Concerns around raw feeding - advice needed

[doglady80]

My dog is 11 years old, he has been fed raw from around one, until a couple of months ago when he nearly died from a nasty bacterial infection. I know this was probably not due to his food, but it really scared me and I stopped feeding him raw. However now his poops are mostly soft/runny and I feel like he would do better with raw again. Can anyone tell me are which raw meat is safer/safest and which to avoid? I'm thinking avoid chicken, any others? Google is not proving very helpful; either all raw is dangerous, or it's all fine. Does anyone feed raw but choose particular meats to limit risks of pathogens? Thanks.

I wouldn’t give pork raw but beef and chicken are fine. Always freeze chicken first and defrost before serving. Tbh we raw fed for years but some days it was a struggle getting our dog to eat anything. We tried a few other things like Forthglade, Naturo and even cans mixed with kibble. We now use Butternut Box which is cooked and frozen. It’s not cheap but we can manage it and it’s eaten instantly without fail every single day which makes it far better value. Still use a good kibble to top it up as even though it’s supposed to be what DDog needs calorie wise it doesn’t always satisfy but overall I’m happier feeding this way than I’ve ever been and no raw meat to worry about.

Two of mine are on raw - but they only get beef, chicken, lamb and some weird beef/duck mix. But not all raw food is created equal (just as not all dog food is) and some companies are a bit cheeky and cut corners. I use Bella and Duke for mine and never had a problem but that's not to say they are perfect. My mums feeds her dogs the Farmers Dog, which is also raw.

I feed Butternut Box to my other two - and both get supplements to firm up their poo - as they won't touch raw and tinned food is actually more expensive and less nutrient dense (I've found).

I use Honey’s raw dog food, I’ve never had any issues. Healthy dogs, nice solid poops,

I did look at butternut but it came out at over £5 a day which I can't afford.

I feed mine frozen chicken drumsticks x 4 for breakfast then roasted hearts x3 (buy from a butcher) in the evening.
Also cooked chicken/sweet potato mash/veg a couple of times a week for dinner and always 6oz cooked liver once a week.
Natural yoghurt, occasional small banana and raw eggs and sardines are always welcomed, too. (Snacks)
I have kept large Northern breeds for many years and all been in good healtb until the end.
Tried Butternut Box myself, but mine don't like minced meat so won't eat it.