If you have ever considered feeding your cat raw cat food, you probably have wondered if it is healthy for your pet. There are several factors you should consider before making this decision. You should also know about the risks involved. These include dental, pancreatitis, digestive, and even parasites.
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Salmonella, E. coli and parasites
Raw cat food can carry microbiological agents that may be infectious to both humans and pets. This raises the question of whether it is safe to feed pets raw meat diets.
The Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) conducted a study to examine the presence of bacteria, pathogens, and parasites in raw pet foods. They found that a majority of the products tested were contaminated with Salmonella and E. coli.
In addition, the report states that a wide range of cyst-forming protozoa, cestodes, and trematodes were present in the meat. A significant number of the products contained Listeria monocytogenes. These zoonotic protozoa were found to be resistant to antibiotics.
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan that affects all warm-blooded vertebrates. It is usually acquired by eating or handling the feces of an infected animal. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and some infected people develop hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Dental problems
There are several ways to keep your pet’s teeth healthy, but one of the easiest is brushing. You should brush your dog’s teeth at least once a week, and if possible daily. It may not seem like much, but a good brushing can remove a lot of the dental debris that can cause problems.
In addition, it can also help prevent bad breath. If your dog has been suffering from gum problems, you might want to consider giving him a special dental brush.
Dental problems in dogs can also have a significant effect on their overall health. They may not eat as much, and if left untreated, it can result in kidney, liver, and heart disease.
Aside from brushing, it is also a good idea to have your pet’s teeth checked regularly. This can prevent the development of gum problems and even detect signs of disease early on.
Pancreatitis
If your dog has pancreatitis, he will not be able to digest human food. It’s important to understand the cause of this disease so that you can prevent it.
Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition that occurs when the pancreas becomes overloaded. This can be a result of a high fat diet or other factors. The pancreas is responsible for regulating the amount of insulin that is released into the bloodstream to help regulate glucose levels.
The pancreas also produces digestive enzymes to break down food. When the pancreas is overloaded, the enzymes become active. These enzymes are then excreted into the stomach, where they are used to help the body digest food.
If your dog is eating too much fat, it will put stress on the pancreas. This could lead to diarrhoea.
Digestive problems
When dogs eat raw cat food, they may encounter digestive problems. Although it doesn’t happen every time, it can be a symptom of larger issues, like a food allergy or a bacterial infection.
The symptoms are generally mild. They can include vomiting or diarrhea. While a pet will usually eliminate the cause within a few hours, it’s a good idea to take action if the situation persists.
Changing the diet can help. Depending on the problem, it’s a good idea to deprive the dog of its usual meals for 12 to 24 hours. This should allow the gastrointestinal tract to calm down and reestablish normal microflora.
It’s also a good idea to provide a clear soup for hydration. If you’re not sure what to do, talk to your vet.
CDC does not recommend feeding raw food to pets
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Veterinary Medical Association are united in their recommendation against feeding raw cat food to pets. This is a concern because raw pet foods can be contaminated with harmful bacteria and pathogens that can cause serious illnesses in both humans and animals.
Raw diets may also lead to nutrient deficiencies, especially for cats, which can affect their metabolism function and bone development. These nutrient deficiencies can negatively impact brain function and nerve function.
Pets and humans can be exposed to germs like Salmonella and Listeria bacteria, which can make them sick. The CDC also recommends washing your hands after preparing, handling, and storing raw meat or vegetables.
Some experts suggest that raw diets can also contain protozoa, which can lead to human infections. This risk may be more significant in households that have older pets and immunocompromised individuals.
