Position Statements

Raw Meat-Based Diets for Pets

July 3, 2018

Position

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) accepts the evidence for potential health risks to pets fed raw meat-based diets (RMBDs), and to humans who are in contact with RMBDs, or with pets fed RMBDs. The CVMA holds that the documented scientific evidence of potential animal and public health risks in feeding RMBDs outweighs any perceived benefits of this feeding practice.

Summary

  • There are multiple peer-reviewed studies documenting risks to animals and in-contact humans resulting from pathogens, toxins and physical hazards in RMDS fed to pets;
  • Although recent data show that raw homemade diets may have some increased digestibility, this feature is not attributable specifically to the raw nature of the diet;
  • The CVMA highly recommends that veterinarians counsel owners wishing to feed RMBDs on the potential risks to people and pets;
  • The CVMA strongly recommends that veterinarians consult with a Board certified veterinary nutritionist before recommending a home prepared cooked diet that will be fed on a long-term ongoing basis.

Background

  1. RMBDs consist of uncooked ingredients that are derived from domesticated or wild-caught food animal species, and fed to dogs or cats living in home environments. These diets can be “home-prepared,” “commercially prepared” or “commercially available using HPP (high pressure pasteurization)” (1).
  2. Commercially prepared RMBDs may be fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried and sold commercially for domestic cats and dogs. Some of these diets meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles; however, others do not have the AAFCO designation (2,3). Non-AAFCO-designated diets should not be fed as primary balanced diets. Commercial RMBDs are often manufactured in facilities or industrial kitchens, and then packaged into smaller volumes for purchase.
  3. Given that the meat used for RMBDs is not designated for human consumption, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) does not require or uphold any specific meat inspection requirements or microbial testing during food manufacturing and storage. Pet food is only regulated by the CFIA if it is imported into Canada (4).
  4. There is evidence that owners feeding RMBDs are more likely to rely on informal advice such as that gleaned from the Internet and less on that obtained from a veterinarian (5).
  5. There are multiple peer-reviewed studies documenting potential risks to both pets and humans who are in contact with pets from pathogens, inhibitory substances and/or physical hazards present in raw meat diets (6,7). The following situations have been reported to occur as a result of RMBD fed to pets (8-26).
    • a) tooth fracture, obstipation, constipation, perforation along gastrointestinal tract;
    • b) exposure to inhibitory substances ingredients such as founds in raw fish (containing thiaminase which metabolizes thiamine and can lead to thiamine deficiency), and in raw eggs containing avidin which binds to biotine and cause biotine deficiency, etc.
    • c) shedding bacterial pathogens in stool (may also be transmitted by licking), possibly leading to significant zoonotic infections to humans. Pathogens of concern include but are not limited to: Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, Brucella.
    • d) increased risk of human infection in hospital or nursing home patients who participate in pet visitation;
    • e) increased risk of infection in immune-compromised members of a household;
    • f) increased risk of infection in very young children from exposure to RMBD food, food bowls, and feces of pets consuming raw food diets;
    • g) increased risk of infection for old, young puppies/kittens, and pets receiving immunosuppressive drugs;
    • h) increased risk of infection for hospitalized pets when housed in the same kennel or close vicinity of other pets;
    • i) bacterial pathogens in raw foods and in the stool of pets fed raw foods have increased patterns of antimicrobial resistance;
    • j) significant health risks to growing puppies and adult dogs from potential nutritional deficiencies.
  6. Although recent data show raw homemade diets may have some increased digestibility, this feature is not specific to the raw nature of the diet. It appears to vary greatly depending on the raw diet and how it is processed (ground being more digestible than whole prey, for example) (27). The digestibility of RMBDs is similar to cooked diets. In the latter case, microbial contamination would be reduced or eliminated (28).
  7. The CVMA highly recommends that veterinarians counsel owners wishing to feed RMBDs on the risks to themselves and their pets as a result of feeding RMBDs. This conversation should be documented in the medical record.
  8. The CVMA strongly recommends, in the case of home-prepared cooked diets which have been recommended by the veterinarian, that the veterinarian and owner consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to determine if the owner is using a safe and nutritionally balanced recipe. The CVMA advises that veterinarians who choose to recommend or sell RMBDs for pets under their care are aware of potential liability should a pet or human become ill due to pathogens originating from RMBDs.
  9. The CVMA advises veterinarians who recommend RMBDs to inform pet owners of associated risks and to educate owners on how to mitigate the potential risk of pathogen exposure from handling such products and/or in managing pets consuming the diets.
  10. The CVMA encourages pet owners who elect to not feed their animals commercially prepared diets (raw or cooked) to seek advice from a board-certified veterinary nutritionist regarding the preparation of nutrition-balanced, home-cooked diets. Information authored by such nutritional experts is widely available on-line.
  11. The CVMA encourages federal authorities to implement an inspection system designed to mitigate risks from diseases transmissible to humans through raw meat-based diets for pets in the interest of public health.

References

  1. Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013;243:1549-1558. Available from: http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.243.11.1549 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  2. Dillitzer N, Becker N, Kienzle E. Intake of minerals, trace elements, and vitamins in bone and raw food rations fed in adult dogs. Brit J of Nutr 2011;106:S53-S56. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22005436 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  3. Pet Food Association of Canada. Available from: http://pfac.com/ Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  4. CFIA Import Policies on Pet Food. Available from: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/animal-products-and-by-products/pet-food/eng/1321129023397/1321129556426 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  5. Morgan SK, Willis S, Shepherd ML. Survey of owner motivations and veterinary input of owners feeding diets containing raw animal products. Peer J 2017;2:e3031. Available from: https://peerj.com/articles/3031/ Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  6. Olkkola S, Kovanen S, Roine J, Hänninen ML, Hielm-Björkman A, Kivistö R. Population Genetics and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Canine Campylobacter Isolates Collected before and after a Raw Feeding Experiment. PLoS One 2015;10:e0132660. Available from: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0132660 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  7. Kerr KR, Beloshapka AN, Morris CL, et al. Evaluation of four raw meat diets using domestic cats, captive exotic felids, and cecectomized roosters. J Anim Sci 2013;91:225-237. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23048161 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  8. Fauth E, Freeman LM, Cornjeo L, Markovich JE, Janecko N, Weese JS. Salmonella bacteriuria in a cat fed a Salmonella-contaminated diet. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015;247:525-530. Available from: https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/10.2460/javma.247.5.525 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  9. Nemser SM, Doran T, Grabenstein M, McConnell T, McGrath T, Pamboukian R, Smith AC, Achen M, Danzeisen G, Kim S, Liu Y, Robeson S, Rosario G, McWilliams Wilson K, Reimschuessel R. Investigation of Listeria, Salmonella, and toxigenic Escherichia coli in various pet foods. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2014;11:706-709. Available from: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/fpd.2014.1748 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  10. Leonard EK, Pearl DL, Janecko N, Finley RL, Reid-Smith RJ, Weese JS, Peregrine AS. Risk factors for carriage of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli in pet dogs from volunteer households in Ontario, Canada, in 2005 and 2006. Am J Vet Res 2015;76:959-968. Available from: https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/10.2460/ajvr.76.11.959 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  11. Schlesinger DP, Joffe D. Raw food diets in companion animals: A critical review. Can Vet J 2011;52:50-54.
  12. Leonard EK, Pearl DL, Finley RL, et al. Evaluation of pet-related management factors and the risk of Salmonella spp. carriage in pet dogs from volunteer households in Ontario (2005-2006). Zoonoses Public Health 2011;58:140-149. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20163574 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  13. Taylor MB, Geiger DA, Saker KE, Larson MM. Diffuse osteopenia and myelopathy in a puppy fed a diet composed of an organic premix and raw ground beef. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2009;234:1041-1048. Available from: http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.234.8.1041 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  14. Lenz J, Joffe D, Kauffman M, Zhang Y, LeJeune J. Perceptions, practices, and consequences associated with foodborne pathogens and the feeding of raw meat to dogs. Can Vet J 2009;50:637-643.
  15. Lefebvre SL, Reid-Smith R, Boerlin P, Weese JS. Evaluation of the Risks of Shedding Salmonellae and Other Potential Pathogens by Therapy Dogs Fed Raw Diets in Ontario and Alberta. Zoonoses Public Health 2008;55:470-480. Available from: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e75a/98b422b682dd6602f2fb2a5c96c66f72cfe0.pdf Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  16. Finley R, Reid-Smith R, Ribble C, Popa M, Vandermeer M, Aramini J. The occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonellae isolated from commercially available raw food diets in three Canadian cities. Zoonoses Public Health 2008;55:462-469. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18811907 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  17. Finley R, Ribble C, Aramini J, et al. The risk of Salmonellae shedding by dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets. Can Vet J 2007;48:69-75.
  18. Weese JS, Rousseau J. Survival of Salmonella Copenhagen in food bowls following contamination with experimentally inoculated raw meet: Effects of time, cleaning, and disinfection. Can Vet J 2006;47:887-889.
  19. Morley PS, Strohmeyer RA, Tankson JD, Hyatt DR, Dargatz DA, Fedorka-Cray PJ. Evaluation of the association between feeding raw meat and Salmonella enterica infections at a Greyhound breeding facility. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006;228:1524-1532. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16677120 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  20. Strohmeyer RA, Morley SP, Hyatt DR, Dargatz DA, Scorza AV, Lappin MR. Evaluation of bacterial and protozoal contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006;228:537-542 Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16478425 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  21. Finley R, Reid-Smith R, Weese JS. Human health implications of Salmonella-contaminated natural pet treats and raw pet food. Clin Infect Dis 2006;42:686-691. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16447116 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  22. Weese JS, Rousseau J, Arroyo L. Bacterial evaluation of commercial canine and feline raw diets. Can Vet J 2005;46:513-516.
  23. Finley RL. Salmonella in commercially available pig ear treats and raw food diets: Prevalence survey and canine feeding trial. [MSc. Thesis]. Guelph, Ontario. University of Guelph, 2004.
  24. Joffe DJ, Schlesinger DP. Preliminary assessment of the risk of Salmonella infection in dogs fed raw chicken diets. Can Vet J 2002;43:441-442.
  25. LeJeune TJ, Hancock DD. Public health concerns associated with feeding raw meat diets to dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;219:1222-1225. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11697364 Last accessed October 3, 2017.
  26. van Dijk MAM, Engelsma MY, et al. Brucella suis Infection in Dog Fed Raw Meat, the Netherlands. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2018;6:1127-1129. Available from: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/24/6/17-1887_article Last accessed June 4, 2018.
  27. Van Bree FPJ, Bokken GCM, Mineur R, Franssen F, et al. Zoonotic bacteria and parasites found in raw meat-based diets for cats and dogs. Vet Record 2018;182:50. Available from: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/182/2/50  Last accessed June 4, 2018.
  28. Kerr KR, Vester Boler BM, Morris CL, Liu KJ, Swanson KS. Apparent total tract energy and macronutrient digestibility and fecal fermentative end-product concentrations of domestic cats fed extruded, raw beef-based, and cooked beef-based diets. J Anim Sci 2012;90:515-522  Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22003235 Last accessed October 3, 2017.