Holistic Health Hub

Cooked or Raw?

With the growing popularity of raw feeding, many dog owners are questioning whether a cooked whole food diet remains a valid option. The short answer is yes. A properly balanced cooked diet based on unprocessed ingredients can be a biologically appropriate and nutritionally sound choice, particularly when raw feeding is not feasible due to health, practical, or personal reasons.

When compared to processed commercial diets, such as kibble or canned food, a fresh cooked diet retains nutrient quality, digestibility, and there is still choice for the pet owner over the ingredients. For many dogs, this approach offers health benefits without the potential undesirable associations that can occur with raw feeding.

Benefits of Cooked Diets for Dogs

  • Cooked diets are often better tolerated by dogs with compromised immune function, chronic illness, or digestive sensitivity. Cooking reduces the bacterial load in meats and softens fibrous plant matter, making the diet easier to digest. This is particularly useful for senior dogs or dogs recovering from illness.

  • Most raw vegetables are difficult for dogs to digest due to the cellulose structure of their plant cell walls. Cooking breaks down these structures, increasing the bioavailability of nutrients. This eliminates the need for pureeing and can improve the absorption of micronutrients.

  • Several plant-based foods contain naturally occurring compounds that can interfere with nutrient absorption or digestion if fed in excess. Cooking can significantly reduce these compounds:

  • Oxalates (e.g. in spinach) can bind to calcium and promote the formation of kidney stones. Steaming reduces oxalate content by 5–53%, while boiling can reduce levels by 30–87%. Cooking water should be discarded to prevent reabsorption.

  • Glucosinolates, found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower, have anti-cancer properties but may interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis in susceptible dogs. These compounds are reduced by 30% through steaming and up to 65% through boiling. Dogs with normal thyroid function are generally unaffected by moderate inclusion of these vegetables.

  • Phytates, present in legumes and some grains, can impair the absorption of minerals such as zinc, magnesium, and iron. Boiling legumes for at least 60 minutes and discarding the cooking water can reduce phytate levels by up to 90%.

Feeding a cooked diet requires some adjustments compared to raw feeding, including:

  • Calcium supplementation: Cooking softens bones, making them unsafe to feed. A safe and accurate alternative calcium source must be included, such as powdered eggshell, bone meal, or a formulated supplement.

  • Fat-soluble vitamin stability: Vitamins A, D, E, and K can degrade with heat. Ensure appropriate inclusion through organ meats or controlled supplementation.

  • Balancing essential fatty acids: Cooking can alter the omega-3:omega-6 ratio. Consider supplementation with marine-based omega-3 sources, such as fish oil or krill oil, especially if the diet includes poultry or high-omega-6 plant oils.

  • Nutrient loss through leaching: Water-soluble nutrients such as B vitamins and some trace minerals may leach into cooking water. Cooking vegetables and legumes separately and discarding the water reduces anti-nutrients but also requires careful diet balancing to offset nutrient losses.

A cooked diet, when correctly formulated, is a safe and effective way to feed dogs a species-appropriate diet based on whole foods. It can be especially helpful for animals requiring a gentler dietary transition or those with compromised health. Cooked diets are also suitable for pet owners who are not comfortable with handling raw meat or are restricted by household or lifestyle constraints.

Feeding cooked is not “less than” feeding raw—it is simply a different expression of the same core philosophy: biologically appropriate, minimally processed, and nutritionally complete feeding. Balancing a cooked diet is not as simple as preparing human-style meals for dogs. Nutritional needs vary by age, breed, activity level, and health status. Pet owners are strongly advised to work with a certified canine nutritionist or a veterinarian with advanced training in nutrition. These professionals can help formulate a complete and balanced diet—whether raw, cooked, or hybrid—using the NRC (National Research Council) or FEDIAF guidelines. They can also guide appropriate supplement use and adjustments for specific health conditions.

Cooked diets, when properly formulated, are a safe and effective way to provide dogs with a biologically appropriate, minimally processed diet. They are particularly useful for dogs with sensitive digestion, senior animals, or households that cannot feed raw for logistical or safety reasons. Rather than being inferior to raw, a cooked whole food diet is simply another evidence-based approach to supporting long-term canine health.

References:

  • Xu, X. et al. (2022, China). Reduction of oxalates in spinach via various cooking methods. Food Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132812

  • Weaver, C.M. & Plawecki, K.L. (1994, USA). Dietary mineral bioavailability and phytates. Nutrition Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-9007(05)80035-3

  • Huber, L. et al. (2015, Germany). Anti-nutritional factors in companion animal nutrition. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.07.001

Jackie Gowland