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Raw food diets

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Raw food is a popular choice for many owners to feed their dogs and cats. We believe if you understand the risk then is your choice. We are here to inform you of those risks.

Various diseases that are also transmissible to humans (zoonotic) can be caught through handling raw food and interaction with the pets. This includes some commonly bought dried meat and treats for dogs e.g. pizzle sticks, dried ears etc

Salmonella spp.’s of public health concern, have been isolated from 6-15% (border control sampling)

This is as a result of increasing raw food feeding and increase of items on the market
Typically it is made from human grade meat but lacks final heat treatment as critical control point before consumption
Potential route of Salmonella infection in pets and subsequent human exposure from the product (handling and defrosting etc) via the pet and via contaminated household environment
Not just Salmonella - risks of other zoonotic pathogens including Mycobacterium bovis (TB), E coli (inc STEC, shiga-toxin producing E.coli), Toxoplasma spp.

Salmonella

Zoonosis, esp for elderly and < 5 year old children, pregnant women. Causes vomiting and diarrhoea but also may become systemic and may be fatal. It can persist in the environment because of a biofilm allows persistence and is resistant to cleaning, needs physically to be wiped away.

Lives in wet and dry environments.
Can be spread on a toothbrush.
Some isolates are resistant to critically important antibiotics.
Carriers may not be picked up due to intermittent shedding

TB risk

Increased zoonotic risk to immunosuppressed individuals and children < 2 years old. Found in cats, and dogs fed with fallen stock/raw food. Human disease can take 6 months to treat with 4 different antibiotics, some critically important.

Avian Flu

Risk of Avian flu H5N1 (link)

Tapeworm

Also see details on travelling/ rescue dogs from abroad re E. granulosus, relevant to raw fed dogs esp if not frozen correctly below -18C for a minimum of 7 days.

Echinococcus granulosus

Echinococcus granulosus is serious disease in humans, dogs carry a small tapeworm and have no further disease. The lifecycle includes sheep. This tapeworm has now been found all over the UK. For high risk dogs, tapeworm prevention (Praziquantel or Milbemycin) should be used monthly.

Raw food diets

Salmonella

TB risk

Avian Flu

Tapeworm

Echinococcus granulosus

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