The FSA's raw pet food survey: what it means if you feed raw

In February 2026 the Food Standards Agency (FSA) published a survey of raw dog and cat food on sale in the UK. Samples were bought from shops and online between March 2023 and February 2024: 380 in all, 277 raw dog food and 103 raw cat food. We feed raw ourselves, so we think anyone considering it should read what the survey found before they start.

What the survey found

• Bacteria that can make people and pets ill were found in 35% of samples.
• Salmonella was found in 21% of samples, Campylobacter in 14% and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in 12%. Some samples had more than one.
• Some bacteria found were resistant to antibiotics.

What it did not do

The survey did not name brands and was not designed to find where contamination came from. It is a picture of raw pet food on sale across the UK, not a test of any one company. It is also a reminder that raw meat bought for people can carry the same bacteria, which is why the advice for handling raw pet food looks a lot like the advice for handling raw chicken.

The hygiene steps that matter

The FSA's message was about handling rather than banning: good hygiene when storing, defrosting and preparing raw pet food reduces the risk to you and your family. In practice that means defrosting in a sealed container on the bottom shelf of the fridge, washing bowls after every meal, keeping raw pet food away from food for people, washing hands after feeding, and taking extra care around young children and anyone with a weakened immune system.

If that routine sounds like too much for your household, a gently cooked fresh food may be a better fit, and there is no shame in that. Our raw vs cooked comparison covers the trade-offs.

Where to read more

Our guide Is raw dog food safe? brings together the FSA's findings, what vets' bodies say and a practical kitchen routine. For storage and defrosting step by step, see storing and defrosting raw dog food.