Raw Dog Food Myths 3/5: Do Dogs Get Sick From Raw Dog Food?

Do dogs get sick from raw dog food?

Back in 2015 when I made the switch from kibble to raw, I asked myself that very question.

But before we dive into the topic, let’s define sickness in dogs.

So, dogs who are sick can have many different symptoms.

The most common ones are probably:

• Lethargy
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Bloody poop
• Lack of appetite

These symptoms can definitely be caused by the type of food they’re eating.

That said, none of my three dogs ever got sick from their raw dog food!

Dogs Don’t Get Sick From Raw Meat Because They’re Designed To Eat It

Dogs don’t get sick from raw meat unless they:

• Weren’t properly introduced to it
• Have a compromised immune system
• Are offered too much fatty meat or too much bone

After all, their digestive systems are made to digest raw meat.

As a matter of fact, it digests raw meat much better than it digests any other type of dog food, including highly processed kibble.

Check out this blog post for more information on what causes and helps raw-fed dogs who are constipated.

Genetically, The Dog Is Still A Wolf

Now, genetically speaking, the dog is still a wolf.

That’s a fact because dogs and wolves share almost exactly the same DNA. As a matter of fact, it only differs by 0.2%!

And no one would argue that wolves can’t eat raw meat, right?

By the way, what did dogs eat before kibble was created in the 20th century?!

Teeth & Skull

What do you see when you look into a dog’s (and wolf’s) mouth and at their heads in general?

You see mostly sharp premolars and long canine teeth that are made for:

• Ripping
• Holding
• Shredding
• Crushing bone
• Tearing off flesh

You’ll only see a few molars in the back for grinding.

Their heads consist of a wide skull that gives them ultimate bite strength and pressure.

Unlike herbivores, their eyes are set forward in the skull instead of on their sides.

Herbivores have their eyes on their sides in order to better see predators coming!

Acidic Stomach Environment Trumps Salmonella In Raw Dog Food

Dogs and wolves both have a much more acidic stomach than we do.

That means that it can kill bacteria, including potential salmonella in raw dog food.

So even if raw meat contains bacteria like salmonella, it won’t survive the acidic environment of a healthy dog’s stomach. 

It’s also made to easily break down and absorb the prey dogs and wolves would find in the wild.

That includes bones, feet, organs, and even eyeballs, feathers, fur and hair.

Short Digestive Tract

The canine digestive system is not only more acidic than ours, it’s also much shorter.

Bacteria “don’t hang out” in there, as Dr. Dee Blanco, DVM at Marty’s Meals in Santa Fe, NM, puts it!

Raw Meat Is Easier To Digest Than Kibble

Dogs are able to digest raw meat much more easier than they are kibble.

That’s because of their short digestive tract and acidic environment.

Raw-Fed Dogs Have Smaller Poops

I actually see daily proof that raw meat is much better absorbed by dogs than highly processed kibble.

Missy & Buzz’s poop volume has drastically decreased since feeding them raw dog food. 

Update 2024: The same is true for my pup Wally. I immediately switched him from kibble to raw when I adopted him in early 2019, and he’s so much healthier than he was before.

It becomes really evident whenever I feed the pups a dehydrated or freeze-dried raw meal in between.

Once the undigested dehydrated/freeze-dried food comes out, its volume is 2-3 times the size of what it’s like on a raw diet.

Pretty amazing!

A Raw Powerhouse Of Digestive Enzymes: Green Tripe

Green tripe is the stomach lining of ruminant animals. That said, it’s a natural, nutritional powerhouse that promotes healthy digestion. 

Dogs go bonkers for it, and neither Missy nor Buzz or Wally are an exception!

It can treat both diarrhea as well as constipation because it contains high amounts of digestive enzymes. They’re essentially the good intestinal bacteria.

So if your pup has a bad case of diarrhea, try offering him some green tripe instead of the boiled rice and synthetic probiotics that are so often recommended by traditional vets! 

Do Dogs Get Sick From Raw Dog Food? Bottom Line

Neither Missy & Buzz, nor Wally ever got sick from eating their raw dog food.

On the contrary, they’ve been thriving and sport gloriously glowing coats! 

Have you thought about feeding your pup a raw diet but were scared of taking the first step?

As always, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below this blog post!

Related Reading:

• Are Raw-Fed Dogs Aggressive?
• Does Raw Feeding Cause Bad Breath?
• Will My Dog Die From Raw Dog Food?
• Why Is My Dog Constipated On Raw Dog Food?
• Your Dog’s Raw Meat Will Make His Family Sick – Or Will It?

Barbara Rivers

Barbara Rivers is the founder of K9sOverCoffee and a raw feeding educator with over a decade of hands-on experience.

She has fed raw in the US and Europe since 2015, after her Boxer mix Missy’s cancer diagnosis led her to move away from processed kibble and commit to species-appropriate nutrition.

As a former professional dog walker, she developed deep insight into canine behavior, conditioning, and the essential link between proper exercise and long-term health.

Barbara completed online training with veterinarian Dr. Marion Smart and Labrador breeder Dana Scott and works for one of Germany’s leading raw dog food brands, BARFER’S.

In 2026–2027, she is completing a year-long raw nutrition certification for dogs and cats at THP School, founded by raw feeding pioneer Swanie Simon.

Through her blog and weekly newsletter, she provides clear, experience-based guidance to help dog owners feed raw safely and confidently.