Pupkeeper
Caution

Can dogs eat raw meat? Caution

Not recommended. Raw or undercooked meat can carry Salmonella, E. coli and parasites that can make dogs, and the people around them, sick.

What to do now

  1. Watch your dog for vomiting, diarrhea or low energy over the next day or two.
  2. Wash your hands and any bowls or surfaces the raw meat touched.
  3. Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea is severe, bloody or keeps going, or your dog seems very tired.

Don't

  • Don't feed raw meat without talking to your vet first.

How to give it safely

Cook meat fully, remove bones, and serve it plain.

Signs to watch for

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea, sometimes bloody
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Belly discomfort

When signs appear: Within hours if food poisoning develops

Why

Raw meat can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, and raw or undercooked pork can carry the parasite that causes trichinosis. Raw shellfish such as shrimp can carry harmful germs too, and these germs can spread to people.

Sources

Guide reviewed 9 October 2026.

General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.