Raw Feeding for Dogs: Debunking Common Concerns

As an experienced raw feeder, I understand pet parents' hesitation when considering raw food for their dogs. Misinformation, fear-based marketing, and outdated veterinary training have contributed to the skepticism surrounding this natural feeding method. In this article, I’ll tackle five concerns about raw feeding recently raised by the platform The BK Pets, which recently announced that it will no longer feed raw dog food. And I’ll explain why they’re more myth than reality.

Bryce and Kenzie Francois, a couple based in Fort Collins, Colorado, manage the Instagram page @thebkpets. They are the founders of The BK Pets, an educational platform dedicated to helping pet parents enhance and prolong the lives of their dogs and cats through informed nutrition, enrichment, and modern pet parenting practices.

In 2021, Bryce and Kenzie launched The BK Pets to share their experiences and knowledge with a broader audience. Since then, they've cultivated a community of over 2.6 million pet parents across various platforms. Their content includes practical advice on pet nutrition, mental enrichment, and overall wellness. They also host a podcast, The BK Petcast, and have authored The Modern Dog Parent Handbook, aiming to make pet parenting more informed and enjoyable.

On Tuesday, May 20, The BK Pets published the following on Instagram, which sparked an interesting discussion surrounding their recent content history on social media, monetization, and misinformation.

Debunked: Most dogs love raw food once they get used to it.

Dogs are biologically equipped to enjoy and digest raw meat, bones, and organs. Their ancestors—and even feral dogs today—naturally seek out raw prey. The idea that dogs prefer kibble or canned food is often a result of conditioning or flavor enhancers added to processed pet foods. It’s not unusual for a dog new to raw to be hesitant at first, especially if they’ve only known dry or canned food. But once they adjust, most dogs become enthusiastic raw feeders.

The BK Pets fed their “dogs homemade raw food for years, and they thrived on it.” Their reason, “my dogs didn’t love it,” is based on when they started feeding raw in 2018. I had a similar experience when I started feeding raw; twelve years later, I’m still feeding my dogs a raw food diet.

This is their logic: Seven years ago, I burnt my tongue on hot tea because I didn’t wait for it to cool down. I continued drinking tea for the past seven years, enjoying the benefits, but I’m no longer going to drink it because that experience, seven years ago, was uncomfortable and disappointing.

Does that make sense?

Tip: If your dog is reluctant, try lightly searing the outside of the meat or mixing it with a familiar food during the transition.

Debunked: Healthy dogs are biologically equipped to handle bacteria commonly found in raw meat.

Raw feeding critics often cite concerns over pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, but these bacteria are also present in kibble (yes, even the ones from top brands). In fact, many kibble recalls are due to Salmonella contamination, which poses a greater risk to humans handling the food than to the dogs eating it.

Dogs have a short, highly acidic digestive tract designed to process raw meat quickly and safely. Their stomach acid is much stronger than ours, capable of neutralizing many pathogens before they become a problem.

Is Raw Meat from the Grocery Store Safe?

When I was new to DIY raw feeding, I sourced meat from the grocery store, and all my dogs experienced explosive diarrhea. For years, I was convinced the issue was with my sourcing, not my recipe. At this time, the only secreting organ I could find was the liver, so I fed 10% liver, not understanding the risk of high levels of Vitamin A and copper, and the subsequent diarrhea.

Today, I source ingredients from local grocery stores and ethnic markets without issue. My experience may not be shared with all dog owners, but I think it’s essential that we explore the Why before we make wild claims about the safety of raw feeding and specific sourcing.

Tip: Practice safe food handling, such as keeping surfaces clean and washing your hands when preparing raw meat for your family.

Debunked: Raw diets can be balanced with planning and education, and many resources are available.

Yes, feeding an unbalanced raw diet long-term can lead to nutrient deficiencies. However, the same applies to improperly formulated homemade cooked diets or even kibble lacking bioavailable nutrients. The idea that raw feeding is inherently imbalanced is false.

Thanks to organizations like the NRC and FEDIAF, raw feeders can learn what nutrients dogs require and use whole foods or supplements to meet those needs. Software programs like Animal Diet Formulator allow pet parents to correct recipe deficiencies. Many premade raw brands and DIY-friendly tools (online courses, apps, books) make balancing easier.

Tip: If you're new, start with a reputable premade raw or consult a canine nutritionist to guide you through balancing your homemade meals.

Debunked: Cooking does not always make food “safer”—especially regarding long-term health.

Cooking food destroys some bacteria and many heat-sensitive vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids that dogs benefit from. That’s why processed pet foods must be fortified with synthetic nutrients. Moreover, high-heat processing (like extrusion used in kibble) can create harmful compounds such as acrylamides and advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which may contribute to inflammation and chronic disease.

While not all cooked diets are harmful, the idea that raw food is less safe purely because it’s raw is misleading.

Vitamin mixes used in commercial pet foods can increase the risk of both vitamin toxicity and deficiency for a few key reasons:

1. Synthetic Vitamins Lack Bioavailability: Synthetic vitamins are not always absorbed or utilized by a dog’s body the same way whole food-based nutrients are. This can lead to:

2. Over-Fortification: Pet food manufacturers often add vitamin mixes in excess to meet minimum standards after high-heat processing destroys natural nutrients. This can result in hypervitaminosis, especially with fat-soluble vitamins like A and D, accumulating in the liver and tissues.

3. Unbalanced Formulas: Premade mixes may not be tailored to the specific nutrient needs of individual dogs or life stages. Generic formulations can lead to imbalances where one nutrient interferes with the absorption of another (e.g., excess calcium blocking zinc).

Tip: Choose high-quality ingredients from trusted sources and avoid feeding compromised meat as you would with food for yourself.

Debunked: The risk is extremely low and sensationalized by the media.

The concern about avian influenza (bird flu) in raw pet food is rooted in the theoretical risk that dogs could ingest infected poultry and become sick. While technically possible, documented cases of bird flu transmission to dogs via raw feeding are nearly nonexistent. Healthy dogs have resilient immune systems, and their digestive system can neutralize most pathogens.

Most reputable raw food suppliers do not use poultry from flocks known to be infected, and avian influenza viruses are relatively fragile, especially when frozen or handled correctly.

Tip: Source from reputable suppliers that follow strict quality control standards, and avoid feeding wild-caught birds or uninspected game.

I don’t care what others feed their dogs or what they promote on social media. I can understand why there was backlash against Bryce's post stating that he would no longer feed raw dog food, and the reasons provided.

Is it All About Money? - I don’t know.

I have no issue with people earning a living—being a full-time content creator, especially in today’s economy, is no small feat. I’ve even considered leaving my job to pursue content creation full-time, but ultimately decided the risk wasn’t right for me. That’s why I’ve kept it as a hobby and side gig. I don’t know the financial situation of The BK Pets. Still, I can understand why some recent content might give the impression that they’ve shifted toward promoting more conventional pet topics instead of holistic ones, possibly as a way to increase their income.

Are The Reasons Valid? - Sure, for them.

I prefer to focus on what works best for my dogs. After reading the article about their decision to stop feeding raw, I can see they’re doing what they believe is best for theirs—and that’s fair. I don’t agree with their reasoning, but if it had remained a private choice, it wouldn’t be my concern. The issue is that, as content creators with over half a million followers, they have a responsibility to share balanced, well-rounded information—and that’s where I feel they’ve fallen short.

Unfortunately, many pet parents won’t question the article. They’ll take it at face value and walk away believing raw feeding is inherently dangerous, nutritionally deficient, and unpalatable to dogs, which isn’t the whole picture.

Raw Feeding Isn’t for Everyone

Raw feeding isn’t a fad—it’s a return to what dogs are biologically designed to eat. Most of the concerns surrounding it are rooted more in fear than fact. With proper sourcing, safe food handling, and a solid understanding of canine nutrition, raw feeding can be a safe, deeply rewarding, and transformative way to support your dog’s long-term health.

Watching a high-profile platform shift from advocating raw and holistic care to promoting more conventional views can feel disappointing—and even suspicious—for some. But for those paying close attention, The BK Pets’ pivot away from holistic messaging has been gradual. It’s their choice, and raw feeding isn’t for everyone. That said, influence carries weight, and their updated stance may lead others to question the value of fresh, species-appropriate nutrition.

If their message doesn’t sit right with you, don’t just disagree—share your story. Show what’s possible through real-world experience. Let me know if you're interested in getting started as a content creator. I’d happily share what I’ve learned from two Meta consultations and advice from top-performing social media professionals.

And if you’re new to raw feeding, start small. Do your research. Connect with experienced raw feeders who can guide and support you. Raw feeding has been a miracle for my dogs, and it could be just as life-changing for yours.