What Happens When Dogs Eat Raw Meat?

Instructional Guide

Learners will explore the functions of the GI system, learning how a dog’s system is optimized for a carnivorous diet, and delve into the debate of raw food.

Intended Grade Level

This lesson is intended for students in the 9th- 12th grade. Students should be familiar with general anatomy of the human and canine GI system, as well as their basic functions.

Learning objectives

• Students will be able to understand the basic principles of gastrointestinal physiology in humans.
• Students will explore the digestive system of dogs and its adaptations.
• Students will examine the potential risks and benefits of feeding raw meat to dogs.

Lesson Format

Student page

This can be done in any size group. The material can be printed and disseminated for the reading. Activities require a computer and internet access.

• First students will read a section on the overall digestive system, broken into different parts and describing in detail their functions.(30 minutes)
• Next, students do a drag and drop activity to label different parts of a dog GI system (5 minutes)
• Then student will read about the canine digestive system in specific (10 minutes)
• Afterwards, students will read information about raw food diets, delving into the great debate surrounding them (10 minutes)
• Students will read a short conclusion to sum up what they have learned throughout the lesson (5 minutes)
• The assessment will be a short answer section asking students to summarize their new information and create an opinion on raw food diets (10 minutes)

Lesson Background

Dogs are classified as facultative carnivores—primarily meat-eating, but capable of digesting some carbohydrates and plant materials. Their GI anatomy reflects a simpler, shorter digestive tract optimized for a high-protein diet.

Key canine digestive traits:

• Shorter small intestine and colon relative to body length compared to humans

• Highly acidic stomach (pH ~1-2) capable of killing most pathogens in raw meat

• Fewer digestive enzymes for starch and fiber; dogs produce limited amylase compared to humans

• Minimal fermentation in the colon; less reliance on fiber breakdown

These adaptations make dogs more efficient at digesting animal-based proteins and fats but less capable of processing complex plant matter.

Feeding raw meat to dogs—popularized by the “BARF” (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) and “prey model” diets—has become a hot topic among pet owners and professionals alike.

Potential benefits of a raw food diet include the following:

• May improve coat condition, stool consistency, and appetite

• Matches the natural dietary adaptations of dogs

• Some owners report reduced allergy symptoms or improved behavior

Potential risk of raw food include the following:

• Pathogen contamination (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria) can pose risks to dogs and humans

• Nutritional imbalance if not carefully planned (e.g., calcium/phosphorus ratio, vitamin deficiencies)

• Risk of bone fragments causing GI obstruction or perforation

• Veterinary organizations (e.g., AVMA, FDA) often advise caution due to lack of evidence-based safety standards

Activities

Students will label parts of dog GI system in a drag and drop manner, matching the correct name to the correct organ.

Common misconceptions and challenge points

• Some students may have a difficult time with the concept that dogs are facultative carnivores and not normal carnivores. While dogs prefer and thrive on meat, they are facultative carnivores—they can digest some carbohydrates and plant matter. Unlike cats (obligate carnivores), dogs can survive on a wider variety of foods, though not all are ideal for long-term health.
• Students may adopt black-and-white thinking about pet nutrition. In reality, high-quality commercial diets (kibble or canned) can be nutritionally complete, safe, and appropriate for many dogs. Raw diets require careful planning and are not inherently better.

Assessment

Students will have a short answer section where they are asked three questions to prompt them to synthesize the materials from this lesson and form their own opinions on raw food diets.

Further exploration

Other lessons within this textbook may be interesting for students, and can be found linked below:

Feline Carnivorous?

Copropha-ntastics