Last Updated: 03/08/2026
Is Raw Pet Food Safe for My Family?
Our vet's guide to the real risks of raw pet food - which bacteria to watch for, who should avoid raw feeding, and how to handle it safely at home.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read
Raw animal-based foods and treats - from raw meat diets to products like pig's ears - can be a good fit for some pets and lifestyles. But it's important to be aware of the health risks they can pose, both to your pet and to the people in your household, and to know what you can do to reduce them.
For a broader overview of raw diets, see Should I Feed My Pet a Raw Diet?. For a deep dive into the evidence behind the claimed benefits, see Do Raw Diets Really Work?
What bacteria are found in raw pet food?
The main risk with raw food and treats is bacterial contamination. Because these products are uncooked, they are more susceptible to harmful bacteria than heat-processed pet foods. The bacteria most commonly associated with raw pet food include:
- Salmonella - a leading cause of food poisoning in both pets and people, and one of the most well-documented risks in raw feeding research
- Campylobacter - commonly associated with raw poultry
- E. coli - including pathogenic strains
- Listeria - particularly relevant for pregnant women, as it can cause serious illness
It's worth noting that even products processed by air drying or freeze drying can still carry bacteria — these methods reduce moisture but are not the same as cooking. Exposure to heat is substantially more effective at killing harmful bacteria.
Does raw pet food pose a risk to my family?
Yes - and this is the aspect of raw feeding that tends to be underappreciated. While there's a reasonable chance your pet will handle contaminated raw food without obvious symptoms, the bacteria can still be shed in their faeces for a period of weeks afterwards. This means other people and pets in the household can be exposed even if your pet appears completely well.
The public health risk is significant enough that both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States have released position statements identifying cases of human illness linked to raw pet food products and recommending that people be aware of the risks1,2. The CDC does not recommend feeding raw diets to pets.
Pets' feeding areas - their bowls, the floor around where they eat, and any surfaces where food is prepared - are also 'hot spots' for bacterial spread and should be cleaned regularly.
Who should avoid raw food diets for their pets?
Many health organisations, including the CDC, advise that raw animal-based foods and treats should not be fed to pets in households that include:
- Children under 5
- Elderly individuals
- Pregnant women
- People undergoing chemotherapy or with other conditions that affect immune function
- Other pets who are immunocompromised
If any of these apply to your household, the safest choice is to stick to cooked pet foods and treats.
How to reduce the risks of raw food
If you do choose to feed your pet a raw diet or raw treats, these hygiene steps will help reduce the risk of bacterial spread. These are good practices regardless of what type of food you feed - bacterial contamination can occasionally occur in cooked pet foods too.
Pet Food Safety Tips
- Always wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling pet food or treats
- Store raw pet food away from where human food is stored and prepared - ideally in a sealed container in a dedicated section of the fridge or freezer
- Thaw raw food in the fridge and use within 1-2 days of thawing
- Avoid letting young children handle pet food and treats
- Use a dedicated scoop or cup to measure out your pet's food
- Follow all storage instructions on pet food packaging
- Wash your pet's food and water bowls regularly in very hot water, after washing you can run them through the dishwasher on a hot cycle if dishwasher safe
- Choose food bowls which are easy to clean at high temperature and less likely to scratch (eg stainless steel)
- Avoid purchasing treats such as pig's ears from bulk bins as the risk of cross contamination is higher
- Remove and dispose of any uneaten raw food as soon as your pet has finished eating - don't leave it sitting in the bowl - and disinfect the feeding area and any utensils used
- Keep your pet on a regular intestinal worming regime if feeding a raw diet - raw meat can carry parasites, and worming reduces the risk of transmission to both your pet and your family
- Choose cooked treats and foods where possible
A note on High Pressure Processing (HPP): HPP is an emerging processing method that uses pressure rather than heat to eliminate harmful bacteria and parasites in raw pet food, while leaving the food otherwise uncooked. It may offer a safer alternative for owners who want to feed raw.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue 4 Aug 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She worked in a number of small animal clinics, before joining the Pet Circle Vet team in 2020. Dr. Gillian has special interests in ultrasonography, surgery and behaviour. Her favourite part of being a vet is being an advocate for the animals. She loves helping owners to make the best, evidence-based decisions for their pets, and seeing the beautiful bond that people have with their fur-babies.
