# Is Raw Food Safe for Dogs and Cats?


## Key Takeaways

- Raw pet food, including meat, poultry, and unpasteurized products, poses a significant risk of harboring pathogenic bacteria such as *Salmonella* and *Listeria*, which can cause zoonotic disease in humans and illness in pets.
- Cross-contamination is a critical transmission route, with pathogens spreading from raw food to surfaces, utensils, and hands, thereby exposing vulnerable human populations including children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and the immunocompromised.
- Characteristic clinical signs of foodborne illness in pets can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, and appetite changes, necessitating prompt veterinary consultation.
- Strict adherence to hygiene protocols, including thorough handwashing after handling raw food and cleaning contaminated surfaces, is paramount to mitigate transmission risks.
- Certain pet populations, such as puppies, kittens, senior animals, pregnant pets, and immunocompromised individuals, are at heightened risk of severe illness from raw food pathogens, warranting extreme caution or avoidance.
- Veterinary assessment involves evaluating diet composition for nutritional completeness and balance, alongside a review of potential pathogen exposure and household risk factors, to determine the safest feeding strategy.

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**Raw [pet food](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/nutrition/pet-food) can carry germs such as Salmonella and Listeria that can make pets and people sick. The biggest concern is not just the pet's stomach. It is also cross-contamination in the kitchen and exposure for children, older adults, pregnant people, and immunocompromised people.**

## What symptoms or causes should I watch for?

- **Germs in raw food:** Raw meat, poultry, eggs, and unpasteurized products can carry harmful bacteria.
- **Cross-contamination:** Bowls, counters, hands, floors, and utensils can spread germs after handling raw food.
- **Household exposure:** Children, older adults, pregnant people, and immunocompromised people face higher risk from foodborne germs.
- **Pet illness:** Some pets develop vomiting, diarrhea, fever, low energy, or appetite changes.
- **Diet balance:** A raw diet still needs to be complete and balanced for the pet's species and life stage.

## What can I safely do at home right now?

- **Wash hands:** Wash hands after handling raw [pet food](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/nutrition/pet-food), bowls, utensils, or stool.
- **Clean surfaces:** Disinfect counters, cutting boards, bowls, and feeding areas after raw food contact.
- **Store separately:** Keep raw pet food sealed, chilled or frozen as directed, and away from human food.
- **Avoid face licking:** Do not let pets lick faces or open skin after eating raw food.
- **Call your vet:** Ask for guidance if vomiting, diarrhea, fever, weakness, or appetite loss occurs.

## When is this an emergency?

Go to an emergency veterinary clinic now if you notice:

- Repeated vomiting, severe diarrhea, bloody stool, fever, or weakness.
- A puppy, kitten, senior pet, pregnant pet, or immunocompromised pet eating raw food.
- Human household illness after raw pet food handling.
- A recalled, spoiled, moldy, or temperature-abused raw food product.
- Weight loss, poor growth, or long-term use of an unbalanced diet.

## What will my veterinarian check?

Your veterinarian can review the diet label, ingredients, storage, stool changes, household risk, and whether a cooked complete diet is safer for your pet and family.

## How can I reduce the risk next time?

Use complete-and-balanced diets that match your pet's life stage. If you handle raw food, follow CDC and FDA cleaning, storage, and handwashing guidance every time.

## Related veterinary guides

- [Can Cats Drink Milk?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/can-cats-drink-milk)
- [Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/can-dogs-eat-peanut-butter)
- [Dog Ate a Wild Mushroom: What Should You Do?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/dog-ate-wild-mushroom)
- [Dog Ate Marijuana: What Should You Do?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/dog-ate-marijuana)

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## References

- [CDC - About Pet Food Safety](https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/about/pet-food-safety.html)
- [FDA - Pet Food and Treats](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/pet-food-and-treats)

*Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, does not establish a vet-client-patient relationship, and should not replace an in-person evaluation by a licensed veterinarian.*