Researchers compared 104 dogs eating either raw meat-based diets or commercial dog food for at least a year. Dogs on raw meat diets had healthier body weights and lower body condition scores than dogs eating commercial food. However, the raw meat diets had some nutritional imbalances—they didn’t have enough calcium compared to phosphorus, and dogs eating them had lower levels of certain minerals in their blood. While raw meat diets appear to help dogs stay at a better weight, pet owners should be careful about potential nutritional gaps.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether dogs eating raw meat diets stay healthier and maintain better body weight compared to dogs eating commercial dog food
  • Who participated: 104 healthy dogs split into two groups: 51 eating raw meat-based diets and 53 eating commercial dog food. Both groups had been eating their respective diets for at least 12 months before the study. Dogs were similar in age (around 4-5 years old) and weight (around 25 kg or 55 pounds)
  • Key finding: Dogs on raw meat diets had noticeably leaner body condition (score of 5 out of 9) compared to dogs on commercial food (score of 6 out of 9). Raw meat-fed dogs also ate fewer calories than recommended, while commercial food-fed dogs ate more calories than needed
  • What it means for you: If you’re considering switching your dog to a raw meat diet, it may help your dog maintain a healthier weight. However, you should work with a veterinarian to ensure the diet includes proper mineral balance, as raw diets in this study showed some nutritional gaps that could matter over time

The Research Details

This was an observational study where researchers compared two groups of dogs that were already eating different diets. They didn’t randomly assign dogs to diets; instead, they looked at dogs whose owners had already chosen to feed them either raw meat or commercial food. The researchers collected information about what each dog ate, measured the dogs’ body condition during two visits 3-5 months apart, and took blood, urine, and stool samples to check their nutritional status.

The study included 51 dogs eating raw meat-based diets and 53 dogs eating commercial complete diets. All dogs had been eating their assigned diet for at least 12 months before joining the study, which meant the researchers could look at the long-term effects of these feeding choices. The dogs were similar in age and starting weight, making them good groups to compare.

This research approach is important because it looks at real-world feeding practices over a long period of time. Rather than a short-term experiment, the researchers examined dogs that had been eating these diets for at least a year, which shows what actually happens to dogs’ bodies and health markers when they eat these foods long-term. By measuring body condition, analyzing the actual nutrients in the food, and checking blood mineral levels, the study provides practical information that pet owners and veterinarians can use to make feeding decisions.

The study has several strengths: it included a reasonable number of dogs (104 total), the two groups were similar in age and weight at the start, and researchers collected multiple types of information (diet analysis, body measurements, and blood tests). However, because this was an observational study rather than a controlled experiment, we can’t be completely certain that the diet caused the differences—other factors about how owners cared for their dogs might have played a role. The study was also limited to dogs that had been on these diets for at least 12 months, so we don’t know what happens to dogs just starting these diets.

What the Results Show

Dogs eating raw meat-based diets had significantly leaner body condition than dogs eating commercial food. On a scale where 5 is ideal and 9 is obese, raw meat-fed dogs averaged a score of 5, while commercial food-fed dogs averaged a score of 6. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s very unlikely to have happened by chance.

The reason for this difference appears to be calorie intake. Raw meat-fed dogs consumed about 89% of their recommended daily calories, while commercial food-fed dogs consumed about 102% of their recommended daily calories. Interestingly, the study found that dogs eating fewer calories had better body condition scores, suggesting that the raw meat diets naturally provided less energy, helping dogs stay at healthier weights.

However, the raw meat diets had nutritional imbalances. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in raw meat diets was 1.0, which is lower than the recommended 1.4 ratio found in commercial foods. Additionally, raw meat diets provided lower amounts of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and magnesium compared to commercial diets, though these levels were still close to minimum recommendations.

Blood tests revealed important differences in mineral levels between the two groups. Dogs eating raw meat diets had significantly lower blood levels of iodine, copper, zinc, and manganese compared to dogs eating commercial food. These minerals are important for various body functions including immune health, metabolism, and bone health. Interestingly, despite these lower mineral levels, none of the raw meat-fed dogs showed obvious signs of nutrient deficiency diseases during the study period, though the long-term effects of these lower levels remain unclear.

This study adds to growing interest in raw meat diets for dogs, which have become increasingly popular among pet owners. Previous research on this topic has been limited, and claims about the health benefits of raw diets haven’t been well-supported by scientific evidence. This research provides some support for the weight management benefits of raw diets but raises important questions about nutritional balance that hadn’t been thoroughly investigated before. The findings suggest that raw diets may help with obesity prevention, but they also highlight concerns that earlier studies hadn’t fully addressed.

Several important limitations should be considered. First, this was an observational study, meaning researchers watched what naturally happened rather than controlling the experiment. Dogs whose owners chose raw diets might differ in other ways from dogs whose owners chose commercial food, and these differences could have affected the results. Second, the study only looked at dogs that had been on these diets for at least 12 months, so we don’t know what happens to dogs just starting these diets or over longer periods. Third, while the study found lower mineral levels in raw-fed dogs’ blood, it didn’t follow dogs long enough to see if this causes actual health problems. Finally, the study was relatively small (104 dogs total) and only looked at healthy dogs, so results might not apply to sick dogs or larger populations.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, raw meat-based diets may help dogs maintain a healthier body weight and avoid obesity. However, if you’re considering switching your dog to a raw meat diet, work closely with your veterinarian to ensure the diet is properly balanced with adequate minerals, especially calcium, phosphorus, iodine, copper, zinc, and manganese. The research suggests raw diets should be formulated carefully to avoid nutritional imbalances. This recommendation has moderate confidence because while the weight benefits are clear, the long-term effects of the mineral imbalances found in this study aren’t yet fully understood.

Pet owners with dogs that are overweight or at risk for obesity should pay attention to this research, as raw meat diets appear to help with weight management. Veterinarians recommending feeding strategies should consider these findings. However, this research is specifically about healthy adult dogs, so it may not apply to puppies, senior dogs, pregnant dogs, or dogs with existing health conditions. Dogs with specific health problems should only switch diets under veterinary supervision.

The dogs in this study had been eating their respective diets for at least 12 months before researchers measured the differences in body condition. This suggests that if you switched your dog to a raw meat diet, you might see weight management benefits develop over several months, but the full effects would likely take at least a year to become apparent. However, the mineral imbalances appeared in the blood tests even with long-term feeding, suggesting these nutritional concerns develop relatively quickly and should be monitored from the start.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your dog’s body condition score weekly using a simple 1-9 scale (where 5 is ideal). You can feel your dog’s ribs—you should be able to feel them easily but not see them prominently. Also track your dog’s weight monthly to monitor trends over time.
  • If switching to a raw meat diet, work with your veterinarian to create a balanced recipe that includes appropriate mineral supplementation, particularly for calcium, iodine, copper, zinc, and manganese. Use the app to log which ingredients you’re using and ensure variety in protein sources.
  • Schedule veterinary blood tests every 6-12 months to monitor mineral levels (iodine, copper, zinc, manganese) and ensure your dog isn’t developing nutritional deficiencies. Use the app to track test results over time and adjust the diet formulation based on veterinary recommendations. Also monitor for any signs of health changes and log them in the app to discuss with your vet.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional veterinary advice. Before making any changes to your dog’s diet, consult with your veterinarian. While this study suggests raw meat diets may help with weight management, it also identifies potential nutritional imbalances that require careful attention. Dogs with existing health conditions, puppies, senior dogs, or pregnant dogs may have different nutritional needs and should only change diets under veterinary supervision. The mineral imbalances found in this study warrant professional guidance to ensure your dog receives complete and balanced nutrition.