Feeding raw is one of the hottest trends in pet ownership right now. The raw diet for dogs and cats has gained such popularity that even big-box pet stores like PetsMart and Petco have allocated shelf space to raw food items. And while it’s true that feeding raw has been linked to certain health benefits (and that pets love it), the FDA wants pet parents to remember that a raw diet also comes with specific risks not found in dry or wet pre-packaged foods or cooked meals. Food poisoning isn’t just something that affects humans -- dogs and cats are at risk as well. The FDA lists two specific food bacteria as a major risk to pets: salmonella and listeria monocytogenes. Because raw food has not been cooked, it is more likely to contain harmful bacteria. The FDA recommends that you cook your raw meats before feeding them to your pets to ensure that all bacteria have been killed. The FDA notes that while many raw diet enthusiasts point to wild dogs and cats as evidence that raw food is healthy, there are no figures for how many wild animals are killed by bacteria as they are rarely, if ever, taken to a veterinarian while ill. The FDA also reminds humans that handling raw meats, even as pet food, still comes with the same risk as always. Symptoms of food poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and a loss of appetite, among other things.
Feeding raw is one of the hottest trends in pet ownership right now. The raw diet for dogs and cats has gained such popularity that even big-box pet stores like PetsMart and Petco have allocated shelf space to raw food items. And while it’s true that feeding raw has been linked to certain health benefits (and that pets love it), the FDA wants pet parents to remember that a raw diet also comes with specific risks not found in dry or wet pre-packaged foods or cooked meals. Food poisoning isn’t just something that affects humans -- dogs and cats are at risk as well. The FDA lists two specific food bacteria as a major risk to pets: salmonella and listeria monocytogenes. Because raw food has not been cooked, it is more likely to contain harmful bacteria. The FDA recommends that you cook your raw meats before feeding them to your pets to ensure that all bacteria have been killed. The FDA notes that while many raw diet enthusiasts point to wild dogs and cats as evidence that raw food is healthy, there are no figures for how many wild animals are killed by bacteria as they are rarely, if ever, taken to a veterinarian while ill. The FDA also reminds humans that handling raw meats, even as pet food, still comes with the same risk as always. Symptoms of food poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and a loss of appetite, among other things.
Craig Davis
Craig is a lifelong pet owner and dog advocate with a special interest in animal and human longevity. He founded Vet Organics to develop an affordable, all-natural, safe and effective ear infection remedy for his dog, Lucy, whose chronic ear problems could not be solved by the vet.
