What Are the Dangers of Feeding Dogs Raw Meat?

The type of dog food you feed to your dog will determine whether the dog remains healthy throughout its life or begins to exhibit health problems. The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA) published an article about this subject in November 2003 discussing the myth associated with the raw meat diet and how it harms your dog.

  1. Salmonella

    • The JAAHA has determined that a raw meat diet is posing a health risk to your dog. The main health problems associated with feeding your dog raw meat as a protein source is the increasing number of dogs getting salmonella poisoning. Salmonella is a bacteria that infests the intestine of your pet. The symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting and can eventually lead to death.

    Calcium

    • Even though raw meat has a high protein content, the diet does not give your dog the calcium your pet requires. Calcium helps the dog develop the strength in its bones and teeth. Lack of calcium can also cause your pet to get blood clots and affect the dog's muscle development, as well as its nerve endings. According to Purina, feeding your dog raw meat over a long period of time will cause your pet to exhibit skeletal problems.

    Vitamin A

    • A report issued by Purina states that feeding your dog a raw meat diet will cause the animal to develop vitamin A toxicity. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin found primarily in liver. Feeding your dog raw liver because of its high protein content will cause vitamin A to build up in the dog's system and poison it. Your pet can become lame or have skeletal problems because the toxicity removes the calcium from your dog's bones.

    Parasites

    • Feeding raw meat to your dog can infest it with parasites. Parasites, such as the tapeworm, live in raw meat. When ingested by the dog, the parasites attach themselves to the animal's system. Once a dog is infested with a dog worm, the stomach will become enlarged, along with the development of additional symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and coughing.