Is Raw Food the Right Choice?

Updated: May 14, 2025 4 min read

What the Science Says About Raw, Gently Cooked, Freeze-Dried, and Other "Natural" Diets – and Aardvark’s Policy

Important News Regarding Raw Diets, Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria, and AAH Protocols

Raw, partially raw, frozen raw, gently cooked, and freeze-dried dog foods have surged in popularity. Many pet owners choose these diets believing them to be more “natural” or biologically appropriate. However, evolving scientific research continues to show that these diets pose significant health risks—not just to pets, but to the people who care for them.

“But Isn’t It Better for My Pet?”

Raw food companies often promote these diets as mimicking what wolves or wild canids ate before domestication. But dogs are not wolves. Domestication has fundamentally changed their metabolism and nutritional requirements. Today’s dogs are adapted to digest and thrive on diets that include both animal proteins and carbohydrates.

In fact, unbalanced raw or minimally processed diets may lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, poor calcium-phosphorus ratios, and inadequate caloric content, especially in puppies and seniors. Ingesting raw bones can also cause gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation, which may be life-threatening.

To date, there are no peer-reviewed clinical studies demonstrating superior health outcomes in pets fed raw or minimally cooked diets compared to those fed properly formulated, commercially prepared diets.

What’s the Risk?

While intentions may be good, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), World Health Organization (WHO), and countless veterinary colleges agree:

Feeding raw, frozen raw, gently cooked, or freeze-dried animal-based diets increases the risk of spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria—including to humans.

This risk includes:

• Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, and Campylobacter, many of which are resistant to multiple antibiotics

• Zoonotic transmission to infants, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, or pregnant women

• Shedding of pathogens by pets—even without symptoms—through saliva, feces, and contact

  
  

A 2024 meta-analysis published in Veterinary Microbiology concluded that raw and undercooked pet foods frequently test positive for bacteria that are listed on WHO’s list of global antibiotic-resistant priority pathogens.

Further, a 2025 joint study by the One Health CDC initiative and the FDA linked the increase in certain human foodborne illness outbreaks directly to contaminated pet food and pet saliva after raw-diet exposure.

Can I Protect My Family If I Continue to Feed Raw?

Even with handwashing, separate storage, disinfection, and surface cleaning, your pet may shed dangerous organisms after eating raw or under processed diets. This means exposure can happen through normal pet activities—like licking your hands or face, sitting on furniture, or playing with toys.

There is no effective way to guarantee zero exposure once a pet is eating raw or minimally processed animal-based products.

Aardvark’s Updated Safety Policy

Because safety matters for all patients, clients, and staff:

• All pets currently on raw, frozen raw, gently cooked, or freeze-dried animal-based diets will be examined only in our isolation ward.

• Staff will use full PPE (personal protective equipment) for these visits, and entry/exit will be through designated areas.

  
  

These policies are based on guidelines from the AVMA, CDC, and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and are necessary to reduce the risk of bacterial spread in the hospital environment.

What Should I Feed Instead?

We recommend:

• A commercially prepared, AAFCO-compliant diet that is

  • Balanced for your dog’s age and medical condition

  • Cooked or extruded (kibble or canned)

  • Not grain-free, unless medically indicated

    
    

Veterinary nutritionists and evidence-based studies support the use of these diets for long-term health, safe digestion, and nutritional adequacy.

If you are concerned about processed diets or have specific beliefs or goals (e.g., limited ingredient, allergen avoidance, home-cooking), we are happy to help guide you through safe, science-supported options.

The Takeaway

There are no proven health benefits to feeding raw, gently cooked, freeze-dried, or under processed animal-based diets—but there is extensive documentation of risk.

At Aardvark Animal Hospital, we believe in personalized care.

If you have questions or concerns about your pet’s nutrition, Dr. Thomas is happy to review your pet’s needs and help create a safe, appropriate diet plan. Your pet’s health and your family’s safety are our top priorities.