Raw vs Processed Pet Food: Healthy Benefits & Hidden Dangers (2025)

“Wondering whether to feed your pet a raw diet or processed food? Explore the key differences, benefits, risks and regulatory insights for pet owners in the UK & USA — and find advice for dogs and cats.”

Introduction

In recent years, pet owners in the UK and USA have increasingly questioned what’s going into their pets’ bowls. Should you feed your dog or cat a raw diet or stick with processed pet food? Understanding the differences between raw and processed pet food, the benefits, the risks, and how regulations differ in the UK and the USA is vital to making an informed choice. This Fish Nutrition Guide also explores key nutritional considerations for pets that consume fish or fish-based diets.

In this article you’ll discover:

What ‘raw’ and ‘processed’ pet food actually mean
The pros and cons of each diet for dogs and cats
Key regulatory / safety differences between the UK and USA
Practical advice on choosing and transitioning diets

By understanding the facts, you’ll be better placed to decide what’s appropriate for your pet’s health, lifestyle, and budget.

What do we mean by “raw” vs “processed” pet food?

When discussing Raw vs Processed Pet Food, it’s important to understand what each term actually means.

Raw pet food typically refers to diets for dogs or cats that include uncooked meat, bones, organs, and sometimes vegetables, usually in frozen or chilled form. These diets often follow formats such as BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) or other fresh/freeze-dried raw formulations.

Benefits of Raw Pet Food (Raw vs Processed Pet Food)

More natural and less processed
High in protein
May improve coat, skin, and energy

Processed Pet Food includes dry kibble, canned food, and cooked commercial meals.

Benefits of Processed Pet Food (Raw vs Processed Pet Food)

Safer because it is cooked
Easy to store and serve
Balanced with vitamins and minerals
Usually cheaper than raw

Risks of Processed Pet Food (Raw vs Processed Pet Food)

Some brands use fillers and preservatives
Ultra-processing can reduce natural nutrients

Benefits of Processed Pet Food (Dogs & Cats)

There are several compelling reasons why processed pet foods remain the mainstream choice for pet owners in the UK and USA:

Nutrition “complete”
Processed pet foods labelled as complete are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs and cats — providing the right balance of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals. The UKPFMA states that processed foods “are specifically formulated to provide pets with all the essential nutrients they need in every meal.” ukpetfood.org
Convenience & safety
Processed foods are easier to store, feed, and manage. Manufacturing processes include heat-treatment or other kill-steps to reduce microbial risk, making them generally safer than raw alternatives (though not risk-free). For example, in the USA the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) states pet food “must be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labelled.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Consistency
Each batch of processed pet food tends to deliver a consistent nutrient profile, which helps pet owners manage dietary needs, weight control, and health conditions more reliably.
Wide availability and regulatory clarity
In both the UK and USA, processed pet foods are subject to well-established regulatory and labelling frameworks (we’ll go into the details later). This gives owners more confidence in sourcing, storage and feeding guidelines.

Benefits of Raw Pet Food (Dogs & Cats)

Feeding raw has become more popular, especially among pet owners seeking a “natural” or ancestral-style diet for their pets. Some of the perceived benefits:

Closer to a dog’s/cat’s wild diet: Advocates argue raw food replicates what dogs or cats might eat in nature — fresh meat, organs, bones, minimal processing.
Fewer fillers / additives: Some raw diets aim to reduce heavily processed ingredients, artificial preservatives or high levels of carbohydrate fillers.
Potential health perceptions: Some owners report improvements in coat condition, energy levels or digestion when switching to a high-quality raw diet. (Although, note: anecdotal evidence rather than large-scale long-term trials.)

A review described “nutritional benefits of raw and lightly processed pet foods” though also emphasised the risks.

Risks & Drawbacks: Raw vs Processed

Risks of Raw Diets

While raw diets may sound appealing, they do come with important risks — especially if not handled and formulated correctly. Key issues:

Microbiological contamination: The UK government‘s data show that the raw pet-food sector (though small) has a disproportionately high number of contamination incidents: for example, in one analysis raw pet food (<5% of the UK market) accounted for many of the feed-incident notifications. acmsf.food.gov.uk+1
Pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli: For example the UK’s rules require zero tolerance of Salmonella in commercial raw pet food. Veterinary Practice+1
Nutritional imbalance: Designing a raw diet that fully meets all nutrient requirements (especially for cats, which are obligate carnivores) is complex; imbalance can lead to health issues. The Spruce Pets
Bone-related injury or digestive issues: Raw diets with bones need careful handling to avoid choking, fractured teeth, or GI damage.
Storage & hygiene demands: Raw diets often require freezers, careful thawing, disinfecting surfaces, etc. More time and cost.
Regulatory/legal risk: In the UK, raw pet food for direct sale must comply with strict rules under regulations such as Reg (EC) 142/2011 and ABP/3D notes.

Risks of Processed Diets

Although processed pet food is widespread and generally safe, there are still issues to consider:

Ultra-processed foods and health concerns: Some articles link highly processed foods in pets with increased risks of obesity, certain diseases. For example an article argued ultra-processed dog food correlated with “diseases like cancer, heart disease and obesity”. Natures Menu
Ingredient sourcing and fillers: Some pet foods may use less-desirable ingredients (e.g., meat by-products, fillers, overly high carbohydrates) unless carefully chosen.
Less “fresh” or “natural” perception: Some owners believe processed foods are less aligned with a pet’s ancestral diet, though that doesn’t inherently make them inferior.
Over-reliance on marketing claims: Some labels may emphasise “premium” or “natural” but consumers still need to check the actual ingredient list and analysis.

Regulatory & Legal Differences: UK vs USA

Understanding how each region regulates pet food helps reveal why raw vs processed debate may differ across markets.

United Kingdom (UK)

In the UK, raw pet food is defined under the assimilated EU legislation (e.g., Regulation (EC) 142/2011) as pet food that has not undergone any preserving process other than chilling or freezing. GOV.UK
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) regulate pet food of animal origin and detail that commercial raw pet-food production must meet specific microbiological, traceability and packaging/handling standards. Food Standards Agency+1
For processed pet food, the UKPFMA explains how processing (mixing, cooking, freezing, drying) allows manufacturers to deliver a complete diet. ukpetfood.org

United States (USA)

In the USA, the FDA regulates pet food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The law requires pet food to be safe, produced under sanitary conditions, truthfully labeled. U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Ingredient definitions and nutrient requirements are often guided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) model regulations (though individual states adopt and enforce these). Wikipedia
Raw pet food in the USA is somewhat less uniformly regulated compared to the UK/ EU-style “zero tolerance” frameworks; while commercial raw pet-food manufacturers exist, consumers are sometimes warned about the microbiological risks.

Key differences to highlight

UK tends to adopt a more precautionary approach especially for raw pet-foods: traceability, strict controls, zero tolerance on certain pathogens.
USA regulatory framework allows for more manufacturer responsibility subject to FDA enforcement, but variances exist state-by-state.
Label-ing/marketing claims may differ: consumers in the USA must scrutinise claims such as “with beef” which does not necessarily imply a high beef content (though this is a human-food analogy).
Import/export, packaging, and labelling trends differ: for example packaging trends in North America vs UK show different consumer priorities (e.g., convenience in USA vs organic/natural emphasis in UK).

Choosing the Right Diet for Your Pet (Dogs & Cats)

Here are practical tips for pet owners in the UK & USA when considering raw vs processed diets.

1. Know your pet’s individual needs

Species: Cats are obligate carnivores — they require certain nutrients (e.g., taurine) that must be adequately provided. A raw diet must ensure these nutrients are present.
Life stage: Puppy/kitten, adult, senior — each stage has specific nutrient profiles.
Health conditions: Pets with kidney disease, food sensitivities, digestive issues may need special diet formulations.
Lifestyle & budget: Raw diets often require time, freezer space, hygiene precautions. Processed diets may be more convenient.

2. If choosing processed food

Look for labels that say “complete and balanced” for your pet’s life stage.
Check the ingredient list: higher quality animal-based proteins, fewer fillers, clear sourcing.
Consider manufacturer transparency, brand reputation, lab testing.
Transition gradually if changing brands or types to avoid digestive upset.

3. If choosing a raw diet

Choose a reputable commercial brand that follows regulatory standards (especially in UK/USA).
Ensure the diet is nutritionally complete — seek veterinary nutrition guidance.
Observe strict hygiene: wash hands, disinfect bowls/surfaces, separate raw pet food from human-food prep areas. UK regulatory report emphasises this. acmsf.food.gov.uk+1
Store appropriately (freezer, safe defrosting), handle packaging properly to avoid cross-contamination.
Monitor your pet: weight, coat condition, stool quality, dental health, overall vitality.

4. Transitioning diets

Any diet change (raw ⇄ processed) should be gradual (over 7-10 days or more) to mitigate tummy upsets.
Monitor for changes in appetite, stool consistency, energy levels.
Keep records or photos of changes – helpful for vet visits.

Final Thoughts

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. For many pet owners in the UK and USA, high-quality processed pet foods deliver excellent nutrition, convenience and value. For owners who are committed, knowledgeable and willing to work the hygiene/handling requirements, a raw diet can be a viable alternative — provided it is nutritionally complete, safely managed and chosen via a reputable brand.

Ultimately, the best diet for your pet is one that:

Meets their species-specific needs (dog vs cat)
Matches their life stage, activity level and health status
You can consistently manage (in terms of cost, storage, time, hygiene)
Gives you confidence in sourcing, labelling, brand transparency

Before making a major diet switch — especially to raw — it’s wise to consult your veterinarian or a qualified pet-nutritionist. In both the UK and USA, regulations ensure that pet-foods (raw or processed) are subject to oversight — but owners still have a key role in choosing, handling and feeding responsibly.