Does Raw Meat Make Your Dogs Aggressive?

Published by September 18, 2023 Category: Dog Training

Every dog owner wants a well-behaved dog that isn’t overly aggressive. However, many New Jersey residents believe feeding their dog raw meat will increase their aggression and cause behavior changes.

So, does raw meat make dogs aggressive? To answer this age-old question, Dan Gentile Dog Training Center created a short guide explaining how raw meat affects your dog.

Dan Gentile Dog Training Center has helped New Jersey residents train their dogs for over 40 years. If you’re searching for an experienced dog training center in NJ, look no further than Dan Gentle Dog Training Center.

Does Raw Meat Increase Aggression in Dogs?

Many dog owners avoid giving their furry friends raw meat and believe it will turn them into aggressive, bloodthirsty canines despite them not being dangerous dog breeds. Many movies, television shows, and urban legends support this belief, making pet parents wary of what they feed their dogs.

But does raw meat make dogs aggressive? Absolutely not.

Despite popular belief, a balanced diet of raw meat won’t increase aggression in dogs. However, raw feeding can cause slight behavioral changes that might raise concerns in novice dog owners.

For example, since dogs view raw meat as a high-value commodity, they protect it much more than dry or canned food. Experts call this behavior resource guarding. Many people mistake resource guarding as aggressive, leading them to believe the food caused the behavior.

Factors That Increase Dog Aggression

Although raw meat won’t adversely affect your dog’s behavior, other factors can increase their aggression. Below are a few elements to consider.

Medical Conditions

Several medical conditions can make a dog more aggressive and less obedient, including:

  • Chronic or acute pain
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Seizures
  • Neurological disorders

These conditions are the most prevalent causes of increased dog aggression and often require medical intervention. If your dog suddenly becomes more aggressive, take it to a vet as soon as possible. A veterinarian will diagnose your dog and help you resolve their behavioral problems.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Dogs need an amino acid-rich diet to stay happy and healthy. If a dog experiences an amino-acid deficiency, it can become more aggressive, sad, and anxiety-ridden. Feeding your dog more tryptophan amino acids will improve your dog’s temperament and overall health.

Below are the recommended tryptophan levels for dogs:

  • Adult dogs: .28gs to .35gs
  • Puppies: .45gs to .58gs

Contact Dan Gentle Dog Training Center for Top-Quality Dog Training in New Jersey

If you want to start raw feeding your dog but wonder, “Does raw meat make dogs aggressive?” contact Dan Gentile Dog Training Center. Our trainers will help you uncover the source of your dog’s aggressiveness while teaching you a few signs of alpha dog behavior. We have vast experience training dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages, qualifying us for all your dog training needs.

Give Dan Gentle Dog Training Center a call at (732) 938-5040, or reach out to us online and see what our team can do for you today! Learn more now.