RAW FOOD FOR PETS
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) discourages feeding undercooked or raw animal-sourced proteins to dogs and cats. Raw animal sources such as those from meat, fish, poultry, milk and eggs present a health risk to humans and animals. The AVMA supports the feeding of pet diets that have been processed using methods that reduce or eliminate the risk of illness due to pathogenic contaminants.
Several studies reported in peer-reviewed scientific journals have demonstrated that raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein may be contaminated with a number of pathogens, including Salmonella spp, Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium spp, Campylobacter spp, Escherichia coli, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, Mycobacterium bovis, and enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus.
Food Standards: Feed vs. Food
Many regulatory agencies consider pet food "feed" rather than "food," which allows for lower standards regarding ingredient quality.
Food standards for specific animals, particularly with respect to pet food, are often not established, or are less rigorous than human food due to a combination of regulatory, economic, and practical factors.
Ensure your pet's raw food is safe..
The best way to ensure your pet's raw diet is safe is by giving them a trusted formula of raw pet food. Generally, these recipes are formulated by experienced animal nutritionist to be nutritionally complete and balanced. They also source their meats from human-grade food chains and use HPP to ensure the food is free of pathogens.
Additives
Some owners add raw hamburger as the only ingredient of a raw diet. However, this type of feeding doesn't provide complete nutrition and can eventually lead to health problems. Ideally, a raw diet consists of uncooked meat plus additives such as bone, organs, and supplements. Raw diets can also include cooked grains or veggies. Owners sometimes combine freeze-dried dog food products (base mixes of veggies, vitamins, and minerals) with raw meats.
Balanced Diet
One big problem with raw diets is that there are no vitamin and mineral standards established for them. Owners who want to use raw diets should talk to a professional rather than just feeding their animals uncooked meat. The important thing to consider is a balanced diet. For example, dogs can lose a lot of weight on a large raw food diet, and might need a mix of cooked grains or additional fat to avoid health problems.
Benefits of Raw Food
Many farm and pet owners feed their animals manufactured food that is purchased at feed suppliers, pet stores and grocery stores. Unfortunately, they're feeding their pets and livestock without realizing the benefits of safe, raw food.
- All animals have evolved from a biological process by which genetic information, traits, and characteristics were passed from parents to their offspring. Their lineage came from ancestors that were once completely wild and untamed. They survived solely on what they could find in grassy fields, or what they could catch and kill. Modern domestic animals on farms and zoos can benefit from a diet that is similar to the food there ancestors ate long ago.
- Domestic pets, such as dogs and cats, rely on a regular packaged diet, relating to food ingredients that are not the same as their wild ancestors. Throughout the centuries, pets have been fed processed "pet food." Today, modern pet and farm feed diets consist of food that is processed in factories, causing metabolisms to change in pets. Their sensory perceptions have evolved with unnatural taste dependencies, and recognizing the taste and smell of processed, manufactured food. Throughout the Centuries, domestic animals been provided food that have less raw substance, or none at all.
Benefits of Raw Food
What are the possible benefits of feeding farm animals and domestic pets a raw-food diet?
- Raw food is better for their teeth and will have healthier incisors and molars.
- Raw food is better for their shorter digestive tracts.
- Raw food is a closer match to what Mother Nature designed for them.
Risks vs. Benefits
Mainstream veterinarians, as well as the FDA, will disagree with private pet owners and trainers when it comes to a raw diet. The risks vs. benefits of raw diets have been documented in studies, published articles, blogs, and veterinary journals.
