From Nutritional Adequacy to Hygiene Quality: A Detailed Assessment of Commercial Raw Pet-Food for Dogs and Cats

Abstract

Raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) are widely used as unconventional diets for dogs and cats at different life stages, despite concerns regarding nutritional adequacy and microbial contamination. The aim of this study was to evaluate both the nutritional and hygiene quality profile of RMBDs purchased in Germany. For this purpose, crude nutrients were assessed in 44 RMBDs and compared to declared values. In addition, selected minerals were determined in 31 RMBDs labelled as complete and compared to the minimum requirement (MR) for intended species and life stages. Aerobic colony count (ACC) and Enterobacteriaceae were used to assess the hygiene quality of 37 commercial RMBDs, while the presence of Salmonella spp. was examined in 10 products. Fat and protein content exceeded tolerated deviation from declared values in 33% and 45% of RMBDs, respectively. Each RMBD showed at least one concern regarding nutrient content. The RMBDs had high fat contents (mean 69, range 33–95 g/Mcal) that were negatively correlated with protein (r = −0.74, p < 0.0001). Considerable contaminations by ACC and Enterobacteriaceae were found (2.61 × 108 ± 3.63 × 108 and 3.61 × 106 ± 8.39 x106 CFU/g, respectively). A higher count of Enterobacteriaceae was detected in a frozen RMBDs made of poultry or carcasses from different animals, compared to the thawed counterpart (p = 0.003), as well as compared to other sources, such as beef, horse, and lamb, regardless of the storage condition. Salmonella spp. were found in 2/10 RMBDs. This study confirmed that feeding commercial RMBDs might pose a risk to pet health.

Variables associated with owner perceptions of the health of their dog: further analysis of data from a large international survey

“…Although increasing in popularity [1], both vegan diets and raw meat diets are still an uncommon choice for owners, and many veterinary professionals either do not recommend them or might even advise against their use. Current evidence suggests that both such diet types are often not formulated appropriately to be complete and balanced for essential nutrients [5,8,[9][10][11]. Further, there are also concerns with feeding raw food given the potential for contamination either with bacteria of possible pathogenic potential or bacteria resistant to antimicrobials, both of which might pose a risk to the health of owners and other in-contact people [11][12][13].…”

“…Current evidence suggests that both such diet types are often not formulated appropriately to be complete and balanced for essential nutrients [5,8,[9][10][11]. Further, there are also concerns with feeding raw food given the potential for contamination either with bacteria of possible pathogenic potential or bacteria resistant to antimicrobials, both of which might pose a risk to the health of owners and other in-contact people [11][12][13]. Given such health concerns, owners who make an active choice to feed either a raw or vegan diet could be more defensive about this diet choice, compared with owners who feed conventional diets, and this attitude which might unconsciously have biased responses about the health of their dog, for example, minimising the significance of any illnesses.…”

“…Although increasing in popularity [1], both vegan diets and raw meat diets are still uncommon choices for owners, and many veterinary professionals either do not recommend them or might even advise against their use. Current evidence suggests that both such diet types are often not formulated appropriately to be complete and balanced for essential nutrients [5,8,[9][10][11].…”

“…The main reason that owners cite for considering a plant-based diet is concern about animal welfare [5], whilst owners who feed raw diets believe these to be more 'natural' and healthier than commercial food despite an absence of evidence to support this [7]. Despite their increasing popularity, concerns remain regarding the safety of feeding unconventional foods; for both vegan [5,8] and raw [9][10][11] food, in terms of nutritional adequacy. For raw food, there are additional concerns about contamination, both with pathogenic bacteria and bacteria resistant to multiple antimicrobials [11][12][13].…”

“…Despite their increasing popularity, concerns remain regarding the safety of feeding unconventional foods; for both vegan [5,8] and raw [9][10][11] food, in terms of nutritional adequacy. For raw food, there are additional concerns about contamination, both with pathogenic bacteria and bacteria resistant to multiple antimicrobials [11][12][13].…”