# Lower prevalence of obesity and nutritional imbalances in dogs fed a raw meat-based diet (RMBD) compared to a commercial complete diet

## TL;DR

Dogs fed a raw meat-based diet had lower obesity rates but potential nutritional imbalances compared to those on commercial diets.

## Contribution

This study provides empirical evidence comparing body condition and nutritional status in dogs on raw meat-based versus commercial diets.

## Key findings

- RMBD-fed dogs had lower body condition scores compared to CD-fed dogs.
- RMBD diets showed lower energy intake and failed to meet recommended calcium-to-phosphorus ratios.
- RMBD-fed dogs had lower serum concentrations of iodine, copper, zinc, and manganese.

## Abstract

Canine obesity is a significant health concern in spite of current feeding trends claiming healthier diets. Among these trends, raw meat-based diets (RMBD) have gained in popularity. Scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited, and nutritional imbalances are of concern in RMBD-fed dogs. This study aimed to assess the impact of RMBD-feeding on body condition in dogs in comparison to feeding a commercial complete diet (CD). A total of 104 healthy dogs were included, of which 51 dogs (age median: 4.1 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 3.2–5.9 years; body weight (BW) median: 24.8 kg, IQR: 16.3–31.9 kg) were fed an RMBD and 53 dogs (age median: 4.8 years, IQR: 3.3–5.8 years; BW median: 25.4 kg, IQR: 18.9–27.7 kg) received a CD, both for at least 12 months prior to enrollment. Enrolled dogs underwent two clinical evaluations 3–5 months apart. During these evaluations, blood, urine, and fecal samples were collected, and the patient and diet history was obtained.

RMBD-fed dogs had lower body condition scores (BCS; median: 5, IQR: 4–5) compared to CD-fed dogs (median: 6, IQR: 5–7, P < 0.001). Energy intake was lower with RMBD rations (median coverage of the daily recommended metabolizable energy [ME]: 89%) compared to CD rations (median coverage of the daily recommended ME: 102%, P = 0.015). Coverage of the daily energy intake was inversely correlated with BCS. In RMBD rations, the calcium (Ca): phosphorus (P) ratio (median: 1.0), failed to meet the recommended ratio of 1.4 and was lower than with CD rations (median: 1.4, P < 0.001); estimated intakes of Ca (P < 0.001), P (P < 0.001), sodium (P < 0.001) and magnesium (P = 0.004) were lower than in CD rations but close to the recommendations. Estimated intakes of Ca, P, and sodium in CD rations were at least twice the recommended amounts. Blood serum analysis revealed lower serum iodine (P = 0.001), copper (P = 0.005), zinc (P < 0.001), and manganese (P = 0.035) concentrations in RMBD-fed dogs than in CD-fed dogs.

While RMBD-feeding might offer the advantage of a leaner body condition, concerns about nutritional imbalances warrant further investigation, even though RMBD-fed dogs do not show clinical signs of nutrient deficiencies.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-026-05283-4.