California woman started a raw food diet for her dog, and the consequences are worse than you think

A California woman is currently sharing a difficult warning about the dangers of raw dog food after the death of her pet, Natsu, which she believes was triggered by a specific diet change. In a video that has reached over 4.9 million views on TikTok and was covered by BroBible, the user known as Kelsey, who is based in Spain, documented her final goodbye to her dog.

She included a text overlay on the video that stated, “Getting my dog ready to cross the rainbow bridge thanks to raw dog food.” It is a heartbreaking situation that has sparked a significant conversation regarding the risks associated with raw feeding for pets. Kelsey explained that she initially turned to a raw diet for Natsu because he had a small bladder stone.

Her veterinarian had suggested a dietary change to prevent the stone from growing, and after conducting her own research, she felt raw food seemed like a solid choice. She purchased a product called Menú BARF de Pollo con verduras frescas for dogs from a company named Wild Balance. BARF, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, is a common term for diets that mix raw meat with bones and vegetables. Because a family member she trusted was already using this brand, she felt comfortable moving forward with the decision.

The trouble started only a few weeks after the transition

Kelsey noted that Natsu suddenly became paralyzed, which prompted an immediate trip to the veterinarian. After running several tests, the medical team diagnosed the dog with Polyradiculoneuritis, or PRN, a condition where the immune system attacks the nervous system. Kelsey said that her veterinarians could not say for certain what the exact cause was, but the timing of the food switch was highly suspicious.

She explained, “The vets told us they couldn’t say for certain the cause, but the timing, the food change—it was all pointing to a bacteria commonly found in raw poultry, Campylobacter, which has been linked to cases of paralysis.”

The journey for Natsu was long and difficult. While he eventually regained his ability to walk, he soon developed immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, or IMHA. Kelsey described this as a situation where the immune system becomes overly activated and begins to attack parts of the body, in this case, his red blood cells.

To manage this condition, Natsu was put on a strong immunosuppressant medication called cyclosporine. Although the medication helped control the anemia, it ended up causing severe damage to his kidneys. For the last 2 years, Natsu fought a battle against both IMHA and kidney failure. Kelsey noted that “Natsu fought so hard for the last 2.5 years,” but eventually, the ailments became too much for him to handle.

During her search for answers, Kelsey consulted with two neurologist specialists, three veterinarians, and one rehabilitation veterinarian. She recalled that when Natsu first became paralyzed, the neurologist who performed a spinal tap asked if the dog had been eating raw meat.

The specialist explained that this condition is typically seen in hunting dogs that consume raw game and noted that he sees many cases of complications associated with raw dog food. Another rehabilitation veterinarian mentioned that they had treated another dog with similar issues after it had consumed raw food.

Scientific data provides some context to these concerns. It is well-documented that raw poultry can carry Campylobacter, and there is a known link between raw chicken and APN in dogs, which can cause sudden weakness or paralysis. Research has shown that a high percentage of dogs with APN had consumed raw chicken, and these dogs were significantly more likely to test positive for Campylobacter.

While it is impossible to know if the specific food Kelsey purchased was contaminated, the possibility remains a concern for many pet owners. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has also stated that there is no evidence that raw meat-based diets offer health benefits over commercial or balanced homemade cooked diets. Furthermore, they highlight a high risk of bacterial contamination with raw diets.

Kelsey has expressed her thoughts on the mixed reactions she received after posting her story. She shared that she posted the video out of a moment of guilt, regret, and grieving, hoping that sharing Natsu’s story might prevent others from experiencing the same loss. She admitted that the amount of hate and controversy the video created was unexpected and insensitive.

However, she also highlighted that she received a great deal of love and heard from many people who recognized similar patterns in their own pets. Some veterinarians joined the comments to provide their own warnings. Ultimately, Kelsey hopes her experience has changed some minds and encouraged a more serious conversation about the risks of raw feeding and the connection to autoimmune conditions.