Raw Dog Food Myths & Resources

Raw feeding gets a bad rap. Some say it’s unsafe, messy, or might even make your dog aggressive. Others claim modern dogs need kibble. It’s no wonder dog owners feel torn. But what if the truth is being drowned out by outdated thinking and internet hearsay? In this myth-busting blog, Alison Frost, Head Canine Nutritionist at ProDog Raw, sets the record straight—so you can feel confident about what’s really best for your dog.

New to raw? Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Raw Feeding

If you’re new to raw feeding, the upfront cost can seem higher—especially compared to the price of mass-produced, poor-quality kibble. But look a little closer, and you’ll see that feeding raw doesn’t have to break the bank. With a bit of planning and smart choices, it’s possible to feed your dog a high-quality, species-appropriate diet that suits your budget.

From making use of seasonal ingredients to buying in bulk, there are plenty of ways to keep costs down. Plus, the long-term benefits—like fewer vet visits and a healthier, more resilient dog—can mean big savings over time.

To make raw feeding your dog even more accessible, we’ve created a range of options to help you get started and stay on track.

• Raw dog food bundles for cost-effective variety
• Subscribe & Save discounts
• Loyalty rewards and referral bonuses
• Free delivery on all subscriptions
• Budget-friendly raw dog food options

You don’t have to sacrifice quality to make raw work for you—and your dog.

Want to add extra variety without extra cost? Check out our A–Z of Dog-Friendly Foods—a free resource that shows you which everyday foods are safe (and unsafe) to add to your dog’s bowl.

Unfortunately, many vets are not trained in canine nutrition unless they seek out the knowledge themselves [1].

This causes many to warn against the bacteria found in raw dog food and recommend processed, commercial diets, simply because this is what they have been taught.

We cover this in more detail in our article Why are vets against raw diets?

Thankfully, more vets are becoming aware of the benefits of raw feeding and recommending it to their clients. Dr. Nick Thompson is one such vet. His article, Bacteria in the Bowl, explains the concerns vets have, and why they’re not always valid.

The risks of feeding raw are minimal—and in most cases, completely avoidable with a little common sense and good hygiene. Just like preparing raw meat for your own meals, raw dog food simply needs to be handled and stored with care.

For example:

• Serve fresh or recently defrosted meals to reduce the chance of bacterial overgrowth. Never leave raw food sitting out in your dog’s bowl for long periods.
• Always wash your hands and clean surfaces after handling raw food—this eliminates the risk of transferring bacteria to yourself or your household.
• Transition your dog gradually when switching from a different diet to give their digestive system time to adjust and avoid minor upsets. (Need help with that? Check out our Step-by-Step Guide to Switching Your Dog to Raw.)

If you’re storing food correctly, serving it safely, and following best-practice hygiene, the risk is extremely low. And the health benefits far outweigh the worry.

For more tips on keeping things safe and simple, check out our full guide:
How to Defrost and Store Raw Dog Food Safely.

The biggest risk of raw? Your dog loving it so much they’ll never want to go back. Not a bad problem to have.

The bacteria in raw food is not a threat to dogs, as they have evolved eating raw meat and are naturally designed to handle and tolerate it.

Dog owners concerned for their own safety can make easy concessions to ensure their safety around raw dog food, in the same way they would when storing and handling raw meat for their own consumption.

Washing hands, disinfecting surfaces, and storing raw meat properly to minimise bacterial overgrowth are all recommended safety measures.

This is an understanding concern for parents, as the safety of their children is paramount above all. However, raw dog food can only present a risk to children if they are left unattended with your dog’s food bowl.

Even then, the situation would have to be extreme to pose any credible threat, such as food that has been left out long enough for bacterial overgrowth to occur.

Dogs should never be disturbed while eating no matter which diet they’re fed, so teaching children to leave them alone at meal times (or feeding dogs in a separate room) prevents any resource guarding issues from becoming a problem.

That said, your dog’s raw food will likely be finished before any of these potential issues can become a concern!

Mistakes happen, and even the most careful manufacturers can issue recalls from time to time.

However, DEFRA approved, responsible raw food providers, like ourselves, work extra hard to ensure that their products are safe, tested for any bacteria that might cause illness, and frozen at temperatures that eliminate the risk of nasty bacteria becoming a problem.

It is also important to note that there have been plenty of recalls for kibble and dried food that have contained salmonella and E coli.

It’s rare to see negative side effects from a well-balanced raw diet. Of course, every dog is unique—and those with sensitive digestion or existing health conditions might take a little longer to adjust. That’s completely normal.

But here’s the truth: the most common “side effects” of raw feeding are overwhelmingly positive. Think fewer allergies, better gut health, fresher breath, shinier coats, and improved energy and mood. These aren’t just anecdotal reports—there’s growing research that supports the benefits of raw feeding across multiple aspects of canine health.

If your dog needs extra support transitioning to raw, we’re here to help. Our canine nutrition experts are on hand to guide you with tailored, one-to-one advice. Get in touch today and let’s get your dog thriving.

Raw meat can indeed be messy, especially if you’re preparing your own raw food diet for your dogs. Chopping, weighing, and storing raw meat is time consuming, and requires significant clean up if you’re not extra careful.

Thankfully, these days there are plentiful options of pre-packaged raw dog food at your disposal, ready for you to defrost and serve conveniently and without any extra clean up needed.

Our food offers this convenience to you in every meal your dog eats, and delivery is free when you subscribe or select one of our best value raw dog food bundles!

Does raw food make dogs aggressive? Not even close.

One of the most persistent myths about raw feeding is that it can lead to aggression. But the science, and real-world experience says otherwise. Feeding your dog a raw, species-appropriate diet does not make them more aggressive. In fact, it often does the opposite.

Raw feeding helps balance your dog’s digestion, support dog gut health, and stabilise energy levels—all of which can have a calming effect on behaviour. A growing body of research showing a strong link between the gut microbiome and canine behaviour [2], including reactivity and anxiety.

A healthier gut = a happier, more stable dog.

Dogs have eaten raw meat for thousands of years without turning on their humans—it’s the food they’re biologically designed to thrive on. Want to explore this myth in more detail?

Read Raw Food and Dog Aggression by integrative vet Dr Nick Thompson.

To understand more about how nutrition affects behaviour and reactivity, don’t miss:
The Hidden Influence of Diet on your Dog’s Behaviour
Could This Be the Reason Your Reactive Dog Is Still Struggling? 

When dogs are fed a balanced raw diet:

• They avoid blood sugar spikes from ultra-processed, carb-heavy foods
• They feel more satisfied and experience less digestive upset
• They often become calmer, more settled, and more emotionally balanced

Nutrition plays a far bigger role in behaviour than most people realise—and raw feeding is one of the simplest ways to start supporting your dog’s wellbeing from the inside out.

Dogs of all ages, including senior dogs, can thrive on a raw diet. In fact, many older dogs show noticeable improvements in mobility, digestion, coat condition, and overall vitality after making the switch. Just because they’ve spent years on kibble doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from real, fresh food now.

That said, senior dogs may need a more gradual transition to support their digestion. Gentle options like bone broth and ProDog’s Digest, gut support supplement for dogs, can help ease the adjustment and give their gut microbiome the boost it needs.

If your dog is on medication or has a diagnosed health condition, it’s always best to consult your vet first—ideally one who understands raw feeding or has training in canine nutrition, such as a holistic or integrative vet. But for the vast majority of older dogs, a well-planned raw diet can be a game-changer.

Puppies can eat raw too!

As soon as they’re ready to start solid food, raw is not only safe but the best possible start for long-term health and vitality. The earlier you introduce a species-appropriate diet, the better their chances of a strong immune system, healthy digestion, and a happy, balanced life.

Ready to welcome a new puppy? Check out these essential reads:

• Welcoming a New Puppy by Behaviourist Caroline Spencer
• Puppy Raw Feeding & Weaning Guide by Canine Nutritionist Alison Frost

All dogs are descendants of wolves, no matter how fancy their breed may appear.

The fact that their appearances and behavioural habits have changed has nothing to do with their nutritional needs or their instinctual eating habits [3].

All dogs, no matter their breed, can (and do) benefit from eating a species-appropriate, raw diet. Their biological makeup, digestion, and need for real meat has not changed simply because they’ve been domesticated.

Learn more about the history of raw in our beginner’s guide to raw dog food.

This is a common belief—but it couldn’t be further from the truth.

While dogs are opportunistic eaters, they’re still facultative carnivores by design. Given the choice, most dogs would instinctively opt for fresh, raw food over ultra-processed kibble. And who can blame them?

Yes, some dogs seem to enjoy their kibble, but that’s often down to the addictive additives, sugars, and artificial flavourings designed to make it hyper-palatable and shelf-stable. These same ingredients, however, can quietly harm your dog’s health over time, contributing to inflammation, digestive issues, skin problems, and more.

So no, dogs haven’t evolved to thrive on kibble—they’ve adapted to tolerate it. There’s a big difference.

Want the expert take? Watch Dr Nick Thompson’s super-short video where he breaks down this myth and explains why raw feeding aligns with your dog’s biology