Vet shares vital advice to dog owners about one type of food

A vet has issued vital advice to dog owners who favour a raw food diet for their furry friends, highlighting that there are critical factors to consider. Dr Nicole Rous has spoken out about the potential risks and considerations when feeding dogs raw food. While she acknowledges that all breeds can be fed raw diets, she cautions that not all proteins are suitable for every breed.

Dr Rous explained: “Some breeds are more sensitive to certain proteins than others. For example, commonly Cavoodles I see reactions to chicken and beef, so they might not be the first proteins that I’d choose, or I might not want to choose to be a big part of their diet.

“And then the other thing is just remembering every breed or every dog has a different energy requirement, so some are sedentary and others are really active and sporting dogs, so they might need more or they might need leaner proteins or fattier proteins, but absolutely every dog can be fed raw.”

Following Dr Rous’s video on the subject, pet owners have been quick to share their experiences and opinions online. One owner insisted: “Definitely not breed specific. Balanced correctly, raw is fantastic for optimal health and longevity.”

Another pointed out a particular sensitivity in German Shepherds, adding: “Seems to be a common occurrence that chicken sets German Shepherds’ allergies off too.”

Meanwhile, a Shar Pei owner shared a less positive experience: “My Shar Pei vomits after having any raw meat.”

The debate continues as to whether raw meat is a suitable choice for dogs. Although dogs are capable of eating raw meat, feeding them a diet consisting solely of raw meat isn’t recommended.

The recent trend in raw-food diets for pets may stem from owners wanting to mimic a dog’s natural diet in the wild. Yet, a diet overly reliant on raw meat can fail to provide a complete and balanced source of nutrition, especially true for growing puppies with complex dietary needs. 

Older dogs as well might struggle, given their potentially weaker immune systems and more delicate digestive tracts. Properly cooked meat can aid digestion and is commonly considered safer.

Some experts outright advise against raw meat for dogs. PetMD warns: “Dogs are natural carnivores that can digest raw meat, but that doesn’t necessarily mean raw meat is good for them.

“Uncooked meat can harbor harmful bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, which cause foodborne illnesses that can make your dog very sick.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and animal nutrition experts do not recommend feeding a raw food diet for dogs. Instead, choose a regular balanced dog food diet that contains all the nutrients needed to keep your pet healthy.

“That said, if your dog eats a small amount of raw meat that falls on the floor while you’re cooking, they’ll likely be fine. But even a small amount of E. coli or Salmonella can be harmful, so monitor your pup for signs of illness and call the vet if you have concerns.”

Before introducing any new food to your dog’s diet, always consult with your vet first, especially when it comes to human foods. Dogs can have varied reactions depending on several factors.

Factors such as their age, previous health history, existing health conditions and their usual diet play a role. Moreover, dogs that are on prescription diets should not be given any food or treats that are not included in their specific dietary plan.