The Dangers and Disadvantages of the BARF Diet for Your Pet

December 17, 2025 •

5 min read

According to studies conducted by the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, raw pet food is more likely to contain disease-causing bacteria than other types of pet food. This highlights one of the most critical disadvantages of the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet, a feeding method that has grown in popularity but comes with serious risks for both pets and their human families.

Quick Summary

The BARF diet poses significant risks, including life-threatening bacterial infections from pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria, severe nutritional imbalances, and physical hazards from bones. Owners also face health risks from cross-contamination during preparation and handling.

Key Points

Bacterial Contamination: Raw meat in BARF diets poses a high risk of bacterial and parasitic infection from pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli, threatening both pets and humans.
Nutritional Imbalance: Homemade BARF diets are notoriously difficult to balance correctly, often leading to crucial deficiencies in calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and minerals.
Physical Injury from Bones: The inclusion of raw bones in the diet presents a significant risk of dental fractures, choking, or internal organ damage.
High Cost and Time Investment: Preparing a safe and nutritionally sound raw diet is substantially more expensive and time-consuming than feeding commercial alternatives.
Risks to Vulnerable Individuals: The potential for cross-contamination and the shedding of pathogens by pets makes the BARF diet especially dangerous in households with young children, the elderly, or immunocompromised people.
Lack of Scientific Consensus: The benefits often cited by BARF advocates are largely unsubstantiated by scientific evidence, while the risks are well-documented by veterinary and public health organizations.

Bacterial Contamination and Food Safety Risks

One of the most widely cited disadvantages of the BARF diet is the high risk of bacterial and parasitic contamination. Raw meat, bones, and organs are known carriers of various harmful pathogens, which can threaten both your pet's health and your own. Cooking meat eliminates most of these pathogens, but since the BARF diet relies on raw ingredients, this safety measure is bypassed.

Common Pathogens Found in Raw Diets

Salmonella spp.: Can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in pets, with symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Furthermore, infected pets can become asymptomatic carriers, shedding the bacteria and infecting humans through contaminated feces or saliva.
E. coli: Certain strains of this bacteria are highly pathogenic and can lead to serious illness in both animals and humans. Fecal contamination is a common source of E. coli in raw food ingredients.
Listeria monocytogenes: This pathogen can cause a severe infection known as listeriosis, which is especially dangerous for vulnerable individuals in the household, such as young children, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems.
Campylobacter spp.: A common cause of food poisoning, often associated with raw poultry.

Cross-Contamination is a Significant Human Health Risk

The risk isn't limited to pets. Handling raw meat during food preparation creates a significant risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen, on countertops, and on utensils. Dogs and cats fed a raw diet can also spread these bacteria throughout the home, as they may shed pathogens in their feces for several weeks. This is particularly dangerous for households with at-risk individuals, where strict hygiene protocols must be followed to minimize exposure. As noted by the FDA, simply handling the food or touching anything the raw pet food has contacted can lead to illness.

The Problem of Nutritional Imbalance

Advocates of the BARF diet often claim it is more 'natural' and complete, but in reality, achieving proper nutritional balance is complex and difficult for the average pet owner. Commercial pet foods are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and are required to meet strict guidelines, such as those from AAFCO, to ensure they provide a complete and balanced diet. Homemade BARF diets often fall short.

Critical Nutrient Deficiencies and Excesses

Calcium and Phosphorus Imbalance: Many homemade raw diets fail to provide the correct ratio of calcium to phosphorus, which is critical for bone health. Deficiencies can lead to fractures and growth issues, especially in puppies.
Vitamin Deficiencies: Without proper supplementation, deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins like D and A, as well as vital trace elements like zinc, copper, and iodine, are common.
Thyroid Issues: Feeding raw meat from the head and neck can lead to hyperthyroidism in dogs due to residual thyroid tissue, a problem that is not unique to raw feeding but is a known risk.

Physical Hazards from Raw Bones

Contrary to popular belief, feeding raw bones is not without risk. While many BARF proponents advocate for 'raw meaty bones' for dental health, the potential for harm is significant.

Common Bone-Related Dangers

Dental Fractures: Dogs frequently fracture their molars and premolars on hard, raw bones, which is painful and requires expensive veterinary dental procedures to correct.
Internal Obstruction and Perforation: Bones can cause choking, become lodged in the gastrointestinal tract, or splinter and puncture the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. These are life-threatening emergencies requiring immediate surgery.
Constipation: Some pets may experience severe constipation or impaction from consuming too many bone fragments.

High Cost and Time-Consuming Preparation

Creating a balanced, safe BARF diet is both more expensive and more time-intensive than simply serving high-quality commercial food.

A Commitment to Preparation

Meal Planning: Ensuring a balanced nutritional profile requires meticulous planning, weighing ingredients, and sourcing a variety of meats, organs, and bones.
Ingredient Cost: High-quality, human-grade raw ingredients are significantly more expensive than commercial kibble or canned food. The need for variety further increases costs.
Sanitation Time: The need for strict hygiene adds considerable time to daily food preparation and cleanup. Surfaces, utensils, and pet bowls must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after every meal.

Comparison: BARF vs. Commercial Pet Food Disadvantages


Disadvantage	BARF Diet	Commercial Pet Food
Bacterial Contamination	High risk of pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, dangerous for both pets and humans due to raw meat.	Very low risk due to cooking and pasteurization processes, though recalls can occur.
Nutritional Imbalance	High risk, especially with homemade diets. Requires expert knowledge and careful supplementation to avoid deficiencies or excesses.	Formulated by veterinary nutritionists and tested to meet standards (e.g., AAFCO) for complete and balanced nutrition.
Bone-Related Injuries	Significant risk of dental fractures, gastrointestinal obstruction, or perforation from feeding raw bones.	No risk, as bones are not included in final product. Kibble hardness can be a factor but risks are minimal by comparison.
Cost	Often significantly more expensive due to higher-quality ingredients, requiring meticulous sourcing and preparation time.	Generally more affordable and cost-effective, with a wide range of price points available.
Convenience	Highly time-consuming due to daily preparation, portioning, storage, and extensive cleanup.	Convenient, pre-packaged, and requires minimal preparation and cleanup.
Human Health Risk	High risk of transmitting pathogens to humans through food handling and contact with pet's saliva or feces.	Minimal risk, provided safe food handling practices are followed during manufacturing.

Conclusion: Consider the Risks and Consult Your Vet

While the motivation behind the BARF diet often stems from a desire for natural and healthier pet food, the scientific evidence highlights substantial drawbacks that should not be ignored. From serious bacterial contamination and the risk of nutritional deficiencies to the very real physical dangers posed by bones, the potential for harm is significant. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and other leading health organizations advise against feeding raw diets due to these documented risks. Pet owners considering a raw food diet should have a candid and comprehensive discussion with their veterinarian to weigh the perceived benefits against the proven disadvantages, particularly if there are at-risk individuals in the household. For more information on the dangers of raw pet food, refer to the FDA's official recommendations.

Note: The "detoxification" often cited by BARF proponents as a reason for initial digestive upset has no scientific basis and may actually be a sign of a dietary intolerance.

For a Safer Alternative

If a raw diet is desired, commercially prepared raw foods offer a potential alternative, as many are subject to stricter regulations and testing than homemade versions. However, even these products carry a risk of bacterial contamination. A balanced home-cooked diet, formulated with the guidance of a veterinary nutritionist, is another safer option to provide a natural, whole-food diet while eliminating the risks of raw ingredients.

Who Should Avoid BARF Diets?

Given the risks, the BARF diet is not recommended for:

Households with young children, elderly individuals, or people with weakened immune systems.
Puppies, as improper calcium-phosphorus ratios can cause irreversible bone and growth issues.
Pets with pre-existing health conditions such as pancreatitis, kidney disease, or cancer.
Pets that frequently come into contact with vulnerable people, such as therapy animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

While proponents claim the BARF diet is a more 'natural' way to feed pets, there is no reliable scientific evidence proving it is nutritionally superior or provides objective health benefits over commercial diets. In fact, many homemade raw diets are not balanced and carry significant risks.

Although a pet's digestive system is more resilient than a human's, it is not impervious to pathogens. Pets can still get sick from bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, sometimes developing severe infections. They can also become carriers, spreading bacteria without showing symptoms.

The most common and serious risk is dental fractures, which can be painful and expensive to fix. Other dangers include bones causing choking or creating internal blockages or punctures in the digestive tract, which are life-threatening.

To minimize risk, you should follow strict hygiene protocols, similar to those used for human food. Use separate utensils and cutting boards, clean and disinfect all surfaces thoroughly, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, and consider a dedicated fridge for pet food.

Without the expertise of a veterinary nutritionist, it is very difficult for owners to correctly formulate a diet that meets all the pet's needs. Studies have found that a high percentage of homemade raw diets contain dangerous imbalances, particularly in calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins.

Some commercial raw food producers are subject to more regulations than individual pet owners, but these products can still contain harmful bacteria. Studies have found pathogens in commercial raw diets, so the risk is never completely eliminated.

The BARF diet is not recommended for households with young children, elderly family members, or immunocompromised individuals due to the high risk of zoonotic disease transmission. It should also be avoided for puppies and pets with certain health conditions.