Reasons Why Dog Owners Stop Feeding Raw Meat-Based Diets (RMBDs)—An Online Survey

Abstract

Feeding raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) is becoming increasingly popular among dog owners. The concerns of veterinarians and scientists about this feeding method and its risks are topic of many publications. The present study aimed to determine why dog owners stop feeding raw diets and whether this change in diet is connected to health issues in dogs. The survey was conducted using an online questionnaire in the German language. The survey included questions about the signalment and health status of the dog, past RMBDs, and the reasons behind the change in the diet or discontinuation of an RMBD. Questionnaires answered by 802 pet owners, each describing a single dog, were included in the final analysis. The three primary reasons to stop feeding an RMBD were intolerance of the diet (24%, n = 196/802), which was expressed exclusively in gastrointestinal signs, disease (20%, n = 163/802), which was a gastrointestinal disease in 64% (n = 104/163) of cases (13%, n = 104/802), and an unwillingness to eat the raw diet (15%, n = 117/802). Overall, 37% (n = 300) of all participants terminated feeding an RMBD due to gastrointestinal problems. Gastrointestinal problems are a significant reason for discontinuation of the RMBD. In cases of gastrointestinal complaints, a detailed diet history should be asked for, and a diet change should be considered as a solution.