All dogs have unique needs; some thrive on raw diets while others don’t. A lot depends on the quality and sanitation practices when handling it.
Before changing their dog’s diet, pet owners should consult with a vet and ensure the new diet includes nutritious fruits and vegetables for balance.
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Bacteria
Many pet owners choose raw meat diets for their dogs and cats due to beliefs that it is healthier and more natural than commercial products. Unfortunately, research conducted on some raw meat products had high levels of bacteria which pose risks both to animals and humans; genetic sequencing revealed some to be resistant to antibiotics like cephalosporins and colistin.
These bacteria can spread illness within families if they handle meat, come into contact with human waste, or touch surfaces that contain contamination – this poses particular dangers to infants and those with compromised immune systems.
Avoid feeding raw bones and minced meat as these may contain preservatives that could be dangerous to their health. Instead, purchase human grade raw meat (preferably free-range organic) and cook before feeding to your dog – this also kills off any bacteria present. Freezing it prior to use kills any remaining bacteria present.
Parasites
Raw diets present a substantial zoonotic threat for pets and their owners alike, and may increase parasite transmission risk such as Taenia species or Echinococcus granulosus tapeworms and Toxoplasma gondii cyst-forming protozoa cysts.
Home prepared raw diets have increased the risk of parasite ingestion in the UK. Cats act as definitive hosts for Toxoplasma and shed its oocysts when preying upon intermediate host animals such as livestock (including sheep and goats). This increases exposure.
Failing to freeze RMBDs adequately can result in the presence of oocysts in the final product, creating an issue for animal, human and environmental health alike. Furthermore, this could open the door for Salmonella and Listeria bacteria which are worldwide foodborne pathogens; their toxins may be neutralised through cooking, salting and curing processes as well as through irradiation or high pressure treatment methods.
Infections
Raw meat, bones and kitchen leftovers contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria and E coli; when cooked at an appropriate temperature these bacteria are killed off; feeding your dog raw meat increases the risk that someone in your family could become sick.
Raw foods increase your pet’s risk of nutritional deficiencies. A study published in Vet Record demonstrated this fact by showing that dogs fed raw meat had higher faecal Salmonella levels and 3GCR/ESBL E coli counts than their peers on non-raw diets.
Dogs on raw diets may spread bacteria to humans through everyday interactions such as licking, cleaning up faeces and touching contaminated surfaces. Therefore, pet owners are recommended to wash their hands after handling raw food or utensils as well as clean and disinfect areas where they prepare meals for their pets.
Choking
Dogs typically have forgiving digestive systems and short intestinal tracts, so it’s possible they could consume Salmonella or Listeria spores from low-quality raw meat without becoming sick themselves – however if these pathogens were spreading around your home and infecting family members then that would be a major problem.
As well, they could spread harmful bacteria around your house by dragging bones around and getting them stuck under furniture or on carpets, thus necessitating a specific feeding area for raw foods.
Humans aren’t the only ones concerned about contamination risk when it comes to raw meat companies using cheap and poor quality meat, with many seeing an opportunity for profit in waste products (carcass, necks and organs) usually considered waste by taking advantage of them with denatured charcoal denatured cuts that destroy nutrients resulting in your pet developing deficiencies over time.
