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THE VEGAN DOG COACH

"But shouldn't dogs and cats eat meat?"

NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH CONCERNS OF RAW MEAT

DIETS

Raw meat diets are, in fact, not natural and not healthy. Peer-reviewed research studies that examined these diets from a nutritional standpoint concluded that they are nutritionally-imbalanced and cause health problems.

The following are the most rigorous, up-to-date scientific evidences published on the subject of dog and cat safety, health risks, and health question assessment.

Each study has been linked so that you, your relatives, or your veterinarian may be educated and obtain the correct science all in a single place, allowing you to provide your dogs and cats with the safest, least hazardous diet possible.

Shortcut from science studies shared below;

One of the cats on raw rabbit diet died of heart failure caused by taurine deficiency . All other cats fed raw rabbit diet showed signs of taurine deficiency and had to be taken off the diet.

There are no published level 1, 2, or 3 studies of nutritional benefit of raw meat feeding to dogs or cats ( Can Vet J. 2011 Jan; 52(1): 50–54 ).

Bones can also cause obstruction or perforation of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon – adding to the list of risks associated with these dangerous diets.

Hyperthyroidism is a condition of overactive thyroid gland, which appears to be a consequence of feeding raw meat diets to dogs.

Hyperthyroidism is a condition of overactive thyroid gland, which appears to be a consequence of feeding raw meat diets to dogs.

Escherichia coli was found in almost 50% of the raw food diets.

Presence of pathogens in frozen raw foods do not only cause bacterial infections in domestic animals, but also pose a health risk to other members of a household.

Feeding of raw meats diets are leading to multiple nutritional deficiencies in dogs and cats.

One of the early studies on this topic examined 5 home prepared and commercial raw meat diets produced in the USA, by comparing their nutrient profiles with the AAFCO standards.

This study discovered that all of analyzed diets had multiple nutritional imbalances, which could have important adverse effects on the health of the animals.

Examples of imbalances included a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 0.20, vitamin A and E concentrations below the minimum detectable value, and a vitamin D concentration nearly twice the AAFCO maximum amount.

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Feeding of raw meats diets are leading to major nutritional imbalance

In a more recent study in Europe, investigators calculated amounts of 12 nutrients (e.g. calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A) in 95 homemade raw meat diets being fed to dogs. In that study, 57 (60%) diets had major nutritional imbalances.3 Yet another similar investigation reported that raw diets for dogs are low in calcium and phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.

Raw meat diets formulated for cats have been also investigated. One study found that feeding raw meat to cats may cause hypervitaminosis A (too much vitamin A), as well as a condition called pansteatitis - a physiological state in which the body fat becomes inflamed

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Cats die from Taurine deficiency in raw meats feeding study.

Another group of researchers at the University of California conducted an experiment with 22 cats, by feeding them one of two diets: raw rabbit diet or a commercially available brand of cat food.

One of the cats on raw rabbit diet died of heart failure caused by taurine deficiency. All other cats fed raw rabbit diet showed signs of taurine deficiency and had to be taken off the diet.

Cats fed a commercial diet supplemented with taurine did not show signs of taurine deficiency.

It was concluded that some raw meat diets can be dangerous for cats and should be avoided. 5

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There are no studies that show any benefits of feeding raw meat to dogs and cats.

There are no published level 1, 2, or 3 studies of nutritional benefit of raw meat feeding to dogs or cats ( Can Vet J. 2011 Jan; 52(1): 50–54 )

Level 4 evidence of nutritional benefit : The only available published information on feeding raw meats to a number of dogs and cats that could be interpreted as remotely positive is a survey study on feeding practices in the United States and Australia (5). Results of the survey indicated that 98.7% of dog owners and 98.5% of cat owners deemed their pet healthy. Of all of those owners, bones or raw food were provided as part of the main meal to 16.2% of dogs and 9.6% of cats. Less than 3% of owners fed exclusively home-prepared diets. The study did not try to correlate the owner’s perceptions of health with diet, but the bone and raw food feeders would have been amongst the group that considered their pets to be healthy.

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In addition to nutritional imbalances, research shows that most raw meat-based pet foods are packed with toxic bacteria and parasites.

A recent study (15) analyzed 240 samples from 20 commercially prepared raw meat dog diets (beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey).

Each sampling point and were evaluated by culture for Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter, and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Cryptosporidium, Neospora, and Toxoplasma.

Almost 6% of the raw food diets were positive for Salmonella.

Escherichia coli was found in almost 50% of the raw food diets.

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44-62% of commercial raw meat meals for dogs were contaminated.

One study collected 112 samples of commercial raw meat foods used in greyhound diets and investigated them for salmonella. Results showed that 44%-62% of samples tested positive for salmonella, depending on the procedure used. The study concluded that salmonella is a huge concern in raw meat-based diets for dogs.

Presence of pathogens in frozen raw foods do not only cause bacterial infections in domestic animals, but also pose a health risk to other members of a household.

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35 commercially available raw meat diets analyzed for bacteria and parasites.

Another recent investigation analyzed 35 commercially available raw meat diets for bacteria and parasites.

8 of these diets tested positive for e-coli and e-coli precursor was found in 28 diets.

Listeria was present in 19 (54%) diets, and salmonella - in 7 diets. Furthermore, 4 of these diets contained Sarcocystis cruzi parasite and another 4 - S-tenella parasite, both of which cause infections with symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and muscle pain in dogs.

Finally, 2 products tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii - a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in humans.

Toxoplasma gondii – a parasite which can be acquired from raw or undercooked meats or from environmental exposure (contaminated soil or feces) – is a dangerous consequence of feeding raw meat-based food to cats. This parasite poses greatest danger to pregnant women and the developing fetus. Toxoplasmosis in a fetus can result in mental retardation, blindness, epilepsy, and death. Research shows that the consumption of raw meat significantly increases the prevalence of this dangerous parasite in cats.9

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Evaluation of health risk to other members of a household.

Direct contact with infected or carrier animals or their feces has been found to be associated with salmonella-caused bacterial infection in humans. Interestingly, standard methods of cleaning and disinfecting food bowls were almost ineffective at eliminating salmonella, contrary to popular perception.

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Excessive fat content in meat-based raw diets.

Raw meat diets usually have high fat content, compared with typical dry extruded or moist pet foods. While additional fat may improve coat glossiness, it also causes mild to severe gastrointestinal issues, as well as increased risk of obesity in some animals. Study.

Another consequence of feeding fatty raw meat to domestic animals is high cholesterol concentrations and related symptoms - abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration. Considering that 60% of Canadian cats and dogs are classified as either overweight or obese (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association), high fat content of these diets is another reason to stay away from them.

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Hyperthyroidism as a direct consequence of a raw meat diets in dogs.

Hyperthyroidism is a condition of overactive thyroid gland, which appears to be a consequence of feeding raw meat diets to dogs.

In one clinical experiment, 12 dogs were fed raw meat diets and half of them showed several signs of dietary hyperthyroidism, including weight loss, aggressiveness, tachycardia, panting and restlessness.

Subsequently, these dogs were taken off the raw diet and examined. Thyroxine concentrations (hyperthoroidism) normalized in all dogs and clinical signs resolved.

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Physical injuries in the form of fractured teeth and
gastrointestinal injury.

In addition to the previously mentioned health problems, raw diets that contain bones can potentially result in fractured teeth and gastrointestinal injury.

Bones can also cause obstruction or perforation of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon – adding to the list of risks associated with these dangerous diets.

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Raw meat diets for cats and dogs contain antibiotic resistant bacteria.

An article published in November 2021 showed that feeding raw food to our pets fuels the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Humans and pets can contract this bacteria.

The presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in raw food diets and in the faeces of pets poses a potentially serious public health risk as if a human or pet becomes infected then there would be no effective antibiotic that could be used to fight the infection and organ failure due to infection can result in deaths.

75% to 95% of urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli, bacteria found in raw meat diets.

Escherichia coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives in your intestines. It’s also found in the intestines of animals and is one of the main contaminants on uncooked meat or chicken. While many of us associate E. coli with food poisoning, you can also get pneumonia and urinary tract infections from different types of the bacteria. In fact, 75% to 95% of urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli.

Above study show that, on 35 commercial raw meat diets analyzed, in 8 of these diets tested positive for e-coli and e-coli precursor was found in 28 diets.

Is Escherichia coli urinary tract infection a zoonosis? Proof of direct link with production animals and meat was published on 28 October 2011, in the European Journal of Clinical Micro Biology and Infectious Diseases.

The study was conducted by L. Jakobsen, P. Garneau, G. Bruant, J. Harel, S. S. Olsen, L. J. Porsbo, A. M. Hammerum & N. Frimodt-Møller.

Report of 27 dogs with suspected acute polyradiculoneuritis
from Campylobacter.

The British Food Standards Agency says that one of the main ways to get and spread campylobacter poisoning is through cross-contamination from raw chicken. For example, washing raw chicken can spread campylobacter by splashing it onto hands, work surfaces, clothing and cooking equipment.

Campylobacter is also found in red meat, unpasteurised milk and untreated water. Although it does not normally grow in food, it spreads easily. Campylobacter spp causes vomiting and diarrhoea among around 280,000 healthy people every year and can kill those with vulnerable immune systems.

In 2018 there was a report of 27 dogs with suspected acute polyradiculoneuritis (APN) were found to be 9.4 times more likely to have faecal samples positive for Campylobacter spp. Campylobacter can be reduced or eradicated with adequate freezing and cooking of the affected chicken.

20% of frozen commercial raw food diets are contaminated by Salmonella spp.

In the UK, Salmonella contamination of poultry was very prevalent in the 1990s, resulting in a programme which has reduced the prevalence to the targeted <2%. The introduction of raw feeding shows that 20% of frozen commercial raw food diets are contaminated by Salmonella spp that results in vomiting and diarrhoea in both pets and affected humans if affected.

Bowls used for feeding should be cleaned, although standard methods of cleaning bowls, including scrubbing with dish soap and bleaching, are inadequate to eliminate Salmonella.

Listeria bacteria found in raw meat diets for dogs and cats can result in abortions in humans.

In humans, the symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea or diarrhoea. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness although the infection can result in miscarriage, premature delivery, serious infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth. In dogs it is often clinically silent, although it has been reported in association with abortion in dogs.

The van Bree, et al (2018) study found Listeria monocytogenes in 43% of the samples of frozen commercial raw pet food, and in earlier studies Listeria (and Salmonella) were isolated from were isolated from raw foods and jerky-type treats but not dry commercial foods. Listeria is also transferred to humans from milk or cheeses (especially unpasteurised cheeses) affected with Listeria.

Analyze of the different diet available for cats

As yet, there have been no published studies of this kind looking at the benefits of high fish-based diets (as cats are land mammals and fish falls high in the ingredients they are intolerant to), raw food diets or even insect-based diets and their benefits to cats, so this really is a step forward for sustainability and pet health.

Most meat-based cat food have to be supplemented because the nutrients can be destroyed during processing. Cats in the 90’s were seen to suffer from more cases of dilated cardiomyopathy until this supplemented taurine was added to all cat foods and we rarely see cases of DCM in cats since 2000.

Cats fed a nutritionally sound plant-based diet experienced a 23% reduction in guardian opinions of more severe illness

The recent study corresponded with other results from 2021, where among a pool of 1,000+ cats, vegan-diet-fed cats better reported health, had more ideal body condition scores, and were less likely to suffer from gastrointestinal and liver disorders than cats fed meat. This pool showed no diseases were more likely to be found in the vegan-fed cats.

Cats had better outcomes when fed vegan diets for every health indicator, representing a strong and consistent trend.Prof Andrew Knight notes, “It indicates that pet food manufacturers are now designing and creating vegan pet foods to include all necessary nutrients but with fewer of the dietary hazards that are prevalent within meat-based pet foods. Cats consuming vegan diets have better health outcomes, as a result.”

Cats need a high-protein diet that includes certain nutrients, like taurine, preformed Vitamin A and arachidonic acid. These nutrients can be synthetically manufactured or sourced from specific plants and fungi and added into vegan food as supplements.

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