Experts Warns Pet Owners Against Feeding Pets Raw Meat Food

A recent study warns that, owners should be very careful when feeding their pets.

As the reserchers pointed out that, those diets might contain bacteria and parasites which could be harmful to the pets, putting them into a great risk.

Most pet owners think that raw meat-based diets are healthier than the conventional diets, but what they don't know is that, many additives have been added to those processed pet foods.

After testing a total of 35 frozen foods from 8 different brands, the researchers found that about 8 products contained  E. coli,  15 contained  Listeria  and 7  contained salmonella. Also, 2 products were found to contain Taxoplasma gondii.

"We are surprised to find the bacteria and parasitic pathogens existing in those food. They might greatly increase the risk for the pets' infection. In the meanwhile, humans will be also at risk because of the  possibility of transmission. " said one of the researchers of the study.

The anthor of the study Paul Overgaauw said that,  comparing with the animals that eat conventional diets, those that eat raw meat diets have higher possibility of getting infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, it is of great importance for the pet food manafacturers to inform pet owners of the potential risks which might come along by feeding the dogs & cats with raw meat-based diets. A warning label should be put on the food packages.

Actually, researchers have warned the pet owners agains  feeding pets raw meat-based diets many times.

Back in 2013, a study in Vet Med Today has warned pet owners by pointing out that raw meat-based diets might have a higher incidence of nutritional imbalances.  For instance, vitamin A and vitamin E   concentrations  contained in those diets were far below the  minimum detectable value, while the vitamin D concentration was almost double the maximum amount recommended by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).

Lastly, the study also showed that the uncooked meat had safety risk of containing possible pathogens. It might be contaminated during the processing or packaging.