At sure4pets, we often hear questions about the nature of raw feeding, if it’s nutritionally sound, affordable, sustainable in the long term and more. Unfortunately, many of these beliefs are based on myths and misconceptions that deter pet owners from introducing raw feeding to their furry friends.
For context, we emphasise the importance of a SARF™ (species-appropriate raw food) diet. This means only feeding a species the type of food it would consume in the wild, essentially mimicking nature. Read more on SARF™ diets here.
In this article, we will cover five of the top myths and the truths behind them.
Will raw food make my dog aggressive?
A common raw dog food myth is that they will make your dog aggressive or even bloodthirsty.
Aggression in dogs can be caused by a multitude of factors, manifesting in various ways, from territorial instincts to unstable socialisation. There is no scientific evidence linking raw food to increased aggression in dogs, making this a harmful stereotype. In fact, some behavioural experts note that dogs are more likely to be aggressive and uncomfortable due to an imbalanced diet. Kibble, for example, can lack the protein and carbohydrates that can lead to heightened behaviour. This means that a raw food diet can calm your dog, as they are receiving all the necessary nutrients.
At sure4pets, our 11+ years of experience with dogs and their owners have shown us time and time again that aggressive behaviours calm, improving for the better, after switching to a SARF diet.
Is raw food nutritionally balanced?
Linking back to myths about aggression, many people are under the impression that raw dog food is not nutritionally balanced. However, a well-planned raw diet will provide complete and balanced nourishment, leading the way for your dog to live a long, happy, healthy life! Many pet owners have reported improvements in their dogs’ health after switching to a raw diet. Vet bills are often greatly reduced after switching to a SARF™ diet. Health problems, such as arthritis, low energy, allergies, and more, are also often eased when switching to raw feeding.
Alongside this, supermarket dog kibble is not often nutritionally adequate due to unclear ingredients, such as “derivatives”, “cereals” and other vague and/or filler ingredients that are not a necessary part of a dog’s diet.
We recommend a minimum of 5-7 meat sources to make up 80% of your dog’s diet, with 10% bone, and 10% offal. Have a look at other benefits of switching to a raw food diet here.
Is raw feeding too expensive?
Many people believe that raw food diets are expensive, but it all depends on one’s perspective. When compared to traditional kibble, raw dog food will appear costlier. This is because traditional raw food contains higher-quality ingredients and zero fillers. You are paying for a completely balanced and healthy diet for your dog, fewer trips to the vet, healthier coats and more nutrients!
If you are concerned with the cost, start implementing raw food as part of their diet. Even if only a small part of their diet is replaced, there are still great benefits! With these added health bonuses, you could also save more money in the long term!
For reference, raw feeding an adult dog on our Stobarts range can cost as little as:
SMALL SIZED DOG
3KG = £1.75 PW / £7.00 PM
8KG = £3.50 PW / £14.00 PM
MEDIUM SIZED DOG
11KG =£4.20 PW / £16.80 PM
25KG = £10.50 PW / £43 PM
LARGE SIZED DOG
27KG = £13.30 PW / £53.20 PM
45KG = £22.40 PW/ £89.60 PM
**Please note these are approximate costs, actual costs will depend on brand and type of raw food.**
Can dogs digest raw food?
Another common misconception is that dogs cannot digest raw food. Genetically, the dog is very closely related to the wolf, sharing 99.8% of their mitochondrial DNA. Scientifically speaking, dogs have retained their carnivorous features; for example, their jaws are hinged to break down large pieces of meat. For thousands of years, dogs have consumed bones, meat, organs, decaying materials and vegetables. Everything in their physiognomy caters to this, even decades after domestication.
They also have a higher level of acidity in their stomachs, allowing them to break down harmful bacteria. While they might take time to adapt to a new diet (as we humans do, too!), in the long term, they will be happier.
Is raw dog food unsafe?
One of the biggest arguments in raw feeding concerns the safety of handling raw food. However, when following the correct procedures, raw feeding is safer than many diets.
Raw meat poses a risk of bacterial growth; understandably, many dog owners are concerned about this. But when strict rules and regulations are put in place, this risk is quickly mitigated. Research suggests that the key to safely feeding a raw diet depends on the handling of meat.
In the UK, the DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) stated, in 2024, that raw dog food should always be produced from products of animal origin which are fit for human consumption, meaning they need to be handled the same way as any raw meat product to avoid the risk of food-borne infection and antimicrobial resistance spreading between pets.
Should I switch?
At sure4pets, we go by the ethos that “It’s about the health of the dog, nothing more, nothing less”. We are committed to helping pets live longer, happier, and healthier lives. Which is why we are determined to correct daunting misinformation and provide the best recommendations for your furry friends.
Wondering how we got here? Here’s our story…
Sure4pets has been running for almost 12 years, initially set up due to founder, Gareth’s, struggles with his own dogs, Oli and Charlie. Both poorly pups struggled to eat store-bought kibble, which led to him researching dogs as a species, their ancestral history, anatomy and nutritional requirements. He discovered (just as you are doing here!) many enlightening facts surrounding the dog, including that they are a direct descendant of the Grey Wolf, and are in fact, carnivorous.
Charlie unfortunately passed in his youth, which led to Gareth feeding Oli a SARF diet, and he quickly noticed several positive improvements! His pup was finally eating consistently and were much happier in his behaviours, his fur shinier and stools healthier- and no more bad breath or doggy odour! After Gareth found this out, he wanted to spread the word, this is where sure4pets was born.
Over almost 12 years, we, at sure4pets, have gained a wealth of knowledge, guiding and working closely with thousands of dogs as well as their humans! In many cases, aggressive dogs became calmer and easier to walk when around other dogs, in other cases stools went from sloppy and smelly to solid and healthy, not to mention the changes in their fur and skin! Most importantly, we haven’t encountered one customer having issues with their pup after switching to a raw food diet, when handled and fed correctly.
Don’t just take our word for it, ask our customers! We have gathered plenty of beaming reviews, across Google, Facebook, and our site, so please feel free to have a read and learn why you shouldn’t switch to not just a raw food diet, but a Species Appropriate Raw Food diet with sure4pets.
Ready to make the switch? Check out our selection of raw dog food here!
