Raw feeding (BARF) for dogs: what the veterinary evidence actually says

In 30 seconds

BARF (Bones and Raw Food, the Billinghurst model) proposes feeding the dog raw meat, meaty bones, organ meats, and vegetables. The veterinary evidence shows two real problems: microbiological risk (Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, parasites) for both the dog and the human household, and nutritional imbalances (calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, trace minerals) frequent in home-prepared diets not formulated by a professional. It's neither illegal nor intrinsically bad, but it needs to be done with specialized veterinary nutrition guidance. The AVMA, FDA, CDC, and most of the world's veterinary associations advise against non-commercial raw diets.

What BARF proposes and why it has advocates

Ian Billinghurst, an Australian veterinarian, proposed the model in the 1990s. Core idea: dogs evolved eating raw meat and bones, not dry kibble. Typical BARF composition:

Component	Typical percentage
Raw muscle meat	60-70%
Raw meaty bones	10-15%
Raw organ meats (liver, kidney, heart)	10%
Vegetables and fruits	5-10%
Other (egg, yogurt, supplements)	5%

Reasons owners choose it:

• Conviction that it's "more natural."
• Visible improvement in coat, energy, smaller stools.
• Rejection of industrial processed food.
• Dog with chronic digestive issues on conventional kibble.

Some dogs anecdotally thrive on well-formulated BARF. Others develop problems. The question is whether the risks are worth it, not whether it works in some cases.

The evidence: four real problems

1. Microbiological risk (the most documented)

Davies et al. (2019), systematic review in Journal of Small Animal Practice: commercial and homemade raw diets show significantly high prevalences of pathogens:

Pathogen	Prevalence in tested BARF samples
Salmonella spp.	4-60% across studies
Listeria monocytogenes	16-43%
Escherichia coli	30-50%
Campylobacter	6-22%
Clostridium perfringens	Frequent
Yersinia enterocolitica	Detected
Parasites (Toxoplasma, Sarcocystis, Neospora)	Source-dependent

Documented consequences:

• Gastroenteritis in dogs.
• Salmonellosis transmitted to humans (children, elderly, immunocompromised especially).
• Asymptomatic Salmonella shedding by raw-fed dogs (contaminating floors, hands, couches, toys).
• Between 2018 and 2024, the FDA documented multiple Salmonella outbreaks linked to commercial raw pet foods, with consumer warnings and recalls.

The WHO, CDC, AVMA, WSAVA, FECAVA, and the majority of European veterinary colleges advise against non-thermally-processed raw diets.

2. Nutritional imbalances (the second most documented)

Pedrinelli et al. (2019) analyzed 120 homemade BARF recipes from books, blogs, and social media:

• 95% had at least one clinically relevant nutritional deficiency.
• The most common deficits: calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, D, E, iron, zinc, copper, manganese.
• Only 5% were formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and were balanced.

The risks of chronic imbalance:

Deficit	Clinical consequence
Calcium (insufficient bones or no supplement)	Nutritional hyperparathyroidism, bone fractures, especially severe in puppies
Calcium/Phosphorus imbalance	Bone and dental problems
Insufficient or excessive Vitamin A	Ocular, skin, bone problems
Insufficient Vitamin D	Rickets, bone problems
Iodine	Thyroid dysfunction
Iron	Anemia
Taurine (in some cases)	Dilated cardiomyopathy

Especially severe in large-breed puppies in the growth phase, where a Ca:P imbalance causes permanent skeletal damage.

3. Bone obstruction and perforation risk

Raw bones splinter less than cooked ones (cooked bones are absolutely off-limits due to splintering risk). But raw bones still can:

• Cause tooth fractures from chewing large bones.
• Cause intestinal obstruction (especially rib bones, vertebrae).
• Cause severe constipation from excessive ingested bone.

4. Cost and logistics

A well-formulated BARF diet for a 55-pound (25 kg) dog costs between $250 and $500/month in the U.S., more expensive than equivalent premium kibble. It requires:

• A large freezer.
• Weekly or bi-weekly shopping.
• Prep time.
• Specific supplementation.

What raw feeding does have going for it

That stools are smaller and less smelly has a logical basis (better digestibility of high-quality raw animal protein in many cases). Improved coat appearance, partly from fat and quality animal protein intake.

Some studies (limited) suggest raw-fed dogs may have:

• Less dental plaque (controversial).
• Lower-pH stools with higher proteolytic activity.
• Different gut microbiota (not necessarily better or worse, just different).

These benefits are not exclusive to BARF: a very high-quality kibble with high digestibility and high animal protein content produces similar outcomes.

If you choose to feed raw

Recognizing some households will do it anyway and aiming to reduce harm:

Non-negotiable

1. Formulation by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (ACVN, ECVCN). The "internet recipe" or "friend's blog" generates imbalances. Consultation cost in the U.S.: $200-500.
2. Nutritional analysis of the recipe before starting.
3. Microbiological quality control of ingredients: buy human-grade meat, not industrial pet-grade.
4. Pre-freezing for at least 72 hours at -4°F (-20°C) of fish and pork (reduces some parasites but does not eliminate Salmonella or E. coli).
5. Surgical-grade hygiene in prep: disinfected surfaces, knives, containers.
6. Separate storage in the refrigerator (lower shelf, sealed containers).
7. Don't feed raw to a dog living with children under 5, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals (CDC recommendation).
8. Periodic veterinary bloodwork: CBC, chemistry, electrolytes every 6-12 months.
9. Don't combine raw with commercial kibble in the same meal (different gastric pH, worse digestion).

For at-risk breeds and ages

• Don't start large- or giant-breed puppies on raw without a board-certified veterinary nutritionist directly involved.
• Caution in seniors or dogs with comorbidities (renal, cardiac, endocrine).
• Watch the Ca:P ratio especially in puppies.

The middle-ground option: cooked, balanced fresh food

If your motivation is "avoid industrial processed food," the safer alternative is:

• Cooked home-prepared food with a recipe formulated by a veterinary nutritionist.
• Maintains ingredient traceability.
• Reduces raw microbiological risk.
• Preserves digestibility and fresh-ingredient benefits.

In the U.S., specialized commercial fresh cooked services (The Farmer's Dog, JustFoodForDogs, Ollie, Nom Nom) produce balanced cooked meals with veterinary formulation. More expensive than kibble but more accessible than well-done BARF.

What veterinary associations say

Association	Position on raw diets
AVMA (USA)	Advises against, citing microbiological risk
FDA (USA)	Multiple advisories and recalls of commercial raw pet food
CDC (USA)	Don't feed raw to households with kids under 5, elderly, or immunocompromised
WSAVA (Global)	Recommends against raw diets in households with immunocompromised individuals
FECAVA (Europe)	Advises against, citing sanitary risks
Most state veterinary medical associations	Majority advise against

What to verify

1. If you're feeding raw, whether the recipe is formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
2. If you're feeding raw, whether you've microbiologically vetted your ingredient supply.
3. If you're feeding raw in a household with kids under 5 or immunocompromised members, reconsider.
4. If your dog has digestive issues on kibble and you think raw will fix it, first consult a veterinary nutritionist to rule out a prescription elimination diet.