Zoonotic Concerns and Raw Diets

J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, FCAHS, Ontario Veterinary College, Ontario, Canada

Nutrition

|May 2017

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Raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) can be homemade (eg, biologically appropriate raw food diet) or available commercially. Commercial RMBDs are typically frozen or freeze-dried, but some are available as fresh, refrigerated products, and others can look like regular dry food (eg, diets with a raw meat coating); there is also a variety of raw-dried or freeze-dried treats. When a client mentions feeding a RMBD, consider the following:

In General

There are no scientific studies supporting the health benefits claimed by RMBD proponents.

Numerous studies have shown potential health risks: nutritional imbalances, potential ingestion of bones, diet-induced hyperthyroidism, and bacterial infection.^1,2
RMBD and raw animal-based treats have an inherent risk for bacterial contamination, with Salmonella spp contamination rates between 20% to 48% for RMBDs.^3-8
Other bacteria identified in RMBDs include Escherichia coli O157:H7, Campylobacter spp, and Listeria spp.^6,9

Raw food-associated infections in pets have been diagnosed, and pet-treat–associated salmonellosis in humans has been reported.^10-16
It may be prudent to consider the potential for public health risk.

Consider reports of disease in humans and animals—along with potentially high rates of pathogens (eg, Salmonella spp) in the feces of pets fed RMBDs.

Methods to eliminate or reduce pathogens (eg, irradiation, high-pressure pasteurization) are available and have been used by some manufacturers.

Irradiation should eliminate some pathogen risk, whereas high-pressure pasteurization may eliminate or reduce bacterial burdens.

Clinicians should collect a detailed diet history for all patients at every visit—including pet food, treats, table food, rawhides, dietary supplements, and foods used to administer medications.

This is also important for the client’s health.

Human Health

For the physician, if a patient has signs compatible with infectious disease, the types of pets or animals in contact with the patient, as well as their diets, should be discussed.

This can help to identify potential sources of infection.

Although infection can occur from any pet food, it is more likely to occur when owners feed RMBDs or treats.

Note: Dr. Weese is editor in chief of Clinician’s Brief.

References and Author Information

References

Freeman LM, Chandler ML, Hamper BA, Weeth LP. Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat-based diets for dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2013;243(11):1549-1558.
Weese JS. Worms & Germs Blog. http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com
Chengappa MM, Staats J, Oberst RD, Gabbert NH, McVey S. Prevalence of Salmonella in raw meat used in diets of racing greyhounds. J Vet Diagn Invest. 1993;5(3):372-377.
Joff DJ, Schlesinger DP. Preliminary assessment of the risk of Salmonella infection in dogs fed raw chicken diets. Can Vet J. 2002;43(6):441-442.
Finley R, Reid-Smith R, Ribble C, Popa M, Vandermeer M, Aramini J. The occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility of salmonellae isolated from commercially available canine raw food diets in three Canadian cities. Zoonoses Public Health. 2008;55(8-10):462-469.
Nemser SM, Doran T, Grabenstein M, et al. Investigation of Listeria, Salmonella, and Toxigenic Escherichia coli in various pet foods. Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2014;11(9):706-709.
Strohmeyer RA, Morley PS, 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(4):537-542.
Weese JS, Rousseau J, Arroyo L. Bacteriological evaluation of commercial canine and feline raw diets. Can Vet J. 2005;46(6):513-516.
Bojanić K, Midwinter AC, Marshall JC, Rogers LE, Biggs PJ, Acke E. Isolation of Campylobacter spp. from client-owned dogs and cats, and retail raw meat pet food in the Manawatu, New Zealand. Zoonoses Public Health. 2016. doi: 10.1111/zph.12323
Stiver L, Frazier KS, Mauel MJ, Styer EL. Septicemic salmonellosis in two cats fed a raw meat diet. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2003;39(6):538-542.
Morley PS, Strohmeyer RA, Tankson JD, et al. Evaluation of the association between feeding raw meat and Salmonella enterica infections at a Greyhound breeding facility. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006;228(10):1524-1532.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Human salmonellosis associated with animal-derived pet treats—United States and Canada, 2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2006;55(25):702-705.
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(5):686-691.
Pitout JD, Reisbig MD, Mulvey M, et al. Association between handling of pet treats and infection with Salmonella enterica serotype newport expressing the AmpC beta-lactamase, CMY-2. J Clin Microbiol. 2003;41(10):4578-4582.
Cavallo SJ, Daly ER, Seiferth J, et al. Human outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium associated with exposure to locally made chicken jerky pet treats, New Hampshire, 2013. Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2015;12(5):441-446.
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(5):525-530.

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