Navigating Pet Nutrition Trends: Raw vs. Commercial Diets

All of us want what is best for our pets, and when it comes to pet nutrition, the amount of information out there can be staggering. It can be difficult to identify the best food for pets, and in truth, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. One nutrition trend that has been big lately is raw diets for pets, and Volunteer Veterinary Hospital wants to help clear up any questions on the topic. 

Why Raw Diets for Pets?

Raw diets for pets often consist of some combination of muscle meat, organ meats, fruits, and/or vegetables. Some diets may also contain bone. 

There are commercially-prepared frozen or freeze-dried diets as well as homemade recipes. 

Despite many people’s skepticism of the pet food industry and their aversion to commercially-prepared kibble, to date there is no scientific information showing any significant health benefits to feeding raw. 

Some people feel that raw diets help their pets with a variety of issues, from gastrointestinal problems to skin issues, but when it comes to the science, it just isn’t there. 

Pet Nutrition Considerations Regarding Raw

There are actually some pretty good reasons to be cautious when it comes to feeding a pet raw. Considerations include:

• Nutritional imbalances: Despite how it may seem, balancing a pet’s diet perfectly is not easy. Specialist veterinarians and PhD animal nutritionists devote years to learning how to appropriately balance things like calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A in a pet’s diet. Raw diets are often deficient or overabundant in certain nutrients.
• Risk of contamination: Despite some thoughts to the contrary, pets are just as susceptible to food-borne pathogens. A high percentage of raw diets are contaminated with things like E. Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and Clostridium. 
• Zoonotic concerns: Pets eating raw diets are also much more likely to shed harmful pathogens in their feces that can affect humans, even if the pet is asymptomatic.
• Random risks: Broken teeth from bones, constipation from high fiber, or inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract from bacteria can be concerns. 

The best food for pets may vary based on individual needs, but for most pets it isn’t going to be raw. Please don’t hesitate to ask us if you need help with making this decision for your pet.