Dog food types
Should I be worried about parasites in raw meat for dogs?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Yes, raw meat, particularly pork, wild game, and fish, can carry parasites such as toxoplasma, trichinella, or certain tapeworm larvae, though freezing meat at minus 18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least 3 weeks kills most parasite larvae and significantly reduces the risk before feeding.
Which meats carry the highest risk
Wild caught game and freshwater fish carry a notably higher parasite risk than farmed, inspected meat, and raw pork in particular has historically been linked to trichinella infection, which is why many raw feeding guides recommend avoiding raw pork or freezing it thoroughly first.
How freezing helps
Sustained freezing at minus 18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit) or colder for a minimum of 3 weeks is the standard recommendation for killing common parasite larvae in meat intended for raw feeding, though it does not eliminate bacterial risk the way cooking would.
Reducing exposure further
Buying meat intended for raw pet food from suppliers who follow food safety inspection standards, rather than unregulated or home butchered sources, adds another layer of protection against both parasites and bacteria.
Key takeaways
- Wild game, freshwater fish, and raw pork carry a higher parasite risk than farmed, inspected meat.
- Freezing at minus 18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least 3 weeks kills most parasite larvae.
- Freezing reduces parasite risk but does not replace hygiene practices aimed at bacteria.