A warm, expert-backed guide for Canadian dog owners considering the switch
A raw diet for dogs is one of the most talked-about — and debated — topics in pet nutrition today. Sometimes called the BARF diet (Bones and Raw Food, or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), it centres on feeding dogs unprocessed, uncooked ingredients: raw meat, meaty bones, organ meat, eggs, and sometimes fruits and vegetables. The idea was first popularized in 1993 by Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst, and it’s been dividing dog owners and vets ever since.
Before switching your dog’s food bowl, it’s worth understanding exactly what a raw diet involves, what the science says, and how to do it safely if you choose to go that route.
What is a raw diet for dogs? A raw diet for dogs consists of uncooked animal proteins — typically muscle meat, raw meaty bones, organ meat, and sometimes eggs or dairy — often supplemented with raw fruits and vegetables. It can be home-prepared or purchased as a commercial frozen, freeze-dried, or dehydrated product. No cooking. No kibble. Just whole, minimally processed ingredients.
What Does a Raw Dog Food Diet Actually Include?
Most raw diets for dogs are built around a few core components:
- Muscle meat (beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, fish)
- Raw meaty bones (chicken necks, wings, backs — never cooked)
- Organ meat (liver, kidney — typically 10–15% of the diet)
- Eggs (whole, including the shell for calcium)
- Fruits and vegetables (leafy greens, carrots, blueberries — optional but common)
- Supplements (fish oil, calcium, vitamins — especially in home-prepared diets)
Commercial raw diets are available frozen or freeze-dried and are often labelled as “complete and balanced.” Home-prepared versions require significantly more planning to avoid nutritional gaps.
The Pros of a Raw Diet for Dogs
[Image suggestion: Happy, energetic dog with a shiny coat outdoors in a Canadian backyard | Alt text: healthy dog on raw diet with shiny coat and high energy]
Many dog owners who switch to raw feeding report noticeable improvements in their dog’s health and energy. While large-scale clinical trials are limited, the anecdotal evidence is consistent — and some of the claimed benefits have biological plausibility.
Shinier Coat and Healthier Skin
The higher fat content in raw meat-based diets — particularly omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from quality protein sources — supports skin barrier function and coat health. Many owners report a visibly shinier coat within weeks of switching.
Smaller, Firmer Stools
Dogs on a raw diet tend to produce smaller, less odorous stools. This is because raw food is more bioavailable — meaning the dog’s body absorbs more nutrients and produces less waste. Gut microbiome diversity also appears to improve, with faecal bacterial diversity found to be higher among raw-fed dogs compared with those fed conventionally processed food in a metagenomic study. PubMed Central
Better Dental Hygiene
Chewing on raw meaty bones provides natural mechanical cleaning of the teeth. Many raw feeders report reduced tartar buildup and fresher breath — something that’s hard to replicate with kibble alone.
Improved Weight Management
The high protein, low carbohydrate profile of most raw diets can support lean muscle mass and make it easier to maintain a healthy weight. Most dogs and cats fed raw meat-based diets appear to have a good, healthy body condition and are not overweight, PubMed Central according to veterinary observations published in a peer-reviewed study in the Canadian Veterinary Journal.
Fewer Artificial Additives
Raw diets contain no synthetic preservatives, artificial flavours, or fillers commonly found in commercial kibble. For owners who want to know exactly what’s going into their dog’s bowl, raw feeding offers total ingredient transparency.
The Cons of a Raw Diet for Dogs
The benefits are real — but so are the risks. This is where the conversation gets more complicated, and where veterinary guidance becomes essential.
Bacterial Contamination Is a Genuine Concern
This is the biggest risk associated with raw dog food — and it affects both your dog and your household. Research conducted by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine found that the odds of being exposed to a foodborne pathogen such as Salmonella, Listeria, or toxigenic E. coli in frozen raw meat diets for pets purchased online are approximately 1-in-3. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Even if your dog doesn’t appear sick, they can shed these bacteria in their stool — a real concern in homes with young children, elderly individuals, or immunocompromised family members. Proper food handling and hygiene are non-negotiable.
Nutritional Imbalances Are Common
Getting the nutritional balance right in a raw diet is harder than it sounds. One study evaluated 200 recipes for healthy dogs and found that 95% of the recipes had at least one essential nutrient below the recommended minimum amount. PetMD Deficiencies in calcium, phosphorus, and key vitamins can lead to bone fractures, poor coat condition, and long-term organ damage — often without obvious symptoms until significant damage is done.
Bone Hazards
Raw meaty bones are a cornerstone of many raw diets, but they come with risks. Bones can splinter, cause choking, crack teeth, or cause gastrointestinal perforations. It’s critical to feed appropriately sized raw (never cooked) bones under supervision, and to avoid weight-bearing bones from large animals, which are too dense and hard.
Cost and Time
Feeding a raw diet — especially to a large breed dog — is significantly more expensive and time-consuming than pouring a scoop of kibble. Home preparation requires careful sourcing, portioning, freezing, and planning. Even commercial raw diets carry a premium price tag.
Not Right for Every Dog
Raw diets are generally not recommended for puppies still in development, senior dogs with compromised immune systems, dogs with cancer or chronic illness, or dogs in multi-pet households where cross-contamination risk is elevated. Always consult your vet before making the switch.
Raw Diet Safety Tips: How to Do It Right
If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decided a raw diet is right for your dog, follow these safety practices to protect your pet and your family.
1. Work With a Veterinary Nutritionist
Before you start, consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (or at minimum, your regular vet) to create or review a nutritionally complete meal plan. This is the single most important step — skipping it is how nutritional deficiencies happen.
2. Choose High-Quality Commercial Raw or Trusted Sources
If you’re buying commercially prepared raw food, look for products labelled “complete and balanced” that meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutritional standards. Commercial raw limited ingredient diets are generally made in dedicated grinding and mixing machines and are not cross-contaminated with other proteins, PubMed Central which reduces both allergy and contamination risk.
3. Handle Raw Food Like Raw Meat for Humans
Treat every surface, dish, and utensil that contacts raw dog food as a contamination risk. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after handling raw pet food. Disinfect all prep surfaces, and store raw food frozen until 24–48 hours before use.
4. Keep High-Risk Individuals Away from Raw Food and Feeding Areas
If anyone in your home is elderly, pregnant, under 5 years old, or immunocompromised, take extra precautions. Even if a dog doesn’t show signs of illness, they could be shedding organisms that would be harmful to vulnerable family members. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
5. Transition Slowly
Switching your dog to a raw diet too quickly can cause digestive upset. Transition over 7–14 days by gradually replacing portions of their current food with raw.
6. Never Feed Cooked Bones
Only raw bones are safe for dogs to chew. Cooked bones — including those from your own dinner — become brittle and can splinter dangerously. Raw poultry bones (chicken necks, wings) are a safer starting point than large, dense weight-bearing bones.
7. Monitor Your Dog Closely
Watch for signs of digestive trouble — vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or changes in appetite — especially in the first few weeks. Schedule regular vet check-ins to monitor for nutritional deficiencies, which often take weeks or months to appear.
Is a Raw Diet Right for Your Dog?
A raw diet for dogs isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For some healthy adult dogs with engaged, informed owners, it can be a genuinely beneficial way to eat. For others, the bacterial risks, nutritional complexity, and cost make it an impractical or even dangerous choice.
The most important thing you can do is make this decision in partnership with your veterinarian — not based solely on what you read online (yes, including this). Every dog is an individual, and their diet should be too.
If you’re interested in exploring other feeding options, check out our guides to the best dog food in Canada, high-protein dog food options, and dog food for sensitive stomachs to find what works best for your pup. You might also want to browse our selection of raw dog food products or explore our dog nutrition guides for more expert advice tailored to Canadian pet owners.