right times, water, walks and care. Knowing what is safe to share is part of being ready for a real pet.