We often hear the question of whether raw meat makes dogs aggressive from people who are just getting to grips with BARF and BARF meat for the first time. The idea that raw meat makes dogs aggressive is actually a widespread BARF myth, but it doesn't stand up to scrutiny in reality. Read this article to find out why this is the case.
“Does raw meat make dogs aggressive?” Why this myth is not true
Even after many years of research into the optimal nutrition for our pets, there is no evidence that raw meat makes dogs aggressive. In fact, dogs cannot make any association between the meat in the bowl and the animal in the pasture or in the forest. In addition, the hunting instinct and the eating instinct are fundamentally different phenomena that are triggered by different impulses. The hunting instinct is usually a movement or flight of the other animal, while the eating instinct is strengthened by hunger and the instinctive need for nutrients. All of this means explained with a concrete example: Even herding dogs that interact with possible prey animals such as sheep or goats on a daily basis could safely eat the meat of these animals from the bowl without then attacking the animals in the pasture.
If your dog shows previously unknown aggression over a longer period of time, you should consider whether there is a food intolerance, as this can lead to pain. In principle, however, the aggression is of course not due to raw meat - instead, you can rely on raw food varieties that are often better tolerated, such as horse for dogs .
Raw meat for dogs: aggressive food defense
Raw meat for dogs is the species-appropriate form of nutrition for our beloved four-legged friends. The animal should also like it - so it is understandable that it will defend its meat or bones more stubbornly than the prepared food if in doubt. It can help to teach the dog (or remind it) that there is no competition for food. In this context, you should, for example, set a fixed feeding place where the dog can eat its BARF dog food undisturbed. An important criterion for choosing the feeding place: It should be easy to reach and therefore easy to clean in order to ensure hygiene.
Raw meat for dogs: chunky meat and bones
Dogs can eat the meat in many different ways, whether finely ground or in pieces. Feeding BARF meat in pieces or bones can even have a calming effect on the dog, because tearing, chewing and licking the food challenges them more and keeps them occupied with the food for longer. This increased interaction with the food means that the animal may be more balanced after the meal than before.
So you see – raw meat does not in itself make dogs aggressive. There may be reasons for aggression in animals that are related to feeding, such as food intolerance or competition for food or food jealousy, but these can usually be trained out or you can come to terms with the causes (change in diet) so that they no longer occur.
Would you like to switch your pet to BARF? In our BARF shop you will find a large selection of meats and all other components you need for BARF.
