Can German Shepherds Eat Raw Meat?
Although some people believe that raw meat is dangerous for dogs, others believe it is incredibly healthy. So, what’s the truth? So can German Shepherds eat raw meat?

Can German Shepherds eat raw meat?
Yes! German Shepherds are capable of eating raw meat. Feeding your dog raw meat is not harmful to their health. Still, you need to understand how to properly do it to ensure to minimize any illness, like food poisoning.
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Can German Shepherd puppies eat raw meat?
A German Shepherd puppy can start eating raw meat and bones at about 12 weeks (i.e., three months) when their permanent teeth are fully developed ensuring they are actively chewing and not just gulping it down.
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This chewing is necessary for tackling “teething” concerns and providing other significant health benefits, such as maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Can German Shepherds eat raw chicken?
There are numerous debates on whether to feed raw or cooked chicken. Some doctors believe that feeding raw chicken to German Shepherds increases the danger of salmonella infection.
Others argue that feeding raw chicken to your dog is completely safe and poses no or minimal chances of salmonella infection. They defend this theory by claiming that dogs and wolves are accustomed to eating raw meat and live happily and healthily in the wild.
This breed, however, tolerates all types of chicken and most meat products. You may combine the chicken with some nutritious starches and veggies that are safe for your German Shepherd to eat.
Is it safe to give dogs raw bones?
Bones pose no health risk to your dog. They are, in fact, incredibly healthy and supply your pet with a lot of nutrients. Bones are rich in calcium and easy to chew and the flesh left on the bones is high in protein and other nutrients.
Additionally, chewing bones are beneficial to your dog’s dental health because It helps to eliminate plaque from teeth and prevents tartar growth.
However, you might be wondering whether it’s safe to feed your dog raw bones. YES! Plus your pet will also get to enjoy the delicious bone marrow inside them.
On the other hand, Cooked bones will not harm your pet, but they can easily splinter, which will cause digestive problems. When you initially offer raw chicken to your puppy, you may notice that it causes diarrhea.
That isn’t unusual; their systems require some time to adjust.
Benefits of raw meat for dogs
While raw food is usually 98 percent digestive, processed foods are just 80 percent digestible. It means that fresh food is more effective in terms of delivering nutrients.
Also, many people believe that a fresh meal consisting primarily of raw meat is more representative of what German Shepherds would consume in the wild.
Furthermore, dogs that eat raw meat are healthy since their bodies are well adapted to such a diet and less prone to stomach disorders, which are widespread in German Shepherds.
How to Feed German Shepherds Raw Meat
Raw feeding can be done in various ways, and it’s important to talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s specific nutritional requirements. However, there are two commonly used methods:
1. BARF Diet ( Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet)
The BARF diet is essentially a fresh kibble substitute. It is mainly made up of raw beef, but it also contains additional ingredients such as vegetables and nuts.
The aim is to deliver a nutritional value similar to high-quality commercial dog treats, use meals free of preservatives, and have higher absorption rates.
Using this approach, meals should consist of 70% muscular meat, 10% tasty raw bone, 7% veggies, 5% liver, 5% other secretory organs, 2% nuts (avoid the ones harmful to German Shepherds), and 1% fruit.
2. PMR Diet (Prey Model Raw Diet)
PMR diet is based on the principle that wild dogs consume their prey entirely, with their bones and internal parts.
The main difference between it and the BARF approach is that it does not need any plants. Instead, it consists of 80% muscular meat, 10% inner organs, and 10% tasty bone.
What raw meat can I feed my German Shepherd?
A German Shepherd can eat practically everything when it comes to protein. Any bird meat is safe to eat. These give the protein, fat, and other nutrients required by a German Shepherd.
According to most people, raw meats supply all of the nutrients and vitamins that a German Shepherd requires without being cooked. Cooked meat is also safe for your pet and is best when baked or boiled.
However, bones should always be served uncooked to avoid splintering, which can cause digestive difficulties. Apart from chicken, your German Shepherd can eat other raw meat bones such as:
- Beef
- Lamb
- Rabbit
- Pork
- Turkey
Potential Risks of feeding raw meat to German Shepherds
Some people and vets are opposed to feeding dogs raw meat because of the following possible dangers:
1. Malnourishment
Commercial dog food is designed to provide a well-balanced diet for your pet. You run the danger of giving your dog an inadequate nutritional profile if you prepare its food yourself.
2. Infection
Bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella can be found in raw and undercooked meat. Parasites in animal meat can be harmful to your dog’s health. Always take the same food safety precautions that you would with human food. Additionally, only buy beef from recognized sources.
3. Choking
As a pet owner, you should know how strong your dog’s bite is because raw meat feeding contains animal bones. Additionally, you should avoid serving large bones since they can break teeth, choke, or even perforate the throat or belly.
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