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The Dangers of a Raw Diet for Your Cat

1/14/2021

2 Comments

 
Posts by: 
Dr. Mike Paul, DVM
Cat Diet & Nutrition

In recent years there has been a heightened awareness that consuming undercooked meats present a risk for exposure to potentially deadly infectious organisms. In contrast, there has been a resurgence of interest in feeding cats raw diets. Advocates stress the fact that in their wild state animals eat uncooked and unprocessed foods. 
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The reasoning I’ve heard is, “It closely approximates the diet cats would get in the wild—the diet to which their physiology is naturally attuned." Wild cats do eat a varied diet in the wild including organs, brains, small mammals, birds, fish, snakes other reptiles, insects and occasionally stomach and intestines of mice and other rodents. Some people believe that raw food or so called "BARF" diets are better for pets because the food is not processed and is perceived to approximate a cat’s evolutionary "natural" diet. Though there may be some nutritional value to feeding raw foods or eating them ourselves there are significant health concerns to be aware of that make this diet dangerous. Just because wild animals eat raw meats does not imply that these foods are safe!
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What’s dangerous about a raw diet?
While cooking foods may in fact break down some nutrients, the unquestionable truth is that cooking some foods, particularly meats, makes them safer by destroying parasites and bacteria that can cause diseases in cats and humans. During a 2012 study by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), 1000 samples of pet food were analyzed for food borne disease contamination. The study showed that, compared to other types of pet food tested, “raw pet food was more likely to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria.”
Subsequently, CVM expanded the study to include 196 samples of commercially available raw dog and cat food. Raw pet foods were analyzed for harmful bacteria, including Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. In past projects, CVM had monitored dog and cat food for the presence of Salmonella, but before this study the center, “had not investigated the occurrence of Listeria in pet food,” said CVM researcher Dr. Renate Reimschuessel. “A large percentage of the raw foods for pets we tested were positive for the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.”
What do the experts say about feeding pets raw diets?
A number of professional associations have condemned the practice of feeding raw food to dogs and cat: 
  • The American Veterinary Medical Association policy (AVMA) adopted a policy statement addressing the issue in 2012 opposing the feeding of raw foods. 
  • The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) approved a policy in August 2012 that discourages feeding raw meat to pets. 
  • The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) states, “Pets should be fed cooked or prepared food (not raw diets)”
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend feeding raw foods to a pet because of the risk of food-borne infection to the pet and to household members.
Any modest benefits to consuming raw foods are overwhelmingly undercut by the risk of diseases that can be avoided simply by cooking.
​
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. 

Reviewed by: 
Jane Robertson DVM, DACVIM
2 Comments

5 Reasons Why Pet Obesity is a Big Deal

1/8/2021

5 Comments

 
Posts by: 
Jason Carr, Former Pet Health Network Editor-in-Chief

Some people might look at an overweight pet and say, “oh, how cute.” While it’s true that any pet can be cute, pet obesity is nothing to be fawned over. It’s not healthy and will ultimately lower a pet’s life expectancy. Here are 5 reasons why pet obesity is a big concern. If you think your pet might be overweight, talk with your veterinarian.

1. Pet obesity exacerbates arthritis
Dr. Ernie Ward writes, "The number one medical condition associated with excess weight is osteoarthritis (OA). Both large and small breeds of dogs are typically affected, but cats are developing crippling arthritis at alarming rates. If your pet is carrying as little as one or two extra pounds, remember those pounds are stressing tiny joints not designed to carry extra weight. Making matters worse, fat cells produce harmful chemicals known as adipocytokines that damage even non-weight bearing joints. There is no cure for arthritis; we can only minimize the pain." Learn more about arthritis and pets here >>>
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2. Obese pets have less fun
Dogs love to exercise; it’s in their nature. They weren’t bred to ride the couch. It only takes a little research on the history of breeds to notice that most have hunted and worked with humans for thousands of years. “Dogs are born to work for a living,” says the ASPCA website. “Most are bred for a particular purpose like hunting, herding livestock, or providing protection.”  Knowing this, do you think a dog that has a hard time getting around would be happy? Would you? Check out these fun exercises to do with your dog >>>
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3. Obesity can increase the risk of diabetes
According to Dr. Ruth MacPete, "Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disease influenced by both inherited and environmental factors... However, of all the risk factors, obesity is the most important, especially since the prevalence of obesity is increasing." Learn more about diabetes here >>>
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4. Pet obesity is increasing
Matt Henry writes that according to recent statistics, compiled in the 2013 Banfield State of Pet Health Report, "Pet obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. Drawing on a sizable sample group of 2 million dogs and nearly half a million cats... 37% more dogs and 90% more cats are obese this year compared to five years ago. Read more statistics about the pet-obesity epidemic here >>>
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5. Obesity can increase the risk of high blood pressure
According to Dr. Ernie Ward, "Sometimes we forget our pets get many of the same diseases we do. Hypertension is one of these commonly overlooked conditions in pets. High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because you can’t tell if your pet has it, nor can you see the damage it’s causing -- until it's too late."  Learn more about heart disease in dogs and cats >>>
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If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
​

Reviewed by: 
Dr. Sarah Tasse, DVM
5 Comments

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  • Home
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